American journal of therapeutics
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The objective of this article is to provide a concise overview of the most likely biological and chemical agents that could be used as biochemical weapons. The diagnosis, pathology, prevention, decontamination, treatment, and disposition of these biological and chemical agents are presented in a tabular format for quick reference purposes. The information provided outlines the bare essentials needed to deal with any emergency or catastrophic event involving these agents.
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Pain of multiple etiologies remains a substantial problem for many patients presenting in the clinical setting. Improved pain relief can be demonstrated, and adverse effects minimized, by multimodal analgesic combinations as the method to improve pain treatment. Substantial evidence supports combining analgesics for the management of pain and, in some instances, they have a heterogeneous pharmacologic sparing effect. ⋯ Couple this often undisclosed over-the-counter medication consumption event with prescription medications, which many contain similar combination ingredients, and the potential for a therapeutic misadventure may precipitate. This article will address the safety and efficacy of acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen independently and in combination with currently available prescription dosage forms with a focus on pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics, including drug interactions at the CYP450 system. Patient-specific cautions are presented for opiate/opioid combinations, codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and propoxyphene, and there is a discussion of COX I/COX II agents.
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Furosemide is one of the most effective and least toxic diuretics used in pediatric practice. Experimental and clinical data suggest that adrenocorticosteroids and/or endogenous ouabain-like substances may play an important role in its diuretic effect. Also, the drug appears to have anti-inflammatory properties. ⋯ It was suggested that the total daily dose of the drug should not exceed 100 mg in these patients. Furosemide was found to be effective in management of bronchoconstriction accompanying chronic lung disease and narrowing of the upper respiratory airways; in hydrocephalus in infancy to avoid cerebrospinal fluid shunts; in some diagnostic procedures, such as an assessment of fetal and neonatal hydronephrosis; and in evaluation of different types of renal tubular acidosis. Among side effects accompanying clinical use of this drug were cholelithiasis in premature infants receiving total parenteral nutrition concomitantly with the diuretic; secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone disease in infants obtaining long-term furosemide treatment; and drug-induced fever.
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Effective management of chronic pain has become an increasingly critical issue in health care. Opioid agonists are among the most effective analgesics available for reducing pain perception; however, their chronic use is controversial. This is primarily due to regulatory barriers, misunderstandings about pain management among primary caregivers, fear of adverse side effects, and misconceptions about the potential risks of addiction. ⋯ Results of studies show that improved quality of life is directly related to the use of long-acting opioids in patients with chronic pain of both cancer and noncancer etiology. Short-acting opioids may be used during the initial dose titration period of long-acting formulations and as rescue medication for episodes of breakthrough pain. Clinical experience reveals that selection of an effective pain regimen for the patient with chronic pain, combined with aggressive management of side effects, leads to improved overall functioning and quality of life.
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Depressed patients consult with their primary care physician before engaging the services of a mental health care provider. Primary care physicians initiate more antidepressant pharmacotherapy than psychiatrists. Major depression has been estimated to have a 5% to 10% prevalence, with up to three times that percentage having significant subsyndromal depression symptoms. ⋯ Included in this article are a review of traditional and newer antidepressants, their pharmacokinetics, their pharmacodynamics, and an elaborate interaction focus. Special emphasis is focused on individual antidepressants and class of antidepressants. This article provides comprehensive insights in perception, recognition, treatment, and the selection process involving antidepressants.