Slovo úvodem

prof. PharmDr. Martin Doležal, Ph.D.

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 199  

Current trends in pharmacotherapy of metabolic syndrome

Lenka Ťupová, Aleš Šorf

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 208-213 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2022.044  

Metabolic syndrome (MS) can be defined as a cluster of risk factors that significantly predict the development of life-threatening cardiovascular complications. The cornerstones of MS management are identification of patients in early stages and their positive motivation to change the lifestyle which is critical to properly compensate individual components of MS. Pharmacists also play a key role in the management of MS. When regimen changes are found insufficient or when the disease state is decompensated, the pharmacological treatment is indicated. Alongside the gold standard medicines such as ACE inhibitors, statins or metformin, new modern drugs...

Treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction

Marcela Čechová

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 214-218 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2022.045  

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) represent most common male problems, typically associated with aging. Moreover, these problems are often combined and can have a negative impact on quality of life. LUTS have been typically related to subvesical obstruction due to prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), however can have several other causes. If treatment is required, LUTS/BPH can be managed in most cases pharmacologically. If surgical treatment is indicated, endoscopic approach is preferred. Effective pharmacological options are also available in the treatment of ED, the most used drugs are phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors....

Elimination half­‑life is not just a pharmacological profile

MUDr. Ondřej Strýček, Ph.D., MUDr. Jitka Kočvarová

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 4-10  

When choosing the optimal drug, we focus on several key characteristics of the drug. The drug pharmacokinetic profile is usually a less significant factor in this choice. The aim of the following article is to clearly explain why we should pay particular attention to the elimination half-life as an important pharmacokinetic parameter. We also want to point out its role in anti-seizure medication, for which the stability of plasma drug levels is essential.

The role of pioglitazon in modern treatment of type 2 diabetes

MUDr. Pavlína Piťhová, Ph.D.

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 11-19  

Type 2 diabetes patients are at high risk for macrovascular complications and suffer from very high cardiovascular mortality. Recent trials have demonstrated that agents in two antidiabetic classes (SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists) are able to reduce cardiovascular complications in diabetics. People have forgotten that very similar evidence is available also in an older preparation - pioglitazone, which can retard the atherosclerotic process and reduce cardiovascular events. Pioglitazone is an insulin sensitizer, that causes durable improvement of metabolic control and improves multiple components of metabolic syndrome including non-alcoholic...

Tafamidis

Renáta Aiglová, Miloš Táborský

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 204-207 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2022.043  

Tafamidis, a selective transthyretin stabilizer, is a novel specific therapy for transthyretin amyloidosis. This multisystemic disease is burdened by variable manifestations and a relatively unfavorable prognosis. Tafamidis is currently indicated according to guidelines for the treatment of patients with TTR-cardiomyopathy in NYHA functional class I and II to reduce symptoms, hospitalizations for cardiovascular causes and mortality.

What's new with standardised extract Ginkgo biloba leaf extract EGb 761

Vilma Vranová

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 252-255 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2022.051  

Medicinal products containing ginseng extract belong to ATC group N06DX Other anti-dementia drugs. Their indications are dementia syndrome, occlusive disease of peripheral arteries, vertigo and tinnitus of a vascular or involutional nature. Currently, we understand more about the role of chronic systemic inflammation in the pathogenesis of many diseases, from atherosclerosis through diabetes mellitus II. type to Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. The focus of research on the effect of standardized of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract are the mechanisms of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect. Anti-inflammatory effect of EGB 761 is mainly...

Gastroretentive dosage forms

Jakub Vysloužil

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 224-228 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2022.047  

The group of gastroretentive delivery systems includes medicines that show the ability to remain in the stomach for a longer period than standard dosage forms. It is a heterogeneous group of products that achieve the gastric retention by various mechanisms. This review provides basic information about these mechanisms, with mention about the physiological aspects which gastroretentive products must deal with. It also contains an overview of marketed gastroretentive products including those registered in the Czech Republic. The last part is a short mention about evaluation specialities.

Medical devices in wound healing II: Wound plasters

Barbora Vraníková, Andrej Kováčik

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 247-251 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2022.050  

Wound dressings represent a large group of medical devices, while the wound plasters used for the acute treatment of minor injuries are the most frequently used subcategory of these devices. Therefore, the aim of this article is to bring a basic overview of traditional plasters, which can be divided into cut-to-size plasters, plaster strips and medical tapes. The article further describes the essential modifications of these irreplaceable aids, namely waterproof and water-resistant plasters, and skin closure strips.

Theophylline - hidden risks

PharmDr. Pavel Čermák, PharmDr. Josef Švéda, PharmDr. Jan Dvořák

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 20-26  

The possibilities of pharmacotherapeutic alleviation of dyspnoea represent an important topic. When choosing medication a great amount of factors need to be considered with respect to medical condition of a particular patient. One of the well-established bronchodilator drug is a purine analogue theophylline. It is important to remember that this caffeine-related substance may in addition to the positive therapeutic effects (bronchodilator, immunomodulatory) show also some characteristic negative ones such as tachycardia, hypokalaemia, diarrhea, insomnia, convulsions, etc. The article describes a case report of a cardiological patient to whom theophylline...

Physico-chemical properties of colistin and their impact on clinical practice

Jitka Rychlíčková, Vendula Kubíčková

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 27-36  

Colistin, a lipopeptide antibacterial agent, has a narrow-spectrum bactericidal activity only against gram-negative bacteria. It is administered as an inactive prodrug - colistin methanesulphonate, which is spontaneously converted to the active colistin. Its stability is concentration-, temperature-, and pH-dependent; moreover, the type of the carrier solution also plays a role. The stability of the colistin prodrug solutions has several implications for clinical practice, whether in intravenous or inhalation administration. Appropriate storage and properly selected type of test tubes and laboratory equipment are essential in therapeutic drug monitoring...

Akutní infekce horních cest dýchacích Význam α‑sympatomimetik

Dr. Wolfgang Luxenberger

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 256-261  

What should the pharmacy recommend to patients complaining of a cough?

Veronika Bárková

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 229-240 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2022.048  

A pharmacy is a medical facility to which patients come even before the doctor's visit, either with mild acute or chronic cough-related problems. The pharmacist's role in self-medication counseling is crucial, because without proper evaluation of the patient's condition, it is difficult to choose the right treatment and regimen measures. There is currently a wide variety of over-the-counter medicinal products available on the market and the pharmacist and pharmaceutical assistant should be aware of their indications, contraindications, dosage regiment and potential risks. The aim of the article is to present the possibilities of evaluating the patient's...

Medicines dispensed without a prescription for self-treatment of selected gastrointestinal diseases

Eliška Marková

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 241-246 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2022.049  

The pharmacist and pharmaceutical assistant roles include counseling in the field of over-the-counter medicinal products in the self-treatment of various gastrointestinal problems. This article provides a basic overview of over-the-counter medicinal products for the treatment of diarrhea, constipation, and dyspepsia - their indications, contraindications, and possible adverse effects of their administration.

The use of methadone as a co-analgetic in the treatment of pain - a case report from clinical practice

Anna Králová, Zuzana Křemenová

Prakt. lékáren. 2022; 18(4): 219-223 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2022.046  

Methadone is now available in the Czech Republic for treatment of chronic pain. It is a medicinal substance with unique pharmacological properties used in the treatment of complicated painful conditions. Non-standard application of methadone as a co-analgesic, principles of non-linear rotation from another opioid, and moreover, management of specific adverse effects of methadone are described in the palliative medicine case study.