Current Drug Safety - Volume 3, Issue 1, 2008

With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the reduction in overall mortality and morbidity in HIV patients has been accompanied by the emergence of liver disease as a leading cause of death. Elevated liver enzymes may be due to HAART or to other risk factors, including hepatitis co-infection and alcohol use. The different components of HAART are each associated with different risks of liver toxic Read More

The withdrawal of the celebrity arthritis drug, rofecoxib (Vioxx) has sparked an intense discussion and controversy about the safety of the selective COX-2 inhibitors. Laboratory, epidemiological, and clinical studies have surged and continued to evaluate and understand the safety of coxibs and traditional NSAIDs. This paper reviews the scientific and clinical basis of not only the risks, but also the benefits surrounding the use COX- Read More

Background: Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive degenerative disease affecting central vision. Recent studies have shown that that statins may lower the risk of AMD potentially due to statins' antiinflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. We sought to further explore this association and also explore the role of angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) with respect to the development of AMD. Read More

Formal retraction notice of article entitled The Benefits and Risks of Different Therapies in Preventing Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Thyroid Surgery (Curr Drug Saf. 2008 Jan;3(1):27-34) by Dr Y. Fujii. This article is being retracted as a result of: Failure of Dr. Fijii's institution as well as of himself to rationalize the legitimacy of the study and/or its data as stipulated in request by the Editors-in-Chi Read More

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the cornerstone of asthma management both in adults and in children. There are some adverse effects related to the use of these drugs in all ages. Those adverse effects can be local or systemic. From the paediatric point of view, the main worry relates to the effect on growth and on the integrity of the HPA-axis. At the recommended doses, their effect on the latter is not clinically relevant and t Read More

Gene therapy has progressed from early clinical trials to first commercial gene therapy drugs. While there is a long history with the side-effects and adverse effects of pharmaceutical drugs, drugs based on gene delivery have presented new challenges for researchers, clinicians and regulatory authorities. On the path from early pre-clinical research to final commercial products, gene therapy tools and production methods have Read More

Traditional medicine use is common in developing countries and increasingly popular in the western world. Despite the popularity of traditional medicines, scientific research on safety and efficacy is limited. However documented fatalities and severe illness due to lead poisoning are increasingly recognized to be associated with traditional medicine use. As society becomes more globalized, it is imperative for pharmac Read More

Busulphan (1, 4-bis [methanesulfonyl-y] butane) is a bi-functional alkylating agent that, in combination with cyclophosphamide, has been commonly used in conditioning regimens before hematological stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for nearly 20 years. Busulfan has a very narrow therapeutic index, and acute toxicity may be related to absorption and disposition of the drug and metabolites. Precise delivery of the oral formulati Read More

Gadolinium is widely employed as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and has generally been considered to be safe. As with iodinated radiocontrast, concern for contrast-induced nephropathy existed with gadolinium- contrast as it possessed many similar qualities (hyperosmolar, renal excretion via glomerular filtration). Early studies in low risk patients suggested a benign renal profile, however, rec Read More

Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious psychiatric illness that follows delivery. Although controversy continues to surround its diagnostic status, it is generally considered an episode of bipolar disorder with accompanying psychotic features. The consequences of untreated postpartum psychosis can be serious due to the associated risk of suicide and infanticide; however, its close temporal association with childbirth sho Read More

Pathogens can infect almost all tissues and cause serious infections. Objective was to evaluate efficacy and safety of fixed-dose combination of Ceftriaxone-Vancomycin in patients with various infections. Patients (n=305) suffering from different bacterial infections (serious respiratory tract disease, bronchitis, gastrointestinal tract infections, urinary tract infection, cellulites and meningitis) were enrolled. Patients were rando Read More