Characterization of ethyl cellulose polymer.

Ethyl cellulose (EC) polymer was characterized for its property before considering the interactions with the plasicizer. Ethocel Std.10 FP Premium from Dow chemical company USA was tested for its solubility, morphology and thermal properties.

Rifaximin: new therapeutic indication and future directions.

Background: Rifaximin is a nonabsorbable oral antibiotic that acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract with minimal systemic adverse effects. Rifaximin received new labeling for reduction in the risk of the recurrence of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with advanced liver disease in March of 2010.

Objective: This article reviews the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of rifaximin.

Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the elderly: role of the pharmacist in a multidisciplinary health care team.

Intensive glycemic control using insulin therapy may be appropriate for many healthy older adults to reduce premature mortality and morbidity, improve quality of life, and reduce health care costs. However, frail elderly people are more prone to develop complications from hypoglycemia, such as confusion and dementia. Overall, older persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at greater risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) than from intermittent hyperglycemia; therefore, diabetes management should always include CVD prevention and treatment in this patient population.

Protective effect of diosmin on LPS-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and inhibition of TNF-α expression.

Several studies have demonstrated a link between increased pro-inflammatory mediators and apoptosis in neurodegenerative diseases. It has been reported that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces apoptosis mostly through the production of TNF-α. In this study, we investigated the possible protective and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of diosmin, a natural flavone glycoside, on LPS-induced PC12 cells death through inhibition of TNF-α production.

Quantification of dermal and transdermal delivery of meloxicam gels in rabbits.

Background: This study was designed to quantify the effects of penetration enhancers on systemic bioavailability of 0.3% meloxicam (MLX) hydroxypropylcellulose gels. Cutaneous microdialysis was also performed to assess dermis availability and to better understand the penetration process.

Establishing maintenance doses of lV iron in anemia management to improve patient outcomes.

Iron deficiency is one of the most common findings in anemia management in patients on hemodialysis. Administration of intravenous iron therapy is important to maintain adequate serum ferritin and transferrin saturation levels for effective hemoglobin synthesis. This study investigates and presents the results of doses and frequencies of IV iron therapy.

Concordance between observer reports and patient survey reports of pharmacists' communication behaviors.

Background: Assessing the quantity and quality of pharmacist-patient communication is important to create strategies for improving communication. Findings from studies on pharmacist-patient communication differ on the extent of communication by pharmacists. This disagreement could be because of different methods of data collection, samples, and concepts used to measure communication.

Analytical methods for heavy metals in herbal medicines.

Introduction: It is estimated that about 70-80% of the world's population relies on non-conventional medicine, mainly of herbal origin. However, owing to the nature and sources of herbal medicines, they are sometimes contaminated with toxic heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium, which impose serious health risks to consumers. It is critical to analyse source materials for heavy metals in order to ensure that their concentrations meet the related standards or regulations limiting their concentrations in herbal medicines.

Re-evaluation of in vitro dissolution techniques for supersaturating drug delivery systems.

Conventional dissolution testing using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was evaluated against fiber optic dissolution method for studying supersaturable drug delivery systems. Two self-microemulsifying (SME) formulations of albendazole (ABZ) (15 mg/capsule and 5 mg/capsule) were prepared. Dissolution study was performed in medium with pH 1.

Optimization and prediction of drug release from matrix tablets using response surface methodology and near infrared chemical imaging.

The purpose of this work was to understand the formulation effect on the drug release from a hydrophilic matrix tablet of niacin using a multivariate statistical technique and Near Infrared Chemical Imaging (NIR-CI). Tablets were composed of ethyl cellulose (EC) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) as release retarding polymers and lactose as the release modulator. D-optimal experimental design was composed of three formulation variables: the content of EC(X(1)), PEO (X(2)), and lactose (X(3)).

Implications of a reduction in the hemoglobin target in erythropoiesis-stimulating agent-treated hemodialysis patients.

Background: Patients treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to a hemoglobin (Hb) level >12.0 g/dl have increased risk of multiple complications, including death. The optimal Hb target for ESA use has not been established.

Frequency of and reasons for pharmacy residents breaching the National Matching Services applicant agreement.

Purpose: The frequency of and reasons for pharmacy residents breaching the National Matching Services (NMS) applicant agreement were evaluated.

Methods: An electronic survey was sent via e-mail to residency program directors of ASHP-accredited postgraduate year 1 pharmacy residencies in the United States. The survey instrument was developed based on an initial pilot survey used to test the clarity and reliability of the questions.

Development and oral bioavailability assessment of a supersaturated self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of albendazole.

Objectives: Albendazole's (ABZ) poor aqueous solubility is a major determinant of its variable therapeutic response (20-50%). The purpose of this study was to develop and optimize the composition of a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of ABZ and assess its oral pharmacokinetics in rabbits.

Methods: A D-optimal mixture design of experiments was used to select the levels of constraints of the formulation variables.

Evaluation of the role of the critical care pharmacist in identifying and avoiding or minimizing significant drug-drug interactions in medical intensive care patients.

Study Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of prospective review of significant drug-drug interactions (DDIs) occurring in medical intensive care unit (MICU) patients by the critical care pharmacist participating in patient care rounds on improvement of safer and more efficacious medication use.

