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Sympathomimetic Drugs (sympathomimetic + drug)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	100%

Selected Abstracts

Non-prescription medicine use by outpatients of a hospital in north-central Trinidad living with hypertension, and the potential clinical risks

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 5 2008
Miss Rian Extavour Assistant Lecturer, principal investigator
Objective To describe the reported use of non-prescription medicines (NPMs) and the reported frequency of use by outpatients living with hypertension; to identify potential drug-drug and drug-disease interactions between reported NPMs and either antihypertensives prescribed or hypertension. Setting Adult outpatient clinics of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex Adult Hospital in Trinidad. Method Outpatients were interviewed about their use of NPMs using a structured instrument. Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test was used to test for associations between NPM use and selected variables: age group, gender, education level, number of prescribed medicines, use of prescribed medicines and the presence of comorbidities. Combinations of NPMs and antihypertensive drugs or hypertension itself that may lead to undesirable interactions were identified. Key findings One hundred and fifty-five clients were interviewed (mean age 61 years; 46% men; 56% of East Indian descent). Of these, 82% were living with a cardiac condition and 60% with diabetes mellitus. In addition, 92% reported using NPMs to treat minor illnesses. Analgesic use was reported by 81%. Some 66% reported using paracetamol, 54% reported antitussives, 48% antacids, 47% antihistamines and 39% said they used sympathomimetic drugs. The majority (98%) of NPMs were used only when needed. Sixty per cent had at least one combination a with risk of interaction with NPMs and hypertension or antihypertensive medicines: 16% had risk of interactions between enalapril (or captopril) and antacids, 13% between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), 12% between beta-blockers and NSAIDs and 12% between thiazide diuretics and NSAIDs. Thirty-nine per cent had a drug-disease interaction risk due to sympathomimetic drugs and 26% had one due to NSAID use. Conclusion Based on self-reports, outpatients living with hypertension in north-central Trinidad use NPMs when needed to treat minor illnesses, mainly paracetamol for pain. Non-prescription-antihypertensive interactions may arise due to ACE inhibitor/antacid combinations and NPM-hypertension interactions may result from use of sympathomimetics. Interactions may also arise as a result of the use of NPMs containing NSAIDs and sodium. [source]

Myocardial infarction associated with the administration of intravenous ephedrine and metaraminol for spinal-induced hypotension

ANAESTHESIA, Issue 5 2009
A. Khavandi
Summary A 31-year-old female with no risk factors for cardiac disease suffered a peri-operative myocardial infarction during an elective gynaecological procedure under spinal anaesthesia. The timing and nature of cardiac symptoms suggest that the myocardial infarction was caused by coronary artery vasospasm secondary to ephedrine and/or metaraminol, which were administered to treat spinal-induced hypotension. We review the recent literature and case reports on myocardial infarction attributed to sympathomimetic drugs, and recommend the use of sublingual or intravenous nitrates when signs or symptoms of coronary arterial vasospasm become evident during their use. [source]

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis associated with pseudoephedrine

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2004
M.A. Padial
Summary Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is an uncommon skin disorder most often caused by drugs. Few adverse reactions to sympathomimetic drugs have been reported, despite their extensive use. Although the aetiology of AGEP remains uncertain, recent data have reported involvement of drug-specific T cells and interleukin (IL)-8 production. We characterized an adverse reaction to pseudoephedrine both clinically and immunologically. Histological analysis of skin biopsies confirmed the clinical entity as AGEP, while epicutaneous tests confirmed the specificity of the reaction to the drug. Moreover, immunohistochemical studies showed a mononuclear infiltrate consisting of activated memory T cells in addition to polymorphonuclear cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed an increased expression of IL-8 in AGEP-affected skin. [source]