scholarly journals Use of psychopharmaceuticals during COVID-19 treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 89-97
Author(s):  
Maja Milosavljević ◽  
Olivera Vuković

No specific cure has been found since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the treatment of infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus, therapeutic protocols include drugs of different groups: antiviral drugs, antibodies, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc. It can be expected that a certain number of patients who are receiving therapy with psychopharmacotherapy will get sick from COVID-19, but we also know that the infection itself has certain psychological manifestations. Due to the above, the use of psychopharmacotherapy together with other drugs in the therapy of COVID-19 is sometimes unavoidable. Co-administering these drugs has to be with caution due to the potential prolongation of the QTc interval, drug interactions at the CYP enzyme level, and the associated potential for agranulocytosis.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vana Vukić ◽  
Ana Smajo ◽  
Mandica Vidović ◽  
Rudolf Vukojević ◽  
Miroslav Harjaček ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The last two decades brought new treatment options and high quality guidelines into the paediatric rheumatologic practice. Nevertheless, a number of patients still present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to combination of vague symptoms and unresponsiveness to available treatment modalities. Case presentation We report a case of sixteen years old girl suffering from polyarticular type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis refractory to multiple treatment options. She first presented at the age of 4 with swelling and contractures of both knees. Her symptoms were initially unresponsive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and progressed despite treatment with intraarticular and systemic glucocorticoids and methotrexate. Throughout the years, she received several biologics together with continuous administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs as well as intraarticular and systemic glucocorticoids in disease flares. However, none of this options  provided a permanent remission, so various other modalities, as well as other possible diagnoses were constantly being considered. Eventually she became dependent on a daily dose of systemic glucocorticoids. In 2018, the treatment with Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib was initiated, which led to gradual amelioration of musculoskeletal symptoms, improvement of inflammatory markers and overall well-being, as well as to the weaning of systemic glucocorticoids. As the swelling of the wrists subsided for the first time in many years, Madelung’s deformity was noticed, first clinically, and later radiographically as well. Genetic analysis revealed short-stature homeobox gene deficiency and confirmed the diagnosis of Leri Weill syndrome. Conclusions This case report emphasizes the need for reporting refractory, complicated cases from everyday clinical practice in order to build-up the overall knowledge and share experience which is complementary to available guidelines. Individual reports of difficult to treat cases, especially when additional diagnoses are involved, can be helpful for physicians treating patients with common rheumatological diseases such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 84-90
Author(s):  
A. E. Karateev ◽  
E. Yu. Polishchuk ◽  
E. S. Filatova ◽  
A. S. Potapova ◽  
V. A. Nesterenko ◽  
...  

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the primary means of managing chronic osteoarthritis (OA) pain. The choice of NSAIDs is based on an analysis of the risk of adverse reactions (ARs). Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of long-term use of NSAIDs for pain control in patients with OA in real clinical practice.Patients and methods. To assess the results of long-term use of NSAIDs in OA, a 12-month observational non-interventional study was conducted. It included 611 patients with knee, hip and generalized OA, and nonspecific back pain associated with OA of the facet joints. All patients were prescribed aceclofenac (Aertal®) 200 mg/day. The patients' condition was assessed 2 weeks, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the start of therapy. The following parameters were determined: the intensity of pain during movement and the general health assessment (GA) according to the visual analogue scale (VAS, 10 cm); pain intensity according to the Likert verbal rating scale (VRS) (0–4); the number of patients with a pain reduction of ≥50% from baseline; patients' assessment of the result of therapy according to Likert VRS (1–5). The development of ARs was recorded at each visit.Results and discussion. By month 12, 46.8% of patients had dropped out of observation. In patients who continued the study, the average severity of pain according to the VAS at baseline, after 2 weeks, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months was: 6.5±1.2; 4.8±1.4; 3.2±1.4; 2.6±1.4; 2.2±1.1; 1.4±1.1 cm, respectively (significant differences compared to the baseline for all points – p<0.05). The same differences were obtained in GA assessment.Within the indicated time frame, the number of patients with moderate / severe pain (on the Likert scale) decreased from 77.8 to 24.9; 2.9; 2.3; 0.9 and 0%, respectively. The number of patients with a pain reduction of ≥50% from baseline was 12.0; 65.1; 81.0; 88.5 and 84.0%, respectively. A good or excellent assessment of treatment results after 2 weeks was given by 63.3% of patients, and after 12 months – by 95.6%. ARs were observed in about 30% of patients, mainly mild or moderate dyspepsia (in 11.1–23.3%) and arterial hypertension (in 7.1–10.9%). No serious ARs were registered.Conclusion. Aceclofenac is an effective and relatively safe drug for the long-term management of chronic pain in OA.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuru Abdu ◽  
Samuel Teweldemedhin ◽  
Asmerom Mosazghi ◽  
Luwam Asfaha ◽  
Makda Teshale ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Globally, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) usage in the elderly with chronic pain has been reported as frequent. Though it is fundamental in maintaining their quality of life, the risk of polypharmacy, drug interactions and adverse effects is of paramount importance as the elderly usually require multiple medications for their co-morbidities. If prescriptions are not appropriately monitored and managed, they are likely to expose patients to serious drug interactions and potentially fatal adverse effects. Thus, the objective of the study was to assess the appropriateness of NSAIDs use and incidence of NSAIDs related potential interactions in elderly. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly out-patients (aged 60 and above) who visited three hospitals in Asmara between August 22 and September 29, 2018. The sampling design was two-stage random sampling and data was collected using a questionnaire, exit interview and by abstracting information from patients’ clinical cards. Descriptive and analytical statistics including chi-square test and logistic regression were employed using SPSS. Results: A total of 285 elderly respondents were enrolled in the study with similar male to female ratio. One in four of all respondents were chronic NSAIDs users, of which 74.6% were not prescribed prophylactic gastro-protective agents (GPAs). About 20% of the elderly were involved in polypharmacy and nearly all of the encountered potential NSAIDs related interactions (n=322) with prescribed drugs were moderate. Diabetes and hypertension were significantly associated with chronic NSAIDs use (OR=3, 95% CI: 1.54, 5.84; OR=9.99, 95% CI: 4.46, 22.38) and incidence of drug interactions (OR=3.95, 95%CI: 1.92, 8.13; OR=3.12, 95%CI: 1.81, 5.33) while diabetes and cardiac problem were significantly associated with incidence of polypharmacy (OR=4.33, 95% CI: 2.36, 7.96; OR=3.56, 95% CI: 1.05, 12.11). Conclusion: Though the overall reflection of prescription pattern of NSAIDs during the study period was almost satisfactory, gastro-protective agents were poorly prescribed as a prophylaxis.