Study Design: A prospective consecutive 10-week study was conducted in the MICU, St Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center (St Luke's site), New York, NY. This study compared baseline period when clinical pharmacist services were not provided with the period when each patient's profile was reviewed daily during MICU rounds and interactions were minimized.

The effect of permeation enhancers on the viscosity and the release profile of transdermal hydroxypropyl methylcellulose gel formulations containing diltiazem HCl.

Background And Method: The objective of this study was to characterize the release of Diltiazem HCl (DTM HCl) from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose gels containing the following permeation enhancers at a 0.5% (w/w): sodium lauryl sulfate, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), fatty acids (oleic acid, caprylic acid, and myristic acid), and isopropyl myristate (IPM). The enhancers' effects on the gel's viscosity were also investigated.

From gene delivery to gene silencing: plasmid DNA-transfecting cationic lipid 1,3-dimyristoylamidopropane-2-[bis(2-dimethylaminoethane)] carbamate efficiently promotes small interfering RNA-induced RNA interference.

The cationic lipid 1,3-dimyristoylamidopropane-2-[bis(2-dimethylaminoethane)] carbamate (1,3lb2) was applied as a delivery system for small interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vitro in human prostate carcinoma cell line PC-3. VEGF protein silencing peaked at 94% when cationic lipid-nucleic acid complexes (lipoplexes) were formulated at a nitrogen:phosphorothioate ratio (N:P) of 2 with a dose concentration of 53.7 nM, and the performance of these lipoplexes was not impeded by serum.

Updates on cytochrome p450-mediated cardiovascular drug interactions.

Cytochrome P (CYP) 450 is a superfamily of hemoproteins that play an important role in the metabolism of steroid hormones, fatty acids, and many medications. Many agents used for management of cardiovascular diseases are substrates, inhibitors, or inducers of CYP450 enzymes. When two agents that are substrates, inhibitors, or inducers of CYP450 are administered together, drug interactions with significant clinical consequences may occur.

Pharmacy students' attitudes toward a required public health course and developing a public health program.

Objective: To determine pharmacy students' attitudes towards a required public health course and developing a public health program.

Method: Two hundred ten first-year pharmacy students enrolled in a public health course at a large private pharmacy school were surveyed. A 24-item adjective rating scale and a 10-item scale were used to measure students' attitudes towards the course and developing a public health program.

Pharmacokinetics of amitriptyline in rabbit skin and plasma following iontophoretic administrations.

Background: Amitriptyline (AMT) is a tricyclic antidepressant with demonstrated local analgesic effects in human skin.

Aim: We investigated the feasibility and mechanisms of iontophoretic delivery of AMT to rabbit dermis and plasma.

Method: Two microdialysis probes were inserted into the upper dorsal shaved skin of tranquilized rabbits.

Certolizumab pegol for the management of Crohn's disease in adults.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory disorder that can affect any portion of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the rectum. The American Gastroenterological Association recommends that treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha be considered in patients with moderate to severe CD refractory to concomitant aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive treatment, or who have contraindications to or poor tolerance of these agents. Anti-TNF-alpha agents available in the United States for the management of CD are infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab pegol.

Quantification and prediction of skin pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin and cefuroxime.

The purpose of this project was to develop and validate a pharmacokinetic model and to quantify the rate and extent of distribution between plasma and skin of two beta-lactam antibiotics, amoxicillin (AMX) and cefuroxime (CFX), which are frequently administered systemically to treat skin and skin structure infections. Dosing regimens are usually based on plasma concentration, however, concentrations at the target site are better correlated with the effect. For each antibiotic, three different i.

The analysis of heavy metals in Chinese herbal medicine by flow injection-mercury hydride system and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

Introduction: Simple and robust atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) analytical methods were developed to determine the contents of arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) contained in Chinese herbal medicine products or Chinese proprietary medicine.

Objective: To develop AAS analytical methods to determine the contents of the toxic heavy metals in herbal medicine, and thus monitor them according to the regulated content limits to ensure the quality and safety of herbal products.

Methodology: A flow injection-mercury hydride system technique was used for the quantitation of As and Hg, and a graphite furnace technique was used for the analysis of Pb.

The efficacy and safety profile of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, a prodrug of d-amphetamine, for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adults.

Background: Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) is a once-daily medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children (aged 6-12 years) and adults.

Objective: This article reviews the pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties, clinical efficacy, and safety profile of LDX.

Methods: Studies, abstracts, reviews, and consensus statements published in English were identified through computerized searches of MEDLINE (1966-August 2008) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1977-August 2008) using search headings lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, NRP 104, NRP104-201, NRP104-301, NRP104-302, NRP104-303, and stimulant.

Rivaroxaban: a novel, oral, direct factor Xa inhibitor.

Thromboembolic disorders such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, and stroke often result in long-term disability and/or mortality. The anticoagulants currently available have been effective in the treatment and prevention of these disorders; however, parenteral administration, variable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, drug and dietary interactions, and a requirement for frequent monitoring of efficacy and safety limit use of these drugs. Rivaroxaban is a novel, oral factor Xa inhibitor in clinical development for the treatment and prevention of thromboembolic diseases.