Comparison of the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of HCP1004 (a fixed-dose combination of naproxen and esomeprazole strontium) and VIMOVO® (a marketed fixed-dose combination of naproxen and esomeprazole magnesium) in healthy volunteers.

Background: HCP1004 is a newly developed fixed-dose combination of naproxen (500 mg) and esomeprazole strontium (20 mg) that is used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases and can reduce the risk of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated ulcers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of HCP1004 compared to VIMOVO(®) (a marketed fixed-dose combination of naproxen and esomeprazole magnesium).

Subjects And Methods: An open-label, randomized, two-treatment, two-sequence crossover, single-dose clinical study was conducted in 70 healthy volunteers.

Drug utilization review of mupirocin ointment in a Korean university-affiliated hospital.

Background/aims: Intranasal mupirocin and chlorhexidine bathing are candidate strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In Korea, intranasal mupirocin is not available, and mupirocin ointment, an over-the-counter drug, has been used indiscriminately. Furthermore, because it is covered by health insurance, mupirocin is easy to prescribe within hospitals.

A pharmacokinetic comparison of two voriconazole formulations and the effect of CYP2C19 polymorphism on their pharmacokinetic profiles.

Purpose: SYP-1018 is a lyophilized polymeric nanoparticle formulation of voriconazole that is under development for intravenous dosing. This study compared the pharmacokinetic and tolerability profiles of SYP-1018 with those of Vfend(®), the marketed formulation of voriconazole. The effect of CYP2C19 polymorphism on the voriconazole pharmacokinetics was also evaluated.

Predictive performance of gentamicin dosing nomograms.

Background: Several nomograms have been proposed to facilitate the determination of initial gentamicin dosing regimens in clinical settings. This study aimed to assess the predictive performance of these nomograms in Korean patients.

Methods: Gentamicin concentrations were determined in 84 patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and in 95 patients with other infections.

Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and tolerability of intravenous or subcutaneous GC1113, a novel erythropoiesis-stimulating agent.

Background And Objectives: GC1113, a hybrid Fc-fused erythropoietin, is a novel erythropoiesis-stimulating agent that is expected to have an extended duration of action. The preclinical data showed that the hemoglobin increase lasted longer following GC1113 administration than it did following the administration of darbepoetin alfa (NESP®). This study aimed to investigate the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics and tolerability profiles of GC1113 in humans after single intravenous or subcutaneous administration and to compare the results with those for darbepoetin alfa.

Trough concentration over 12.1 mg/L is a major risk factor of vancomycin-related nephrotoxicity in patients with therapeutic drug monitoring.

Background: High doses of vancomycin increase the risk of nephrotoxicity, but the quantitative relationship between vancomycin exposure and nephrotoxicity is still controversial. This study evaluated the relationship between vancomycin trough concentration and nephrotoxicity, and risk factors for nephrotoxicity in patients undergoing therapeutic drug monitoring.

Methods: A total of 1269 cases from patients who underwent therapeutic drug monitoring were collected from 2006 to 2010.

Reduced valproic acid serum concentrations due to drug interactions with carbapenem antibiotics: overview of 6 cases.

Background: The plasma concentrations of valproic acid (VPA) are known to decrease during the concomitant administration of carbapenem antibiotics, such as meropenem, imipenem, and ertapenem. This study summarizes 6 cases of drug-drug interactions between VPA and carbapenem antibiotics.

Methods: To investigate the onset and severity of the reductions in the concentration of VPA in patients with or without the coadministration of carbapenem antibiotics, the authors performed a retrospective evaluation of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) reports that described a decrease in the serum concentrations of VPA during the concomitant use of carbapenem antibiotics from January 2008 to December 2010 in the Seoul National University Hospital.

Cultural and ethical issues in Korea's recent elder abuse reporting system.

The primary purpose of this article is to examine the relevance of cultural values, such as familism and individualism, that influence public policy implementation processes for protecting older adults in Korea and the United States. The secondary purpose is to identify ethical dilemmas and policy implications for effectively implementing the recently developed public law designed to protect vulnerable older adults in Korea. This article discusses both similarities and differences found in the two countries' elder abuse reporting systems and the service delivery systems for protecting older adults at risk of abuse and neglect.