CYP2B6 and ABCB1 genotypes predict methadone plasma exposure among patients on maintenance therapy against opioid addictions in Tanzania.

Aims: Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) exhibits significant variability in pharmacokinetics and clinical response, partly due to genetic variations. However, data from sub-Saharan African populations are lacking. We examined plasma methadone variability and pharmacogenetic influences among opioid-addicted Tanzanian patients.

CYP2C19 and CYP2J2 genotypes predict praziquantel plasma exposure among Ethiopian school-aged children.

Metabolism of praziquantel (PZQ), a racemic mixture and the only drug approved to treat S. mansoni infection, is mediated by genetically polymorphic enzymes. Periodic school-based mass drug administration (MDA) with PZQ is the core intervention to control schistosomiasis.

Lived experiences of closeness to a person using Anabolic androgenic steroids a next of kin perspective.

Purpose: Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are used for their aesthetic and performance-enhancing effects and are associated with physical and psychological side effects. Behavioural changes/side effects as mood swings, aggressiveness, depression, potency problems, anxiety, and emotional coldness have been reported by next of kin to people using AAS.

Methods: This phenomenological study is based on the reflective lifeworld research approach.

Pharmacological Risk Assessment Among Older Patients with Polypharmacy Using the Clinical Decision Support System Janusmed Risk Profile: A Cross-Sectional Register Study.

Background: Polypharmacy in older people is steadily increasing and a combination of many medicines may result in adverse effects, especially if the medicines interact pharmacodynamically. Examples are additive or synergistic effects increasing the risk of falls, haemorrhage, serotonin syndrome and torsade de pointes. The clinical decision support system Janusmed Risk Profile has been developed to find such risks based on a patients' medication list.

A Summary of Online Enquiries Submitted to Anti-doping Hotline 2005-2018.

Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (AAS) abuse in the society is considered a health problem and has been associated with cardiovascular toxicity, endocrine disruption, as well as psychiatric symptoms such as aggression and cognitive dysfunction. Men and women abusing AAS, as well as persons in close relationship to AAS abusers, may encounter concerns. Subsequently, the Anti-Doping Hotline was formed 1993 to answers questions about doping in the society.

Plasma concentrations of methylphenidate enantiomers in adults with ADHD and substance use disorder, with focus on high doses and relationship to carboxylesterase activity.

Scarce data are available on methylphenidate (MPH) plasma concentrations reached after doses higher than 180 mg. The interindividual and intraindividual variability in the exposure of MPH and ritalinic acid (RA) enantiomers was examined in 28 patients with ADHD and substance use disorders, with MPH daily doses between 30 and 600 mg (median 160 mg). MPH and RA plasma concentrations were analysed with an enantioselective LC-MS/MS method.

Women's Experiences of Using Anabolic Androgenic Steroids.

Anabolic androgenic steroids are used by women to increase their muscle mass and because of their performance-enhancing effects. Despite permanent/high risk of side effects, knowledge is inadequate. Our aim has been to deepen understanding about women's use of anabolic androgenic steroids.

Men´s experiences of using anabolic androgenic steroids.

: Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are used by men for their aesthetic and performance-enhancing effects and are associated with risk for side effects. Our research aims to deepen knowledge and understanding of men´s experiences of using AAS.: This phenomenological study is based on the reflective lifeworld research approach.

CYP2D6-inhibiting drugs and risk of fall injuries after newly initiated antidepressant and antipsychotic therapy in a Swedish, register-based case-crossover study.

Drug-drug interactions have been shown to affect the risk of fall injuries when opioids are used concomitantly with drugs inhibiting the cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) enzyme in a previous pharmacoepidemiological study. The aim of this study was to determine whether CYP2D6-inhibiting drugs reinforce the risk of fall injuries when used concomitantly with antidepressants or antipsychotics. We identified all 252,704 adults with a first fall injury leading to hospitalisation from the National Patient Register in Sweden 2006-2013.

Guiding principles for the use of knowledge bases and real-world data in clinical decision support systems: report by an international expert workshop at Karolinska Institutet.

Introduction: Technical and logical breakthroughs have provided new opportunities in medicine to use knowledge bases and large-scale clinical data (real-world) at point-of-care as part of a learning healthcare system to diminish the knowledge-practice gap.

Areas Covered: The article is based on presentations, discussions and recommendations from an international scientific workshop. Value, research needs and funding avenues of knowledge bases and access to real-world data as well as transparency and incorporation of patient perspectives are discussed.

Studies of athlete biological passport biomarkers and clinical parameters in male and female users of anabolic androgenic steroids and other doping agents.

The use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and other performance enhancing substances can change over time, so there is a need to constantly update what substances are used and can be detected. Six women and 30 men anabolic androgenic steroid users were recruited who filled out an anonymous questionnaire about their use of performance enhancing substances during the past year. Sampling took place on a single occasion and included blood and urine collection.

