The adverse-effect profile of lacosamide

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Lacosamide has been used in epilepsy patients in the United States, Europe and Asia since it was approved by the FDA in 2008. Many patients have benefited from this drug as a new generation of sodium channel blocker. With the worldwide use of this drug, its adverse effects have gradually emerged, especially some rare adverse events.

Areas covered: The present review aims to summarize the adverse effects of lacosamide reported in the literature in recent years to promote the safe clinical application of the drug.

Expert opinion: In more than 10 years of experience in drug usage, adverse reactions of lacosamide have also been gradually discovered. The review showed that lacosamide is safe and effective in antiepileptic treatment, and its common side effects are dizziness, headache, drowsiness, diplopia, and cardiovascular abnormalities. Skin rashes, hematotoxicity and heart damage, psychological symptoms and suicide risk have also been reported and emphasized.     

我院药物代谢酶和药物作用靶点基因检测与精准药学服务实践与总结

目的回顾我院药物代谢酶和药物作用靶点相关基因检测与精准药学服务实践过程,总结经验,与同行分享。方法从准备工作、相关检测项目的确定,学术推广、项目优化和开展情况等方面详细阐述我院基因检测开展过程与精准药学服务情况。结果根据临床需求,我院已开展了以心脑血管药和抗精神病药为主的27种药物,26项检测,2018年全年位1587名患者提供个体化用药建议,受到临床医生和患者欢迎。结论基于代谢酶和药物作用靶点相关基因检测的个体化用药建议是临床药师参与精准治疗的重要途径,有助于医生和药师之间的沟通,有利于提高药学服务水平。     

欧盟草药药品监管模式对中国中药注册管理的启示＊

对药品实行注册管理制度是确保公众健康的全球通用的监管措施。中药作为承载中医药理论与用药实践的主要载体，对中药产品的注册管理又具有其特殊性。2017年正式实施的《中医药法》提出了建立符合中医药特点管理制度的发展方针，研究制定配套文件或修订现行规章以适应衔接其立法精神是当前重要的现实问题之一。欧盟在植物药监管领域取得了良好成效，本文旨在系统分析欧盟对其注册管理的法规体系，深入剖析其监管特点和对中国中药注册管理的启示，以期为当前《中医药法》背景下中药监管制度的改革提供参考。     

CDC42 promotes vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease

Vascular calcification is prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a major risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Vascular calcification is now recognised as a biological process similar to bone formation involving osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Cell division cycle 42 (CDC42), a Rac1 family member GTPase, is essential for cartilage development during endochondral bone formation. However, whether CDC42 affects osteogenic differentiation of VSMCs and vascular calcification remains unknown. In the present study, we observed a significant increase in the expression of CDC42 both in rat VSMCs and in calcified arteries during vascular calcification. Alizarin red staining and calcium content assay revealed that adenovirus-mediated CDC42 overexpression led to an apparent VSMC calcification in the presence of calcifying medium, accompanied with up-regulation of bone-related molecules including RUNX2 and BMP2. By contrast, inhibition of CDC42 by ML141 significantly blocked calcification of VSMCs in vitro and aortic rings ex vivo. Moreover, ML141 markedly attenuated vascular calcification in rats with CKD. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of AKT signal was shown to block CDC42-induced VSMC calcification. These findings demonstrate for the first time that CDC42 contributes to vascular calcification through a mechanism involving AKT signalling; this uncovered a new function of CDC42 in regulating vascular calcification. This may provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of vascular calcification in the context of CKD. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Total Knee Arthroplasty Is Safe and Successful in Patients With Klippel-Trénaunay Syndrome

Background

Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome (KTS) is a severe vascular malformation that can lead to hypertrophic osteoarthritis. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed in extremities affected with KTS is challenging given the high-risk vascular considerations and occasionally poor bone quality.

Multifocal lymphangioendotheliomatosis without thrombocytopenia or clinical signs of systemic bleeding

Multifocal lymphangioendotheliomatosis with thrombocytopenia (MLT) is an extremely rare recently described disorder characterized by diffuse congenital skin and gastrointestinal vascular lesions that may be associated with gastrointestinal bleeding and thrombocytopenia. We herein present a case report of multifocal lymphangioendotheliomatosis without thrombocytopenia or extensive extracutaneous involvement (gastrointestinal bleeding). Given the high morbidity and mortality associated with this disease, it is important for clinicians to recognize this disorder in order to select the most appropriate therapeutic approach.