Assessment of Use and Safety of Edaravone for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Importance: Using real-world data, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initiated a surveillance evaluation of edaravone after its approval for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2017. The use and safety of edaravone for patients with ALS in the VA health care system remain to be assessed.

Objective: To describe a pharmacovigilance surveillance initiative with edaravone to monitor patient characteristics, utilization (edaravone cycles and riluzole use), and safety and to evaluate safety/effectiveness.

False-positive urine opiate screening associated with fluoroquinolone use.

Objective: To review the literature regarding false-positive urine opiate screens associated with the use of fluoroquinolones.

Data Sources: Literature was identified using MEDLINE (1966-February 2004), EMBASE, and all EBM Reviews with the terms quinolones, substance abuse detection, opiates, cross-reactions, false-positive reactions, and each fluoroquinolone. Article references were also reviewed.