The LECOM Center for Drug Information and Research (CDIR) is comprised of a team of health-science professionals and educators. These team members serve their communities as drug information specialists. It is their expertise, collaborative efforts, and commitment to the LECOM School of Pharmacy’s vision that allows the CDIR to provide drug literature education, communication and support services in an effort to ensure the safe and effective use of medications.
We encourage you to submit your drug information questions to the CDIR. Submit your question here.
Ondansetron for Post-Op and General Nausea
Reader Question: What is the most appropriate way to prescribe ondansetron for ordinary or post op nausea? Response: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) occurs in 30% of surgical patients and is a major concern for patients as they contemplate surgery[1]. Risk factors for development of PONV include female gender, history of motion sickness or PONV, type
Do NSAIDs delay healing of bone? Do they increase the risk of nonunion of fractures?
Adina Solis, PharmD Candidate Prostaglandins play a role in both bone resorption and bone formation. Prostaglandins are potent stimulators of cytokines and growth factors which mediate bone resorption. The inflammatory response to trauma leads to resorption of necrotic tissue and the production of bone forming cells, eventually leading to new bone. Without this primary inflammatory
Levetiracetam for post-traumatic seizures?
Drug Information Question: Should levetiracetam be used first line for posttraumatic seizure prophylaxis? Yoadys Fernandez, PharmD LECOM 2012 Response:: Seizures are a recognized complication in patients with acute traumatic brain injury. Within the first week or two after injury, post traumatic seizure incidence is about 6-10 % but may be as high as 30 %
What effect does rivaroxaban have on INR
Response prepared by: Katie Kelly, PharmD; Abbey Powers, PharmD Currently, there is limited evidence on proper monitoring techniques for rivaroxaban in regards to INR. We have contacted the manufacturer (Janssen) and have received information regarding ex vivo/in vitro studies conducted. Some of these studies have been published, while others have not. Asmis et al. (2012)1 – conducted a
Does tigecycline have a place in therapy for hospital-acquired pneumonia or ventilator-associated pneumonia?
Tigecycline is FDA approved in patients 18 years of age or older for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections (SSSI) caused by susceptible organisms, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin sensitive Enterococcus faecalis. In addition, it is indicated for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by
Etidronate for the prophylaxis of heterotopic ossification following total hip arthroplasty
Total hip arthroplasty or hip replacement surgery can result in a painful new bone formation known as heterotopic ossification. The incidence of heterotopic ossification following total hip arthroplasty is estimated to be approximately 53%, especially when risk factors, including a prior history of heterotopic ossification, prior trauma/operations, ankylosing spondylitis, Paget’s disease or rheumatoid arthritis are