Brand variations in the physicochemical properties of metronidazole tablets.

This study investigated possible variations in the physiochemical properties of seven brands of metronidazole tablets obtained from different retail pharmacy outlets in Nigeria. The different brands were subjected to various tests such as uniformity of weight, crushing strength, friability, disintegration and dissolution. Chemical assays were also carried out on the tablets. Five of the seven brands of metronidazole tablets passed all British Pharmacopoeia tests; while brand G failed the chemical assay test and brand A failed both the chemical assay and test for friability. Brand A also had the lowest crushing strength which was below the recommended minimum. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the values obtained for the crushing strength of the various brands while no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the friability values. The results show that five of the seven brands are physically and chemically equivalent and could be interchanged irrespective of the brands, while two cannot. The study reinforces the need for constant monitoring of different brands of the same product to ensure quality and consequent efficacy.

Alternative drugs against Trichomonas vaginalis.

To investigate the effect of drugs other than metronidazole, 3 non-pregnant women infected with Trichomonas vaginalis were treated with doxycycline, 2 x 200 mg/day for 1 week. Another 3 women were treated with praziquantel, single dose, 40 mg/kg body weight. No therapeutic effect was detected for either drug. In vitro, oxytetracycline led to death of T. vaginalis at a concentration of 15 mg in 0.5 mL medium. Extract of Myrtus communis caused death of T. vaginalis at pH 4.65, but failed to do so at pH 6.00. Extract of Eucalyptus comaldensis (50 mg in 0.1 mL medium) at pH 5.35 caused death of T. vaginalis after 24 hours.

[Third and fourth generation fluoroquinolones]. / Les fluoroquinolones de troisième et quatrième générations.

Levofloxacin, levorotatory isomer of ofloxacine, is the only FQ3G on the belgian market since the middle of 2000 and is a little more efficient than the FQ2G against S. pneumoniae. The FQ4G are in vitro active against the common and atypic respiratory pathogenes and significantly more efficient against the Gram positive cocci, principally against S. pneumoniae. Their long duration of action allows one oral administration a day sufficient to obtain bactericidal levels in the serum. Their secondary effects are located principally at the level of digestive tract, neurologic system or cutaneous area. In the U.S.A., several FQ4G (clina-, grepa-, spar-, trova-floxacin) were withdrawn from use after observance of severe toxicity, while there were being administrated on a large scale. Furthermore, two of these "respiratory" FQ4G (gemi- and moxi-floxacin) should reinforced our therapeutic armoury, moxifloxacin as of 2002 and gemifloxacin as of 2004. The position of FQ3G and 4G are in discussion. In the case of pneumonia acquired in the community and confirmed by X-Ray, our recommendation is to administer a new FQ at the first choice if the patient is allergic to penicillin, debilitated or if a penicillin resistant S. pneumoniae suspected (epidemiology, recent antibiotherapy) and at the second choice if it is resistance to penicillin or to macrolide, in case of atypic pneumonia. Today, the majority of the pneumonia acquired outside the hospital is empirically treated with a betalactam (oral or intravenous), with or without macrolide. The new FQ are important drugs. One must avoid overprescription which leads to bacterial resistance (especially S. pneumoniae).