Development of a Medication-Use Evaluation Template for Andexanet Alfa in the Reversal of Anticoagulation With Factor Xa Inhibitors.

Medication-use evaluations are meant to ensure that medication-use processes are consistent with prevailing standards of care, assure optimal use of therapy, and reduce the risk of medication-related problems. Reversal agents for direct oral anticoagulants are a worthy focus for medication-use evaluations for reasons of efficacy, safety, and cost. A multidisciplinary team of experts developed 2 medication-use evaluation templates illustrating the application of professional society guidelines to the appropriate use of andexanet alfa.

Major publications in the critical care pharmacotherapy literature: January-December 2014.

Purpose: Nine recently published articles and one guideline with important implications for critical care pharmacy practice are summarized.

Summary: The Critical Care Pharmacotherapy Literature Update (CCPLU) group includes more than 40 experienced critical care pharmacists across the United States. Group members monitor 29 peer-reviewed journals on an ongoing basis to identify literature relevant to pharmacy practice in the critical care setting.

Major publications in the critical care pharmacotherapy literature: January-December 2013.

Purpose: Ten recently published articles with important implications for critical care pharmacotherapy are summarized.

Summary: The Critical Care Pharmacotherapy Literature Update (CCPLU) group is a national assembly of experienced intensive care unit (ICU) pharmacists across the United States. Group members monitor 25 peer-reviewed journals on an ongoing basis to identify literature relevant to pharmacy practice in the critical care setting.

Major publications in the critical care pharmacotherapy literature: February 2012 through February 2013.

Purpose: Recent impactful additions to the professional literature on the role of pharmacotherapy in treating the critically ill are summarized.

Summary: An unusually large number of updated practice guidelines and other publications with broad critical care pharmacotherapy ramifications appeared in the primary biomedical literature during the designated review period (February 2012-February 2013). Hundreds of relevant articles were evaluated by the Critical Care Pharmacotherapy Literature Update group (CCPLU), a national group of pharmacists who routinely monitor 25 peer-reviewed journals for emerging evidence that pertains to rational medication use in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting.

Current and emerging strategies for treating hepatic encephalopathy.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is caused by liver impairment and has a multitude of symptoms in affected patients, including change in level of consciousness, intellectual function, and neuromuscular function. Pharmacologic therapy includes use of nonabsorbable disaccharides (lactulose and lactitol), and antibiotics such as neomycin, paromycin, metronidazole, and rifaximin. Probiotics, acarbose, and drugs such as L-carnitine and flumazenil, may also be helpful in treating HE.

Evaluation of albuterol 1.25 mg and 0.62 mg for nebulization in 6- to 12-year-old children with moderately severe asthma.

To assess the efficacy and safety of 2 different strengths of a manufactured albuterol solution for nebulization (AccuNeb(R); DEY, L.P., Napa, Calif), 349 children with moderate to severe asthma were enrolled in this prospective, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Pharmacoeconomics of Surgical Interventions vs. Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus.

Management of neonatal patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) often is resource-intensive and costly. Therefore, it is in hospitals' best interests to ensure the most cost-efficient use of associated resources. Clinical status, comorbidities, and response to prior therapy are considered in selecting the most appropriate intervention for PDA management.

An open label comparison of calfactant and poractant alfa administration traits and impact on neonatal intensive care unit resources.

Objective: To compare calfactant (CA) and poractant alfa (PA) administration traits, short-term clinical responses, and resource use in the neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) setting.

Methods: An open label series of 277 (213 PA and 64 CA) infants was evaluated for 445 administrations. Registered respiratory therapists collected patient, surfactant administration, and postadministration clinical data.