Risk factors for systemic vancomycin exposure following administration of oral vancomycin for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection.

Objective: To identify risk factors for systemic exposure to vancomycin (VAN) following administration of oral vancomycin (POV) for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).

Design: Prospective, observational, single-center case series.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Proton pump inhibitor-associated pneumonia: Not a breath of fresh air after all?

Over the past two decades, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have emerged as highly effective and relatively safe agents for the treatment of a variety of gastrointestinal disorders. Unfortunately, this desirable pharmacological profile has also contributed to superfluous and widespread use in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. While generally well-tolerated, research published over the last decade has associated these agents with increased risks of Clostridium difficile disease, fractures likely due to calcium malabsorption and both community-acquired (CAP) and hospital-acquired pneumonias (HAP).

Stability of extemporaneously prepared acetylcysteine 1% and 10% solutions for treatment of meconium ileus.

Purpose: The stability of extemporaneously prepared acetylcysteine 1% and 10% solutions for treatment of meconium ileus was evaluated.

Methods: Acetylcysteine 1% (10-mg/mL) and 10% (100-mg/mL) solutions were prepared by mixing 3 and 10 mL, respectively, of commercially available 20% acetylcysteine solution with a sufficient quantity of bacteriostatic 0.9% sodium chloride for injection to make a final volume of 60 mL.

Needs assessment analysis for vitamin K antagonist anticoagulation in the resource-constrained setting of Eldoret, Kenya.

Objectives: To assess the frequency of indications for vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy in the inpatient and outpatient setting in Eldoret, Kenya, and to describe the strategies used for managing these conditions.

Methods: All inpatient admissions during a 1.5-month period were prospectively assessed for any indications for VKA therapy by clinical pharmacy staff.