scholarly journals Should Levetiracetam Replace Phenytoin for Seizure Prophylaxis after Neurosurgery?

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 71-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan B. Fountain

Efficacy and Tolerability of Levetiracetam versus Phenytoin after Supratentorial Neurosurgery. Milligan TA, Hurwitz S, Bromfield EB. Neurology 2008;71(9):665–669. BACKGROUND: Antiepileptic drugs are routinely given after craniotomy. Though phenytoin (PHT) is still the most commonly used agent, levetiracetam (LEV) is increasingly administered for this purpose. This retrospective study compared the use of LEV and PHT as monotherapy prophylaxis following supratentorial neurosurgery. METHODS: Patients receiving LEV monotherapy after supratentorial craniotomy were reviewed and compared to a control group of patients receiving PHT monotherapy. RESULTS: One of 105 patients taking LEV and 9/210 patients taking PHT had seizures within 7 days of surgery ( p = 0.17). Adverse drug reactions requiring change in therapy during hospitalization occurred in 1/105 patients taking LEV and 38/210 patients taking PHT ( p < 0.001). Among patients followed for at least 12 months, 11/42 (26%) treated with LEV vs 42/117 (36%) treated with PHT developed epilepsy ( p = 0.34); 64% remained on LEV, while 26% remained on PHT ( p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Both levetiracetam (LEV) and phenytoin (PHT) were associated with a low risk of early postoperative seizures and a moderate risk of later epilepsy. LEV was associated with significantly fewer early adverse reactions than PHT and with a higher retention rate in patients who were followed for at least 1 year and developed epilepsy.

Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Hameed ◽  
Dheyaa J. Kadhim ◽  
Manal M. Younus

Docetaxel is an effective treatment approved for many types of cancers, but its effectiveness in clinical practice can be compromised by significant occurrence of adverse drug reactions. The aim of the current study was to measure the distribution of adverse drug reactions of docetaxel reported in Iraq and to assess the causality, severity, seriousness, preventability, expectedness and outcome of these adverse reactions. A retrospective study conducted on individual case safety reports from the Iraqi Pharmacovigilance Center / Ministry of Health. The study included 118 individual case safety report containing 236 adverse drug reactions.Most of the adverse drug reactions were related to skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders(26.7%), followed by respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders (20.8%), gastrointestinal disorders (17.4%) and general disorders and administration site conditions (10.6%). The majority of these reactions with possible causality (68.6%), moderate severity (75.4%), expected (80.5%), possibly preventable (93.2%), and serious (80.5%). In addition the most common outcome of adverse drug reactions was recovered / resolved (46.19%).


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-126
Author(s):  
Deepti Chopra ◽  
Abhinav Jain ◽  
Richa Garg ◽  
Shreya Dhingra

Background: Radiocontrast media are used extensively nowadays to visualize internal organs. Currently, non-ionic iodinated contrast media are used which are generally considered to be safe but some adverse reactions have been reported. Thus, the present study was carried out to analyze the nature and incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to radiographic contrast media in a teaching hospital. Methods:An observational study carried out for a period of six months in a teaching hospital. Contrast media induced adverse reactions were analyzed in terms of affected organs, rate, causality assessment, severity and preventability. The treatment and outcomes of adverse events were also recorded. Naranjo Probability Scale was used to evaluate the relationship between the contrast agent used and the suspected ADR. The severity of the suspected ADRs was determined using Hartwig Scale and preventability was assessed using modified Schumock and Thornton criterion. Results:A total of 15 suspected ADRs occurred in 11 patients with an incidence of 1.4%. It included 5 (45.4%) males and 6 (54.5%) females (p < 05). The highest percentage (72.7 %) of ADRs was seen in adult patients, the mean age being 40.8 years. Vomiting (33.3%) was the most common ADR noted followed by severe nausea and rashes. 64.7 % of ADRs were categorized as probable and 35.3 % were possible. Adverse reactions required treatment in 46.6% patients. There was no fatality reported. Conclusion:The reactions observed were mild to moderate in severity and occurred within 30 minutes of the administration of the contrast.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. RV5-RV10
Author(s):  
Yashika Kaushal ◽  
Ratibha Kausal ◽  
Isha Sharma

Methotrexate is a type of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). It is used to reduce activity of the immune system for people who have certain conditions. Methotrexate is a chemotherapy agent and immune system suppressant. Its use may be limited by concerns regarding its adverse reactions. The occurrence of adverse drug reactions in some cases leads to the therapy discontinuation. Although adverse drug reactions (ADR) of methotrexate generally do not pose a serious threat to the health of patients and a reduction in the dose of methotrexate leads to their elimination, in some cases severe toxicities of the drug occur unpredictably. These facts explain the need for close monitoring of the patient’s condition and the identification of potential risk factors for drug toxicity on the part of different organs and functional systems. The purpose of this review is to detail about safety and tolerability of methotrexate.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-42
Author(s):  
E. Yu. Demchenkova ◽  
G. I. Gorodetskaya ◽  
I. A. Mazerkina ◽  
M. V. Zhuravleva ◽  
A. S. Kazakov ◽  
...  

