Pharmacy for Practice, 2023, issue 3

Editorial

Jak se vyznat v nových formách nikotinu

prof. MUDr. Eva Králíková, CSc.

Farmacie pro praxi. 2023;19(3):143

Current pharmacotherapy

Diabetes monitoring for pharmacists

Robert Bém

Farmacie pro praxi. 2023;19(3):151-157

Glucose determination is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. In addition to laboratory blood glucose testing, there is currently a variety of options available for monitoring glucose levels, especially in the patient's home environment. These options include the use of glucometers and intermittent or continuous monitoring using sensors. Patients thus have the opportunity to perform highly effective self-monitoring and actively participate in diabetes management. According to Czech and international recommendations, glucose sensors are currently indicated for all individuals with type 1 diabetes. Insulin pumps are further indicated...

Current trends in COPD treatment

Ondřej Zela

Farmacie pro praxi. 2023;19(3):158-161

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) ranks globally among the most frequent chronic respiratory diseases, affecting approximately 8 % of world population and is strongly associated with smoking. In the Czech republic, about 30 % of population over 15 years are smokers, spending almost 120 billion CZK (equivalent of 5.5 billion USD) every year on tobbaco products (about 11,000 CZK/500 USD per capita). COPD is one of the major diseases routinely treated by pulmonologists. About 300,000 patients are unaware of their condition and thus untreated. The purpose of the following text is to highlight the basic principles of modern COPD treatment.

Current trends in treatment of atopic dermatitis - a minimum for pharmacists

Petra Brodská

Farmacie pro praxi. 2023;19(3):162-166

Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease. The complex of different interactions between individual genetic predisposition to atopic diseases (bronchial asthma, allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, and food or inhalant allergy), environmental factors, epidermal barrier dysfunction and abnormalities of the immune system with predominance Th2 response are involved. Treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis could be challenging. Over the last few years, new advances in the understanding of atopic dermatitis pathogenic mechanisms and inflammatory pathways have led to the identification of specific therapeutic targets...

Monoclonal antibodies in neurology - treatment of multiple sclerosis and migraines

Olga Bartošová

Farmacie pro praxi. 2023;19(3):168-171

Monoclonal antibodies have become a mainstay in the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis. Their mechanism of action targets distinct immune mechanisms of multiple sclerosis pathophysiology. Natalizumab acts by binding to cell surface receptors and thus prevents the migration of leukocytes across the blood-brain barrier. Alemtuzumab, rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab and ublituximab eliminate a selected population of pathogenic cells. Opicinumab acts as a transmembrane signaling protein (LINGO-1) antagonist. These drugs are an important pillar in the treatment of scattered. However, potential side effects can be serious and may require discontinuation...

E-version

Serious states induced by taking psychopharmacs and their treatment

Eva Češková, Kateřina Horská

Farmacie pro praxi. 2023;19(3):e4-e9

The article summarizes current knowledge of severe states associated with taking antidepressants and antipsychotics. These states usually require immediate intervention and include acute and tardive dystonia, tardive dyskinesias, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, serotonin syndrome and withdrawal-induced syndrome. Regarding their severity, and sometimes unexpectedly manifestation, they represent severe adverse events subjected to compulsory reporting to State Institute for Drug Control, Department of Pharmacovigilance.

Drug treatment of hypertension in pregnancy

Renata Cífková

Farmacie pro praxi. 2023;19(3):e10-e14

Hypertension is the most frequent non-obstetric complication effecting about 10% of pregnancies. Hypertension in pregnancy is classified as either pre-existing (chronic) or gestational, developing after 20 weeks of gestation and usually resolving within 6 weeks postpartum. Systolic blood pressure ≥ 170 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 110 mmHg are considered an emergency and hospitalization is indicated. The selection of antihypertensive drugs and the way they are administered depend on blood pressure values, gestational age and the estimated time of delivery. According to the current European and Czech guidelines, initiation of drug...