2005 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Peláez-Ballestasa ◽  
C. Meléndez-Mercado ◽  
A. Hernández-Garduño ◽  
J.L. Viramontes-Madrid ◽  
R. Burgos-Vargas

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (05) ◽  
pp. 229-234
Author(s):  
Maike Scherf-Clavel ◽  
Susanne Treiber ◽  
Jürgen Deckert ◽  
Stefan Unterecker ◽  
Leif Hommers

Abstract Introduction Lithium is the gold standard in treating bipolar affective disorders. As patients become increasingly older, drug-drug interactions leading to decreased excretion of lithium represent a key issue in lithium safety. As no study considered the effect of comedications on lithium serum concentration in combination, we aimed to quantify the impact of drugs affecting renal blood flow and function and thus potentially interacting drugs (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, AT1 antagonists, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) on lithium serum levels in addition to age, sex, and sodium and potassium serum levels as well as renal function. Methods Retrospective data of lithium serum levels were analyzed in 501 psychiatric inpatients (2008–2015) by means of linear regression modelling. Results The number of potentially interacting drugs was significantly associated with increasing serum levels of lithium in addition to the established factors of age, renal function, and sodium concentration. Additionally, absolute lithium levels were dependent on sex, with higher values in females. However, only NSAIDs were identified to increase lithium levels independently. Discussion Routine clinical practice needs to focus on drugs affecting renal blood flow and function, especially on NSAIDs as over-the-counter medication that may lead to an increase in lithium serum concentration. To prevent intoxications, clinicians should carefully monitor the comedications, and they should inform patients about possible intoxications due to NSAIDs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingfu Lin ◽  
Zirong Zhang ◽  
Babak Mahjour ◽  
Di Wang ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract The global disruption caused by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic stressed the supply chain of many products, including pharmaceuticals. Multiple drug repurposing studies for COVID-19 are now underway. If a winning therapeutic emerges, it is unlikely that the existing inventory of the medicine, or even the chemical raw materials needed to synthesize it, will be available in the quantities required. We used retrosynthetic software to arrive at alternate chemical supply chains for the antiviral drug umifenovir, as well as eleven other antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs. We have experimentally validated four routes to umifenovir and one route to bromhexine. In several instances, the software utilizes C–H functionalization logic, and one route to umifenovir employs functionalization of six C–H bonds. The general strategy we apply can be used to identify distinct starting materials, and relieve stress on existing supply chains.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederik Dalgaard ◽  
Hillary Mulder ◽  
Daniel M. Wojdyla ◽  
Renato D. Lopes ◽  
Claes Held ◽  
...  

Background: The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with oral anticoagulants has been associated with an increased risk of bleeding. We investigated the risk of bleeding and major cardiovascular outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation taking NSAIDs and apixaban or warfarin. Methods: The ARISTOTLE trial (Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation; n=18 201) compared apixaban with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation at an increased risk of stroke. Patients in ARISTOTLE without severe renal (creatine clearance ≤30 mL/min) or liver disease were included in this analysis (n=17 423). NSAID use at baseline, NSAID use during the trial (incident NSAID use), and never users were described. The primary outcome was major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, heart failure hospitalization, stroke or systemic embolism, and all-cause mortality. NSAID use during the trial, and the interaction between randomized treatment, was analyzed using time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Those with baseline NSAID use (n=832 [4.8%]), incident NSAID use (n=2185 [13.2%]), and never users were similar in median age (age [25th, 75th]; 70 [64, 77] versus 70 [63, 75] versus 70 [62, 76]). Those with NSAID use at baseline and incident NSAID use were more likely to have a history of bleeding than never users (24.5% versus 21.0% versus 15.6%, respectively). During a median follow-up (25th, 75th) of 1.8 (1.4, 2.3) years and when excluding those taking NSAID at baseline, we found that incident NSAID use was associated with an increased risk of major bleeding (hazard ratio [HR], 1.61 [95% CI, 1.11–2.33]) and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (HR, 1.70 [95% CI, 1.16–2.48]), but not gastrointestinal bleeding. No significant interaction was observed between NSAID use and randomized treatment for any outcome. Conclusions: A substantial number of patients in the ARISTOTLE trial took NSAIDs. Incident NSAID use was associated with major and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding, but not with gastrointestinal bleeding. The safety and efficacy of apixaban versus warfarin appeared not significantly to be altered by NSAID use. This study warrants more investigation of the effect of NSAIDs on the outcomes of patients treated with apixaban. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00412984.


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