scholarly journals Ethological and physiological side effects of oxybutynin studied on ants as models

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-16
Author(s):  
Marie-Claire Cammaerts ◽  
Roger Cammaerts
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Incontinence ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Tactile Perception ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Consumption Activity ◽  
Orientation Ability

Patients suffering from urinary incontinence are still nowadays mostly treated with oxybutynin. Using ants as models, we found that this drug decreased their food consumption, orientation ability, tactile perception, cognition and memory, induced restlessness and stress, impacted their social relationships and leaded to dependence. No adaptation occurred to these side effects. The action of oxybutynin quickly vanished in 10 hours. Most of these side effects corresponded to those observed in humans (on whom effects on food consumption, activity, cognition and anxiousness can be observed), and some others were observed in ants (impact on social relationships, dependence on the drug and absence of adaptation to its side effects). Ants appear thus to be valuable models for revealing side effects of a drug. On the basis of our results and of those reported in the literature, it can be concluded that patients treated with oxybutynin should be carefully monitored as for their risk of developing adverse effects, even unexpected ones. Novel, safer medicines, presenting a better balance between efficacy and safety should be researched.

scholarly journals Side effects of the cough drug dextromethorphan, studied on ants as models  

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-50
Author(s):  
Marie Claire Cammaerts ◽  
Roger Cammaerts
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Limited Time ◽  
Biological Models ◽  
Therapeutic Doses ◽  
Orientation Ability

Dextromethorphan, the currently preferred cough drug, tested on ants used as biological models, decreased the food consumption of these insects, increased their sinuosity of movement, reduced their tactile (pain) perception, and impacted their social relationships. It did not affect the ants’ orientation ability, audacity, cognition, conditioning acquisition and memory. The ants did not adapt themselves to the side effects of dextromethorphan and became dependent on its consumption. The effect of the drug quickly and linearly decreased after weaning, becoming very weak after 4 – 6 hours and null after 10 – 12 hours. Dextromethorphan led to dependence, what can also occur in humans. Being safer than previously used cough drugs, dextromethorphan can be consumed for treating dry cough, but in order to prevent dependence, should be used only at therapeutic doses and during a limited time.

scholarly journals Efficacy and safety of Botulinum toxin A for improving esthetics in facial complex: A systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 31-44
Author(s):  
Ritu Gangigatti ◽  
Vincent Bennani ◽  
John Aarts ◽  
Joanne Choi ◽  
Paul Brunton
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Botulinum Toxin A ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Common Adverse Effect ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Improvement Rate ◽  
Graphical Comparison ◽  
Average Improvement

Abstract Aim: To evaluate efficacy and safety of Botulinum toxinA for improving esthetics in the facial complex and correlating them to the dosage and side effects through a systematic review. Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed, Medline, Web of Sciences, and Scopus databases. Quality of studies was appraised through the GRADE system. This review follows the ‘Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols’ (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Efficacy was analyzed through improvement rate and effect sizes. Graphical comparison of efficacy and ocular adverse effects (adverse effects around the eye) at various anatomical locations was made by calculating the average improvement rate and adverse events. Results: Twenty-five studies were included in this systematic review after application of the inclusion criteria. Moderate to severe cases in glabellar, lateral canthal, and forehead regions showed higher improvement rates between 20U to 50U, with an effect lasting up to 120 days. Gender and age seemed to have a direct effect on efficacy. Headaches were the most common adverse effect, followed by injection site bruising; all adverse effects resolved within 3-4 days. Conclusions: Treatment with Botulinum toxinA to enhance esthetics of facial complex is efficient and safe at all recommended dosages. Presence of complexing proteins influenced the efficacy of BoNT-A. undesirable muscular adverse effects around the eyes were more predominant when treating the glabellar region. There was no correlation found between the BoNT-A dosage and side effects, however, an increase in dosage did not always lead to an increase in efficacy.

scholarly journals Analgesic Efficacy and Adverse Effects of Meperidine in Managing Postoperative or Labor Pain: A Narrative Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

2020 ◽  
Vol 2;23 (4;2) ◽  
pp. 175-201
Author(s):  
Chi Wai Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Safety Profile ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Analgesic Efficacy ◽  
Labor Pain ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background: Meperidine, a synthetic opioid, has a rapid onset and short duration of action. Mounting evidence has challenged meperidine’s analgesic benefits, and concerns have been raised about its safety profile. Despite recommendations to restrict the prescription of meperidine, the drug remains frequently used. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of meperidine for acute postoperative and labor pain. Study Design: This was a narrative review of the analgesic efficacy and side effects of meperidine compared to other analgesic drugs for acute postoperative and labor pain in adults. Setting: Randomized controlled trials that compared the analgesic efficacy and side effect profile of meperidine versus another analgesic drug in adult patients were evaluated. Methods: A systemized search of randomized controlled trials studying meperidine for acute postoperative or labor pain in the adult patient population from PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE was performed. Included studies reported on different routes of meperidine administration including intramuscular, intravenous, and patient-controlled analgesia in various surgical procedures such as abdominal surgery, Cesarean section, gynecological surgery, orthopedic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, as well as for labor analgesia. Meperidine’s analgesic efficacy and safety profile were compared to other opioids (morphine, tramadol, fentanyl, buprenorphine, nalbuphine, and pentazocine), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ketorolac, diclofenac, and indomethacin), dipyrone, ketamine, and bupivacaine. Results: A total of 62 randomized controlled trials published between 1972 and 2018 were reviewed. Meperidine had a similar or inferior analgesic efficacy compared to other analgesics for acute postoperative or labor pain. Meperidine was associated with more sedation and respiratory depression. Limitations: The sample sizes of many clinical studies were small, and therefore probably insufficiently powered to detect differences in uncommon side effects, such as central nervous system toxicity. In addition, some of the included clinical studies were old. Conclusion: Considering the availability of other effective analgesics with potentially fewer side effects, the use of meperidine for acute postoperative or labor pain should not be recommended. Key words: Acute postoperative pain, adverse effects, labor analgesia, meperidine, pethidine

scholarly journals Effect of nocturnal lighting on an ant’s ethological and physiological traits

