Sameer A. Otoom

Evaluation of the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Self-Medication among First-Year Medical Students

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among first-year medical students of the Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain. Subjects and Methods: This was an anonymous, questionnaire-based, descriptive study. A prevalidated questionnaire, containing open-ended and close-ended questions, was administered to the subjects. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 12 and the results expressed as counts and percentages. Results: Out of the 134 respondents, 43 (32.1%) were males and 91 (67.9%) were females; their mean age in years ± SD was 18.01 ± 0.78. The respondents’ knowledge about appropriate self-medication was poor, but knowledge of the benefits and risks of self-medication was adequate. The respondents found self-medication to be time-saving, economical, convenient and providing quick relief in common illnesses. Important disadvantages of self-medication mentioned were the risk of making a wrong diagnosis, inappropriate drug use and adverse effects. The majority (76.9%) of the respondents had a positive attitude favoring self-medication. Self-medication was practiced by 44.8% of the subjects. The most common indications for self-medication were to relieve the symptoms of headache (70.9%), cough, cold and sore throat (53.7%), stomachache (32.8%) and fever (29.9%). Analgesics (81.3%) were the most common drugs used for self-medication. The practice of self-medication was appropriate in only 14.2% of cases. Conclusion: Knowledge about appropriate self-medication was poor, attitude towards self-medication was positive, and the practice of self-medication was common and often inappropriate.

The bioavailability of glyburide (glibenclamide) under fasting and feeding conditions: a comparative study

SummaryThis investigation was conducted to study the effect of food on the oral absorption and disposition of glyburide (glibenclamide). The study was carried out under US Food and Drug Administration guidelines on 18 healthy male volunteers, under fasting and feeding conditions using a single oral dose (5 mg tablet) of glyburide. Following drug administration, blood samples were collected over 24 h, and serum harvested from the blood was analysed using a sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic assay. The results of this investigation indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in the concentration—time profiles of the drug and the obtained pharmacokinetic parameters under fasting and feeding conditions. In fasting conditions, area under the serum concentration—time curve for 24 h and peak serum concentration were significantly higher than feeding conditions. Lag time between administration and appearance of the drug in serum was significantly reduced in fasting conditions compared with feeding situations. There was no significant difference in the time needed to reach peak concentration. These findings clearly indicate that the extent and rate of glyburide absorption is delayed when administered under feeding conditions. The study demonstrates the importance of administration of the drug on empty stomach to achieve a better pharmacokinetic profile.

Propofol exhibits antiepileptic activity in hippocampal pyramidal neurons

Propofol was reported to exhibit an antiepileptic activity. This study was performed to investigate the effect of propofol on evoked and spontaneous seizure-like activity induced by the convulsant veratridine. Studies were performed on rat brain slices using conventional electrophysiological intracellular techniques. The alteration of sodium channel function by veratridine (0.3 microM) induced an evoked and spontaneous seizure-like activity in the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Therapeutic concentrations of propofol (10 microM) were ineffective in inhibiting veratridine-induced seizure-like activity. However, higher concentrations (50-100 microM, n=6) inhibited both evoked and spontaneous bursting, induced by veratridine. The inhibitory effect of propofol (100 microM) was associated with membrane hyperpolarization [after veratridine, -66+/-0.71 mV (mean+/-S.E.M.), and after propofol, -77+/-2.15 mV] and with an increase in input resistance [after veratridine (37.8+/-1.2 MOmega) and after propofol (43+/-1.3 MOmega)]. The drug also produced an increase in current threshold. Results from this study are valuable in solving critical questions regarding the antiepileptic activity of propofol and strengthen the validity of the veratridine model in testing for potential antiepileptic drugs.

Action of carbamazepine on epileptiform activity of the verartidine model in CA1 neurons

The veratridine epileptiform model was utilized to assess the antiepileptic effect of Carbamazepine (CBZ) in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons using conventional intracellular recording techniques. In the veratridine model, where brain slices are treated with veratridine (0.3 microM), a single intracellular stimulus evokes epileptiform bursting. Additionally, spontaneous epileptiform activity commonly appears on prolonged exposure to veratridine in this model. In this model, therapeutic (7-15 microM) and high (50 microM) concentrations of CBZ inhibited the evoked and spontaneous epileptiform bursting in a concentration- and voltage-dependent manner. At all concentrations tested, CBZ produced inhibition of epileptiform activity without affecting the membrane resting potential or input resistance. However, at 50 microM, the drug increased the firing threshold of neurons. These results confirm the suitability of this model for testing sodium channel-dependent antiepileptic agents.