American journal of therapeutics
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Human cytochrome P4502D6 (CYP2D6) gene is highly polymorphic, leading to wide interindividual ethnic differences in CYP2D6-mediated drug metabolism. Its activity ranges from complete deficiency to excessive activity, potentially causing toxicity of the medication or therapeutic failure with recommended drug dosages. The aim of the study was to find the association of CYP2D6*2 polymorphisms with demographic characters (age, sex, and weight), pain intensity scales [numerical rating scale (NRS) sleep, global perceived effect (GPE)], and adverse drug effects in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients receiving tramadol. ⋯ In addition, CYP2D6*2 genotype was not related to the adverse effects of analgesic therapy. The overall results suggested that CYP2D6*2 polymorphism plays no role in the PHN patients receiving tramadol treatment. The CYP2D6*2 polymorphism may not be a predictor of treatment outcome of patients with respect to PHN-receiving tramadol.
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Observational Study
Activated Charcoal Does Not Reduce Duration of Phenytoin Toxicity in Hospitalized Patients.
Phenytoin toxicity frequently results in a prolonged inpatient admission. Several publications avow multidose activated charcoal (MDAC) will enhance the elimination of phenytoin. However, these claims are not consistent, and the mechanism of enhanced eliminaiton is unproven. ⋯ Mean time to reach the study end point was 39 hours [95% confidence interval (CI), 31-48], 52 hours (95% CI, 36-68), and 60 hours (95% CI, 45-75) for NoAC, SDAC, and MDAC, respectively. The groups appeared similar with respect to peak phenytoin concentrations and prevalence of signs and symptoms. In this observational series, the use of activated charcoal was associated with increased time to reach the composite end point of clinical improvement.
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Review Case Reports
Sertraline-Induced Rhabdomyolysis: A Case Report and Literature Review.
The objective of this study is to report a case of sertraline-induced rhabdomyolysis in a female patient with a history of depression. A 25-year-old Hispanic woman with a history of depression reported to the emergency department (ED) with a chief complaint of muscle swelling and soreness and dark urine. The patient's creatine phosphokinase was 15,103 U/L. ⋯ Unlike the majority of previous reports, our patient was not taking other medications with documented association to rhabdomyolysis and had performed routine exercise before presenting with rhabdomyolysis. Although the mechanism of SSRI-induced rhabdomyolysis is not known, a theory posits that sertraline may have a role in muscle contraction and relaxation, leading to shorter time to contracture and longer time of contraction. The use of sertraline and other SSRIs may be associated with development of rhabdomyolysis, especially in the presence of strenuous exercise.
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It has been observed that atrial overdrive pacing abolishes sleep apnea syndrome, but how it does so has not been explained. There is a possibility that it sends a retrograde inhibitory impulse to the vagal center in the brainstem, which in turn reduces the vagal tone, and thus prevents sleep apnea. Therefore, medical vagolytics such as atropine type of drugs should have the same effect. This is a case report of such an attempt.
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Case Reports
An Unrecognized Rash Progressing to Lyme Carditis: Important Features and Recommendations Regarding Lyme Disease.
We present a case report of 46-year-old man with no medical history, who complained of extreme fatigue, near-syncope, and palpitations. He initially presented in complete heart block. A transvenous pacemaker was placed in the emergency department, and he was started empirically on Ceftriaxone for Lyme disease. ⋯ The most common cardiac complaint of Lyme disease is palpitations, occurring in 6.6% of patients, which may not accurately reflect progression into disseminated Lyme disease because it is a nonspecific finding. Conduction abnormality, occurring in 1.8% of patients, is a more specific finding of Borrelia invading cardiac tissue. Finally, this case report highlights a recommendation that patients with confirmed Lyme disease or those presenting with cardiac abnormalities or symptoms who have an atypical profile for a cardiac event should be screened with a 12-lead electrocardiogram, Lyme serology, and be considered for antibiotic therapy with the possibility of temporary pacing.