Project description:Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most common medications reported in pregnancy. NSAIDs directly impact prostaglandin pathways and have been proposed as potential risk factors for spontaneous abortions (SABs, gestation <20 weeks). SAB risk and drug response across several medications differ by race; therefore, we evaluated whether associations between NSAIDs and SAB risk differ by race.Women were enrolled in the Right from the Start (2004-2010) prospective cohort. Data regarding over-the-counter NSAIDs up to the sixth week of pregnancy were obtained from interviews. Race was self-reported. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association between NSAID exposure and SAB, adjusted for confounders.Among 2493 pregnancies, 12% were African American and 88% were Caucasian. NSAID exposure was reported by 40% (n = 124) of African Americans and 43% (n = 945) of Caucasians. Race-stratified analyses showed protection from SAB among African Americans (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73-0.96) but no effect in Caucasians (aHR, 1.01; 95% CI 0.88-1.16).Our findings suggest that risk for SAB due to over-the-counter NSAIDs in early pregnancy is modified by race. Further investigation of dose, timing in gestation, and indication may help to further reconcile the relationship between race, NSAIDs, and SAB.
Project description:BACKGROUND:In Japan, non-pharmacists who are accredited as registered salespersons can sell over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and they play a very important role in supporting proper OTC drug use by consumers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate information provided to and information collected from consumers, and cooperation with pharmacists during OTC drug sales by registered salespersons, and to clarify their related concerns and behaviors. METHODS:A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of 385 registered salespersons working at 56 drugstores throughout Japan was conducted. Based on the questionnaire survey, the frequency of information provision/collection in various categories was determined for the registered salespersons. The relation between concerns of registered salespersons relating to OTC drug sales and the frequency of information provision/collection was examined. The frequency of consultation of registered salespersons with a pharmacist was calculated for registered salespersons with/without in-store pharmacists. The χ-square test or Fisher's exact test was performed to assess the significance of differences. RESULTS:Two hundred and seven registered salespersons (53.7%) responded completely. A greater number of OTC drug purchasers per day was associated with a greater frequency of information provision about "side effects" and information collection about "favorite items" (alcohol, tobacco, health foods, etc.) (p < 0.05). One hundred and thirty-nine (67.2%) participants had concerns about "interactions between OTC drugs and prescription drugs", and these concerns were related to the frequency of information provision/collection (p < 0.05). Regarding the frequency of consultation with a pharmacist, 35 of 46 participants (76.1%) working with pharmacists answered "always" or "usually", whereas only 19 of 161 participants (11.8%) working without full-time pharmacists answered "always" or "usually". More than half of the registered salespersons thought that cooperation with a pharmacist was necessary when they were "asked about concomitant use with prescription drugs" or "told that side effects happened." CONCLUSIONS:The results of this study show that experienced registered salespersons selling OTC drugs are more likely to collect information from consumers and to provide information to consumers. It appears to be important for registered salespersons to cooperate with pharmacists in order to provide and collect appropriate information about concomitant medications.
Project description:ObjectiveTo develop a drug facts label prototype for a combination mifepristone and misoprostol product and to conduct a label-comprehension study to assess understanding of key label concepts.MethodsWe followed U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidance, engaged a multidisciplinary group of experts, and conducted cognitive interviews to develop a drug facts label prototype for medication abortion. To assess label comprehension, we developed 11 primary and 13 secondary communication objectives related to indications for use, eligibility, dosing regimen, contraindications, warning signs, side effects, and recognizing the risk of treatment failure, with corresponding target performance thresholds (80-90% accuracy). We conducted individual structured video interviews with people with a uterus aged 12-49 years, recruited through social media. Participants reviewed the drug facts label and responded to questions to assess their understanding of each communication objective. After transcribing and coding interviews, we estimated the proportion of correct responses and exact binomial 95% CIs by age and literacy group.ResultsWe interviewed 851 people (of 1,507 people scheduled); responses from 844 were eligible for analysis, and 35.7% (n=301) of participants were aged 12-17 years. The overall sample met performance criteria for 10 of the 11 primary communication objectives (93-99% correct) related to indications for use, eligibility for use, the dosing regimen, and contraindications; young people met nine and people with limited literacy met eight of the 11 performance criteria. Only 79% (95% CI 0.76-0.82) of the overall sample understood to contact a health care professional if little or no bleeding occurred soon after taking misoprostol, not meeting the prespecified threshold of 85.0%.ConclusionOverall, high levels of comprehension suggest that people can understand most key drug facts label concepts for a medication abortion product without clinical supervision and recommend minor modifications.
