Micronised fenofibrate: an updated review of its clinical efficacy in the management of dyslipidaemia.

Micronised fenofibrate is a synthetic phenoxy-isobutyric acid derivative (fibric acid derivative) indicated for the treatment of dyslipidaemia. Recently, a new tablet formulation of micronised fenofibrate has become available with greater bioavailability than the older capsule formulation. The micronised fenofibrate 160mg tablet is bioequivalent to the 200mg capsule. The lipid-modifying profile of micronised fenofibrate 160mg (tablet) or 200mg (capsule) once daily is characterised by a decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) levels, a marked reduction in plasma triglyceride (TG) levels and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Micronised fenofibrate 200mg (capsule) once daily produced greater improvements in TG and, generally, in HDL-C levels than the hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors simvastatin 10 or 20 mg/day, pravastatin 20 mg/day or atorvastatin 10 or 40 mg/day. Combination therapy with micronised fenofibrate 200mg (capsule) once daily plus fluvastatin 20 or 40 mg/day or atorvastatin 40 mg/day was associated with greater reductions from baseline than micronised fenofibrate alone in TC and LDL-C levels. Similar or greater changes in HDL-C and TG levels were seen in combination therapy, compared with monotherapy, recipients. Micronised fenofibrate 200mg (capsule) once daily was associated with significantly greater improvements from baseline in TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TG levels than placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus enrolled in the double-blind, randomised Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study (DAIS) [> or =3 years follow-up]. Moreover, angiography showed micronised fenofibrate was associated with significantly less progression of coronary atherosclerosis than placebo. Micronised fenofibrate has also shown efficacy in patients with metabolic syndrome, patients with HIV infection and protease inhibitor-induced hypertriglyceridaemia and patients with dyslipidaemia secondary to heart transplantation. Micronised fenofibrate was generally well tolerated in clinical trials. The results of a large (n = 9884) 12-week study indicated that gastrointestinal disorders are the most frequent adverse events associated with micronised fenofibrate therapy. Elevations in serum transaminase and creatine phosphokinase levels have been reported rarely with micronised fenofibrate. In conclusion, micronised fenofibrate improves lipid levels in patients with primary dyslipidaemia; the drug has particular efficacy with regards to reducing TG levels and raising HDL-C levels. Micronised fenofibrate is also effective in diabetic dyslipidaemia; as well as improving lipid levels, the drug reduced progression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The results of large ongoing studies (e.g. FIELD with approximately 10 000 patients) will clarify whether the beneficial lipid-modifying effects of micronised fenofibrate result in a reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Valdecoxib.

In ten large, well-controlled, randomised trials (n = 203 to 1089), valdecoxib, a selective inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase-2, was significantly more effective than placebo in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and pain associated with primary dysmenorrhoea, and for postsurgical analgesia. Valdecoxib 1.25 to 10mg twice daily and valdecoxib 10mg once daily were more effective than placebo for the relief of pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, and dosages above 5mg twice daily were similar in efficacy to naproxen 500mg twice daily. Similarly, valdecoxib 5 and 10 mg/day were as effective for osteoarthritis of the hip as naproxen 500mg twice daily. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, valdecoxib 10, 20 or 40 mg/day was significantly more effective than placebo, and similar in efficacy to naproxen 500mg twice daily; there were no significant differences in efficacy between the three dosages of valdecoxib. Valdecoxib 20 or 40mg administered 1 to 3 hours before and 12, 24 and 36 hours after hip arthroplasty provided significantly better analgesia than placebo, and significantly reduced the amount of morphine taken by patients. Single doses of valdecoxib 10 to 80mg administered before foot or oral surgery provided significantly better analgesia than placebo; when administered after oral surgery, valdecoxib 20 or 40mg provided greater sustained analgesia than oxycodone 10mg/paracetamol 1000mg or rofecoxib 50mg. In contrast to three nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), valdecoxib 40mg twice daily did not cause significant changes in platelet function and bleeding times. Chronic users of NSAIDs who were switched to valdecoxib 10 or 20 mg/day for 12 weeks experienced significantly fewer gastroduodenal erosions or ulcers than patients receiving ibuprofen 2400 mg/day or diclofenac 150 mg/day for 12 weeks. Valdecoxib was generally well tolerated in clinical trials, with a similar incidence of adverse events to placebo.

