Is this reaction caused by this drug?

The case report on cotrimoxazole-induced pancreatitis by Versleijen et al. deals with the assessment of the probability that cotrimoxazole induced the acute pancreatitis: a causality assessment. In this editorial, we comment on this assessment from a clinical, pharmacological and epidemiological perspective.

[Urinary retention in 2 children after the use of antiemetic agents during acute gastroenteritis].

Two girls, aged 2 and 4 years, with acute gastroenteritis and vomiting, received domperidone and metoclopramide, respectively. Urinary retention developed, but after catheterisation of the bladder was performed once and the medication was withdrawn, both children recovered without further sequelae. Anti-dopaminergic antiemetic agents should be prescribed with caution, especially in young children.

Is decreased libido associated with the use of HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitors?

Aims And Methods: To describe patients with decreased libido during use of a HMG-CoA-reductase-inhibitor, and to discuss causality and pharmacological hypotheses for this association by analysis of the adverse drug reactions (ADR) database of the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb.

Results: Eight patients were identified as having decreased libido during use of statins. In two of these cases testosterone levels were determined and appeared to be decreased.

Bladder dysfunction during the use of tramadol.

The Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Foundation LAREB received five case reports concerning transient impairment of micturition or urinary retention, suspected to be induced by tramadol. In all patients--three women and two men--the symptoms occurred in temporal association with the use of tramadol and promptly recovered after stopping of the drug. Tramadol was taken orally in doses within the recommended therapeutic range (150 mg or less daily).

The Weber-curve pitfall: effects of a forced introduction on reporting rates and reported adverse reaction profiles.

Background: In May 1999 Losec MUPS (MUPS) were granted a marketing authorization in the Netherlands, followed by the withdrawal of the Losec capsules (capsules) in September 1999. Both formulations contain omeprazole as active substance. This forced switch resulted in a large number of spontaneous reports of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb.