1,721,079 research outputs found
Drug metabolizing enzymes in the perinatal and neonatal period: differences in the expression and activity
No full textPhysiological changes occurring perinatally and in the first month of life can affect the answer to a pharmacological treatment and the individual response to a drug in terms of efficacy and toxicity is highly variable in the neonatal population. Among potential causes for such variability, differences in drug metabolism may have a great impact. This article aims to review qualitative and quantitative differences in drug metabolizing enzymes in neonates, since both phase I and phase II metabolic pathways are immature at birth and subject to maturational changes in the first period of extrauterine life. Moreover, clinical implications will be discussed
Variability in drug use among newborns admitted to NICUs: a proposal for a European multicentre study
No full textThe use of drugs in newborns admitted to NICUs is characterized by a great variability. This widespread phenomenon, observed both within and between different countries, has been highlighted by reporting data on the treatment of neonatal sepsis and PDA throughout Europe: the dosages and the intervals between administrations of ciprofloxacin and fluconazole varied significantly and a wide variation was also observed as regards the use of NSAIDs to treat PDA. Given the unique characteristics of the neonatal population, the use of drugs on an individual basis could be sometimes justified. However, other factors such as the lack of evidence-based guidelines and the common use of drugs in an off-label manner (more than 80% of newborns receive this kind of treatment) could contribute to the variability in medicine use, making the neonatal population vulnerable to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and medication errors: the potential ADRs rate, 3 times higher in pediatric wards, is more significantly higher in NICUs and the frequency of medication errors (mostly dose errors) widely exceeds the medium value. The differences in clinical practices observed between NICUs need to be addressed at a European level and a multicentre study could be useful to harmonize drug use in newborns
Safety of non-prescription medicines: knowledge and attitudes of Italian pharmacy customers
No full textObjective A survey was designed to investigate customers attitudes and knowledge toward non-prescription medicines taken on a self-medication basis but not devoid of risks. Setting Community pharmacies in Italy. Method Forty-four pharmacies participated in the project. On the basis of an anonymous questionnaire, face-to-face interviews were made to customers buying a non-prescription medicine over a 2-month period. The questionnaire included information about socio-demographic characteristics of the interviewed subjects and 18 items designed to elicit information about the kind of medicine purchased and reason of use, general product knowledge in relation to quality and risks, attitudes toward this kind of drugs, concurrent prescription drug use and the quality of relationship with the pharmacist. Results During the study period, 613 interviews were collected. The most frequently non-prescription medicines purchased by customers were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracetamol and medicines for gastrointestinal problems. The most of interviewees referred to read carefully the package inserts or to ask information to pharmacists. Moreover, they reported to consider non-prescription medicines easy to manage and to be used only for minor ailments and for short periods. 55.3% of customers reported to have been taking at least a prescription drug, mostly antihypertensives or other cardiovascular medicines, in association with non-prescription medicines. In this situation, interviewees often did not inform pharmacists about chronic therapies. Conclusion Our interviews demonstrate that, in general, Italian customers have a cautious approach toward non-prescription medicines and are informed on their use. However, in case of a long-term use, interviewees underestimate risks related to possible physiological/pathological changes in their organism or to interactions with other drugs
Off-label and unlicensed drug treatments in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: an Italian multicentre study
No full textThe use of medicines among newborns admitted to intensive care units is characterized by a high prevalence of off-label/unlicensed use and a wide variability in the absence of international guidelines. A prospective cross-sectional study was organized with the aim to analyse drug prescriptions among all 107 Italian level III neonatal intensive care units
Role of nitric oxide on Exercise-induced changes in active subjects: effects of physical training and acute exercise
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