Gatifloxacin: a review of its use in the management of bacterial infections.

UNLABELLED: Gatifloxacin is an 8-methoxy fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent. The drug has a broader spectrum of antibacterial activity than the older fluoroquinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin) and shows good activity against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, atypical organisms and some anaerobes. Notably, gatifloxacin is highly active against both penicillin-susceptible and -resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a common causative pathogen in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), acute sinusitis and acute bacterial exacerbations of bronchitis. Gatifloxacin is absorbed well from the gastrointestinal tract (oral bioavailability is almost 100%). Therefore, patients can be switched from intravenous to oral therapy without an adjustment in dosage. High concentrations of gatifloxacin are achieved in plasma and target tissues/fluids. Gatifloxacin has a long plasma elimination half-life, thus allowing once-daily administration. Few clinically significant interactions between gatifloxacin and other drugs have been reported. In patients with CAP, clinical response rates in recipients of intravenous/oral gatifloxacin 400 mg/day ranged from 86.8 to 98.0% and rates of bacterial eradication ranged from 83.1 to 100% (up to 28 days post-treatment). Gatifloxacin showed efficacy similar to that of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone (with or without erythromycin) with or without stepdown to clarithromycin, levofloxacin or clarithromycin. Gatifloxacin was as effective as clarithromycin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and was significantly more effective (in terms of clinical response; p < 0.035) than 7 to 10 days' treatment with cefuroxime axetil in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. In acute sinusitis, gatifloxacin showed clinical efficacy similar to that of clarithromycin, trovafloxacin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Genitourinary infections were also successfully treated with gatifloxacin. Gatifloxacin is generally well tolerated. Its tolerability profile was broadly similar to those of comparator agents in comparative trials. The most common adverse events are gastrointestinal symptoms (oral formulation) and injection site reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Gatifloxacin has an extended spectrum of antibacterial activity and provides better coverage of Gram-positive organisms (e.g. S. pneumoniae) than some older fluoroquinolones. The drug has favourable pharmacokinetic properties, is administered once daily and is at least as well tolerated as other fluoroquinolones. Gatifloxacin is a useful addition to the fluoroquinolones currently available for use in the clinical setting and has an important role in the management of adult patients with various bacterial infections. As with other fluoroquinolones, careful control of gatifloxacin usage in the community is important in order to prevent the emergence of bacterial resistance and thus preserve the clinical value of this agent.

Ceftriaxone: an update of its use in the management of community-acquired and nosocomial infections.

UNLABELLED: Ceftriaxone is a parenteral third-generation cephalosporin with a long elimination half-life which permits once-daily administration. It has good activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae, methicillin-susceptible staphylococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Neisseria spp. Although active against Enterobacteriaceae, the recent spread of derepressed mutants which hyperproduce chromosomal beta-lactamases and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases has diminished the activity of all third-generation cephalosporins against these pathogens necessitating careful attention to sensitivity studies. Extensive data from randomised clinical trials confirm the efficacy of ceftriaxone in serious and difficult-to-treat community-acquired infections including meningitis, pneumonia and nonresponsive acute otitis media. Ceftriaxone also has efficacy in other community-acquired infections including uncomplicated gonorrhoea, acute pyelonephritis and various infections in children. In the nosocomial setting, extensive data also confirm the efficacy of ceftriaxone with or without an aminoglycoside in serious Gram-negative infections, pneumonia, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and as surgical prophylaxis. Outpatient use of ceftriaxone, either as part of a step-down regimen or parenterally, is a distinguishing feature of the data gathered on the agent over the last decade. The review focuses on new applications of the drug and its use in infections in which the causative pathogens or their resistance patterns have changed over the past decade. Ceftriaxone has a good tolerability profile, the most common events being diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, candidiasis and rash. Ceftriaxone may cause reversible biliary pseudolithiasis, notably at higher dosages of the drug (>/=2 g/day); however, the incidence of true lithiasis is <0.1%. Injection site discomfort or phlebitis can occur after intramuscular or intravenous administration. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of its strong activity against S. pneumoniae, ceftriaxone holds an important place, either alone or as part of a combination regimen, in the treatment of invasive pneumococcal infections, including those with reduced beta-lactam susceptibility. Its once-daily administration schedule allows simplification of otherwise complex regimens in a hospital setting and has also contributed to its popularity as a parenteral agent in an ambulatory setting. These properties, together with a well characterised tolerability profile, mean that ceftriaxone is likely to retain its place as an important third-generation cephalosporin in the treatment of serious community-acquired and nosocomial infections.

