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Biomedical subjects

Ebrahim A Balbisi

Publications and source records attributed to Ebrahim A Balbisi.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Management of hyperlipidemia: new LDL-C targets for persons at high-risk for cardiovascular events.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains the leading cause of mortality in the United States, and is associated with significant health care costs. Current evidence overwhelmingly confirms the role of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the risk of CHD events. The approach to the management of hyperlipidemia has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Randomized clinical trails have provided strong evidence that lowering plasma cholesterol with statins reduces the risk of cardiovascular events, particularly in high-risk patients, irrespective of baseline cholesterol levels. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) report was released in July 2004. The report examined the results of recently concluded clinical trials and provided consensus recommendations on the management of hyperlipidemia. The report expands on the core content of the previously published guidelines. However, it is by far the most aggressive approach to date for reducing CHD risk. A focal element of the report is the modification of LDL-C goal in high-risk patients to <70 mg/dL. This goal is provided as a therapeutic option and is based on findings of recently concluded clinical trials. The more aggressive recommendations add challenges to the health care system, as the number of patients requiring drug therapy is likely to increase. In spite of the challenges, there are ample opportunities for improving the management of hyperlipidemia. Adherence to the recommendations will vastly reduce morbidity and mortality associated with CHD.

Azetidines↗
PubMed2002

Efficacy and safety of almotriptan malate for migraine.

The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, and dosage and administration of almotriptan are reviewed. Migraine is a common disorder with a serious impact on quality of life. Newer serotonin-receptor agonists have been developed with the aim of improving pharmacokinetic characteristics. Almotriptan, a selective agonist of serotonin receptors 1B and 1D, carries FDA-approved labeling for use in the management of migraine with or without aura in adults. The efficacy and receptor affinity resemble those of sumatriptan, but almotriptan has a more favorable pharmacokinetic profile. It has a rapid onset of action, an oral bioavailability of 70-80%, and a longer half-life than sumatriptan. In clinical trials, almotriptan has been significantly more effective than placebo and as effective as sumatriptan. However, it has been associated with better tolerability and greater patient satisfaction. In clinical trials, the most commonly reported adverse effects were nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, somnolence, fatigue, vomiting, and paresthesia. Almotriptan is contraindicated in patients with known ischemic heart disease, coronary vasospasm, and other significant cardiovascular disorders. Almotriptan has a lower acquisition cost than other triptans and possibly lower overall health care costs because of a lower frequency of cardiovascular adverse effects. The recommended dose of almotriptan is one 6.25- or 12.5-mg tablet given at the onset of symptoms. Almotriptan is effective for the management of migraine and offers the potential for fewer adverse effects than other agents in its class.

Biological Availability↗
PubMed2002

Cefditoren, a new aminothiazolyl cephalosporin.

Cefditoren pivoxil, an oral third-generation cephalosporin, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in September 2001. It has been used in Japan for several years. The greatest therapeutic potential of cefditoren appears to be its activity against gram-positive and gram-negative organisms causing respiratory tract infections and skin and skin-structure infections, such as Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Cefditoren is also effective against methicillin-susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Nevertheless, cefditoren has no activity against atypical pathogens, including Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Legionella sp. Moreover, cefditoren does not inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Bacteroides fragilis. In virtually all studies, cefditoren has compared favorably against other orally administered antibiotics used against the most commonly isolated respiratory tract pathogens. Its side effect profile includes diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, and dyspepsia. Cefditoren is indicated for treatment of mild-to-moderate acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, pharyngitis-tonsillitis, and uncomplicated skin and skin-structure infections caused by susceptible strains of organisms in adults and adolescents (> or = 12 yrs of age). Based on its reported antimicrobial activity, cefditoren has potential for empiric management of most commonly encountered respiratory tract infections. Additional studies will further define its role in clinical practice.

Acute Disease↗