Current clinical pharmacology
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Curr Clin Pharmacol · May 2014
Review Comparative StudyL-carnosine modulates respiratory burst and reactive oxygen species production in neutrophil biochemistry and function: may oral dosage form of non-hydrolized dipeptide L-carnosine complement anti-infective anti-influenza flu treatment, prevention and self-care as an alternative to the conventional vaccination?
Influenza A is a viral disease of global dimension, presenting with high morbidity and mortality in annual epidemics, and in pandemics which are of infrequent occurrence but which have very high attack rates. Influenza vaccines of the future must be directed toward use of conserved group-specific viral antigens, such as are present in transitional proteins which are exposed during the fusion of virus to the host cell. Influenza probes revealed a continuing battle for survival between host and parasite in which the host population updates the specificity of its pool of humoral immunity by contact with and response to infection with the most recent viruses which possess altered antigenic specificity in their hemagglutinin (HA) ligand. ⋯ In this way these histidine-containing compounds can modulate the Influenza virus release from neutrophills and reduce virus dissemination through the body of the organism. This review points the ability of therapeutic control of Influenza viral infections associated with modulation by oral nonhydrolized forms of carnosine and related histidine-containg compounds of PMN apoptosis which may be involved at least in part in the pathophysiology of the disease in animals and humans. The data presented in this article, overall, may have implications for global influenza surveillance and planning for pandemic influenza therapeutic prevention with oral forms of non-hydrolized natural L-carnosine as a suitable alternative to the conventional vaccination for various flu ailments.
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Curr Clin Pharmacol · Feb 2014
Review Comparative StudyPharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rivaroxaban--an oral, direct factor Xa inhibitor.
Anticoagulants have a key role in the management of venous and arterial thromboembolic disorders. Traditional anticoagulants, such as unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins, fondaparinux, and vitamin K antagonists are effective but have limitations that make the management of thromboembolic disorders difficult. There is a clear need for new anticoagulants that are at least as effective as traditional agents but without their drawbacks. ⋯ It does not require dose adjustment for age, sex, body weight, or ethnicity, and there is no requirement for routine coagulation monitoring because it has been shown to have predictable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Furthermore, rivaroxaban has minimal food and drug interactions. The introduction of newer oral anticoagulants, such as rivaroxaban, that are convenient to administer and have predictable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, could ultimately simplify patient management in clinical practice and may improve clinical outcomes across a broad range of thromboembolic disorders.
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The widespread use of biologics has paved way for newer options in therapeutics for once incurable illnesses. Their large and complex protein structure, post-translational modifications, elaborate manufacturing/production process and risk for immunogenicity adds to the uniqueness of a biologic product. ⋯ We discuss the clinical safety and regulatory requirements for biosimilars in various countries across the world. Future holds promise for biosimilars to provide affordable, efficacious and safe treatment to a vast majority of patients with significant cost savings to the nation.
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Curr Clin Pharmacol · Jan 2014
ReviewGinger for prevention or treatment of drug-induced nausea and vomiting.
In this review, potential benefits of oral ginger for prevention or management of drug- induced nausea and vomiting were evaluated based on the available evidences. ⋯ Various studies have evaluated effects of ginger in prevention and management of nausea and vomiting in different conditions such as pregnancy, chemotherapy, and post-operation. Evidences regarding anti-emetic effect of ginger in prevention and treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting are limited and results are conflicting. More randomized clinical trials should be conducted to confirm efficacy of ginger in this regards. Ginger showed promising and attractive effects in preventing post-operative nausea and vomiting at least as add-on therapy. The exact role of ginger as anti-emetic in prevention of post- operative nausea and vomiting can be elucidated by future randomized clinical trials.
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Curr Clin Pharmacol · Aug 2013
ReviewEfficacy and safety of long acting injectable atypical antipsychotics: a review.
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe and recurrent brain disorder that requires continuous, long-term treatment with antipsychotic medication to minimize relapse and provide clinical benefit to patients. For patients with schizophrenia, non-adherence to medication is a major risk factor for relapse and re-hospitalization. ⋯ Several studies have also demonstrated efficacy and safety of such drugs in patients with acute schizophrenia. In the present paper the literature on LAI atypical antipsychotics will be reviewed and practical advice will be given concerning the use of these drugs in the clinical practice.