South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Review
Signal of harm in morphine use in adults with acute pulmonary oedema: A rapid systematic review.
Heart failure affects nearly 65 million people globally, resulting in recurrent hospital admissions and substantial healthcare expenditure. The use of morphine in the management of acute pulmonary oedema remains controversial, with conflicting guidance and significant variation in practice. Synthesised evidence is needed to inform standard treatment guidelines and clinical practice. ⋯ Based on the most recent, relevant and best-available quality evidence, morphine use in adults with APE may increase in-hospital and all-cause mortality and may result in a large increase in the need for invasive mechanical ventilation compared to not using morphine. Recommending against the use of morphine in pulmonary oedema may improve patient outcomes. Disinvesting in morphine for this indication may result in cost savings, noting the possible accrued benefits of fewer patients requiring invasive ventilation and management of morphine-related side-effects.
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Phentermine is an internationally recognised amphetamine derivative with significant appetite-suppressing properties. The drug is indicated for the short-term management of obesity, as the long-term (LT) use of phentermine may potentially be associated with severe cardiovascular side-effects, abuse and dependence. The LT use hereinafter describes periods exceeding 12 consecutive weeks. This use may also be associated with potential drug-drug interactions (PDDIs), which may result in adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The literature reports that phentermine is often prescribed LT and for several other off-label indications, increasing the risk for individuals to experience adverse drug events (ADEs) and drug-drug interactions (DDIs). There are, to our knowledge, no South African (SA) studies investigating the prevalence of co-prescribing LT phentermine with drugs that may potentially cause DDIs. ⋯ There are patients who receive LT phentermine therapy despite the potential severe consequences that may result. These patients may receive concomitant therapy with phentermine and other pharmaceutical constituents, which may potentially cause DDIs, more specifically, moderate and severe DDIs. As such, these patients are not only confronted with the consequences of DDIs but are also at risk to experience ADRs as the residual effect of PDDIs.