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OTC
Terms modified by OTC Selected AbstractsDietary Supplements in the Setting of Mohs SurgeryDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 6 2002Siobhan C. Collins MD background. The use of dietary supplements has become increasingly popular. While many are safe in small doses, others may have potentially harmful effects, particularly in surgical patients. objective. To study the incidence of dietary supplement use in patients presenting for Mohs surgery. methods. One hundred consecutive patients presenting for Mohs surgery completed a questionnaire providing all current medications. During the consultation, the patients were then asked specifically about their current use of any dietary supplements. Responses differing from those on the questionnaire were recorded. results. Forty-nine of 100 patients (49%) were currently taking dietary supplements. Of this group, 17 patients (35%) self-reported the use of supplements; 32 patients (65%) did not. Thirty women (59%) were currently using dietary supplements regularly compared to 19 men (39%). Women were also more likely to self-report the use of supplements compared to men: 14 women (47%) versus three men (15%). Forty-eight of the 100 study patients (48%) were currently taking anticoagulant medications such as aspirin, warfarin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or clopidogrel bisulfate. Fifty instances were noted where patients were taking one or more dietary supplements that have demonstrated anticoagulant properties. Of this group, 21 instances (42%) where patients took a combination of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) anticoagulants and one or more dietary supplements shown to have effects on coagulation were recorded. conclusion. Of the almost 50% of patients taking dietary supplements, one-third reported usage, while two-thirds did not. Women used dietary supplements more frequently than men and were more than three times more likely to offer this information. Furthermore, many supplements have been shown to have effects on coagulation, including vitamin E, garlic, ginkgo, feverfew, and fish oils. Use of these substances alone or in combination may potentiate the anticoagulant effects of each other or prescribed medications. It is therefore important for the dermatologic surgeon to communicate openly with patients regarding dietary supplements to avoid potential complications during or following surgery. [source] Voltametric and Flow Injection Determination of Oxytetracycline Residues in Food Samples Using Carbon Fiber MicroelectrodesELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 7 2003L. Agüí Abstract A voltammetric method for the determination of the antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) in food samples is reported. Carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs), which allow voltammetric measurements to be performed in a small volume (1,mL) of the analyte extract from the samples, are employed. Repeatable electroanalytical responses were obtained with no need of applying cleaning treatments to the CFME. Under the optimized square-wave conditions, a linear calibration plot for OTC was obtained in the 1.0×10,6,1.0×10,4,mol,L,1 range, with a detection limit of 2.9×10,7,mol,L,1 (150,ng,mL,1) OTC. The determination of OTC by a flow-injection method with amperometric detection using a homemade flow cell specially designed to work with CFMEs, was also evaluated using pure acetonitrile as the carrier. The SW voltammetric method was applied to the determination of OTC in spiked milk and eggs samples, at 100,ng,mL,1 and 200,ng g,1 levels, respectively. The procedure involved the extraction of the analyte in ethyl acetate, evaporation of the solvent and reconstitution of the residue in acetonitrile ,5.0×10,4,mol,L,1 tetrabutylammonium perchlorate medium. Recoveries of 96±8 and 91±8% were obtained for milk and eggs, respectively, by applying the standard additions method. [source] High-sensitivity detection of oxytetracycline using light scattering agglutination assay with aptasensorELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 18 2010Keesung Kim Abstract We present an aptamer-based biosensor (aptasensor) for rapid and high-sensitive detection of oxytetracycline (OTC) antibiotic in PBS inside a Y-channel PDMS microfluidic device. The detection was made by real-time monitoring of the agglutination assay of ssDNA aptamer-conjugated polystyrene latex microspheres with proximity optical fibers. The agglutination assay was performed with serially diluted OTC antibiotic solutions using highly carboxylated polystyrene particles of 920,nm diameter conjugated with OTC-binding ssDNA aptamer. Proximity optical fibers were used to measure the increase in 45° forward light scattering of the aggregated particles by fixing them around the viewing cell of the device with stable angle and distance to the detector. The detection limit was around 100,ppb for the current aptasensor system with the detection time less than 3,min. [source] Acute effects of the antibiotic oxytetracycline on the bacterial community of the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio,ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 12 2009Miguel Uyaguari Abstract The toxicity of oxytetracycline (OTC) was evaluated in adult grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio. Initially, static acute (96 h) toxicity tests were conducted with shrimp exposed from 0 to 1,000 mg/L OTC. A calculated lethal concentration 50% value of 683.30 mg/L OTC (95% confidence interval 610.85,764.40 mg/L) was determined from these tests, along with a lowest-observable-effect concentration of 750 mg/L and no-observable-effect concentration of 500 mg/L. Moreover, chronic sublethal effects of OTC exposure on grass shrimp intestinal bacterial population were assessed using doses from 0 to 32 mg/L OTC. The total viable counts in digestive tract content had levels between 5.2 and 1 × 104 colony-forming units per gram of tissue at times 0 and 96 h, respectively. Aeromonas hydrophila were the most resistant isolates (27.78%) to OTC exposure. Vibrio alginolyticus showed significant positive growth following exposure to OTC, whereas other bacterial species abundance declined over time. A total of 268 bacterial isolates were screened using antibiotic resistance analysis from a library containing 459 isolates. Among the tested isolates from the OTC treatments, 15.4% were resistant to OTC and 84.6% were OTC sensitive. Oxytetracycline was generally not consistently quantifiable with liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy technique in shrimp homogenates. The only peak detected was at the 32 mg/L dose of OTC at 96 h. Nevertheless, OTC had a significant biological effect on the bacterial population. Antibiotic resistance to five other antibiotics (penicillin G, sulfathiazole, trimethoprim, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline) was strongly associated with OTC exposures. The present study indicates that OTC toxicity effects in P. pugio and changes in the shrimp microbial community would only be expected under special circumstances. [source] Determination and fate of oxytetracycline and related compounds in oxytetracycline production wastewater and the receiving river,ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2008Dong Li Abstract This study investigated the occurrence and fate of oxytetracycline (OTC) and its related substances, 4-epi-oxytetracycline (EOTC), ,-apo-oxytetracycline (,-apo-OTC), and ,-apo-oxytetracycline (,-apo-OTC), in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) treating OTC production wastewater and a river receiving the effluent from the WWTP using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). The percent removal of OTC in the WWTP was 38.0 ± 10.5%, and the concentration of OTC was still up to 19.5 ± 2.9 mg/L in the treated outflow. The concentration slightly decreased along the river, from 641 ± 118 ,g/L at site R2 (discharging point) to 377 ± 142 ,g/L at site R4 (,20 km from site R2), which was still higher than the minimal inhibition concentration of OTC reported (,250 ,g/L). On the other hand, the total amount of its related substances in the treated effluent was less than 5% of OTC. Concentrations of ,-apo-OTC and ,-apo-OTC increased along the river, from 5.76 ± 0.63 and 2.08 ± 0.30 ,g/L at site R2 to 11.9 ± 4.9 and 12.0 ± 4.6 ,g/L at R4, respectively, although EOTC decreased from 31.5 ± 3.8 to 12.9 ± 1.1 ,g/L, respectively. The mean concentration of ,-apo-OTC in river sediments was 20.8 ± 7.8 mg/kg, and its ratio to OTC was approximately 0.11, nearly twice the ratio of ,-apo-OTC and EOTC to OTC (0.058 ± 0.014 and 0.061 ± 0.015, respectively). [source] The effect of pH and ionic strength on the sorption of sulfachloropyridazine, tylosin, and oxytetracycline to soilENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2006Thomas L. ter Laak Abstract Antimicrobial agents are the most heavily used pharmaceuticals in intensive husbandry. Their usual discharge pathway is application to agricultural land as constituents of animal manure, which is used as fertilizer. Many of these compounds undergo pH-dependent speciation and, therefore, might occur as charged species in the soil environment. Hence, pH and ionic strength of the soil suspension can affect the sorption behavior of these compounds to soil. Consequently, the soil sorption of three antimicrobial agents,sulfachloropyridazine (SCP), tylosin (TYL), and oxytetracycline (OTC),was investigated. Their respective sorption coefficients in two agricultural soils ranged from 1.5 to 1,800 L/kg. Sorption coefficients were greater under acidic conditions. Addition of an electrolyte to the solution led to decreased sorption of TYL and OTC by a factor of 3 to 20, but it did not influence the sorption of SCP. This behavior was analyzed by accounting for the pH-dependent speciation of TYL and OTC and considering the presence of OTC-calcium complexes. It appears that the decreased sorption of TYL and OTC with increasing ionic strength results from competition of the electrolyte cations with the positively charged TYL species and the positively charged OTC complexes. A model linking sorbate speciation with species-specific sorption coefficients can describe the pH dependence of the apparent sorption coefficients. This modeling approach is proposed for implementation in the assessment of sorption of ionizable compounds. [source] Factors influencing the sorption of oxytetracycline to soilsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2005Aaryn D. Jones Abstract Veterinary antibiotics such as oxytetracycline (OTC) increasingly are found in the environment and often come into direct contact with soils via the release of animal wastes. Oxytetracycline is known to sorb strongly to soils by interaction with soil organic matter, clay minerals, and metal oxides. However, current knowledge of the influence of soil properties on OTC sorption is limited, as is our ability to predict OTC sorption to soils. This work was aimed at identifying properties that most influence the extent of OTC sorption in a suite of soils from the eastern United States representing a wide range in soil properties. Thirty soils were well characterized, an OTC soil-water distribution coefficient (Kd) was determined for each soil, and statistical analyses were employed to determine appropriate soil descriptors of OTC sorption. Soil texture, cation exchange capacity, and iron oxide content seemed to most influence the extent of OTC sorption in soils with organic carbon (OC) content between 0 and 4%. Thus, the knowledge of these three soil properties would be key to anticipating the extent of OTC sorption and gaining insight into OTC fate within a given soil system. Notably, OC content appeared to influence OTC sorption only in a soil with 9% OC. [source] Patterns of over-the-counter nicotine gum use: persistent use and concurrent smokingADDICTION, Issue 12 2003Saul Shiffman ABSTRACT Aims To examine the occurrence of persistent use (i.e. use beyond 12 weeks) and concurrent use of nicotine gum with cigarettes among consumers who purchase nicotine gum over-the-counter (OTC). Design Assessment of gum use was conducted in the context of a smoking cessation trial among smokers who purchased Nicorette gum and enrolled in the optional Committed Quitters smoking cessation program. Eligible participants were contacted by telephone 6 weeks and 12 weeks following their self-selected target quit date. Those who reported gum use at 12 weeks were contacted again at week 24. Participants A total of 2655 current smokers who purchased nicotine gum and enrolled in a clinical efficacy trial of the Committed Quitters program. Measurements Detailed information on smoking and gum use, including frequency of use, amount used and reasons for use was obtained at each of the three follow-up assessments. Findings At the 24-week assessment, 6% of participants reported current use of nicotine gum (i.e. persistent use). Those engaging in persistent use averaged 4.7 (SD = 2.5) days of gum use per week and 3.2 (SD = 3.5) pieces of gum per day. Sixty-six per cent of persistent users reported at week 24 that they were not currently smoking, and 67% of persistent users reported they were using gum to establish or maintain abstinence. At the 6-, 12- and 24-week assessments, 14%, 10% and 2% of participants, respectively, reported current use of nicotine gum and current cigarette smoking (i.e. concurrent users). Those concurrent users reported at the 12-week follow-up that they did so an average of 4.4 (SD = 2.1) days per week, that they chewed an average of 2.6 (SD = 3.5) pieces of nicotine gum per day and that they