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Claire Cammaerts ◽  
Roger Cammaerts
Keyword(s):  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Social Relationship ◽  
Tactile Perception ◽  
Physiological Traits ◽  
Level Of Activity ◽  
Orientation Ability

Artificial nocturnal lighting affects the nature, an impact best studied on vertebrates that are directly depending on the presence or absence of light. Here, we examined on an ant species taken as a model the effects of artificial nocturnal lighting on eleven physiological and ethological traits. Ant workers maintained under nocturnal lighting showed a decrease or a change in their level of activity, food consumption, locomotion, orientation ability, audacity, tactile perception, social relationship, learning and memory. This was largely observed during the night but the effects persisted, at a lower extend, during the day.

EFFICACY OF CARVEDILOL COMBINED WITH ENDOSCOPIC VARICEAL LIGATION IN THE PREVENTION OF RECURRENT VARICEAL BLEEDING IN PATIENTS OF CIRRHOSIS

2016 ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Van Huy Tran ◽  
Thi Ngoc Diep Bui
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Beta Blocker ◽  
Variceal Bleeding ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Oesophageal Varices ◽  
Endoscopic Variceal Ligation ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Orthostatic Hypertension ◽  
Key Words Carvedilol ◽  
Very High

Background: The recurrent variceal bleeding is still very high with a very poor prognosis. The combination of a non-selective beta-blocker and endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is still a standard therapy for the prevention, but many patients showed no response to propranolol. Carvedilol is a new, non-selective beta-blocker having intrinsic alpha-blocker activity, but the data about the efficacy and safety of carvedilol is still very limited. This study is aimed at assessing the efficacy and safety of carvedilol combined with EVL in the prevention of recurrent variceal bleeding. Patients and methods: 33 patients having variceal bleeding were enrolled. All patients received carvedilol and were performed the EVL until variceal eradication. All the patients were followed after 9 months. Results: rate of variceal eradication of oesophageal varices was 87.88%; the recurrence rate of variceal bleeding was 12.12% after 9 months. The side effects of carvedilol were rare and not severe, including vertiges, headache, and orthostatic hypertension. Conclusion: Carvedilol combined with EVL appeared as a relatively safe and effective in the prevention of recurrent variceal bleeding in patients of cirrhosis. Key words: carvedilol, variceal bleeding, EVL

The Use of Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis

1985 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 349-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter W. Letendre ◽  
Douglas J. DeJong ◽  
Donald R. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Systemic Administration ◽  
Refractory Disease ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
Folic Acid Antagonist ◽  
Acid Antagonist

The use of methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis is reviewed. Methotrexate, a folic acid antagonist, is sometimes employed in an attempt to symptomatically control patients whose disease does not respond adequately to conventional therapies. Systemic administration of 7.5–15 mg/wk in a “pulse” fashion appears to be effective without precipitating severe adverse effects. However, concern over potentially serious side effects and a lack of well-controlled clinical trials have limited its use to severe, refractory disease. Further studies are needed before its role in rheumatoid arthritis can justifiably be expanded.

Brexanolone: A Novel Drug for the Treatment of Postpartum Depression

2020 ◽  
pp. 089719002097962
Author(s):  
Edna Patatanian ◽  
David R. Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
English Language ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Pharmacologic Therapy ◽  
Loss Of Consciousness ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Pubmed Search

Objectives: To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of Brexanolone and define its role in the treatment of postpartum depression. Date Sources: A MEDLINE/PubMed search was conducted (1980-May 2020) using the following keywords: postpartum depression, antidepressants, pharmacologic therapy, drug therapy, and brexanolone to identify relevant articles. Study Selection/Data Extraction: Literature search was limited to human studies published in the English language. Phase I, II, and III studies evaluating the pharmacology, efficacy, safety of brexanolone for postpartum depression were included. Bibliographies of relevant articles evaluating postpartum depression and treatment were reviewed for additional citations and background information. Data Synthesis: Brexanolone is a soluble, proprietary, injectable formulation of allopregnanolone, a neuroactive steroid that modulates neuronal excitability. Allopregnanolone levels increase during pregnancy and decrease substantially after birth. These fluctuations have profound effects on anxiety and depression. Three clinical trials established the efficacy and safety of brexanolone in the treatment of postpartum depression. In all 3 trials, brexanolone had an acceptable safety profile and was well tolerated. The most common adverse effects were loss of consciousness, sedation, dry mouth, headache, dizziness, and flushing. Due to sudden loss of consciousness and excessive sedation, continuous pulse oximetry is recommended. Conclusion: Brexanolone has a novel mechanism of action and appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of moderate to severe postpartum depression. At present, high cost, serious adverse effects, and restricted access may limit its use in clinical practice.

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