No abstract

Background: To study drug utilization of anticancer drugs in cancer outpatient department (OPD) of Government Medical College, Aurangabad. Methods: Five hundred and twelve prescription records were screened and analyzed as per the study parameters from cancer OPD of Government Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad. Commonly used anticancer drugs were recorded; furthermore, different types of carcinomas were noted. Results: Age group of patients was in between 30 and 70, 267 were females and 245 were male patients. The most common type of carcinoma was carcinoma of the breast (17.9%). Carboplatin was the most commonly used anticancer drug (26.56%). The average number of anticancer drugs received per patient was three. Conclusion: WHO suggested drug utilization studies are needed in every health care setting. For a developing country like India, National Drug Policy and Drugs and Therapeutic Committee are a must.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin (ATN) 80 mg in the prevention of contrast medium- induced nephropathy (CIN) in high risk patients undergoing angiograph.Materials and Methods:This was a prospective, double-blind, two-arm, parallel group RCT. A total of 216 patients undergoing coronary angiography were screened, and 188 eligible patients were randomized to two treatment arms. Patients in Group A received tablet N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 1200 mg once daily, and patients in Group B received tablet atorvastatin 80 mg + NAC 1200 mg once daily, for 3 days before, and 2 days after angiography.Results:A total of 160 patients completed the trial. Postprocedure, nine and two CIN cases were found in Group A and B, respectively. The mean change in serum creatinine was 0.086 ± 0.168 in Group A and 0.021 ± 0.083 in Group B, which was statistically significant (P = 0.0289). Postprocedure, the estimated glomerular filteration rate was reduced by 19.52 in Group A and 13.55 in Group B (P = 0.003).Conclusion:This trial indicates the positive role of statins in preventive strategy against CIN along with NAC.

Background: PONV most common complications related to surgery and anaesthesia despite major advances in spinal, epidural and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia techniques IONV are still present in a significant number of patients. Ondansetron, used for controlling PONV induced by chemotherapy or radiation. Recently 5HT3 receptor antagonist granisetron has more potent, selective and longer acting activity than ondansetron. Granisetron is more active for control of PONV in cisplatin induced vomiting than ondansetron. It also reduces PONV in strabismus repair, tonsillectomy, and general surgeries, it has less side effects as compared to ondansetron. Objective of the study was to study efficacy and safety of granisetron and compare it with ondansetron for prevention of IONV and PONV.Methods: 80 ASA grade I and II women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy under spinal anaesthesia were studied. Patients in group A received injection granisetron 2 mg and group B injection ondansetron 4 mg,10 minutes prior to induction of spinal anaesthesia. Main outcome measures were occurrence of nausea, retching or vomiting in intraoperative and postoperative period at 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours’ post-surgery. The response of patient to therapy and side effects were evaluated in both groups. The results were analyzed by ‘z’ test (p<0.5) considered significant.Results: Demographic characteristics of both groups were comparable patients in granisetron (80%) had more complete response as compared to ondansetron (47.5%). Adverse effects were lower in granisetron group.Conclusions: Granisetron 2 Mg has better efficacy and safety profile than ondansetron 4 Mg.

Background: COPD is a major cause of health care burden worldwide and leading cause of death that is increasing in prevalence. Methylxanthines are used in the treatment of patients with asthma and COPD. Doxofylline (methylxanthine) shows improved disease control, reduced total daily dose of inhaled b2 agonists and improved patient compliance.Methods: This was a prospective, open labelled, randomized, two-arm, parallel group, controlled, clinical trial. 115 patients were randomized to two groups. Patients in group A received tablet doxofylline 400mg BD whereas patients in group B received tablet doxofylline 800mg SR for 4 weeks. Primary outcome measure of trial was change in FEV1 and secondary outcome measure were change in FVC/FEV1, change in symptoms score, effect on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and safety of study medication.Results: At 4 week the FEV1increase by 13.028% and 17.647% in group A and B respectively. In group A FEV1/FVC increase by 5.79% and in group B it increases by 9.57% at 4 weeks. The symptom score of cough decrease by 77.35% and 97.43% in group A and group B respectively at 4 weeks. In group A shortness of breath decrease by 77.60% and in group B it decreases by 95.90% at 4 weeks. Tightness in chest decrease by 86.29% and 98.40% in group A and group B respectively at 4 weeks.Conclusions:Doxofylline 800mg sustained release tablet provided significantly greater improvement in FEV1, symptomatic control and health related quality of life compared to doxofylline 400mg.