smoked an average of 8.7 (SD = 8.6) cigarettes per day. Conclusion Extended use of nicotine gum is rare. Concurrent use with cigarettes is uncommon. In both cases, the amount of gum use is small. OTC marketing of nicotine gum does not appear to have increased use contrary to labeling nor resulted in patterns of use that should warrant clinical or public health concerns. [source] Neuronal activity and neurotrophic factors regulate GAD-65/67 mRNA and protein expression in organotypic cultures of rat visual cortexEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 1 2003Silke Patz Abstract Environmental factors are known to regulate the molecular differentiation of neocortical interneurons. Their class-defining transmitter synthetic enzymes are the glutamic acid decarboxylases (GAD); yet, fairly little is known about the developmental regulation of transcription and translation of the GAD-65/67 isoforms. We have characterized the role of neuronal activity, neurotrophins and afferent systems for GAD-65/67 expression in visual cortex in organotypic cultures (OTC) compared with in vivo in order to identify cortex-intrinsic regulatory mechanisms. Spontaneously active OTC prepared at postnatal day 0 displayed from 10 days in vitro (DIV) onwards 12,14% GAD-65/GAD-67 neurons similar to in vivo. However, GAD-65 mRNA was higher, whereas GAD-67 protein was lower, than in vivo. During the first week neurotrophins increased whereas the Trk receptor inhibitor K252a and MEK inhibitors decreased both GAD mRNAs and proteins. After 10 DIV GAD expression no longer depended on neurotrophin signalling. Activity-deprived OTC revealed only 6% GAD-67 neurons and mRNA and protein were reduced by 50%. GAD-65 mRNA was less reduced, but protein was reduced by half, suggesting translational regulation. Upon recovery of activity GAD mRNAs, cell numbers, and both proteins quickly returned to normal and these ,adult' levels were resistant to late-onset deprivation. In 20 DIV activity-deprived OTC, only neurotrophin 4 increased GAD-65/67 mRNAs, rescued the percentage of GAD-67 neurons and increased both proteins in a TrkB-dependent manner. Activity deprivation had thus shifted the period of neurotrophin sensitivity to older ages. The results suggested neuronal activity as a major regulator differentially affecting transcription and translation of the GAD isoforms. The early presence of neuronal activity promoted the GAD expression in OTC to a neurotrophin-independent state suggesting that neurotrophins play a context-dependent role. [source] The ameliorative effect of cysteine prodrug l -2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in ratsFUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 5 2007B.H. Ali Abstract Pathogenesis of nephrotoxicity of the synthetic anticancer drug cisplatin (CP) involves generation of reactive oxygen species and free radicals in the kidney cortex, and cysteine prodrug l -2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (OTC) has been confirmed to have a strong antioxidant action. Therefore, in the present work, we aimed at testing the possible protective or palliative effect of OTC on CP nephrotoxicity in rats. OTC was given at an oral dose of 150 mg/kg/day for 7 days. On day 7, some of these rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of CP (or vehicle) at a dose of 6 mg/kg. Rats were killed, blood and urine samples were collected, and the kidneys were removed 6 days after CP treatment. Nephrotoxicity was evaluated histopathologically by light microscopy, and biochemically by measuring the concentrations of creatinine and urea in serum, reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in renal cortex, and by urinalyses. CP significantly increased the concentrations of urea and creatinine (P < 0.05) by about 128% and 170% respectively. CP treatment reduced cortical GSH concentration by about 34% (P < 0.05), and the activity of SOD by about 28% (P < 0.05). CP treatment significantly increased urine volume and N -acetyl- , - d -glucosaminidase (NAG) activity, and significantly decreased osmolality and protein concentrations. OTC significantly mitigated all these effects. Sections from saline- and OTC-treated rats showed apparently normal proximal tubules. However, kidneys of CP-treated rats had a moderate degree of necrosis. This appeared to be lessened when CP was given simultaneously with OTC. The concentration of CP in the cortical tissues was not significantly altered by OTC treatment. The results suggested that OTC had ameliorated the histopathological and biochemical indices of nephrotoxicity in rats. Pending further pharmacological and toxicological studies, OTC may potentially be useful as a nephroprotective agent. [source] The benefits of switching smoking cessation drugs to over-the-counter statusHEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 5 2002Theodore E. Keeler This paper provides an analysis of the benefits to society from the conversion of nicotine replacement drugs (nicotine patches and gum) in 1996 from sale by prescription only in the United States to over-the-counter (OTC) sales. To estimate these benefits, we first estimate statistical demand functions for nicotine patches and gum. Second, we calculate the effects of OTC conversion on sales of each type of nicotine replacement drug. Third, we survey the literature on the effects of nicotine replacement drugs on total quits of cigarette smoking. Fourth, we survey the literature on the effects of quits achieved on expected lifespan, and on the estimated monetary value of longer lives from smoking cessation. Finally, we use all this evidence to calculate the value of the social benefits of the OTC conversion to the US. As a result of the OTC conversion, consumption of nicotine replacement drugs has increased substantially, by 78,92% for nicotine patches and 180% for nicotine gum. We estimate that the resulting increase in smoking cessation generated annual net social benefits of the order of magnitude of $1.8,2 billion, based on conservative estimates both of the number of quits achieved and the value of added quality-adjusted life years from the reduced smoking. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] H intragenic polymorphisms and haplotype analysis in the ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) gene and their relevance for tracking the inheritance of OTC deficiency,,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 5 2002Consuelo Climent Abstract The "private" nature of most mutations causing ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency makes mutation identification in the patients difficult. Further, the PCR-amplification technology generally used for the genetic diagnosis of the deficiency misses large deletions in carrier females. Intragenic OTC polymorphisms may allow detection of these deletions and may represent an alternative to mutation detection for prenatal diagnosis and carrier identification in families with a history of inherited OTC deficiency. A new highly informative polymorphism (allele frequencies, 0.66/0.34) in intron 3 of the OTC gene (IVS3-39_40insT) is reported here, and allelic frequencies of 16 additional intragenic OTC polymorphisms are determined in 133-35 (average per polymorphism, 72) unrelated chromosomes. In addition to the novel polymorphism, only three of the studied polymorphisms (Lys46Arg, allelic frequency 0.68/0.32; IVS3-8A>T, 0.34/0.66; Gln270Arg, 0.97/0.03) are confirmed to be informative. These provide, together with another reported polymorphism (IVS4-7A>G; reported allelic frequency 0.71/0.29; Plante and Tuchman, 1998), a set of highly valuable markers of the OTC gene. Nevertheless, the combined informativity of the studied polymorphisms is limited by their distribution in only four haplotypes with one of them predominating (65% of the sampled chromosomes). Although this haplotype composition may be restricted to the Iberian peninsula (the origin of the samples), more informative polymorphisms are required to increase the diagnostic potential and, particularly, to identify large deletions affecting OTC gene exons 5-10, where only one polymorphism of weak diagnostic value is known. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Efficacy of chemical and botanical over-the-counter pediculicides available in Brazil, and off-label treatments, against head lice ex vivoINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2010André Asenov MD Background, There is a lack of reliable data on the efficacy of over-the-counter (OTC) pediculicides in Brazil. Methods, We performed ex vivo assays of eight marketed pediculicides: 1% permethrin (Kwell®, Clean Hair®, Keltrina®, Nedax®), 0.02% deltamethrin (Deltacid®, Pediderm®), and two "natural" products (Piolho e Lêndea®, Pilogenio®). We also tested 5% permethrin (Keltrina Plus®), traditional home remedies and an ivermectin-based product used in veterinary medicine. Head lice (49,52 per group) were immersed in the compound for 3 min and washed after 20 min to simulate the typical in vivo treatment protocol. Lice were examined for activity up to 24 h using stringent criteria for survival. Results, Of the permethrin containing products, highest mortality was observed with Kwell® and Clean Hair® (97.9 and 90.2% after 4 h). Keltrina®, Nedax®, Keltrina Plus®, and the two deltamethrin-based products showed only a low efficacy of <60% after 4 h. With exception of pure coconut oil (80% mortality after 4 h), home remedies showed a very low efficacy, and both marketed products killed few lice. The ivermectin-based product caused a mortality of 100% after 4 h. Conclusions, Most Brazilian OTC products did not show a satisfactory efficacy against head lice. Resistance may be present. Ivermectin and coconut oil are promising compounds for topical treatment. Laboratory-based tests should be used to assess resistance patterns and to identify formulations of the active ingredient that increase the efficacy. Standardized testing should be performed before a product is licensed for head lice treatment. [source] Supply of over-the-counter weight-loss products from community pharmaciesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 6 2009Anna-Maria Andronicou Abstract Objectives The aim was to ascertain the availability of over-the-counter (OTC) weight-loss products from community pharmacies and other retail outlets in a large conurbation, and to determine the knowledge and practices of pharmacy staff in the supply of OTC weight-loss products. Method The setting was one primary care trust in England. We used a cross-sectional survey of 123 community pharmacies, 12 health stores and 64 supermarkets, plus telephone interview of the pharmacists. Key findings Over two-thirds of community pharmacies (69%) and health stores (67%) but few supermarkets (8%) stocked one or more OTC weight-loss products. In total, 73 different products were available from pharmacies, most of which (50) were claimed by manufacturers to be appetite suppressants. Seventy-eight pharmacists were interviewed, of whom 57 stocked OTC weight-loss products. Of these 57, only two claimed to undertake any measurements before supplying the products and 33 had no supporting materials/information about the products, although 38 claimed to provide advice. None of the 57 pharmacists had undertaken any specific training in relation to weight loss. Only 44% of all those interviewed considered OTC weight-loss products to be useful, with even fewer (35%) considering them to be safe. Conclusions Community pharmacies are a major distributor of OTC weight-loss products, despite the lack of evidence of their efficacy and concerns about their safety. Many pharmacists had limited knowledge of the products, placed few restrictions on their supply and viewed training in weight loss as unnecessary. Pharmacists should consider the appropriateness of supplying these products and utilize the opportunities presented to support weight reduction by more effective means. [source] Professional practices and experiences with complementary medicines: a cross-sectional study involving community pharmacists in EnglandINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 3 2007Joanne Barnes associate professor in herbal medicines Objective As retailers of complementary medicines (CMs), pharmacists are well placed to advise consumers on the safe and effective use of these products; where CMs are available in pharmacies, pharmacists should be well informed about such products. This study explored the extent to which CMs are available in community pharmacies in England, and examined pharmacists' experiences, professional practices and training with regard to these products. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving a structured questionnaire posted to community pharmacists. Coded follow-up mailings were sent to non-responders after 2 and 4 months, and a reminder telephone call made after 3 months. Setting All community pharmacists in six areas (Devon, Cornwall, Bradford, Leeds, Manchester, Stockport) of England (total n = 1337). Key findings The response rate was 66.5%. Overall, 92% of respondents reported that CMs (excluding vitamins/minerals) are sold in the pharmacy in which they practise, 81% had received requests from patients/consumers for specific CMs in the previous year, and 58% had recommended CMs. Around 70% of respondents rarely/never asks about CMs use when counter-prescribing conventional medicines or when receiving reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with conventional medicines. In total, 40% of respondents had undertaken training in complementary/alternative medicine (CAM). Pharmacists who had undertaken training were more likely to ask patients/consumers specifically about use of CMs when counter-prescribing