Project description:Abstract Background Loperamide at supratherapeutic doses can cause cardiac toxicity, presenting as cardiogenic shock, prolonged QT, malignant arrhythmias, or in severe cases sudden cardiac death. Surreptitious loperamide use is difficult to diagnose. We present an interesting case of loperamide use presenting with polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, cardiogenic shock. Case summary A 25-year-old female presented with multiple syncopal episodes for 12 months with an electrocardiogram showing a Brugada-like pattern for which she underwent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement. One day following the procedure, she developed cardiogenic shock and was transferred to our tertiary care centre. Extensive workup was unrevealing. She responded well to supportive management, recovering from shock and was transferred to the floor. Unfortunately, she again developed cardiogenic shock, ultimately leading to cardiac arrest. Given the unclear cause for her cardiovascular symptoms, futher medication history was obtained. It was revealed that she was taking 100–150 tablets of loperamide per day. The decision was made to treat with intralipid emulsion therapy empirically given the strong suspicion for loperamide toxicity. The patient recovered well with supportive care. Loperamide levels returned elevated at 190 ng/mL. Repeated studies showed improvement of the conduction block, resolution of arrhythmias, and recovery of right and left ventricular function. Discussion Acute loperamide toxicity can present as biventricular failure, with difficult-to-control arrhythmias. It requires a high index of suspicion. Treatment for loperamide toxicity is mainly supportive, lipid emulsion therapy can be considered in severe or refractory cases.
Project description:ObjectivesCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and statins play a pivotal role in the primary prevention of cardiovascular events. This study investigates statin prescribing in primary care patients with NAFLD to identify opportunities to address cardiovascular disease risk in this cohort.Study designRetrospective cohort study of primary care electronic health record data from 2012-2018.MethodsThis cohort included 652 patients with radiographic evidence of hepatic steatosis and no evidence of competing chronic liver disease. A statin prescription identified at any time during the study period was the primary outcome. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate the association of clinical signals and comorbidities with statin prescribing.ResultsOf the 652 patients in the NAFLD cohort, 56% received a statin prescription during the study period. Elevations in aminotransferases were not associated with statin prescribing (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.17; 95% CI, 0.78-1.76), whereas older patients (AOR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.05-1.08) and those with diabetes (AOR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.73-3.92), hypertension (AOR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.70-4.48), and a BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (AOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.01-2.22) had higher odds of having a statin prescribed. Of the 288 patients without a statin prescription, 49% had an indication for statin therapy by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. In total, 16% of included patients did not have lipid panel results during the study period.ConclusionsThis study showed no association between NAFLD and statin prescribing, and the findings highlight opportunities to improve primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in these at-risk patients.
Project description:Several over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are known to be misused. Among them are opioids such as codeine, dihydrocodeine, and loperamide. This work elucidates their pharmacology, interactions, safety profiles, and how pharmacology is being manipulated to misuse these common medications, with the aim to expand on the subject outlined by the authors focusing on abuse prevention and prevalence rates. The reviewed literature was identified in several online databases through searches conducted with phrases created by combining the international non-proprietary names of the drugs with terms related to drug misuse. The results show that OTC opioids are misused as an alternative for illicit narcotics, or prescription-only opioids. The potency of codeine and loperamide is strongly dependent on the individual enzymatic activity of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, as well as P-glycoprotein function. Codeine can also be utilized as a substrate for clandestine syntheses of more potent drugs of abuse, namely desomorphine ("Krokodil"), and morphine. The dangerous methods used to prepare these substances can result in poisoning from toxic chemicals and impurities originating from the synthesis procedure. OTC opioids are generally safe when consumed in accordance with medical guidelines. However, the intake of supratherapeutic amounts of these substances may reveal surprising traits of common medications.
