Mikayla Spangler

Warfarin and bosentan interaction in a patient with pulmonary hypertension secondary to bilateral pulmonary emboli.

BACKGROUND Bosentan is an endothelin-receptor antagonist that reportedly induces both cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and CYP2C9 enzymes, which are also involved in warfarin metabolism. We present a case report describing a probable drug interaction between warfarin and bosentan in a patient with pulmonary hypertension. CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old black female (weight, 77 kg) diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension secondary to bilateral pulmonary emboli had a stable international normalized ratio (INR; target range, 2-3) with a weekly warfarin dose of 52.5 mg for 2 months before the initiation of bosentan therapy. Other concurrent medications included telmisartan/ hydrochlorothiazide 40/12.5 mg once daily and a daily multivitamin (which contained no vitamin K). Three weeks after starting bosentan 62.5 mg BID, a therapeutic INR concentration was reached with a weekly warfarin dose 14% higher (an increase of 7.5 mg/wk) than her weekly warfarin dose before initiation of bosentan. After a brief discontinuation (7 days) and retitration of bosentan and warfarin, the final weekly warfarin dose (75 mg/wk) was 43% greater (an increase of 22.5 mg/wk) than the previously stable dose, which enabled the patient to reach her therapeutic INR goal range of 2 to 3. CONCLUSIONS Bosentan has CYP3A4- and CYP2C9-inducing properties and is therefore likely to cause decreased concentrations of warfarin. We describe here a probable drug interaction between bosentan and warfarin that resulted in a 43% increase in warfarin dose to maintain the patients therapeutic INR.

Montelukast for Symptom Control of Interstitial Cystitis

Objective: To describe the effects of montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist commonly used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma, on the symptoms of interstitial cystitis (IC). Case Summary: A 64-year-old male had a history of IC with previous trials of solifenacin, dutasteride, and tamsulosin and little improvement in IC symptom reduction. When montelukast 10 mg was initiated for allergic rhinitis symptoms, a substantial improvement in urinary urgency and pain during therapy was noted. This improvement subsequently disappeared when montelukast was stopped. Discussion: IC, a rare occurrence in the male population, is related to an inflammatory process and has also been associated with inappropriate leukotriene release, which is the target of montelukast therapy. In general, treatment for IC Includes systemic medical therapy, local bladder treatment, surgical and neurosurgical procedures, and intravesical drug installation. Currently, montelukast is Food and Drug Administration approved for use in the treatment and prevention of mild-to-moderate asthma and exercise-induced asthma, as well as treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. While montelukast treatment did not cure the patients IC, it improved his quality of life through substantial symptomatic relief, including less pain and urgency. Conclusions: Montelukast may be an effective treatment option in the management of interstitial cystitis. Further research is needed to substantiate this novel use.

A review of guidelines and pharmacologic options for asthma treatment, with a focus on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

Abstract Asthma affects millions of individuals worldwide. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction is common in patients diagnosed with asthma, but may also occur in patients without chronic asthma. Patients with isolated exercise-induced bronchoconstriction may require pretreatment with inhaled short-acting β-agonists prior to exercise. Patients diagnosed with asthma can achieve good control of the symptoms of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction with appropriate treatment of underlying chronic asthma. Current guidelines suggest staging patients with asthma based on severity of symptoms and initiating therapy according to their stage. Pharmacotherapy for asthma management consists of both quick-relief medications (short-acting β-agonists) as well as maintenance, or long-term control, medications (inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting β-agonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists, cromolyn, and theophylline).

An evaluation of prefilled insulin pens: a focus on the Next Generation FlexPen(®).

Insulin pen delivery systems are preferred by patients over the traditional vial and syringe method for insulin delivery because they are simple and easy to use, improve confidence in dosing insulin, and have less interference with activities and improved discretion with use. Insulin manufacturers have made numerous improvements to their first marketed pen devices and are now introducing their next generation of devices. Design modifications to the newest generation of prefilled insulin pen devices are intended to improve the ease of use and safety and continue to positively impact adherence to insulin. This review focuses on the Next Generation FlexPen® with regard to design considerations to reduce injection force, improve accuracy and ease of use, and evaluate the preference of patient and health-care provider compared with other disposable, prefilled insulin pen devices.

Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis Associated With Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter Type 2 Inhibitors in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Receiving Oral Therapy

Introduction and Objective: Postmarketing reports and warnings of serious adverse events such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) have raised concern regarding the safety of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). This report describes 2 cases of symptomatic SGLT2i-associated euglycemic DKA (euDKA) leading to hospitalization in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) previously well controlled on oral medications. Case Reports: Subject 1 is a 55-year-old female admitted with euDKA precipitated by infection and managed with intravenous insulin. This case was notable for a delayed diagnosis of euDKA and lack of clinical improvement despite withholding dapagliflozin. Subject 2 is a 62-year-old male admitted with euDKA precipitated by infection. His clinical condition improved rapidly and euDKA responded to withdrawal of empagliflozin alone. Discussion: Applying the Naranjo adverse medication reaction probability scale to each case (subject 1 score = 3 points; subject 2 score = 4 points) suggests these are possible adverse reactions to SGLT2i. Data from randomized controlled trials suggest DKA events in adults with type 2 DM receiving SGLT2i are rare and similar to placebo. However, data from a large cohort suggest these events occur more frequently and are associated with a 2-fold increased risk of DKA. Conclusion: This class of medications may be associated with a higher real-world risk of DKA in adults with type 2 DM than previously reported. Patients prescribed these medications should receive vigilant assessment for features of traditional DKA as well as euDKA.

Impact of Instruction and Feedback on Reflective Responses during an Ambulatory Care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience

Objective. To investigate whether instruction and feedback on reflective responses are beneficial in developing pharmacy students to become more reflective practitioners. Methods. Students on an advanced pharmacy practice experience answered weekly reflection questions and were randomly assigned to either an intervention (received instruction and feedback on reflection) or control group. The final week’s responses were de-identified and two blinded faculty members independently categorized them as reflective or nonreflective. The primary outcome measure was comparing the number of “reflective” responses in each group. Results. The responses were classified as reflective in 83.3% of students in the intervention group (n=18) compared to 37.5% of the control group (n=16). The odds that the response was categorized as reflective were 8.3 times higher in the intervention group. Conclusion. Providing instruction and feedback to students improved the likelihood that their work was reflective.

Weight loss of 172 lb with topiramate in a patient with migraine headaches

Medications for chronic headaches and migraines have included β-blockers, valproic acid, and antidepressants, all of which have been associated with weight gain.[1][1] In an obese patient, the need for weight loss and weight maintenance is critical. Topiramate is an antiepileptic that is also