Widespread use of cephalosporin antibiotics in clinical practice calls for greater attention to the risk of adverse drug reactions. Information on serious or unexpected adverse events reported during post-marketing experience is submitted to national and international pharmacovigilance databases. Analysis of these reports helps to identify new adverse drug reactions.The aim of the study was to analyse the safety profile of cephalosporin antibiotics based on spontaneous reports in the international VigiBase database.Materials and methods: the analysis of the adverse reaction profile of cephalosporin antibiotics was based on MedDRA system organ classes and included spontaneous reports submitted to VigiBase from the moment of its creation until August 2020.Results: the authors identified the most clinically significant adverse reactions for different cephalosporin generations. They compared and analysed information on adverse events in VigiBase and in patient information leaflets of medicinal products authorised in the Russian Federation. It was demonstrated that some serious events described in VigiBase spontaneous reports for V-generation cephalosporins are not included in the “Side effects” section of the patient information leaflets. According to VigiBase, the use of ceftaroline was associated with the development of generalised exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens–Johnson syndrome, tubulointerstitial nephritis, while the use of ceftolozane was associated with acute kidney injury, renal insufficiency, sepsis, pneumonia, and respiratory insufficiency.Conclusion: reporting of unexpected and serious adverse drug reactions to cephalosporin antibiotics is an important task of healthcare practitioners. Availability of information on class-specific and generation-specific serious adverse reactions will help predict and prevent their development.


2020 ◽  
pp. 5752-5760
Author(s):  
Sarah Walsh ◽  
Daniel Creamer ◽  
Haur Yueh Lee

Adverse reactions to medications are common and important cause of iatrogenic illness. Severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions include toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens–Johnson syndrome, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, which together constitute 2% of all adverse drug reactions and may be life-threatening. Less severe drug-induced skin reactions such as exanthems, urticaria, lichenoid drug rashes, and fixed drug eruptions are more common, sometimes termed benign cutaneous adverse reactions, and generally resolve without sequelae. Drugs may also cause adverse events due to alteration of the normal function of the skin or its appendages. This may take the form of photosensitivity, abnormal pigmentation, or disrupted growth of hair or nails.


Author(s):  
A. J. Berenstein ◽  
N. Falk ◽  
G. Moscatelli ◽  
S. Moroni ◽  
N. González ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Nifurtimox (NF) is one of the only two drugs currently available for Chagas disease (ChD) treatment. However, there is scarce data on NF safety, and many physicians defer or refuse NF treatment because of concerns about drug tolerance. METHODS: Retrospective study of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with NF treatment of ChD. Children received NF doses of 10-15 mg/kg/day for 60-90 days, and adults 8-10 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Results: 215 children (median age: 2.6yrs, range 0-17) and 105 adults (median age: 34yrs, range 18-57) were enrolled. Overall, 127/320 (39.7%) patients developed ADRs, with an incidence of 64/105 in adults, and 63/215 in children (OR = 3.7, 95%CI [2.2;6.3]). We observed 215 ADRs, 131 in adults (median: 2 events/patient (IQR25-75= 1-3) and 84 in children (median: 1 event/patient (IQR25-75= 1-1.5) (PAdjusted < 0.001). ADRs were mainly mild and moderate. Severe ADRs were infrequent (1.2% in children and 0.9% in adults). Nutritional, central nervous and digestive systems were the most frequently affected, without differences between both groups. Treatment was discontinued in 31/320 (9.7%) patients without differences between groups. However, ADR-related discontinuations occurred more frequently in adults than in children (OR = 5.5, 95%CI = [1.5;24]). CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the safety of NF for ChD treatment. Delaying NF treatment due to safety concerns does not seem to be supported by the evidence.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 80-84
Author(s):  
Nagaraja BS ◽  
Keerthana Sharma

Background: Polypharmacy is a becoming more prevalent in older adults and adverse risk increases with age-related change. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common in older adults and worrisome aspect of treatment in elderly. Aims and Objective: The study aimed to identify the common clinical conditions leading to polypharmacy and to compare the adverse drug profiles of the 2 groups. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Hospitals attached to BMCRI, where 200 patients aged 65 or more were interviewed. 100 elderly patients using 5 or more drugs were identified as cases and assessed against a control group of 100 patients. Results: Our study found that ADRs were found to be three times higher in individuals on polypharmacy compared to the control group (OR 3.4675 95% CI 1.6241 to 7.4035). The most commonly occurring ADRs were dyspepsia (OR 1.9259), drowsiness (OR 3.5926) and fatigue (OR 1.5319) with increased incidence in the case group. The most common conditions associated with polypharmacy were found to be hypertension (53%), diabetes mellitus(46%), COPD(14%) and IHD(14%). 66% of the study group had two or more of the above diseases, whereas in the control group only 32% had multiple illnesses. The most commonly prescribed medications were antihypertensives (61%), hypolipidemics (44%), antiplatelets (41%) and antibiotics(40%). Conclusion: Polypharmacy in the elderly comes with a significant increase in adverse effects. The reduced pill burden will not only decrease ADRs and improve compliance, but will also result in greater patient satisfaction and mental health, thereby improving the quality of geriatric care.


1993 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Andrew ◽  
T. Haider

The relative risk of adverse drug reactions of ionic versus non-ionic contrast media injected i.v. were compared for different types of trials using odds-ratio. The absolute and relative risk found in large post-marketing trials were compared with that found in the iohexol pre-registration trials. The absolute risks were 2 to 10 times higher in the pre-registration trials compared to the post-marketing surveillances. The relative risk for all adverse drug reactions was 3 to 6 times higher for ionic vs. non-ionic media and independent of pre- or post-registration studies. The odds-ratio seems to be a feasible method of comparing the relative risk of adverse reactions in various trials.


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