Paroxetine: an update of its use in psychiatric disorders in adults.

Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), with antidepressant and anxiolytic activity. In 6- to 24-week well designed trials, oral paroxetine 10 to 50 mg/day was significantly more effective than placebo, at least as effective as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and as effective as other SSRIs and other antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Relapse or recurrence over 1 year after the initial response was significantly lower with paroxetine 10 to 50 mg/day than with placebo and similar to that with imipramine 50 to 275 mg/day. The efficacy of paroxetine 10 to 40 mg/day was similar to that of TCAs and fluoxetine 20 to 60 mg/day in 6- to 12-week trials in patients aged > or =60 years with major depression. Paroxetine 10 to 40 mg/day improved depressive symptoms to an extent similar to that of TCAs in patients with comorbid illness, and was more effective than placebo in the treatment of dysthymia and minor depression. Paroxetine 20 to 60 mg/day was more effective than placebo after 8 to 12 weeks' treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Improvement was maintained or relapse was prevented for 24 weeks to 1 year in patients with OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder or GAD. The efficacy of paroxetine was similar to that of other SSRIs in patients with OCD and panic disorder and similar to that of imipramine but greater than that of 2'chlordesmethyldiazepam in patients with GAD. Paroxetine is generally well tolerated in adults, elderly individuals and patients with comorbid illness, with a tolerability profile similar to that of other SSRIs. The most common adverse events with paroxetine were nausea, sexual dysfunction, somnolence, asthenia, headache, constipation, dizziness, sweating, tremor and decreased appetite. In conclusion, paroxetine, in common with other SSRIs, is generally better tolerated than TCAs and is a first-line treatment option for major depressive disorder, dysthymia or minor depression. Like other SSRIs, paroxetine is also an appropriate first-line therapy for OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, GAD and PTSD. Notably, paroxetine is the only SSRI currently approved for the treatment of social anxiety disorder and GAD, which makes it the only drug of its class indicated for all five anxiety disorders in addition to major depressive disorder. Thus, given the high degree of psychiatric comorbidity of depression and anxiety, paroxetine is an important first-line option for the treatment of major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, GAD and PTSD.

Spotlight on paroxetine in psychiatric disorders in adults.

Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), with antidepressant and anxiolytic activity. In 6- to 24-week well designed trials, oral paroxetine 10 to 50 mg/day was significantly more effective than placebo, at least as effective as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and as effective as other SSRIs and other antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Relapse or recurrence over 1 year after the initial response was significantly lower with paroxetine 10 to 50 mg/day than with placebo and similar to that with imipramine 50 to 275 mg/day. The efficacy of paroxetine 10 to 40 mg/day was similar to that of TCAs and fluoxetine 20 to 60 mg/day in 6- to 12-week trials in patients aged > or = 60 years with major depression. Paroxetine 10 to 40 mg/day improved depressive symptoms to an extent similar to that of TCAs in patients with comorbid illness, and was more effective than placebo in the treatment of dysthymia and minor depression. Paroxetine 20 to 60 mg/day was more effective than placebo after 8 to 12 weeks' treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Improvement was maintained or relapse was prevented for 24 weeks to 1 year in patients with OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder or GAD. The efficacy of paroxetine was similar to that of other SSRIs in patients with OCD and panic disorder and similar to that of imipramine but greater than that of 2'chlordesmethyldiazepam in patients with GAD. Paroxetine is generally well tolerated in adults, elderly individuals and patients with comorbid illness, with a tolerability profile similar to that of other SSRIs. The most common adverse events with paroxetine were nausea, sexual dysfunction, somnolence, asthenia, headache, constipation, dizziness, sweating, tremor and decreased appetite. In conclusion, paroxetine, in common with other SSRIs, is generally better tolerated than TCAs and is a first-line treatment option for major depressive disorder, dysthymia or minor depression. Like other SSRIs, paroxetine is also an appropriate first-line therapy for OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, GAD and PTSD. Notably, paroxetine is the only SSRI currently approved for the treatment of social anxiety disorder and GAD, which makes it the only drug of its class indicated for all five anxiety disorders in addition to major depressive disorder. Thus, given the high degree of psychiatric comorbidity of depression and anxiety, paroxetine is an important first-line option for the treatment of major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, GAD and PTSD.

