The patient, the OTC drug, and the pharmacist – an (in)separable triad? A critical analysis of self-medication

Self-medication can be defined as the use of over-the-counter medications, released at the patient’s request. In order to be effective and to reduce the risk of side effects and iatrogenic accidents, their release should be accompanied by specialist advice, which is the prerogative of the pharmacist. Thus, self-medication requires a drug-patient-pharmacist relationship. This paper highlights some practical aspects of OTC medication. We also present some particular cases of medicines released under the OTC regime, but also of medicines that currently require a prescription, although they were initially released on request.

Direct virucidal effect of a throat lozenge with fixed combination of cetylpyridinium chloride and benzydamine hydrochloride on SARS-CoV-2 – in vitro study

Objectives. To evaluate the in vitro virucidal effect of the combination of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and benzydamine hydrochloride (BH) as a throat lozenge against the novel SARS-CoV-2. Material and methods. The study evaluated the viral presence and titre in cell cultures by using SARS-CoV-2 virus incubated for 1, 5, 15 minutes, with three different concentrations of three different active substances (CPC, free BH/ CPC, BH/CPC lozenge). The titre of the virus was expressed as TCID50/ml calculated with the Spearman-Kärber method. Outcomes. The faster virucidal effect in high concentration was seen in the combination BH/CPC as throat lozenge when compared to CPC as free active substance. A reduction of the virus concentration was seen, at 15 minutes contact, in all three concentrations. Conclusions. There is a strong virucidal effect a throat lozenge with fixed combination of cetylpyridinium chloride and benzydamine hydrochloride on the novel coronavirus.

NIR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate data analysis in the prediction of the characteristics of mannitol lyophilized cakes

Mannitol is used in freeze-dried products as a bulking agent, consistency enhancer, or stabilizer, having the lowest hygroscopicity among the excipients commonly used as consistency agents, therefore it can be used in the formulation of unstable preparations. Lyophilization is a complex method of drying a solution at low temperature and low-pressure that addresses especially thermolabile substances, such as proteins. The end-product is a lyophilized powder, which can be administered parenterally after reconstitution with suitable solvents. The objective of this study was to evaluate freeze-dried products obtained from mannitol solutions of different concentrations. Mannitol solutions of increasing concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% were prepared by dissolving mannitol in distilled water. The prepared solutions were freeze-dried after a preliminary DSC analysis, in which the thermal phenomena that occurred during lyophilization were identified. Freeze-dried preparations were analyzed by different methods: macroscopic analysis by visual assessment and comparison with data from the literature, texture analysis by which several properties of these preparations were studied (hardness, deformation, mechanical work, adhesive strength, fracture resistance, and the number of fractures), evaluation of reconstitution time and porosity. The mannitol used in the lyophilization process, being partially amorphous, required differential calorimetric analysis to establish its glass transition and to avoid the collapse of the preparations during lyophilization. Finally, NIR spectroscopy was used to predict the characteristics of the freeze-dried powders in a non-invasive manner, without prior sample preparation.

Antirid peptides in cosmeceutical formula

Perception of beauty is tied to the idea of youth. This is why a large number of peptides proposed in the field of cosmetics are used as anti-aging/anti-wrinkle products. Some peptides have been proven in their efficacy through clinical skin trials. This paper describes some peptides that are most frequently used in cosmeceutical products and their potential benefits and practical use in dermatology.

Evaluating the activity of dispensing opioid analgesic medication

Objectives. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the drug dispensing activity of analgesic opioids in pharmacies. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in an observational and retrospective manner, based on a questionnaire distributed in different pharmacies across Romania. Results. The dispensing activity of opioid analgesics is conducted in 71 out of the 100 pharmacies that have received the questionnaire. These pharmacies are located in 12 out of the 41 counties, mostly in the urban area and 96% of them are community pharmacies. The most prescribed and dispensed pharmaceutical forms are solid forms, the injectable products and transdermic systems being dispensed in a high percentage, up to 40% respectively, only in 25% of the questioned pharmacies. The average time spent by a pharmacist for the entire activity of dispensing an opioid analgesic prescribed by a doctor was estimated at 17.82± 0.58 minutes. Conclusions. The activity regarding opioid analgesics in the community pharmacy is limited by the low rentability, high costs and time consumption. The results of the study impose a further analysis on the impact that this service has upon public health, in order to this activity be sustained by the national health insurance system. Measures must be implemented to ensure that patients from rural or unprivileged areas are able to get their analgesics from the nearest community pharmacy constantly.

Chemical analysis of some Ocimum basilicum medicinal teas

Objectives. Ocimum basilicum is one of the widespread medicinal plants, widely used due to its multiple therapeutic properties (antimicrobial, antiviral, hypoglycemic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, carminative, stomachic, antioxidant, analgesic, etc.), as well as its specific aromatic character. The aim of this study was to comparatively investigate the chemical composition (flavonoids, caffeic acid derivatives, tannins, essential oil) of the aerial parts of some Romanian medicinal teas of Ocimum basilicum. Materials and methods. The content of flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins in three samples of O. basilicum tea were determined spectrophotometrically. Identification of important phenolic compounds (rutin, isoquercitrin chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid) was performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation method. Outcomes and conclusions. Following the quantitative determinations performed, it can be seen that the basil samples are rich in active principles, and their use for the treatment of some diseases can be justified.

