An overview of the use of music therapy in the context of Alzheimer's disease: a report of a French expert group.

Objectives: The aim of this overview is to present the developments of music therapy in France, its techniques, mechanisms and principal indications, mainly in the context of Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: An international review of the literature on music therapy applied to Alzheimer's disease was conducted using the principal scientific search engines. A work group of experts in music therapy and psychosocial techniques then considered the different points highlighted in the review of literature and discussed them.

Slow-release oral morphine sulfate abuse: results of the postmarketing surveillance systems for psychoactive prescription drug abuse in France.

Background: Few data are available concerning the diversion and abuse of morphine sulfate. In France, morphine sulfate abuse is currently investigated by the health authorities. The aim of our study was to provide data on morphine sulfate abuse in France, collected during the period 1996-2011.

[Psychiatric disorders associated with high-dose methadone (>100 mg/d): a retrospective analysis of treated patients].

Background: Recent studies show that high-dose methadone (>100 mg/d) allow a better control of the consumptions of illicit opiates by treated patients.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze data of patients requiring high-dose methadone (>100 mg/d) as well as associated factors.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of treated patients with high-dose methadone followed in the maintenance methadone treatment center between 01/01/07 and 01/07/10.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome-like reaction precipitated by antipsychotics in a patient with gamma-butyrolactone withdrawal.

We report the case of a patient with chronic abuse of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL, 3 bottles per week for 4 months), who in the course of the management of acute agitation and hallucinations developed symptoms compatible with both neuroleptic malignant syndrome and GBL withdrawal symptoms.Some GHB withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and the administration of antipsychotics might worsen the neurological condition of patients. So, it seems important to rapidly detect drugs taken by patients with mental agitation, to optimize management and minimize complications related to drugs.

Antipsychotics-induced ischaemic colitis and gastrointestinal necrosis: a review of the French pharmacovigilance database.

Purpose: First- and second-generation antipsychotics commonly cause mild gastrointestinal hypomotility. Intestinal necrosis may be a consequence of such gastrointestinal perturbations.

Material And Methods: We reviewed all the observations of ischaemic colitis and gastrointestinal necrosis notified to the French Pharmacovigilance database (FPD) between 1997 and the end of 2006.

Hepatitis after intravenous injection of sublingual buprenorphine in acute hepatitis C carriers: report of two cases of disappearance of viral replication after acute hepatitis.

Objective: To report 2 cases of acute hepatitis related to intravenous administration of buprenorphine in hepatitis C-infected patients.

Case Summary: Two patients, aged 33 and 50 years, respectively, who were hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers were treated with sublingual buprenorphine 8 mg/day for addiction. Several years after initiation of buprenorphine, they were hospitalized because of clinical hepatitis with jaundice that developed after intravenous injection of buprenorphine.

Adverse effects of voriconazole: analysis of the French Pharmacovigilance Database.

Background: The most common adverse effects of voriconazole reported during clinical trials were disturbances of vision (30% of pts.), skin rashes (17.3%), and elevations in hepatic enzymes level (approximately 10% of pts.

Neurotoxicity related to valganciclovir in a child with impaired renal function: usefulness of therapeutic drug monitoring.

Objective: To report a case of neurotoxicity related to antiviral drugs, discuss the involvement of concomitant medications, and document the pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir (administered as valganciclovir) in a child with impaired renal function.

Case Summary: A 13-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia was treated for cytomegalovirus retinitis with valganciclovir 450 mg every 2 days in the course of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Concomitant medication included omeprazole, furosemide, and acetaminophen.

Liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry determination of carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and eight of their metabolites in human plasma.

Carbamazepine (CBZ) and oxcarbazepine (OXCBZ) are both antiepileptic drugs, which are prescribed as first-line drugs for the treatment of partial and generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizures. In this paper, a specific and sensitive liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method was described for the simultaneous determination of carbamazepine (CBZ), oxcarbazepine (OXCBZ) and eight of their metabolites [CBZ-10,11-epoxide (CBZ-EP), 10,11-dihydro-10,11-trans-dihydroxy-carbamazepine (DiOH-CBZ), 10-hydroxy-10,11-dihydroCBZ (10-OH-CBZ), 2-hydroxycarbamazepine (2-OH-CBZ), 3-hydroxycarbamazepine (3-OH-CBZ), iminostilbene (IM), acridone (AO) and acridine (AI)] in human plasma. The work-up procedure involved a simple precipitation with acetone.

Comparison of pharmacovigilance algorithms in drug hypersensitivity reactions.

Background: A firm diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity, because it may re-induce the reaction, is seldom confirmed. Causality assessment algorithms are therefore of interest.

Aims: The objective of this work was to compare three algorithms in the diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity.

[Assessment of renal abnormalities in 107 HIV patients treated with tenofovir].

Objectives: The objectives of our study were to assess frequency, severity and outcome of renal abnormalities, as well as to determine the risk of developing hypophosphataemia in HIV-infected patients receiving tenofovir.

Methods: An observational study was conducted in real-life conditions, during a 6-month period, in 107 HIV patients receiving tenofovir.

Results: Mild-to-moderate hypophosphataemia (<0.

[Drug-induced movement disorders: tardive syndromes].

Persistent drug-induced movement disorders (tardive syndromes) remain an important clinical problem and consist of a variety of involuntary movements appearing in a patient exposed to a dopamine-blocking agent. The current state of knowledge on this topic is summarised in this article. Clinical aspects (tardive dyskinesia, tardive dystonia and other forms), prevalence, risk factors, prevention and management are discussed.

Transitory ataxia related to topically administered lidocaine.

Objective: To report 2 cases of transitory cerebellar ataxia related to lidocaine administered topically for endoscopy. case summaries: Two patients developed transitory cerebellar ataxia a few minutes after local anesthesia using lidocaine 10% spray and lidocaine 2% orally for a bronchoscopy and transesophageal echocardiography. This effect completely disappeared in 3-5 hours.

Optimal management of methotrexate intoxication in a child with osteosarcoma.

Objective: To describe the time course and management of methotrexate (MTX) toxicity in a 14-year-old Hispanic boy with osteosarcoma treated with high-dose MTX.

Case Summary: During the sixth cycle of high-dose MTX, severe intoxication was observed with high MTX plasma concentrations, acute renal failure, and hepatitis, followed by mucositis and moderate myelosuppression. Intensification of urine alkalinization and increased leucovorin dosages did not decrease plasma concentrations of MTX or prevent systemic toxicities.

Are drugs a risk factor of post-ERCP pancreatitis?

Background: Pancreatitis is the most severe complication of ERCP. The aim of this study was to assess whether the use of potentially pancreatotoxic drugs is a risk factor for post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Methods: Risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis and all drugs taken during the month before ERCP were recorded retrospectively in a database.

[Acute haemorrhagic pericarditis following influenza vaccination].

Introduction: Pericarditis following influenza vaccination is a rare complication. The few cases reported in the literature were all benign.

Observation: An 87 year-old man developed a haemorrhagic pericarditis following an influenza vaccination.

Adverse drug events associated with hospital admission.

Objective: To increase the knowledge base on the frequency, causality, and avoidability of adverse drug events (ADEs) as a cause for admission in internal medicine or when occurring during hospitalization.

Methods: A prospective study was performed for 6 periods of 8 days each. Epidemiologic data (e.