Asthma and COPD Patients' Perception of Appropriate Metered-Dose Inhaler Technique.

Objectives: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are chronic illnesses of the airways affecting a good number of people in Lebanon and the Middle East. Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) are important drug delivery systems used to treat such pulmonary diseases. Drugs proven to be valuable and effective may fail to act effectively if such inhalers are used incorrectly.

Fixed-dose combination of umeclidinium and vilanterol for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease that is predicted to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Pharmacologic treatment options of COPD are bronchodilators, using either long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs), or long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs), or a combination of two. Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium + vilanterol) dry powder inhaler, a fixed-dose combination of LAMA and LABA, was Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in 2013 for COPD.

Adherence to International Guidelines for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Lebanon.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate antibiotic-prescribing practices and adherence to IDSA guidelines for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections in Lebanon.

Methods: This observational prospective study was conducted in 15 community pharmacies in Lebanon over 1 year in adult females. A regimen of nitrofurantoin 100 mg bid for 5 days or fosfomycin 3 grams single dose were considered appropriate.

Patterns of use of dry powder inhalers versus pressurized metered-dose inhalers devices in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma: An observational comparative study.

Numerous patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma do not use inhaler devices properly, which can contribute to poor disease control. The objective of this study is to assess the technical and safety use of dry powder inhalers (DPIs) versus pressurized metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) in adult patients with COPD or asthma in Lebanon. A concurrent, prospective comparative observational study was conducted at one hospital and 15 community pharmacies in Lebanon.

Prescription patterns of benzodiazepines in the Lebanese adult population: a cross-sectional study.

This study assessed the profile of benzodiazepine (BDZ) users in Lebanon. Adult patients visiting the pharmacies with prescriptions of BDZs were included in the study. Seven hundred and eighty-six current BDZ users were included, of whom 54.

Olodaterol for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Purpose: Published data on the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of the once-daily, long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) olodaterol are reviewed.

Summary: Olodaterol (Striverdi Respimat, Boehringer Ingelheim), a LABA with high selectivity for β2-adrenergic receptors, is indicated for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); the recommended dose is 5 μg, to be delivered once daily via the Respimat inhaler. In 48- and 6-week Phase III clinical trials of olodaterol evaluating various lung function and symptomatic outcomes in patients with moderate to very severe COPD, olodaterol use was associated with significant improvements in spirometry outcomes, such as postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), as well as dyspnea severity and quality-of-life measures.

Combined bronchodilators (tiotropium plus olodaterol) for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a respiratory disease characterized by a progressive decline in lung function, is considered to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Long-acting inhaled bronchodilators, such as long-acting β2 agonists (LABAs) or long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs), are the cornerstone of maintenance therapy for patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD. For patients not sufficiently controlled on a single long-acting bronchodilator, a combination of different bronchodilators has shown a significant increase in lung function.

Optimizing clopidogrel dose response: a new clinical algorithm comprising CYP2C19 pharmacogenetics and drug interactions.

Purpose: Response to clopidogrel varies widely with nonresponse rates ranging from 4% to 30%. A reduced function of the gene variant of the CYP2C19 has been associated with lower drug metabolite levels, and hence diminished platelet inhibition. Drugs that alter CYP2C19 activity may also mimic genetic variants.

Emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults.

This paper reviews the current literature and information on the combination drug Complera(™) (rilpivirine/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2011. PubMed, Cochrane and Embase (2001-2014) were searched for primary and review articles on rilpivirine, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, individually or in combination. Data from drug manufacturer and product label was also used.

Evaluation of the appropriate use of commonly prescribed fluoroquinolones and the risk of dysglycemia.

Background: Fluoroquinolones are among the most widely prescribed antibiotics. However, concerns about increasing resistant microorganisms and the risk of dysglycemia associated with the use of these agents have emerged.

Objective: The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the appropriate use of commonly prescribed fluoroquinolones, including appropriate indication, dose, dose adjustment in renal impairment, and duration of treatment.

Enzalutamide for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Objective: To review and evaluate current literature on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug enzalutamide (XTANDI(®)) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Data Sources: Literature search was done through PubMed using the terms enzalutamide, MDV3100, abiraterone, and castration-resistant prostate cancer. Data from FDA product labels were also used.

Evaluation of the appropriateness of imipenem/cilastatin prescription and dosing in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: Imipenem/cilastatin is an antibacterial agent of the carbapenem class of β-lactams that is known to have an extremely wide spectrum of activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, aerobic, anaerobic, and even multidrug-resistant strains. The objective of this study was to evaluate the appropriate use of imipenem/cilastatin in a local tertiary care hospital. The study assessed the indication both empirically and after the culture results were available, the dose and dose adjustment in renal failure, as well as the incidence of seizure in hospitalized patients receiving imipenem/cilastatin.

Simplicity, safety, and acceptability of insulin pen use versus the conventional vial/syringe device in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Lebanon.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the simplicity, safety, patients' preference, and convenience of the administration of insulin using the pen device versus the conventional vial/syringe in patients with diabetes.

Methods: This observational study was conducted in multiple community pharmacies in Lebanon. The investigators interviewed patients with diabetes using an insulin pen or conventional vial/syringe.

Sitagliptin/Simvastatin: a first combination tablet to treat type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia--a review of its characteristics.

Background: The purpose of this study was to review the current literature and information on the combination product Juvisync™ (sitagliptin + simvastatin), which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in October 2011.

Methods: PubMed (2001-2014) was searched for primary and review articles on sitagliptin, simvastatin, or the combination product. Drug manufacturing data and product labeling were also used.