Digestive Enzyme Adjunct to Oral Headache Medication to Improve Absorption and Reduce Vomiting

1997 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 169-173
Author(s):  
Mark B Detweiler

Objective: To report a case in which a digestive enzyme complex (Nature's Plus Digestive Enzymes: pancreatin, pepsin, ox bile extract, malt diatase, and papain) apparently improved the absorption and efficacy of an oral headache medication and alleviated vomiting associated with the headache. Case Summary: A 47-year-old white woman with a history of adverse drug reactions and allergies had been experiencing one to four disabling headaches per week for 2 years. One or two headaches each week would be accompanied by vomiting. This patient experienced adverse effects with most standard headache medications. For 40 months since taking a complex of digestive enzymes as an adjunct to her headache medication, the patient's vomiting has been eliminated, and her postheadache symptoms have been reduced. Discussion: Altered digestive processes are a common finding in severe headache episodes. Exogenous digestive enzymes may facilitate the absorption of oral medication during gastric disruption and consequently increase drug efficacy and the relief of symptoms. Conclusions: Digestive enzymes merit further study to ascertain their effectiveness in increasing the absorption and efficacy of oral medications prescribed for headaches accompanied by emesis.

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1009-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M McCoy

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of skin ulceration as a result of treatment with leflunomide for rheumatoid arthritis. CASE SUMMARY: A 78-year-old white woman developed bilateral leg ulcers after 6 months of treatment with leflunomide for rheumatoid arthritis. A history of leg ulcers after methotrexate therapy had been documented. Serologic and diagnostic tests did not support an alternate process. Other medications prescribed were oral ethinyl estradiol 0.05 mg/d, felodipine 5 mg/d, and paroxetine 20 mg/d, for which no documented correlation with the skin breakdown could be made. DISCUSSION: This is the first published case describing a possible relationship between the use of the immunosuppressant agent leflunomide and skin ulceration. CONCLUSIONS: Skin breakdown and ulceration is a recognized adverse effect of drugs with immunosuppressant activity such as methotrexate. Leflunomide, a newer agent prescribed in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, may now be listed among the drugs in this category associated with this adverse drug effect.


1998 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 1017-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert MacLaren ◽  
Catherine A Shields

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of respiratory failure, possibly due to anaphylaxis or asthma exacerbation, following the administration of metoclopramide. CASE SUMMARY: A 32-year-old white woman with a history of severe asthma and short-bowel syndrome was admitted for Hickman catheter line sepsis. Two doses of oral metoclopramide 10 mg in solution were administered for nausea and vomiting. Transient dyspnea followed the first dose of metoclopramide, but respiratory failure requiring intubation followed the second dose. DISCUSSION: Respiratory failure has been reported with metoclopramide-induced movement disorders. Three other cases of respiratory failure from anaphylaxis or asthma exacerbation following metoclopramide administration have been reported. Respiratory failure in our patient may be due to anaphylaxis or bronchoconstriction from metoclopramide-induced cholinergic activity of the vagus nerve, possibly through inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. CONCLUSIONS: The use of metoclopramide in patients with pulmonary dysfunction may warrant caution.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imama Naqvi ◽  
Emi Hitomi ◽  
Richard Leigh

Objective: To report a patient in whom an acute ischemic stroke precipitated chronic blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and expansion of vascular white matter hyperintensities (WMH) into regions of normal appearing white matter (NAWM) during the following year. Background: WMH are a common finding in patients with vascular risk factors such as a history of stroke. The pathophysiology of WMH is not fully understood; however, there is growing evidence to suggest that the development of WMH may be preceded by the BBB disruption in the NAWM. Methods: We studied a patient enrolled in the National Institutes of Health Natural History of Stroke Study who was scanned with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after presenting to the emergency room with an acute stroke. After a treatment with IV tPA, she underwent further MRI scanning at 2 h, 24 h, 5 days, 30 days, 90 days, 6 months, and 1-year post stroke. BBB permeability images were generated from the perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) source images. MRIs from each time point were co-registered to track changes in BBB disruption and WMH over time. Results: An 84-year-old woman presented after acute onset right hemiparesis, right-sided numbness and aphasia with an initial NIHSS of 13. MRI showed diffusion restriction in the left frontal lobe and decreased blood flow on perfusion imaging. Fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging showed bilateral confluent WMH involving the deep white matter and periventricular regions. She was treated with IV tPA without complication and her NIHSS improved initially to 3 and ultimately to 0. Permeability maps identified multiple regions of chronic BBB disruption remote from the acute stroke, predominantly spanning the junction of WMH and NAWM. The severity of BBB disruption was greatest at 24 h after the stroke but persisted on subsequent MRI scans. Progression of WMH into NAWM over the year of observation was detected bilaterally but was most dramatic in the regions adjacent to the initial stroke. Conclusions: WMH-associated BBB disruption may be exacerbated by an acute stroke, even in the contralateral hemisphere, and can persist for months after the initial event. Transformation of NAWM to WMH may be evident in areas of BBB disruption within a year after the stroke. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between chronic BBB disruption and progressive WMH in patients with a history of cerebrovascular disease and the potential for acute stroke to trigger or exacerbate the process leading to the development of WMH.


2003 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick G Clay ◽  
Molly M Adams

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of Parkinson-like symptoms appearing in a patient after introduction of ritonavir to buspirone therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 54-year-old HIV-positive white man presented to the clinic with a 2-week history of ataxia, shuffling gait, cogwheel rigidity, resting tremor, and sad affect with masked features. This patient had been receiving high-dose buspirone (40 mg every morning and 30 mg every evening) for 2 years prior to the introduction of ritonavir/indinavir combination therapy (400 mg/400 mg twice daily) 6 weeks prior to initiation of the above symptoms. Buspirone was decreased to 15 mg 3 times daily, ritonavir/indinavir was discontinued, and amprenavir 1200 mg twice daily was added. The patient's symptoms began to subside after 1 week, with complete resolution after about 2 weeks. The patient continued to receive buspirone for an additional 12 months without recurrence of symptoms. DISCUSSION: This is the first reported interaction of buspirone and antiretrovirals. Buspirone, extensively metabolized by CYP3A4, was likely at supratherapeutic levels due to the inhibitory effect of ritonavir and, secondarily, indinavir. The Parkinson-like symptoms developed rapidly and severely, impacted this patient's quality of life, and necessitated significant clinic expenditures to identify this drug–drug interaction. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates a severe drug–drug interaction between buspirone and ritonavir and further demonstrates the need for awareness of the metabolic profile for all agents an HIV-infected patient is receiving.


Author(s):  
Vasiliki Courelli ◽  
Alla Ahmad ◽  
Majid Ghassemian ◽  
Chris Pruitt ◽  
Paul J. Mills ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Heart failure is associated with degradation of cell functions and extracellular matrix proteins, but the trigger mechanisms are uncertain. Our recent evidence shows that active digestive enzymes can leak out of the small intestine into the systemic circulation and cause cell dysfunctions and organ failure. Methods Accordingly, we investigated in morning fasting plasma of heart failure (HF) patients the presence of pancreatic trypsin, a major enzyme responsible for digestion. Results Western analysis shows that trypsin in plasma is significantly elevated in HF compared to matched controls and their concentrations correlate with the cardiac dysfunction biomarker BNP and inflammatory biomarkers CRP and TNF-α. The plasma trypsin levels in HF are accompanied by elevated pancreatic lipase concentrations. The trypsin has a significantly elevated activity as determined by substrate cleavage. Mass spectrometry shows that the number of plasma proteins in the HF patients is similar to controls while the number of peptides was increased about 20% in HF patients. The peptides are derived from extracellular and intracellular protein sources and exhibit cleavage sites by trypsin as well as other degrading proteases (data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD026332). Connclusions These results provide the first evidence that active digestive enzymes leak into the systemic circulation and may participate in myocardial cell dysfunctions and tissue destruction in HF patients. Conclusions These results provide the first evidence that active digestive enzymes leak into the systemic circulation and may participate in myocardial cell dysfunctions and tissue destruction in HF patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham Fessehaye ◽  
Ferid A. Abubeker ◽  
Mekdes Daba

Abstract Background Locked twins is a rare and hazardous obstetric complication, which occurs in approximately 1:100 twin pregnancies. One of the known etiologic factors for locked twins is size of the twins. We report a case of chin-to-chin locked twins that occurred at gestational age of 30 weeks pus 6 days. Case summary A 27 years-old primigravida Oromo mother presented with a history of pushing down pain and passage of liquor of 6 hours duration at gestational age of 30 weeks plus 6 days. With a diagnosis of twin pregnancy (first twin non-vertex), abdominal delivery was decided in latent first stage of labor but mother refused caesarian delivery and she was allowed to labor with the hope of achieving a vaginal delivery. In second stage, interlocking twin was encountered and a low vertical cesarean section was done to effect delivery of twins without the need to decapitate the first twin. Conclusion Locked twin is a rare obstetric complication. Whenever it is encountered, successful delivery can be achieved without the need to have decapitation of the first twin during caesarian section.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 717
Author(s):  
Kasper Pedersen ◽  
Charlotte Sonne Kristensen ◽  
Bertel Strandbygaard ◽  
Anette Bøtner ◽  
Thomas Bruun Rasmussen

Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) was first discovered in North America in 2015 and was later shown to be associated with congenital tremor (CT) in piglets. CT is an occasional challenge in some Danish sow herds. Therefore, we initiated an observational case control study to clarify a possible relationship between CT and APPV in Danish pig production. Blood samples were collected from piglets affected by CT (n = 55) in ten different sow herds and from healthy piglets in five sow herds without a history of CT piglets (n = 25), as well as one sow herd with a sporadic occurrence of CT (n = 5). APPV was detected by RT-qPCR in all samples from piglets affected by CT and in three out of five samples from piglets in the herd with a sporadic occurrence of CT. In the herds without a history of CT, only one out of 25 piglets were positive for APPV. In addition, farmers or veterinarians in CT-affected herds were asked about their experience of the issue. CT is most often seen in gilt litters, and a substantial increase in pre-weaning mortality is only observed in severe cases. According to our investigations, APPV is a common finding in piglets suffering from CT in Denmark.


