![[114] Shingrix: A New Vaccine for Shingles](https://www.ti.ubc.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/114-150x150.png)
[114] Shingrix: A New Vaccine for Shingles
Herpes zoster (HZ) or “shingles” occurs when the varicella zoster virus (VZV), lying latent in the sensory ganglia, becomes reactivated. An HZ outbreak typically presents as a vesicular skin eruption most characteristically forming a painful girdle around one side of the thorax. The rash and pain usually resolve over a few weeks. However, about 10% of patients with shingles develop some degree of … [Read more...]
Shingrix vaccine for herpes zoster
Drug Assessment Working Group Systematic Review Report Efficacy and safety of adjuvanted herpes zoster subunit vaccine October 2018 Background Herpes zoster (HZ) or “shingles” infection occurs through the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) in the sensory ganglia. The outbreak typically presents as a unilateral vesiculopustular rash along a dermatome, with accompanying … [Read more...]
![[113] How well do you know your anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) drugs?](https://www.ti.ubc.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/113-150x150.png)
[113] How well do you know your anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) drugs?
Anticholinergic drugs, prescribed for a variety of clinical conditions, are amongst the most frequently used prescription drugs in BC (Table 1). Also referred to as “antimuscarinics,” such drugs specifically block muscarinic receptors for acetylcholine (ACh).1 Muscarinic ACh receptors are important in the parasympathetic nervous system that governs heart rate, exocrine glands, smooth muscles, as … [Read more...]
![[112] Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome](https://www.ti.ubc.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/112-150x115.png)
[112] Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome
Antidepressant drugs are associated with drug tolerance, dependence and a discontinuation syndrome similar to other drug classes such as the opiates and benzodiazepines. The effects of stopping any antidepressant should be more precisely termed “withdrawal syndrome” instead of “antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.” What is it? Antidepressant withdrawal syndrome refers to physical and … [Read more...]
![[111] Deprescribing Proton Pump Inhibitors](https://www.ti.ubc.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/111-150x150.png)
[111] Deprescribing Proton Pump Inhibitors
The first PPI was approved in Canada in 1988. Pronounced and durable reduction of stomach acid production made omeprazole a “blockbuster drug”, spawning multiple imitators. Eventually this included (as patent extensions) the single enantiomers esomeprazole and dexlansoprazole. Prescription PPIs are approved for peptic ulcer disease (PUD), gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), and non-ulcer dyspepsia. … [Read more...]
![[110] Stimulants for ADHD in children: Revisited](https://www.ti.ubc.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/110-150x150.png)
[110] Stimulants for ADHD in children: Revisited
This Letter reviews our previous publications and research on this topic and explores whether our publications have led to a change in prescribing of stimulants to children in BC. Despite concerns, stimulant drug treatment of childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has increased worldwide over the last two decades.1 The optimal management of this behavioral condition remains … [Read more...]
![[109] Inhaled long acting β2 agonists for COPD](https://www.ti.ubc.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/109-150x150.png)
[109] Inhaled long acting β2 agonists for COPD
In Therapeutics Letter #1021 we reviewed the inhaled long acting β2 agonist (LABA) indacaterol for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We concluded “There are no proven clinically meaningful benefits in terms of reduction in mortality or total serious adverse events…” for this indication based on 12 trials in 6,947 patients. In this Letter we report systematic reviews of 3 other inhaled … [Read more...]
![[108] Drugs to avoid](https://www.ti.ubc.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/108-150x150.png)
[108] Drugs to avoid
In two previous Therapeutics Letters we presented Clinical Pearls from Prescrire International.1,2 Prescrire is one of a small number of drug bulletins in the world, which reports on prescription drugs and is completely independent of industry influence. The front page of Prescrire International states, “Funded by subscribers. No advertising, no grants, no shareholders.” The inside jacket … [Read more...]
![[107] EMPA-REG OUTCOME Trial: What does it mean?](https://www.ti.ubc.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/107-150x150.png)
[107] EMPA-REG OUTCOME Trial: What does it mean?
Empagliflozin (Jardiance) inhibits the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2), which is the predominant mechanism responsible for reabsorption of glucose from the glomerular filtrate back into the circulation. By inhibiting SGLT2, empagliflozin increases urinary glucose excretion.1 Empagliflozin was approved by Health Canada in 2015 to improve glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 … [Read more...]
![[106] Using Best Evidence for the Management of Hypertension](https://www.ti.ubc.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/106-146x150.png)
[106] Using Best Evidence for the Management of Hypertension
Elevated blood pressure, commonly referred to as hypertension, is prevalent and has become “big business”. As a result much that is written about hypertension is conflicted and influenced by vested interests. It is thus important to know how to find the least biased evidence. Adding to the complexity, the term “evidence” is used in many different ways with many meanings. This Letter uses the term … [Read more...]
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