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Biomedical subjects

E M Kuck

Publications and source records attributed to E M Kuck.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

[Acute delirium, probably precipitated by clarithromycin].

Clarithromycin is a relatively new antibiotic with many applications. Its frequent use explains why side-effects previously reported seldom now become clear. Two patients, a man aged 74 and a woman aged 56 years, developed delirium after treatment with clarithromycin as part of eradication treatment of Helicobacter pylori, presumably as a result of an ideosyncratic reaction to the clarithromycin. Preclinical and clinical investigations did not reveal side effects on the central nervous system. By now the appearance of a delirium presumably related to the use of clarithromycin has been described in several patients. Furthermore some patients had a positive rechallenge. Finally, 17 reports on psychiatric side effects, of which 7 were delirium, after the use of clarithromycin reached the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Foundation (Lareb). This combination of facts makes a causal relationship probable.

Acute Disease↗

Troglitazone. Is it all over?

In January 1997 a drug from a new pharmacological class, the thiazolidinediones, became available: troglitazone. Troglitazone indirectly enhances peripheral insulin sensitivity. In this way it lowers the levels of both glucose and insulin. Troglitazone also has a lowering effect on the levels of triglycerides. In clinical trials only mild side effects had been observed. Therefore, troglitazone seemed a promising drug. Recently, however, it became clear that troglitazone could cause liver dysfunction in some patients. Although this side effect is reversible in most cases, six deaths have been described due to liver damage. Troglitazone was to be introduced in Europe in 1998 but registration procedures and clinical trials have been stopped because of its side effects on the liver. In the United States and Japan troglitazone is still being used, albeit with extra precautions. Troglitazone is a valuable addition to the arsenal of antidiabetic drugs for type 2 diabetes. It can be particularly useful, both as an additive and as a replacement, in patients for whom metformin is not suitable because of contraindications or side effects. The risk of severe liver dysfunction is a reason to reserve troglitazone as a second-line drug.

Animals↗

Tissue concentrations after a single-dose, orally administered ofloxacin in patients with diabetic foot infections.

We studied the penetration of orally administered ofloxacin at the site of diabetes-related foot infections in patients with a planned debridement of the lesion. A total of nine patients received 800 mg of oral ofloxacin 120 to 150 minutes before surgery. During surgery, vital margin tissue and a serum sample were obtained. Serum and tissue concentrations of ofloxacin were measured. From seven patients sufficient amounts of tissue were obtained. Mean serum concentration was 7.0+/-3.5 mg/liter; mean tissue concentrations was 11.5+/-8.4 mg/kg. Mean serum and tissue concentrations exceed the minimal inhibitory concentration90 (MIC90) of commonly involved pathogens. This indicates that orally administered ofloxacin can be an effective treatment for infected diabetic foot lesions.

Administration, Oral↗