The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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Review Comparative Study
Role of new drugs for management of atrial fibrillation.
To evaluate the role of newer agents in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). ⋯ Use of dronedarone should be limited to patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF and should not be used in patients with heart failure or with permanent AF. Newer antithrombotic agents appear to be promising alternatives for the prevention of stroke in patients with AF; however, more data are needed to understand their role.
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To evaluate the effectiveness of gabapentin in adults with phantom limb pain. ⋯ Given the results of these trials, oral gabapentin in patients aged 18 years or older may decrease phantom limb pain. A strong recommendation for the effectiveness of gabapentin in phantom limb pain cannot be ascertained until more methodologically sound studies are executed in this population.
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To investigate the nature of the interaction between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tramadol to mitigate or avoid serotonin syndrome. ⋯ Coadministration of tramadol and SSRIs has caused serotonin syndrome. An attempt should be made to identify individuals who are poor metabolizers of CYP2D6 and avoid this combination in those patients. When SSRIs and tramadol must be used in combination, it is critical that patients be aware of the signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, should they occur.
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Comparative Study
Effects of chemotherapy and psychosocial distress on perceived cognitive disturbances in Asian breast cancer patients.
There is conflicting evidence on the effect of chemotherapy and psychosocial distress on perceived cognitive changes in cancer patients. ⋯ Chemotherapy and endocrine treatment were associated with significant cognitive disturbances among Asian breast cancer patients. Psychosocial factors could be used to identify cancer patients who are more susceptible to cognitive disturbances in the clinical setting.
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Comparative Study
Effectiveness of palonosetron versus other serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in triple antiemetic regimens during multiday highly emetogenic chemotherapy.
The second-generation serotonin 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist palonosetron has shown improved efficacy in the prevention of both acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). However, there have been no randomized controlled trials supporting the preferential use of palonosetron in triple antiemetic regimens for patients receiving multiday highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). ⋯ Within a triple antiemetic regimen, a palonosetron-based antiemetic regimen was not significantly different from regimens based on first-generation 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists in preventing CINV during multiday HEC.