Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the possible transdermal delivery for combination antiemetic therapy of dexamethasone, palonosetron and aprepitant, commonly prescribed in chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Methods: Pluronic lecithin organogel formulation was optimized to incorporate all the three drugs. The influence of formulation parameters like drug concentration (1-5% w/w) and permeation enhancers (oleic acid, n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol 400) on the transdermal delivery of selected antiemetic agents were evaluated ex vivo. Results: Drug release profiles of dexamethasone, palonosetron and aprepitant from the gels were distinct and biphasic in nature. Higher permeability coefficient was observed in palonosetron, average in dexamethasone and was least in aprepitant. Proportional enhancement in the transdermal fluxes of all the three actives were observed with increase in drug concentrations studied. The highest drug concentrations were further treated with different chemical skin enhancers, which improved (1.2-3.3 folds) the permeability coefficient of actives, but not to the same extent. Greater flux values were observed with oleic acid (for dexamethasone) and propylene glycol (for palonosetron and aprepitant).
Conclusion:This study conclude that the optimized pluronic lecithin organogel could be utilized for the simultaneous transdermal delivery of dexamethasone, palonosetron and aprepitant, which need to be proved further in vivo.
Introduction: Patient counseling can be helpful in improving the outcome of disease management, particularly chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, which is common in Saudi Arabia. The present study looks to investigate the levels of counseling and satisfaction among patients attending diabetic clinics in outpatient hospital pharmacy in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Method: This is a cross-sectional investigation, carried out by using interview-structured questionnaire, targeting diabetes mellitus patients with or without comorbid states. The questionnaire was divided into 3 parts comprising of demographics, counseling types given while collecting prescription, and satisfaction rating of services provided. Result: More males than females participated; most of whom were college graduates older than 51 years. Sixty-three percent of the entire participants are type 1 diabetic patients, while 37% are type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Coexistence of hypercholesterolemia was higher among type 1 diabetes patients with 51.9%, while hypertension was more common among type 2 diabetic patients representing 68.2%. Findings also showed that counseling was provided for medication use among type 1 diabetic patients but was deficient in the case of type 2 diabetic patients. Patients received low level of counseling on side effects and healthy lifestyle living. Satisfaction level was only 11.1%, indicating that counseling services might be deficient. Conclusion: This study has revealed poor counseling practices and low satisfaction levels in services provided by outpatient hospital pharmacies to diabetic patients. In the face of increasing prevalence of diabetes and comorbidity, counseling of diabetic patients is critical.
Background: Hazard to the health care professionals from hazardous drugs and chemicals rooted out from intrinsic toxicity and the level of exposure to these drugs in the course of their job responsibilities. Any drug or chemical, which can cause genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity or fertility impairment and significant organ or other toxicities, will be consider as occupational hazard. Plenty of scientific reports proved the involvement of hazardous drug to the adverse health outcomes of the workers due to the absorption of these drugs while performing their duties. Similarly, the scientist dealing with numerous hazardous chemicals and drugs in health care industry are at higher risk of exposure. Material and Method: In order to determine the level of awareness of safe handling of hazardous drugs and chemicals among faculty members, a survey was conducted with a written consent in college of clinical pharmacy involved in basic health care research. Results: Survey results determined that, more than 70 percent of faculty members were aware of hazardous drugs or chemicals and know how to handle these chemicals. More than 80 percent were unaware of any hazardous drug program or proper engineering control, there were less than 35 percent of members know how to deal with accidental spill or exposure of such drugs, whereas more than half of the faculty members population was unaware of the most common route of exposure of hazardous drugs. Conclusion: Hence, it is necessary to design a hazardous drug program and proper engineering control to train and educate researchers to prevent and control expected exposures of hazardous drugs according to the NIOSH recommendations.
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