[Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents--potential risks of use during pregnancy].

NSAID are among the most frequently prescribed drugs in women, but our knowledge of possible negative effects on the outcome of pregnancies is limited. Use of NSAID in the third trimester is contra-indicated due to well-described adverse events. Recent epidemiological studies have raised concern about a possible increased risk of early spontaneous abortion and cardiac malformations associated with use of NSAID in early pregnancy, but other studies have been unable to confirm these findings.

[Tiotropium. A new anti-cholinergic agent for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Tiotropium is a new anti-cholinergic drug with a long duration of action designed for maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tiotropium is the first drug specifically developed for the treatment of COPD, but it is also amongst the most expensive drugs used for this condition. The clinical pharmacology of tiotropium and results from published controlled clinical trials are reviewed.

[Drug-induced seizures].

Numerous drugs have been suspected to be associated with the occurrence of epileptic seizures. Our information retrieval, however, shows that drug-induced seizures are relatively rare. The risk of seizure seems to be increased, also in patients who are not predisposed to seizure, when taking clozapine, enflurane, theophylline, foscarnet, ganciclovir, and ritonavir.

[Treatment of nicotine addiction. Drug therapy for smoking cessation].

Most Danish smokers are addicted to nicotine. Treatment with nicotine replacement therapy or bupropion doubles the one-year success rate after cessation of smoking. Pregnant smokers who are unable to stop smoking without medical treatment can safely be offered nicotine replacement therapy.