The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparative pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of doripenem and meropenem in obese patients.
Antimicrobial pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data are limited in obesity. ⋯ Doripenem and meropenem pharmacokinetics differ in obesity. However, currently approved dosing regimens provide adequate pharmacodynamic exposures for susceptible bacteria in obese patients.
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Beginning in fiscal year 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will measure all-cause readmissions for patients admitted for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Hospitals will incur a payment penalty for unplanned 30-day readmissions. Elderly patients frequently present a challenge because of polypharmacy, which contributes to a greater risk for medication-related readmissions. ⋯ Pharmacist-conducted medication reconciliation at discharge decreased discrepancies for elderly patients admitted for exacerbation of COPD. The 30-day readmission rate could be decreased further by expanding pharmacist responsibilities during transitions of care. This includes patient counseling, tracking outpatient adherence, selecting affordable medications, and expanding the process to include other chronic disease states.
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To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of fluticasone furoate/vilanterol (FF/VI) and compare it with other inhaled combination corticosteroid/long-acting β₂-receptor agonists for maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Of the inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β₂ receptor agonist combinations, VI/FF is the first allowing once-daily dosing. Similar to the other combination products, it may slightly decrease the incidence of COPD exacerbations in the patient subset with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease risk category C or D. There are no direct safety or efficacy data comparing this with other available inhaled combination products. The once-daily dosing might improve adherence in select patients. The Ellipta delivery device may assist some who are unable to use other devices correctly.
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Methadone is commonly prescribed for children with opioid abstinence syndrome (OAS) as a taper schedule over several days to weeks. The Medication Taper Complexity Score (MTCS) was developed to evaluate outpatient methadone tapers. ⋯ The MTCS was found to be a reliable and valid tool. Overall, the panel felt that the MTCS was easy to use and had potential applications in both practice and research.
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Transfer of medication information during transitions in care is crucial to preventing medication errors. Few studies evaluate patients' self-reported personal medication lists. ⋯ Patients' self-reported personal medication lists are often incomplete and have discrepancies with clinic medication lists. Interventions are needed to improve medication information transfer between patients, providers and healthcare systems.