Efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole in patients with schizophrenia & schizoaffective disorders.

Before the 1990s, treatment of psychoses centred on conventional agents whose tolerability was limited by extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). The past decade has seen the emergence of newer generation of antipsychotic agents. These agents provide better negative symptom efficacy, less impaired cognition and lower risk of extrapyramidal syndromes. Aripiprazole, a new atypical antipsychotic drug, displayed efficacy similar to risperidone and haloperidol in numerous clinical trials. Aripiprazole does not cause significant prolactin elevation and is associated with a low rate of clinically significant weight gain compared with other atypical antipsychotics. Aripiprazole is a study drug for treating schizophrenia and has a novel pharmacologic profile. Aripiprazole provides a new treatment option with limited adverse effects for patients in need of antipsychotic therapy. The present study is a 4-week, open-labelled, randomized postmarketing clinical study conducted using aripiprazole as the study drug. Fixed doses of 15mg of the drug were administered throughout the study. A total of 249 patients with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomized. Efficacy measures included the Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total, PANSS positive, PANSS negative and general psychopathology. Patients were evaluated for efficacy parameters at the end of 2(nd) week and also at the end of study. Unlike the other antipsychotics, aripiprazole was not associated with significant EPS, increase in body weight or increase in QTc interval. Aripiprazole, effective against positive and negative symptoms, is a safe and well-tolerated potential treatment for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of iron polymaltose complex and folic acid (Mumfer) vs iron formulation (ferrous fumarate) in female patients with anaemia.

Treatment of iron deficiency anaemia with conventional oral preparations is handicapped by unpredictable haematological response in addition to potential for irritating gastrointestinal adverse events. Iron polymaltose complex (IPC), a novel oral iron formulation with better absorbability, predictable haematinic response and less side effects was compared with oral ferrous fumarate in 100 female patients with documented iron deficiency anaemia. Clinical parameters (pallor, weakness) as well as biochemical parameters (Hb, serum iron, total iron binding capacity) show favourable changes with IPC; the physician and patient assessment also favour IPC over ferrous fumarate.

Comparative bioequivalence study of rifampicin and isoniazid combinations in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the bioavailability of rifampicin (RMP) in three brands of combination formulations of anti-tuberculosis drugs. DESIGN: A three-way double-blind, cross-over bioavailability study of RMP and isoniazid (INH), consisting of a comparison of a two-drug combination of tablets of RMP and INH each separately (reference brand R) and a tablet of RMP + INH (brand N), and a capsule of RMP + INH (brand L) was carried out in 12 healthy male volunteers. Coded plasma samples were analysed for levels of RMP as well as INH and acetylisoniazid (ACINH) by two high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. RESULTS: The mean values of RMP in brand N (Cmax 6.49+/-0.52 microg/mL, Tmax 2.33+/-0.18 h, AUC(0-24h) 39.83+/-3.44 microg/mL.h) were comparable with those obtained with brand R (Cmax 5.22+/-0.59 microg/mL, Tmax 2.50+/-0.12 h, AUC(0-24h) 33.33+/-3.47 microg/mL.h). The mean values of RMP in brand L (Cmax 3.05+/-0.52 microg/ mL, Tmax 3.79+/-0.57 h and AUC(0-24h) 21.78+/-3.67 microg/ mL.h) were significantly different from those in brand R. Nevertheless, all of the pharmacokinetic parameters obtained for INH and ACINH in all three brands were comparable. CONCLUSION: Using brand R as a comparison, brand N was bioequivalent and brand L was not bioequivalent.

Approach to aerosol therapy in management of asthma at primary care level.

Present day management of bronchial asthma focuses on use of inhaled drugs. To find out the acceptability of aerosol therapy at primary care level, a questionnaire survey was conducted on practical acceptance of aerosol therapy in management of asthma. Seven clinically relevant questions were asked regarding management modalities followed in bronchial asthma. Amongst the group of general practitioners (n = 60) studied, it was found that in treatment of chronic stable asthma inhaled steroids are used by only 50% and inhaled bronchodilators by 86.7%, whereas 93.3% use oral bronchodilators and 60% use oral steroids to treat the same. During exacerbation injectable bronchodilators are preferred to inhaled drugs. Poor compliance to aerosol therapy was reported by 33.3%. Reasons for non-compliance are discussed, important ones are cost and technique. Spacer was reported to be useful by 20% and lung functions are carried out occasionally by only 5% of practitioners.

Impact of school-based HIV and AIDS education for adolescents in Bombay, India.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in India is expanding rapidly. The present study is a pre-test-post-test evaluation of a school-based HIV/AIDS educational program. The pre-test was administered to 2,919 students regarding modes of transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS. An education program was instituted for one half school day at ten secondary schools. Principals of two schools refused to participate. One month later, the post-test was administered to 2,400 students. Before the educational intervention only 50% of the students knew that HIV/AIDS is transmitted sexually, only 34% knew that there are no medicines that cure HIV/AIDS and 24% thought that HIV is transmitted by mosquito bites. After the intervention, 95% of the students knew that HIV/AIDS is transmitted sexually, 92% knew that there is no HIV/AIDS cure and 76% knew that HIV/AIDS is not transmitted by mosquitos. There was a substantial increase in correct knowledge about HIV/AIDS among students after our single educational program. This suggests that school-based educational programs for adolescents in India can succeed in providing basic information regarding HIV/AIDS.