conventional over-the-counter (OTC) medicines (37.0% versus 23.4%, respectively; ,2 = 17.4; P = 0.0003) and when receiving reports from patients/customers of suspected ADRs associated with conventional (prescribed or OTC) medicines (35.6% versus 23.8%, respectively; ,2 = 13.0; P = 0.0003). Conclusion CMs are widely available in pharmacies in England, and pharmacists interact with users of these products. An opportunity exists for pharmacists to embrace a professional role as expert advisors on CMs. However, pharmacists' training, professional practices and competence with respect to CMs first need to improve. [source] Smoking cessation advice provided in 53 Norwegian pharmaciesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 4 2004Dr. Anne G. Granas Director of research Objective To investigate the quality of the smoking cessation advice on over-the-counter (OTC) nicotine replacement treatment (NRT) provided by community and hospital pharmacies in Norway and to assess any change in customer services and pharmaceutical smoking cessation advice after a change in legislation deregulating NRT from pharmacy-only to general sale. Method A mystery shopper made 106 visits to 53 pharmacies in Oslo, Norway. The first visit was when NRT was a pharmacy-only medicine and the second when it had become available from any outlet as a general sales product. The pharmacies were scored on 12 observation parameters regarding customer service and pharmaceutical advice (score 0,4, total possible score was 48). Key findings There was considerable inter- and intra-pharmacy variation in scores. The pharmacies' total score ranged from 3 to 45. On only 14.2% of the visits was the service categorised as ,Good'. There was no statistically significant difference in total score between the two test periods (P = 0.56), and hence no measurable difference in customer services and pharmaceutical advice as a result of increased competition after the switch to general sale. A scatter plot showed no relationship between the individual pharmacies' total score at the two visits. Conclusions Pharmacies' scores for the quality of their smoking cessation advice were generally low. There was no measurable change in pharmacies' customer service and pharmaceutical advice following the deregulation of NRT. There was little consistency in the total score between the first and the second visit to the same pharmacy. Improvement is needed in the smoking cessation advice provided by Norwegian pharmacies. [source] Use of over-the-counter medicines in childrenINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 4 2003John McIntyre senior lecturer in child health ABSTRACT Objective To assess the reasons for over-the-counter (OTC) medicine use in children and the sociodemographic factors influencing this choice of self-care rather than GP consultation. Method Questionnaires were sent to the home address of a randomly generated list of children under 12 years of age from three GP practices in the East Midlands selected to represent bottom, middle and top tertiles of deprivation on the basis of the Jarman score. Analysis using chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests was used to identify associated factors (number of carers in the home, number of children, deprivation score, parent/carer's age, age and number of children in the house) of the responses. Setting Primary care setting in the East Midlands region of England. Key findings From 424 completed questionnaires returned (response rate 61%), 413 parents/carers had purchased OTC medicines. Fifty-one different products had been purchased, with analgesic/antipyretic and cough/cold remedies the most frequently bought. The most commonly reported reasons for parent/carer initiated medication were to avoid troubling the GP with minor childhood ailments (79% of respondents) and to have medicines available in case of future need (74%). Cost was a barrier to buying OTC medicines for the more deprived. Advice-seeking behaviour was associated with the symptom, the number of children, affluence and the age of the child. Conclusion Parent/carer initiated use of OTC medication is widespread, particularly for analgesic/antipyretic and cough/cold remedies. Differences in advice-seeking behaviour are associated with the presenting symptom and a variety of sociodemographic factors. [source] Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter analgesics in the treatment of common cold and fluJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2006R. Eccles BSc PhD DSc Summary Rationale:, Common cold and flu are the most common human illnesses, and over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics are widely used to treat the pain and fever symptoms. Despite the every day use of these analgesic there is little information available in the literature on the efficacy and safety of these medicines in treating colds and flu symptoms. The aim of this review was to determine the safety and efficacy of the analgesics, aspirin, paracetamol and aspirin for the treatment of colds and flu. Methods:, Electronic databases and a personal database were searched and the information retrieved together with information from relevant textbooks has been integrated in the review. Results:, The literature search established that there is relatively little information on the use of analgesics in treating colds and flu and that much of the safety and efficacy data must be related to other pain and fever models. The review establishes that aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe in OTC doses and that there is no evidence for any difference between the medicines as regards efficacy and safety for treatment of colds and flu (except in certain cases such as the use of aspirin in feverish children). There is also no evidence that these medicines prolong the course of colds and flu by any effect on the immune system or by reducing fever. Conclusion:, Despite the lack of clinical data on the safety and efficacy of analgesics for the treatment of colds and flu symptoms a case can be made that these medicines are safe and effective for treatment of these common illnesses. [source] Validation of daily increment formation in otoliths of juvenile and adult European anchovyJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2003P. Cermeño The otoliths of juveniles and adults of European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus held in aquaria were marked by immersion in oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) at concentrations between 350 and 410 mg l,1 for 12 h. Counts of microincrements between fluorescent bands validated the daily otolith increment formation. The otolith increments were easily readable at ×400 with average increment widths of c. 1·1 µm. Validation was successfully demonstrated in juveniles and adults maintained for short periods in the aquaria in the