Proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial of single-session nitrous oxide treatment for refractory bipolar depression: Focus on cerebrovascular target engagement.

Background: There remain few efficacious treatments for bipolar depression, which dominates the course of bipolar disorder (BD). Despite multiple studies reporting associations between depression and cerebral blood flow (CBF), little is known regarding CBF as a treatment target, or predictor and/or indicator of treatment response, in BD. Nitrous oxide, an anesthetic gas with vasoactive and putative antidepressant properties, has a long history as a neuroimaging probe.

Stability of Generic Formulations of Bortezomib 1.0 and 2.5 mg/mL in Vials and Syringes Stored at 4°C and Room Temperature (23°C or 25°C).

Background: The availability of generic versions of bortezomib raises questions about the reliability of extrapolating stability data from one brand to another.

Objective: To evaluate the stability of bortezomib formulations available from Janssen, Teva Canada, Actavis Pharma, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Apotex, and MDA, reconstituted with 0.

Development of Stable and Simple Finasteride 333-μg/mL Suspensions that Minimize Occupational Exposure.

Finasteride is not commercially available in a liquid format, which stimulated the development of a stable and simple finasteride suspension formulation. The objectives of this work were to develop and test a finasteride suspension for 1) simplicity to compound, 2) pharmaceutical acceptability, 3) stability, and 4) potential for occupational exposure. The stability of commercial 5-mg finasteride tablets (50 mg/150 mL) was evaluated in water, Oral Mix, and OralMix SF in amber polyethylene terephthalate bottles at 25°C or 4°C.

Nitrous oxide as a putative novel dual-mechanism treatment for bipolar depression: Proof-of-concept study design and methodology.

Introduction: Depressive symptoms predominate in the course of bipolar disorder (BD) and there is an urgent need to evaluate novel application of repurposed compounds that act on pre-specified treatment targets. Several lines of reasoning suggest that nitrous oxide (NO) is an ideal medication to study as a potential treatment and as a strategy to identify the underlying pathophysiology of bipolar depression. NO is a potent cerebral vasodilator and there is compelling evidence of reduced frontal cerebral blood flow (CBF; i.

Lessening Organ dysfunction with VITamin C (LOVIT): protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Sepsis is a health problem of global importance; treatments focus on controlling infection and supporting failing organs. Recent clinical research suggests that intravenous vitamin C may decrease mortality in sepsis. We have designed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to ascertain the effect of vitamin C on the composite endpoint of death or persistent organ dysfunction at 28 days in patients with sepsis.

Administration of Intravenous Ascorbic Acid-Practical Considerations for Clinicians.

Emerging data suggest that intravenous ascorbic acid (AA) may be beneficial in patients with sepsis. Clinicians require data on stability of diluted AA for safe administration. We evaluated the stability of AA diluted in normal saline (NS) or 5% dextrose in water (D5W) solutions over 14 days at 25 °C and at 4 °C, protected from light, using concentrations of 37 mg/mL and 77 mg/mL (Sandoz) and 40 mg/mL and 92 mg/mL (Mylan).

Extended Stability of Sodium Phosphate Solutions in Polyvinyl Chloride Bags.

Background: Sodium phosphate injection is used to treat moderate to severe hypophosphatemia. There have been no published reports documenting the physical compatibility or chemical stability of sodium phosphate injection in IV solutions.

Objective: To evaluate the physical compatibility and chemical stability of 30 and 150 mmol/L solutions of phosphate, prepared from sodium phosphate injection, in 5% dextrose in water (D5W) and in 0.

Stability of Ertapenem 100 mg/mL in Manufacturer's Glass Vials or Syringes at 4°C and 23°C.

Background: Prophylactic administration of ertapenem as a single 1-g IV dose has been shown to reduce sepsis after prostate biopsy.

Objective: To evaluate the stability of ertapenem after reconstitution with 0.9% sodium chloride to a final concentration of 100 mg/mL and storage in the manufacturer's original glass vials or polypropylene syringes.

Does warfarin use impact hospital length of stay? A retrospective study looking at patients treated for atrial fibrillation.

The authors received anecdotal practice information from clinicians indicating that when warfarin was initiated in the hospital setting, it may be associated with an increased length of stay (LOS): specifically to achieve a desired minimum international normalized ratio (INR) of 2.0 before discharge in a subset of patients where clinicians perceived follow-up after discharge was not deemed optimal. Given that oral thromboprophylactic anticoagulation with warfarin is the mainstay treatment for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF), the authors decided to look at hospitalized patients from this population to determine if a subset of these patients experienced an increased LOS.

Stability of Ibuprofen solutions in normal saline or 5% dextrose in water.

Background: A shortage of the standard medication for treatment of patent ductus arteriosus has necessitated use of parenteral ibuprofen, which is equally efficacious for this indication. The beyond-use date recommended by the manufacturer is very short and has implications for resource allocation and wastage.

Objective: To evaluate the stability of ibuprofen (undiluted or diluted in either 0.

Stability of commonly used antibiotic solutions in an elastomeric infusion device.

Background: The Accufuser silicone-based elastomeric infusion device has recently been approved for the Canadian market.

Objective: To evaluate the stability of 5 antibiotics (cefazolin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, clindamycin, and vancomycin) in either 5% dextrose in water (D5W) or 0.9% sodium chloride in water (NS) after storage in Accufuser disposable silicone balloon infusers.

Stability of norepinephrine solutions in normal saline and 5% dextrose in water.

Background: Most previous stability studies for norepinephrine have reported the percentage of drug remaining in IV solutions after only 24 h. No previously published study has evaluated the effect of light on the stability of this drug.

Objective: To evaluate the stability of norepinephrine (64 mg/L) in either normal saline (NS; 0.

A randomized double-blind trial of the effects of hormone therapy on delayed verbal recall in older women.

We examined whether estradiol and norethindrone hormone therapy (HT) prevented decline in delayed verbal recall in older women with normal to mildly impaired memory functioning. This was a 2-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 142 women aged 61-87, randomly assigned to receive 1 mg 17-beta estradiol daily and 0.35 mg norethindrone 3 days/week or daily placebo for 2 years.

Extended stability of pantoprazole for injection in 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% dextrose at 4°c and 23°c.

Background: The pantoprazole product available in Canada for IV administration has recently been reformulated to include ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA). The purpose of this study was to determine if the chemical stability of pantoprazole for injection containing EDTA (PANTO IV), admixed in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) minibags at concentrations of 0.16 mg/mL and 0.

Severe Raynaud's phenomenon with yohimbine therapy for erectile dysfunction.

Yohimbine is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist that has been used in the pharmacologic management of erectile dysfunction (ED). We describe a patient with CREST syndrome (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia) who paradoxically experienced worsening of Raynaud's phenomenon when using yohimbine for ED.