Pruritus after discontinuation of cetirizine.

Background: Intense pruritus or itching emerging after discontinuation of cetirizine has been the subject of postmarketing reports submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), published in the medical literature, and discussed on the internet.

Evaluation of vitamin B12 monitoring in a veteran population on long-term, high-dose metformin therapy.

Background: Metformin can result in vitamin B(12) deficiency, potentially leading to complications such as neuropathy. Annual monitoring of vitamin B(12) has been suggested; however, it is unknown whether current practice reflects this recommendation.

Objective: To identify vitamin B(12) monitoring patterns in patients on long-term, high-dose metformin.

Cefazolin-induced hypoprothrombinemia.

Purpose: A case of cefazolin-induced hypoprothrombinemia in a patient with renal failure is reported.

Summary: A 50-year-old African-American woman was transferred from the orthopedics service to the internal medicine service for management of acute renal failure. Before her transfer, she had spinal surgery and subsequently developed a wound infection complicated by Escherichia coli bacteremia.