Phytochemical analysis of herbal teas containing caffeic acid

Objectives. The present analysis was to investigate the content of caffeic acid derivatives, antioxidant activity, and the presence of caffeic acid in alcoholic extracts obtained from 16 simple teas from the following medicinal plants: Vaccinium mуrtilluѕ, Camеllia ѕinеnѕiѕ, Coffea arabica, Mеlіssa οffіcіnalіs, Οcіmum basіlіcum, Rοsmarіnus οffіcіnalіs, Salvіa οffіcіnalіs, Ηyssοрus οffіcіnalіs, Αrtеmіsіa absіntһіum, Cynara scοlymus, Calendula officinalis, Cοrіandrum satіvum, Fοеnіculum vulgarе, Carum carvі, Rοsa canіna, Crataеgus mοnοgyna. Materials and methods. The presence of caffeic acid was evaluated using the thin layer chromatography method (TLC). The total content of phenylpropanoids from the medicinal herbs alcoholic extracts was determined using a spectrophotometric method. Outcomes. Results were in the range of 0.046-2.426% caffeic acid derivatives (CAE%). The antioxidant properties were measured using the DPPH radical scavenging mechanism. The results were found to be in the range of 63.93% and 0.38% inhibition level (I%). The greatest antioxidant activity was measured for Camellia sinensis (I = 45.54%), followed by Vaccinium myrtillus (I = 50.289%). Conclusions. In this paper it was shown that these medicinal plants are rich in caffeic acid derivatives with antioxidant action capitalized in the prevention of serious diseases.

A brief analysis of parenteral medicines delivered in community pharmacies for off-label use in pediatric

Objectives. The current paper aims to obtain an overview regarding the use of parenteral medicines recommended for the pediatric sector and delivered in Romanian community pharmacies. Materials and methods. A retrospective observational study was developed, based on a questionnaire which was distributed in community pharmacies in Romania. Results. The parenteral medicines were delivered in 100 community pharmacies which partake in the study, and which are distributed in 22 counties in Romania. The total number of parenteral medicines considered in the study were aimed for pediatric use and they represented approximately 5% of the total number of medicines prescribed for children delivered in the respective pharmacies. Of these, most of them are medicines authorized for adults, delivered for off-label use, by other routes of administration, in their original form or reformulated in the form of other pharmaceutical preparations, during the compounding activity in the pharmacy. Conclusions. The parenteral medications most prescribed for pediatric use and delivered in community pharmacies are injectable solutions and powders for parenteral use. They are used as off-label medication in children, by other routes of administration, both to capitalize the therapeutic action of the active principle, and also as a vehicle for other medications with oral route or external route of administration.

The cannabinoids – important therapeutic approach in the field of oncology

Oncological diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide, it is estimated that 25% of the population will face the diagnosis of cancer during life. Phytochemicals such as cannabinoids (CBs) have been used in various branches of medicine for their properties, and the discovery of the anti-tumor, anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory effects of some of these substances has encouraged their use in oncology. Phytocannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ-9-tetra-hydrocannabinol (THC), have numerous anti-emetic, analgesic, orexigenic, anti-inflammatory / immunosuppressive pharmacodynamic effects. In recent years, studies have been aimed at evaluating their efficacy as antineoplastic agents. Much in vivo and in vitro research has demonstrated the efficacy of CBs on certain tumor cell lines, highlighting their potential role in the complementary treatment of cancer. This paper suggests that exploring the molecular mechanisms induced by CBs in cancer cells may contribute to the development of effective treatments in oncological diseases.

Cytotoxic activity of Pinus cembra L. needle extract: A preliminary study on HeLa cell line

The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of a hydromethanolic extract obtained from cembran pine needles in HeLa cell line. In this respect, the effects of needle extract on protein synthesis, viability, proliferation and cell cycle in HeLa cells were evaluated after 48 h treatment. Cembran pine needle extract dose-dependently decreased protein synthesis in HeLa cells causing 44.26% reduction in protein synthesis at 100µg/ml. At 25, 50 and 100µg/ml, it increased cell death in comparison with the control (20.99%, 21.49% and 23.63%, respectively vs. 9.83%). In addition, at 100µg/ml, cembran pine needle extract showed a remarkable antiproliferative effect whereas at 25 and 50µg/ml, it induced sub-G1 phase cells accumulation (11.68 ± 0.81% and 14.69 ± 0.56%, respectively in comparison with control, 6.03 ± 0.55%), an indicator of proapoptotic effects. Taken together, these results indicate that cembran pine needles are a source of compounds with antitumor potential which needs to be further investigated and exploited.