Clevidipine: a short-acting intravenous dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker for the management of hypertension.

Drugs used to acutely lower blood pressure have specific indications and precautions for use. Clevidipine is a third-generation parenteral dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that received United States Food and Drug Administration approval in August 2008 for blood pressure reduction when oral therapy is not feasible or desirable. Formulated as an injectable oil-in-water emulsion, the drug is a short-acting arterial-selective vasodilator.

Analysis of infusion-site reactions in renal transplant recipients receiving peripherally administered rabbit antithymocyte globulin as compared with basiliximab.

Antithymocyte globulin rabbit (r-ATG) has been used for the treatment and prevention of acute rejection in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Current manufacturer recommendations for r-ATG dictate the need for administration through a high-flow vein (central line). Previous studies have shown peripheral administration of r-ATG to be safe; however, these studies suggest the co-administration of heparin and hydrocortisone and did not compare the infusion-site reaction rates to a control group.

Medication errors recovered by emergency department pharmacists.

Study Objective: We assess the impact of emergency department (ED) pharmacists on reducing potentially harmful medication errors.

Methods: We conducted this observational study in 4 academic EDs. Trained pharmacy residents observed a convenience sample of ED pharmacists' activities.

Observations on the use of ready-to-use and point-of-care activated parenteral products in automated dispensing cabinets in U.S. hospitals.

Purpose: The use of ready-to-use (RTU) and point-of-care (POC) activated parenteral products and their storage in automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) in U.S. hospitals were evaluated.