Pharmacokinetics of methylphenidate and ritalinic acid in plasma correlations with exhaled breath and oral fluid in healthy volunteers.

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to explore the potential of alternative sampling matrices for methylphenidate by assessing the correlations between dl-threo-methylphenidate and dl-threo-ritalinic acid concentrations in exhaled breath and oral fluid with those in plasma, in repeated samples collected after a single oral dose of methylphenidate. The secondary aim was to study the enantioselective pharmacokinetics of methylphenidate in plasma, with a focus on interindividual variability in the metabolism of methylphenidate to ritalinic acid.

Methods: Twelve healthy volunteers received a single oral dose of dl-threo-methylphenidate (Ritalin® capsules, 20 mg).

Methylphenidate effects on processing speed in a clinical sample of adults with ADHD and substance use disorder: a pilot study.

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are common comorbidities of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD is methylphenidate. The clinical response to methylphenidate may be monitored against DSM-5 symptomatology, rating scales or interviews.

Drug abuse screening with exhaled breath and oral fluid in adults with substance use disorder.

In the treatment of substance use disorder, regular laboratory-based testing has the dual purpose of monitoring compliance with the prescribed medication and abstention from medically non-motivated substances (ie, drug abuse screening). The principal specimen for testing is urine, but collection of urine has some disadvantages, for example being more time-consuming and more intrusive compared to other matrices. There is also the risk of adulteration.

Correlation Between Serum Concentrations of N-Desmethylclozapine and Granulocyte Levels in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background: Clozapine is restricted to use in patients with treatment-refractory schizophrenia due to the risk of a serious drop in absolute neutrophil granulocyte count (ANC). The formation of reactive, unstable metabolites (adducts) has been suggested as a mechanism of clozapine-induced granulocyte decline. These adducts are not detectable in vivo, but stable clozapine metabolites could potentially be indirect pharmacokinetic measures of adduct formation.

Genetic variants in CYP2B6 and CYP2A6 explain interindividual variation in efavirenz plasma concentrations of HIV-infected children with diverse ethnic origin.

Background: Approximately 2.6 million children live with HIV globally, and efavirenz (EFV) is one of the most widely used antiretroviral agents for HIV treatment in children and adults. There are concerns about the appropriateness of current EFV dosing and it has been discussed whether EFV dosing should be adapted according to genotype in children as suggested for adults.

Recruitment to doping and help-seeking behavior of eight female AAS users.

Background: Doping with anabolic androgenic steroids in sports has now developed to a widespread use of these agents among young people outside the sport. This is of major concern to the society. The purpose of the use is mainly for aesthetic reasons and is seen as a male phenomenon.

Influence of CYP3A5 polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics of psychiatric drugs.

Background: The contribution of the CYP3A5 enzyme to the metabolism of clinically used drugs has been established only for a few CYP3A substrates, such as the immunosuppressant tacrolimus, while for drugs used in the field of psychiatry its role is still vague.

Methods: We herein discuss all published data on the contribution of CYP3A5 and its polymorphisms to the metabolism of antipsychotics and antidepressants that are known to be metabolized by CYP3A enzymes, as well as of carbamazepine, an antiepileptic drug used as mood stabilizer. Published papers from 1990 to April 2015 were retrieved from PubMed and Scopus by use of the keywords CYP3A5, CYP3A, gene polymorphism, antipsychotics, psychiatry, pharmacogenomics, haloperidol, risperidone, quetiapine, aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, antidepressants, and carbamazepine.

An Appeal to the Global Health Community for a Tripartite Innovation: An "Essential Diagnostics List," "Health in All Policies," and "See-Through 21(st) Century Science and Ethics".

Diagnostics spanning a wide range of new biotechnologies, including proteomics, metabolomics, and nanotechnology, are emerging as companion tests to innovative medicines. In this Opinion, we present the rationale for promulgating an "Essential Diagnostics List." Additionally, we explain the ways in which adopting a vision for "Health in All Policies" could link essential diagnostics with robust and timely societal outcomes such as sustainable development, human rights, gender parity, and alleviation of poverty.

CYP2C19*17 affects R-warfarin plasma clearance and warfarin INR/dose ratio in patients on stable warfarin maintenance therapy.

Purpose: We aimed to assess the influence of CYP2C19*17 on R-warfarin clearance as well as the effect of CYP2C19, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and VKORC1 polymorphisms together with non-genetic factors on warfarin international normalized ratio (INR)/daily dose.

Methods: One hundred fifty Caucasian Italian outpatients with data on steady-state plasma concentrations of S- and R-warfarin were genotyped for CYP2C19 (*2, *3, *4, *17), CYP2C9 (*2, *3), CYP2C8*3, and VKORC1*2. The statistical analysis was performed on the effect of genotypes/haplotypes, age, sex, and body weight on the clearance of warfarin enantiomers and dose-normalized INR.