summer. For European anchovy captured as juvenile and reared to adults, however, increment formation appeared less than daily. The daily periodicity of the otoliths in juvenile European anchovy implies that counting of microincrements can be used to study their birth dates. The application of this technique to adults, however, may lead to the underestimation of actual age and further research needs to be done to clarify the reasons for the apparent loss of the daily rhythm over long periods. [source] Kinetic analysis of oxytetracycline residues in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, muscle following intramuscular administrationJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 8 2010Q Feng Abstract Crab culture is a very important economic industry in China. An epidemic of tremor disease of Chinese mitten crabs, Eriocheir sinensis, has become a serious problem in recent years. A spiroplasm has been proved to be the causative agent of this disease. Oxytetracycline (OTC) is used widely in aquaculture and was confirmed to be very effective against this pathogen. In this study, the distribution and depletion patterns of OTC in crab muscle were evaluated following single intramuscular doses of 2, 8 and 40 mg kg,1 body weight. OTC was detected with a validated HPLC method. Concentration,time profiles were well described by a three-compartment model with first-order absorption after a single dose of 8 and 40 mg kg,1. For comparison, a non-compartment model was employed. A withdrawal time of 48.29 and 55.92 days was suggested prior to consumption after receiving 8 and 40 mg kg,1. A recommended therapeutic dose of OTC in theory was calculated to be 36.37 mg kg,1. OTC was distributed well throughout the body. The elimination of OTC in muscle was slower compared with fish and other crustaceans. A dose of 40 mg kg,1 is suggested for practical use. [source] Possible Role of Pseudoephedrine and Other Over-the-Counter Cold Medications in the Deaths of Very Young ChildrenJOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 2 2007William E. Wingert Ph.D. ABSTRACT: The Philadelphia Medical Examiners Office has reported a series of 15 deaths between February 1999 and June 2005 of infants and toddlers 16 months and younger in which drugs commonly found in over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications were present. A total of 10 different drugs were detected: pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, acetaminophen, brompheniramine, carbinoxamine, chlorpheniramine, ethanol, doxylamine and the anticonvulsants, phenobarbital, and phenytoin. The drugs were confirmed and quantified by gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry, with the exception of ethanol, which was analyzed by headspace GC and of phenobarbital and phenytoin that were quantified by GC with a nitrogen phosphorus detector. The most predominant drug was pseudoephedrine, which was found in all of the cases (blood concentration, n=14, range=0.10,17.0 mg/L, mean=3.34 mg/L) and was the sole drug detected in three cases. Acetaminophen was detected in blood from each of the five cases with sufficient sample. Other drugs (with frequency of detection) were dextromethorphan (five cases), carbinoxamine (four cases), chlorpheniramine (two cases) and brompheniramine, doxylamine, and ethanol (one case each). In the majority of the cases, toxicity from drugs found in easily available OTC medications was listed either as the direct cause of death or as a contributory factor. The manner of death was determined to be natural in only two of the cases. This postmortem study supports previous evidence that the administration of OTC cold medications to infants may, under some circumstances, be an unsafe practice and in some cases may even be fatal. The treating physicians and the general public need to be made more aware of the dangers of using OTC cold medications to treat very young children so that these types of tragedies might be avoided. [source] Dentists' perceptions of dentine hypersensitivity and knowledge of its treatmentJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 3 2002D. G. Gillam The aim of the present investigation was to determine by questionnaire, UK dentists' perception of Dentine Hypersensitivity (DH) and knowledge of its treatment. A total of 403 questionnaires were sent to a selected group of UK dentists who had either inquired about further postgraduate education or had attended a course at the Eastman Dental Institute/Hospital. A total of 181 of 403 dentists (44·9%) (118M; 36F, 17 no response, mean age 38·2 years [s.d. 8·97]) returned the questionnaire. About 92·8% (n=168) of responding dentists claimed to see patients with DH in their practice. According to the dentists' replies at least one of four of their patients suffered from the complaint. About 71·8% (n=130) of dentists reported that DH was a severe problem in at least 10% of their patients and that pain from DH lasted no more than 4 weeks. Most of responding dentists claimed to be asked about DH by their patients and stated that they offered advice or treatment to their patients. Nearly 87·3% (n=158) of responding dentists provided a wide range of treatment options/advice which included both In-office and over-the-counter (OTC) products. Popular responses included desensitizing pastes/gels, Topical F, varnishes and toothpastes/rinses/gels, advice on atraumatic tooth brushing, dentine bonding agents (DBA), glass,ionomer cements (GIC) and other unspecified restorations. Of the various In-office treatments Duraphat was the most cited choice of varnish/primer options. Sensodyne toothpaste was the most popular of the specified OTC products. Most dentists appeared to understand the aetiological features associated with DH and provided a wide range of factors including the effects of incorrect tooth brushing, dietary acids as well as the possible influence on non-dental topics such as stress. Most responding dentists believed that their advice on DH was generally effective although they did highlight that certain aspects on the condition were lacking such as appropriate scientific information including the prevention of DH and its treatment. The results from the present study highlight several discrepancies in the perception and knowledge of the treatment of DH between dentists and their patients. The results from this study are, however, reasonably consistent with those previously reported by Dutch investigators. The results from this study also highlighted a need for guidelines on the aetiology, prevention and treatment of DH for both dentists and their patients. The reported average frequency and duration of discomfort from DH by the responding dentists appeared to be consistent with the available literature. [source] Development and validation of an HPLC confirmatory method for the determination of seven tetracycline antibiotics