Clinical relevance of linezolid-associated serotonin toxicity.

Objective: To evaluate and review the literature surrounding serotonin toxicity in patients receiving linezolid and determine the clinical relevance of this reaction.

Data Sources: Literature was accessed via MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar (both through February 2013) using the search terms linezolid, serotonin syndrome, serotonin toxicity, and adverse reaction.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Relevant case reports, retrospective studies, surveys, and review articles were included.

Ecallantide for treatment of acute attacks of hereditary angioedema.

Purpose: The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, dosage, administration, adverse effects, and place in therapy of ecallantide, a kallikrein inhibitor for the treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE), are reviewed.

Summary: Ecallantide is the first member of the kallikrein inhibitor class approved for the treatment of acute attacks of HAE. Ecallantide works by binding to kallikrein, preventing the conversion of kininogen to bradykinin, which reduces vascular permeability, thus reducing the swelling associated with acute attacks of HAE.