1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony E. Zimmermann ◽  
Brian G. Katona ◽  
Joginder S. Jodhka ◽  
Richard B. Williams

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of probable ceftriaxone-induced acute pancreatitis. CASE SUMMARY: A patient with a history of short-bowel syndrome on home total parenteral nutrition developed fever, chills, and right flank pain. She was diagnosed with gram-negative catheter sepsis and prescribed antibiotic therapy to be administered for four weeks. After completion of the first week of therapy, the antibiotic regimen was changed to intravenous injections of ceftriaxone to be given daily at home. Prior to discharge the patient developed acute abdominal pain, leukocytosis, jaundice, and markedly elevated lipase and amylase concentrations consistent with acute pancreatitis. The patient's condition improved upon discontinuation of the ceftriaxone and the remainder of her stay was uneventful. DISCUSSION: There is only one other case report in the literature of probable ceftriaxone-induced pancreatitis. Multiple other medications have been implicated in causing acute pancreatitis. The exact mechanism of this uncommon adverse effect of ceftriaxone is unknown. CONCLUSIONS: There was a temporal relationship between the development of this patient's signs and symptoms and the administration of ceftriaxone. We could not identify any other factors that may have been responsible for the development of her acute pancreatitis. Ceftriaxone should be considered as a possible etiologic agent in patients who present with acute abdominal pain and elevated lipase and amylase concentrations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 205511691772522
Author(s):  
Sofia García-Pertierra ◽  
Esteban Gonzàlez-Gasch ◽  
Carmen Catalá Puyol ◽  
Jose María Closa Boixeda

Case summary A 5-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented to our referral centre with a 13 month history of chronic tenesmus due to malunion of the right caudal iliac body. Constipation and pelvic canal stenosis were initially addressed by the referring veterinarian with a right femoral head and neck excision and a right acetabulectomy without observable clinical improvement. At admission, abdominal radiographs revealed severe colonic distension and a narrowed pelvic canal caused by the right proximal femur. Rectal examination and colonography revealed a dynamic compression of the rectum, which worsened with femoral abduction and improved with femoral adduction. A right hindlimb amputation was performed to relieve the obstruction. The cat defaecated 2 days postoperatively and was discharged uneventfully. Neither faecal tenesmus nor dyschaezia were observed over the following 10 months. Relevance and novel information The dynamic nature of the rectal obstruction most likely prevented the development of an irreversible colonic dilatation leading to a megacolon. This is the first report describing a chronic dynamic rectal compression, which was successfully managed with a right hindlimb amputation without the need for subtotal colectomy.


Blood ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 296-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
DC Roy ◽  
R Tantravahi ◽  
C Murray ◽  
K Dear ◽  
B Gorgone ◽  
...  

Mixed hematopoietic chimerism (MC) is a common finding after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), but the natural history of this phenomenon remains unclear. To understand the evolution and the implications of this finding, we performed a prospective analysis of the development of mixed chimerism in 43 patients with hematologic malignancies who received bone marrow (BM) from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling donors. T-cell depletion in vitro with anti-T12 (CD6) monoclonal antibody and rabbit complement was used as the only method of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Overall, MC was identified in peripheral blood (PB) and BM in 22 of 43 (51%) patients evaluated. MC was found by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis in 21 of 40 (53%) patients, by cytogenetic analysis in 6 of 29 (21%) patients, and by red blood cell phenotyping in 4 of 9 (44%) patients. RFLP studies were performed at 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-BMT and then every 6 months, and showed a high probability of developing MC in the first 6 months after BMT followed by stabilization after 12 months. Cytogenetic analysis was less sensitive in detecting MC. Once MC was detected after BMT, the percentage of recipient cells increased very slowly over more than 3 years of follow- up, and no patient reverted to complete donor hematopoiesis (CDH). Thus, recipient and donor cells remained in a relative state of equilibrium for prolonged periods that seemed to favor recipient cells over donor cells. Patient's disease, remission status, or intensity of the transplant preparative regimen did not influence the subsequent development of mixed chimerism. Early immunologic reconstitution was the only factor that correlated with the subsequent chimeric status of the patients. The percentage and absolute number of T3 (CD3) and T4 (CD4) positive cells at day 14 after BMT were significantly higher in the patients who maintained CDH but NK cell reconstitution was similar in both groups, suggesting that early reconstitution with T cells may play a role in preventing recovery of recipient cells after BMT. GVHD was also associated with maintenance of CDH, but the probability of relapse, survival, and disease-free survival was identical in patients with MC and CDH.


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