residues in milk according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/ECJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 15 2007Victoria F. Samanidou Abstract An HPLC method with diode-array detection, at 355 nm, was developed and validated for the determination of seven tetracyclines (TCs) in milk: minocycline (MNC), TC, oxytetracycline (OTC), methacycline (MTC), demeclocycline (DMC), chlortetracycline (CTC), and doxycycline (DC). Oxalate buffer (pH 4) was used with 20% TCA as a deproteinization agent for the extraction of analytes from milk followed by SPE. The separation was achieved on an Inertsil ODS-3, 5 ,m, 250×4 mm2 analytical column at ambient temperature. The mobile phase, a mixture of A: 0.01 M oxalic acid and B: CH3CN, was delivered using a gradient program. The procedure was validated according to the European Union decision 2002/657/EC determining selectivity, stability, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. Mean recoveries of TCs from spiked milk samples (50, 100, and 200 ng/g) were 93.8,100.9% for MNC, 96.8,103.7% for OTC, 96.3,101.8% for TC, 99.4,107.2% for DMC, 99.4,102.9% for CTC, 96.3,102.7% for MTC, and 94.6,102.1% for DC. All RSD values were lower than 8.5%. The decision limits CCa calculated by spiking 20 blank milk samples at MRL (100 ,g/kg) ranged from 101.25 to 105.84 ,g/kg, while detection capability CCbfrom 103.94 to 108.88 ,g/kg. [source] Omeprazole-Mg 20.6 mg is superior to lansoprazole 15 mg for control of gastric acid: a comparison of over-the-counter doses of proton pump inhibitorsALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 8 2010P. B. MINER JR Aliment Pharmacol Ther,31, 846,851 Summary Background, Over-the-counter (OTC) proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) relieve heartburn by decreasing the production of gastric acid, but may not do so with equal effectiveness. It is important for healthcare professionals to compare the ability of OTC PPIs to control gastric acid when recommending them for patients with frequent heartburn. Aim, To compare the effects of omeprazole-Mg 20.6 mg and lansoprazole 15 mg (OTC doses in the US) on 24-h steady state gastric acid suppression. Methods, This single-centre, randomized, double-blind clinical study compared the steady-state gastric acid control of omeprazole-Mg 20.6 mg vs. lansoprazole 15 mg, dosed before breakfast. Volunteers were enrolled in a 3-period, cross-over design (ABB, BAA) with 24-h gastric pH monitoring on dosing day 5. The primary efficacy variable was the percentage time intragastric pH was >4.0 over 24 h on day 5 of dosing. Results, Forty subjects were enrolled; all completed the study. The mean (SE) percentage time pH was >4.0 was 45.7% (3.45%) for omeprazole-Mg 20.6 mg and 36.8% (3.45%) for lansoprazole 15 mg, an absolute difference of 8.9% (P < 0.0001), and a relative difference of 24.2%. Both drugs were well tolerated. Conclusion, Omeprazole-Mg 20.6 mg provided a statistically significantly (P < 0.0001) greater acid control than lansoprazole 15 mg. [source] Pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline in the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemusJOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2007M. W. NOLAN The American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, is regularly cultured and maintained in research laboratories and public aquaria. Rising concerns over the health of these captive animals makes the diagnosis and treatment of pathological conditions in L. polyphemus essential. This study investigated the kinetics of oxytetracyline following either intravascular or oral dosing. Oxytetracylcine is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of various bacterial diseases of aquatic animals. A noncompartmental model was developed to describe the pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline (OTC) in the horseshoe crab. The following parameters were determined for a single intravascular bolus of 25 mg/kg OTC: AUC = 9524.60 ,g·h/mL, MRT = 443.65 h, Clb = 0.044 mL/min/kg, Vd(ss) = 1.164 L/kg, t1/2 = 128.3 h, Cmax = 55.90 ,g/mL, Cave = 27.39 ,g/mL. Following a single oral bolus of 25 mg/kg, these parameters were calculated: AUC = 5861.81 ,g·h/mL, MRT = 395.89 h, Clb = 0.071 mL/min/kg, Vd(ss) = 1.688 L/kg, t1/2 = 210.0 h, Cmax = 7.83 ,g/mL, Cave = 2.89 ,g/mL, F = 61.56%. [source] Investigation of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) as a pharmacokinetic model for cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) and Poicephalus parrots via comparison of the pharmacokinetics of a single intravenous injection of oxytetracycline hydrochlorideJOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2005A. OSOFSKY The purpose of this study was to determine whether Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) would serve as a pharmacokinetic animal model for two small companion parrots: cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) and Poicephalus parrots. Oxytetracycline (OTC) was the pharmacologic agent chosen for this study as it is eliminated primarily by renal glomerular filtration and undergoes minimal metabolism. A single intravenous injection of 20 mg/kg oxytetracycline hydrochloride was administered to the three study groups and blood samples were obtained at 5, 10, 15, and 30 min post-OTC injection as well as 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h post-OTC injection. Quantification of plasma OTC was accomplished using a standardized microbial inhibition assay. Naïve-pooled data (NPD) analysis of the plasma concentration,time profile of OTC best fit a two-compartment open model for all three avian species. Noncompartmental analysis of the mean data yielded the following parameters for quail, cockatiels and Poicephalus parrots respectively: ,z = 3.14, 4.57, 3.71 h; AUC = 38.9, 42.7, 49.6 ,g·h/mL; and Cl = 514, 468, 403 mL/h/kg. Based on the similarity of these pharmacokinetic parameters, it appears that quail could be used as a model species to predict the appropriate OTC dosing regimen for small psittacine birds. A bootstrap procedure was also applied to these sparse data sets for both compartmental and noncompartmental analysis. The bootstrap procedure allowed for the calculation of variability of parameters; however, the estimates of the parameters were very similar to those calculated using the NPD and the data mean values. [source] Meta-analysis of pharmacokinetic data of veterinary drugs using the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank: oxytetracycline and procaine penicillin GJOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2004A. L. Craigmill Investigators frequently face the quandary of how to interpret the oftentimes disparate pharmacokinetic parameter values reported in the literature. Combining of data from multiple studies (meta-analysis) is a useful tool in pharmacokinetics. Few studies