Desloratadine and levocetirizine – the importance in allergic diseases treatment

H1-receptor blockers (including levocetirizine and desloratadine) are employed in treatment of multiple allergic diseases. In this review we deliver data regarding efficacy and safety these two drugs. Moreover, we are comparing their properties. The individualization therapy is a mainstay in allergic disorders treatment.

Key facts on moderate to severe acute pain combined treatment with tramadol and dexketoprofen at fixed doses

The development of pain is associated with numerous physiological mechanisms. Improper acute pain treatment significantly reduces the quality of life and leads to a number of physiological changes that adversely affect the general condition of the patient. In many cases, inadequate analgesic therapy results in the transition from acute to chronic pain. For this reason, it is extremely important to use drugs that synergistically affect various pain mechanisms. Combined preparations, including the combination of tramadol and dexketoprofen, are very effective. This combination has many advantages, including proven efficacy and tolerability, ensures better treatment adherence and is easy to administer.

Facts and myths about antibiotic therapy

Resistance to antibiotics is becoming a serious clinical problem. It increases the cost of treatment and is the reason for the failure of therapy. It cannot be eliminated, but the principles of prevention must be respected. First, do not prescribe chemotherapeutics in the therapy of viral infections and symptomatic treatment, after the second care to the selection of a sufficiently high dose, recommend regular intake of the drug and do not shorten the time of therapy. It is also important to choose the right active substance, which should be conditioned by the expected sensitivity of bacteria, the localization of inflammation and the age of the patient. Do not forget about the accompanying therapy, including the ordination of the probiotic and antifungal protection.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor – why it is worth to use filgrastim?

Neutropenia fever is one of the most common side effect of chemotherapy and might lead to severe complications and death. The use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors in primary and secondary prevention of neutropenia fever leads to reduction in hospitalization time and significantly affects the decrease in treatment-related mortality. Factors stimulating granulocyte colonies prevent the need to reduce the dose of the cytostatics and to extend the intervals between the treatment cycles, which increases the effectiveness of therapy.

Non-uroselective and uroselective α1-adrenolitics in everyday urological practice – the duel

α1-adrenolitics are often considered the first-line treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) due to their quick onset of action, good efficacy and low frequency and severity of side effects. α1-adrenolitics are divided into non-uroselective and uroselective. The study compared two drugs, such as doxazosin and tamsulosin. The presented duel and its result may help in choosing the best treatment option for a specific patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

2020 ESC Digital Experience congress – what is new?

The 2020 ESC Digital Experience congress gathered 125 thousand participants from 211 countries. Four new guidelines were released including diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation, management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation, sports cardiology and exercise in patients with cardiovascular disease, and management of adult congenital heart disease. Several landmark clinical trials were presented including studies assessing: the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors (DAPA-CKD and EMPEROR-Reduced trials), potential benefits of colchicine (LoDoCo2 trial) and safety of drugs blocking renin–angiotensin in COVID-19 patients (BRACE CORONA trial). New meta-analyses confirmed benefits of antihypertensive treatment and cancer-related safety of cardiovascular drugs. This short review summarizes the most important results presented during the congress and discusses their clinical implications.

Pediatrician’s dilemmas in the era of a pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic, announced in March 2020, forced health care workers, especially family doctors and pediatricians, to act in a special way and to increase their diagnostic vigilance. In the upcoming autumn and winter season, with an increased incidence of respiratory infections, including influenza, precise diagnosis and then effective therapy will be crucial. We can face many diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. In the presented article, the author tries to present possible typical scenarios of respiratory diseases in children. Five cases of children were described: with common cold, flu, acute laryngitis, obstructive bronchitis, exacerbation of bronchial asthma. Additionally, a patient with COVID-19 was discussed, which in the current season may additionally complicate the correct procedure. The differential diagnosis of these diseases is presented, followed by the basic therapeutic directions, with particular emphasis on inhalation treatment.

Methotrexate in rheumatology – efficacy and safety of the therapy

Methotrexate is currently the safe and effective drug used in chronic arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Avoiding the use of methotrexate in everyday rheumatic treatment can lead to significant health complications. There is no time frame for the use of methotrexate, the drug can be used successfully for many years. The therapeutic dose of the drug is usually 25–30 mg/week. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal disorders and elevated transaminase levels. The efficacy and safety of methotrexate have been confirmed in many clinical trials and in everyday clinical practice.

The use of inhaled combined therapy in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Clinical study results showed that combined therapy – inhaled glucocorticosteroid plus long-acting β2-agonists – allows for better control of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, reducing the number of exacerbations. There are strong scientific evidence for the use of both drugs in one inhaler, because they exhibit complementary and synergy of clinical activity at the molecular level.

Physical activity in heart failure under the new ESC guidelines

Physical activity in the 21st century becomes an important remedy for the problems of civilization diseases affecting the societies of developed countries. Even people burdened with heart failure should use activity as part of treatment and prevention of complications, but in this group of patients special restrictions should apply to its use.