Project description:IntroductionPatients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) depend on advice from healthcare professionals to avoid using unsuitable over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Recently, qualified, registered nonpharmacist salespersons became licensed to sell OTC drugs in Japan. However, registered salespersons' knowledge and awareness of precautions regarding unsuitable OTC drugs for use in patients with CKD are unclear.ObjectivesThis study aimed to clarify the awareness, knowledge, and implementation of precautions by registered salespersons regarding OTC drugs used by patients with CKD. Additionally, we evaluated the change of registered salespersons' knowledge and awareness of this topic generated by a pharmacist intervention.MethodsA questionnaire survey and pharmacist intervention were applied to 175 registered salespersons. The intervention comprised a 50-minute lecture imparted by a pharmacist who was trained in nephrology. The knowledge, awareness, and implementation of precautions by participants with respect to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antacids were evaluated before and after the intervention.ResultsApproximately half of the registered salespersons reported previous experience with selling OTC drugs that were inappropriate for patients with CKD (NSAIDs, 48.0%; antacids, 39.7%). Few participants recognized the need to check renal function when selling those drugs to such patients (NSAIDs, 25.7%; antacids, 47.5%). The registered salespersons' awareness and knowledge were significantly higher after the intervention than before it.ConclusionThe results indicate that before the intervention, the registered salespersons had low levels of awareness and knowledge regarding OTC drug use in patients with CKD despite having prior experience selling unsuitable OTC drugs. However, the pharmacist intervention improved the registered salespersons' awareness and knowledge. The educational program for registered salespersons might be necessary to prevent inappropriate OTC drug use by patients with CKD.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting practices by health care professionals remain poor. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are perceived as safe; however, they can also cause ADRs. The objective of this study was to analyze ADR reporting for OTC drugs in a 10-year period, in order to evaluate frequency of ADRs, population that ADRs most affect and reporters of ADRs of OTC drugs in Croatia. METHODS:Spontaneously reported ADRs of non-analgesic OTC drugs, collected from January 2008 to December 2017 were analyzed. Data was obtained from Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of Croatia (HALMED). RESULTS:There were 547 ADRs of OTC drugs reported in total and an increase in number of reports through the years was observed. Pharmacists reported 45.4% of all ADRs, and were most frequent reporters (p < 0.001). In 2017 majority of reports, 62 (49.2%), were obtained from consumers. ADRs were most frequently observed in patients aged 70 years and older (15% of ADRs). Five percent of all reports were accidental exposures among children. CONCLUSIONS:Pharmacists most frequently reported ADRs of OTC drugs and consumers' awareness of ADR reporting has risen. Other health care professionals (e.g., nurses and dentists) must be offered proper education in order to improve reporting practice of ADRs. Health care professionals should address concerns about OTC drug safety in elderly and children.
Project description:BackgroundStatins are an important intervention for primary and secondary cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. We aimed to establish the variation in primary preventive treatment for CVD with statins in the English population.MethodsCross sectional analyses of 6155 English primary care practices with 40,017,963 patients in 2006/7. Linear regression was used to model prescribing rates of statins for primary CVD prevention as a function of IMD (index of multiple deprivation) quintile, proportion of population from an ethnic minority, and age over 65 years. Defined Daily Doses (DDD) were used to calculate the numbers of patients receiving a statin. Statin prescriptions were allocated to primary and secondary prevention based on the prevalence of CVD and stroke.ResultsWe estimated that 10.5% (s.d.3.7%) of the registered population were dispensed a statin for any indication and that 6.3% (s.d. 3.0%) received a statin for primary CVD prevention. The regression model explained 21.2% of the variation in estimates of prescribing for primary prevention. Practices with higher prevalence of hypertension (β co-efficient 0.299 p <0.001) and diabetes (β co-efficient 0.566 p < 0.001) prescribed more statins for primary prevention. Practices with higher levels of ethnicity (β co-efficient-0.026 p <0.001), greater deprivation (β co-efficient -0.152 p < 0.001) older patients (β co-efficient -0.032 p 0.002), larger lists (β co-efficient -0.085, p < 0.001) and were more rural (β co-efficient -0.121, p0.026) prescribed fewer statins. In a small proportion of practices (0.5%) estimated prescribing rates for statins were so low that insufficient prescriptions were issued to meet the predicted secondary prevention requirements of their registered population.ConclusionsAbsolute estimated prescribing rates for primary prevention of CVD were 6.3% of the population. There was evidence of social inequalities in statin prescribing for primary prevention. These findings support the recent introduction of a financial incentive for primary prevention of CVD in England.