Micronized fenofibrate in dyslipidemia: a focus on plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels.

The prodrug fenofibrate, a synthetic phenoxy-isobutyric acid derivative, is rapidly hydrolyzed in vivo to form fenofibric acid, which alters plasma lipid levels by activating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha. The micronized fenofibrate 200 mg capsule formulation, and the recently developed micronized fenofibrate 160 mg tablet formulation, are bioequivalent. Micronized fenofibrate 200 mg/day (capsules) increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels significantly from baseline in up to 7098 patients with various dyslipidemias in noncomparative studies. Micronized fenofibrate 200 mg/day (capsules) produced significantly greater elevations in HDL-C levels than a variety of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in small, randomized, double-blind and nonblind studies in patients with dyslipidemia (n = 91 to 227). This formulation of fenofibrate and gemfibrozil produced similar increases in HDL-C levels in a randomized, double-blind study (n = 234). Micronized fenofibrate 160 mg once daily (tablet) increased HDL-C levels significantly from baseline by 10.6 to 14.5% in patients with type IIa or IIb dyslipidemia (n = 353) in two noncomparative studies. Additionally, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride levels, and LDL-C to HDL-C and TC to HDL-C ratios were lowered significantly from baseline. The tablet and capsule formulations of fenofibrate were both generally well tolerated in two noncomparative studies in 375 or 9884 patients. In double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in a total of 804 patients, the pooled incidences of individual adverse events were generally similar with fenofibrate and placebo.

Spotlight on estradiol-intranasal in the management of menopause.

Estradiol-intranasal is a nasal spray formulation containing an aqueous solution of 17beta-estradiol that has a unique pulse-like pharmacokinetic profile. In a well designed, placebo-controlled trial estradiol-intranasal 200 to 400 microg/day significantly reduced the incidence and severity of climacteric symptoms in women with moderate to severe menopausal symptoms after 4 and 12 weeks' treatment. The efficacy of estradiol-intranasal 300 microg/day was similar to that of oral estradiol 2 mg/day in this and another double-blind placebo-controlled trial. This equivalent efficacy was maintained in a subgroup of women with initially severe symptoms, and in smokers. Reductions in the incidence of atrophic vaginal mucosa and genitourinary symptoms and increases in the karyopyknotic index achieved with estradiol-intranasal 300 microg/day were also similar to those observed with oral estradiol 2 mg/day. Assessments of the effects of estradiol-intranasal on the complications of menopause (increased risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis) are ongoing; however, estradiol-intranasal (sequentially combined with a progestogen) produced significant beneficial effects on some lipid parameters and on markers of bone resorption and formation, and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Estradiol-intranasal had no significant effects on serum levels of most of the assessed hemostatic factors, or on angiotensinogen or insulin levels. Estradiol-intranasal 100 to 600 microg/day was generally well tolerated in clinical trials and most adverse events were mild to moderate. The most commonly reported events were nasal symptoms and mastalgia. There was no evidence of endometrial hyperplasia with up to 1 year's treatment with estradiol-intranasal 300 microg/day combined with a progestogen. The incidence of mastalgia and withdrawal or breakthrough bleeding was lower with estradiol-intranasal 300 microg/day than with oral estradiol 2 mg/day (both administered with a progestogen) in one trial. In another trial, the incidence of mastalgia was lower with estradiol-intranasal 300 microg/day than with estradiol transdermal 50microg (both administered with a progestogen). However, the overall incidence of adverse events was similar between the two treatments in this trial. In conclusion, estradiol-intranasal 200 to 400 microg/day (optimal initiating dose 300 microg/day) reduces the incidence and severity of menopausal climacteric symptoms and has a good tolerability profile. Thus, evidence to date suggests that estradiol-intranasal is a useful treatment option for menopausal symptoms.

Vardenafil.

