Association between the use of serotonin receptor 2A-blocking antidepressants and joint disorders.

Objective: There are case reports about antidepressants causing arthritis and arthralgia, and the majority of these reports deal with atypical antidepressants, which are serotonin receptor 2A (5-HT(2A))-blocking substances. The aim of this study was to examine a possible association between joint disorders and the use of 5-HT(2A)-blocking atypical antidepressants.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study using reports of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of 5-HT(2A)-blocking atypical antidepressant substances concerning joint disorders reported to the Swedish Adverse Drug Reactions Committee and the World Health Organization (WHO) Adverse Reactions Database during the period January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2006.

[GPs' perceptions of the Institute for Rational Pharmacotherapy].

Introduction: A questionnaire study was conducted among Danish general practitioners (GPs) as part of an international evaluation of the Institute for Rational Pharmacotherapy (IRF). The aim was to investigate GPs' use and opinion of the IRF's activities.

Material And Methods: A questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 500 GPs, who were asked about their level of knowledge and frequency of use of IRF's activities, as well as their opinion on the relevance, credibility and independence of the IRF's activities.

Trace metal speciation in brackish water using diffusive gradients in thin films and ultrafiltration: comparison of techniques.

Diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) and ultrafiltration were used to measure trace metal concentrations in the Baltic Sea. The results provide the first comparison of these two fundamentally different speciation methods for trace metals. Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn were measured at two sites with different total trace metal concentrations.

Under-reporting of serious adverse drug reactions in Sweden.

Introduction: Adverse drug reactions (ADR) constitute a major problem, both from a medical point of view and as an economical burden. Spontaneous reporting of ADRs is one of the methods for post marketing surveillance of drug safety. Under-reporting can also provide an important obstacle to rapid and relevant signal detection.

Carbamazepine markedly reduces serum concentrations of simvastatin and simvastatin acid.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of carbamazepine on the pharmacokinetics of orally administered simvastatin in healthy volunteers.

Methods: In a randomised, two-phase crossover study and a wash out of 2 weeks, 12 healthy volunteers took carbamazepine for 14 days (600 mg daily except 200 mg daily for the first 2 days) or no drug. On day 15, each subject ingested 80 mg simvastatin.

[Treatment with tramadol can give rise to dependence and abuse].

Tramadol is a centrally acting opioid analgesic which is increasingly used in Sweden. Dependence, abuse and withdrawal has been reported in patients treated with tramadol. The incidence of these adverse effects is considered to be low.

Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions by nurses.

Background: Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) remains one of the most effective methods to detect new and serious drug reactions. However, it is well known that there is a high degree of under-reporting.

Objective: This study was carried out as an attempt to improve and increase the reporting of ADRs by investigating the utility of nurses reporting in addition to physicians, as usual.

Utilization pattern of metamizole in northern Sweden and risk estimates of agranulocytosis.

Objective: This study was carried out in order to investigate the utilization pattern of metamizole to better estimate the quantitative risk of agranulocytosis since a cluster of such cases have been observed in Sweden.

Methods: Cases of agranulocytosis submitted to the Swedish Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (SADRAC) between 1996 and 1999 were identified. Based on the utilization pattern of metamizole in inpatients at three hospitals and in outpatients in two counties in northern Sweden risk estimates of agranulocytosis during metamizole treatment were estimated.