Drug interactions of medications used in the therapy of erectile dysfunction with dietary supplements

Josef Suchopár, Štěpán Suchopár, Michal Prokeš

Farmacie pro praxi. 2023;19(3):e15-e19

Herbal products, or food supplements made from them, can lead to drug interactions as well as drugs. However, manufacturers of such food supplements do not point out possible drug interactions. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (iPDE5) inhibitors are widely used drugs, the common feature of which is degradation by the CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 pathways. Inhibitors and inducers of these cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes cause drug interactions of varying severity, and only for some of them is it possible to find a recommended management in the SPC. The aim of the article is to provide basic information about herbal products with the potential to influence pharmacokinetics...

Medicamenta nova

Daridorexant - new dual orexin receptors antagonist for the treatment of insomnia

Petra Matalová

Farmacie pro praxi. 2023;19(3):148-150

daridorexant is a dual orexin type 1 and types 2 (OX1 and OX2) receptor antagonist that was recently approved by the US FDA for the treatment of adults suffering from insomnia. It was shown to be effective in reducing insomnia symptoms, increasing daytime functioning, and improving the overall quality of sleep. Daridorexant offers patients relief from insomnia while avoiding the severe side effects and dependency issues of traditional treatments like benzodiazepines and sedatives. Increased caution and dose reduction is appropriate in patients taking moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors. Daridorexant is contraindicated in patients taking strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.

Phytotherapy

Prickly pear cactus - active compounds and therapeutic effects

Zdeňka Navrátilová

Farmacie pro praxi. 2023;19(3):177-181

Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear) is a shrubby cactus which originates from Mexico. It gives edible fruits known as Indian figs, cactus figs or prickly pears. All parts of plant (stem cladodes, flowers, fruits, seeds, roots) contain many bioactive compounds with numerous pharmacological activities. Prickly pear cactus has wide use not only in traditional medicine and modern studies often confirm its therapeutic effects. The article summarizes current knowledge about bioactive compounds and potential therapeutic effects of prickly pear.

Self-treatment

Self treatment of insomnia

Olga Nedopílková, Šárka Močidlánová

Farmacie pro praxi. 2023;19(3):182-186

Insomnia is a main sleep disorder that significantly disrupts an individual's daily activity. Poor-quality or insufficient sleep can lead to fatigue, work inefficiency, a decrease in daytime vigilance, and even impaired cognitive functions. Good sleep is perceived as one of the basic attributes of good health. Therefore, information about insomnia should always be paid close attention to

Varicella-recommended treatment in pharmacy

Jana Kopuletá

Farmacie pro praxi. 2023;19(3):188-190

Varicella (chicken pox) is one of the most common acute infectious diseases of childhood. It is caused by primary infection with the herpes varicella zoster virus (VZV) of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae. This group of DNA viruses is characterized by rapid reproduction, perineural spread, the ability of latency and subsequent reactivation. After experiencing varicella, the virus persists in the nerve ganglia and manifests itself as herpes zoster (shingles) upon reactivation. Typically, varicella occurs in the form of generalized polymorphic seeding on the skin - exanthema and mucous membranes - enanthema. In childhood the disease usually has a mild...

Case reports from the pharmaceutical practice

Limitations of idarucizumab efficacy in acute renal failure - a case report

Jitka Rychlíčková, Tomáš Trávníček, Tereza Jelínková, Jan Žák

Farmacie pro praxi. 2023;19(3):173-176

Idarucizumab, a monoclonal antibody fragment capable of binding dabigatran molecules in a 1 : 1 stoichiometric relationship, is a specific antidote for dabigatran. The dose of idarucizumab was estimated based on observed plasma concentrations of dabigatran to achieve immediate, complete, and sustained reversal of the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran. Currently, a single dose of 5 g intravenously is recommended. However, in certain situations, the capacity of idarucizumab may be exhausted, and dabigatran plasma concentrations may rise again within hours of initial administration. We illustrate one such situation with a patient with acute renal failure,...