have explored the use of meta-analysis for veterinary species. Even fewer studies have explored the potential strengths and weaknesses of the various methods of performing a meta-analysis. Therefore, in this study we performed a meta-analysis for oxytetracycline (OTC) and procaine penicillin G (PPG) given intramuscularly to cattle. The analysis included 28 individual data sets from 18 published papers for PPG (288 data points), and 41 individual data sets from 25 published papers for OTC (489 data points). Three methods were used to calculate the parameters. The first was a simple statistical analysis of the parameter values reported in each paper. The second method was a standard Two-Stage Method (TSM) using the mean concentration vs. time data extracted from each paper. The third method was the use of nonlinear mixed effect modeling (NMEM) of the concentration vs. time data reported in the various papers, treating the mean data as if each set came from an individual animal. The results of this evaluation indicate that all three methods generate comparable mean parameter estimates for OTC and PPG. The only significant difference noted was for OTC absorption half-lives taken from the published literature, a difference attributable to the use of an alternative method of parameter calculation. The NMEM procedure offers the possibility of including covariates such as dose, age, and weight. In this study the covariates did not influence the derived parameters. A combination approach to meta-analysis of published mean data is recommended, where the TSM is the first step, followed by the NMEM approach. [source] In vivo release of oxytetracycline from a biodegradable controlled-release gel injected subcutaneously in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2003L. A. Tell A long-acting, biodegradable, controlled-release formulation of oxytetracycline (CR-OTC) was evaluated in 18 adult Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) following a single subcutaneous (s.c.) injection. Prior to characterizing the release of oxytetracycline (OTC) from the CR-OTC, the pharmacokinetic parameters of intravenously (i.v.) administered OTC were determined. Concentrations of free OTC were measured using a bioassay. The plasma concentration,time profile of OTC after a single i.v. injection at 20 mg/kg was best fit to an open two-compartmental model, with the following pharmacokinetic parameters: area under the curve (AUC) = 36.72 mg · h/L, terminal elimination half-life = 2.34 h, clearance (Cl) = 0.545 L/kg/h. Plasma [OTC] was >1.0 ,g/mL for at least 4 h following i.v. injection. The CR-OTC gel was well tolerated at a dosage of 1500 mg/kg s.c. Plasma [OTC] rose to >1.0 ,g/mL within 24 h; it remained >1.0 ,g/mL for at least 10 days in all birds sampled at that time point (n = 9) and for at least 18 days in two of nine birds. Using a deconvolution technique, it was determined that approximately 54.8% of the administered OTC was released from the CR-OTC over the 45-day observation period. This long-acting, biodegradable controlled-release OTC formulation may have potential for the treatment of chlamydophila infections and other OTC-sensitive bacteria in Japanese quail, however further studies are necessary to determine its safety and clinical application. [source] Influence of endotoxin on the disposition kinetics and dosage regimens of oxytetracycline in calvesJOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2003R. Kumar The influence of endotoxin on the disposition kinetics of oxytetracycline (OTC) (10 mg/kg) was investigated in five healthy ruminating male crossbred calves. The serum concentration-time data of OTC before and after endotoxin challenge were best described by a two-compartment open model. Repeated administration of Escherichia coli endotoxin (1 ,g/kg, i.v.) at an interval of 12 h up to 48 h produced a clear rise in the body temperature and an increase in the pulse and respiration rates. Endotoxin caused a significant reduction in mean transit time in tissue compartment (MTTT) (P , 0.05), mean residence time in the peripheral tissue compartment (MRTT) (P , 0.05), mean residence time in the body (MRTB) (P , 0.05), elimination half-life (t1/2,2) (P , 0.05) and distribution space in tissues (VT) (P , 0.01) and at steady-state (Vd(ss)) (P , 0.01). Endotoxin had no effect on the distribution clearance (ClD), systemic clearance (Cl) and distribution half-life of OTC, while the values of first order rate constant of transfer of drug from tissue to central compartment (K21) and the zero time intercept at terminal phase (C2) were significantly high. The drug dosage regimens to maintain serum OTC concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 ,g/mL were also determined in febrile and clinically healthy animals. [source] Serum pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline in sheep and calves and tissue residues in sheep following a single intramuscular injection of a long-acting preparationJOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2000A. L. CRAIGMILL The pharmacokinetics of a long-acting oxytetracycline (OTC) formulation (Liquamycin® LA-200®) injected intramuscularly (i.m.) at a dose of 20,mg/kg were determined in four calves and 24 sheep to determine if the approved label dose for cattle provided a similar serum time/concentration profile in sheep. The AUC for the calves was 168±14.6 (,g ? h/mL) and was significantly less than the AUC for sheep (209±43,,g ? h/mL). Using the standard two-stage approach and a one-compartment model, the mean Cmax for the calves was 5.2±0.8,,g/mL, and for the sheep was 6.1±1.3,,g/mL. The mean terminal phase rate constants were 0.031 and 0.033 h, and the Vdss were 3.3 and 3.08,L/kg for the calves and sheep respectively. Analysis of the data using the standard two-stage approach, the naive pooled-data approach and a population model gave very similar results for both the cattle and sheep data. Sheep tissue residues of OTC in serum, liver, kidney, fat, muscle and injection site were measured at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after a single i.m. injection of 20,mg/kg OTC. Half-lives of OTC residues in the tissues were 38.6, 33.4, 28.6, 25.4, 21.3, and 19.9,h for injection site, kidney, muscle, liver, mesenteric fat and renal fat, respectively. The ratio of tissue to serum concentration was fairly consistent at all slaughter times, except for the fat and injection sites. The mean ratios were 1.72, 4.19, 0.11, 0.061, 0.84 and 827 for the liver, kidney, renal fat, mesenteric fat, muscle and injection sites, respectively. The tissue concentrations of OTC residues were below the established cattle tolerances for OTC in liver (6,p.p.m.), muscle (2,p.p.m.) and kidney (12,p.p.m.) by 48,h, and in injection site muscle by 14,days after the single i.m. injection of 20,mg/kg. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||