Vardenafil selectively inhibits phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), an enzyme which hydrolyses cyclic guanosine monophosphate in the cavernosum tissue of the penis. Inhibition of PDE5 results in increased arterial blood flow leading to enlargement of the corpus cavernosum. Because of the increased tumescence, veins are compressed between the corpus cavernosum and the tunica albuginea, resulting in an erection. Vardenafil has a high bioavailabilty and is rapidly absorbed. An erection of >60% rigidity was maintained for approximately twice as long following visual stimulation in patients treated with vardenafil 10 or 20mg than in recipients of placebo. In a large, placebo-controlled trial in patients with mild to severe erectile dysfunction (ED), vardenafil 5, 10 or 20mg taken as needed over a 12-week period significantly improved the scores in questions 3 and 4 of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). The rate of successful attempts at intercourse with ejaculation was also significantly higher with vardenafil (71 to 75%) than in the placebo group (39.5%), and significantly more patients treated with vardenafil than placebo responded 'yes' to a Global Assessment Question (GAQ) asking if treatment had improved erections. In a 26-week trial in 736 men with ED of varied aetiologies and severity patients receiving vardenafil 5, 10 or 20mg experienced significantly improved erections with 85% of vardenafil 20mg recipients reporting improved erectile function (assessed using the GAQ) compared with 28% of placebo recipients. Treatment with vardenafil also significantly improved scores in response to questions 3 and 4 of the IIEF compared with placebo. A 12-week trial in 452 men with ED associated with diabetes mellitus demonstrated that treatment with vardenafil 20mg compared with placebo significantly improved IIEF erectile function domain scores and the rate of positive responders to the erectile improvement GAQ. Similar results were reported in a placebo-controlled trial of vardenafil 10 to 20mg involving 440 patients with ED after radical prostatectomy. Adverse events associated with vardenafil were those commonly associated with PDE5 inhibitors: headache, flushing, dyspepsia and rhinitis. These were mostly dose-dependent and mild to moderate in intensity.

Zidovudine: a review of its use in the management of vertically-acquired pediatric HIV infection.

UNLABELLED: Zidovudine is a thymidine analog that, after intracellular phosphorylation to zidovudine triphosphate metabolite, inhibits HIV-specific reverse transcriptase and terminates proviral DNA. Zidovudine administered to mildly symptomatic women with HIV infection in the antepartum (100mg orally 5 times/day), intrapartum (2 mg/kg intravenously over 1 hour then 1 mg/kg/h) and then to the neonate for 6 weeks (2 mg/kg), significantly reduced the rate of vertical HIV transmission by about two thirds, in the absence of breast-feeding (The Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group 076 trial, standard protocol). Shorter zidovudine regimens, reduced the risk of transmission of HIV by 50% in a non-breast-feeding population and by about 37% in breast-feeding populations. Zidovudine (standard protocol) in combination with lamivudine was superior to zidovudine alone. A short oral zidovudine regimen was not as effective as a two-dose oral nevirapine regime, although the combination of short-course zidovudine plus lamivudine was as effective. Suppression of viral replication in neonates, infants and children has been achieved with zidovudine when used in triple-therapy regimens that include other antiviral drugs. Results from a trial of treatment-naive children indicate that the antiviral efficacy of combinations of zidovudine and lamivudine or abacavir, given with the protease inhibitor nelfinavir, is superior to treatment with this combination minus nelfinavir. When zidovudine was used in other highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens significant improvements in surrogate markers were consistently seen. Changing to ritonavir-containing regimens was superior to changing to treatment with two new nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Short- and long-term (up to 5.6 years) outcomes from clinical trials showed that prenatal and neonatal exposure to zidovudine was generally well tolerated with the exception of mild anemia that resolved spontaneously after treatment cessation. Zidovudine was generally well tolerated as monotherapy in clinical trials of pediatric patients with HIV infection, and adverse events were similar to those reported in adults, with anemia and neutropenia being the most common. CONCLUSION: Zidovudine, as monotherapy or in combination with other antiretroviral agents, remains a first-choice therapy for the prophylaxis of mother-to-child HIV transmission as shown by substantial reductions in transmission rates. Where feasible, the optimal strategy to prevent vertical transmission is to combine drug therapy with Cesarean section delivery and no breast-feeding. In addition, zidovudine in combination with another nucleoside analogue and a protease inhibitor is a first- or second-choice therapy for the treatment of pediatric HIV infection as significant and sustained reductions in viral load have been shown in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid.