Search Results
Painful peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus that can affect almost every tissue of the body. In the absence of a curative therapy for this disorder, pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic tools, or a combination of both, can be used to provide relief of symptoms. This article reviews medications currently used to manage painful diabetic neuropathy. The pathogenesis of painful diabetic neuropathy is described as a basis for understanding medication selection. The literature describing the pharmacologic properties of medications used to treat painful diabetic neuropathy is also reviewed. Comparisons of medication dosages, frequencies, and adverse effects are offered to help with selection of the most appropriate agent for each individual patient. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 97(5): 394–401, 2007)
Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
An Overview for the Podiatric Physician
Deep venous thrombosis is a common but underdiagnosed medical condition. The epidemiologic features, economic impact, morbidity, and mortality of venous thromboembolism make it imperative that the podiatric physician be familiar with its pathogenesis as well as its pharmacologic treatment. Medical literature rooted in clinical evidence has demonstrated that low-molecular-weight heparins are safe and effective for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. The primary purpose of this article is to review the pharmacologic characteristics of low-molecular-weight heparins. Dosing recommendations for low-molecular-weight heparins as they apply to the prevention of deep venous thrombosis are presented. Finally, a dosing criteria chart is presented to assist the podiatric physician in prescribing and evaluating low-molecular-weight heparins as a therapeutic class. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 95(4): 383–389, 2005)
Fracture Healing
An Appraisal of the Effects of Frequently Prescribed Medications
Background
Recognizing the existence of adverse drug effects of frequently prescribed drugs can empower a clinician with knowledge to avoid dangerous adverse effects that may result in hazardous, negative patient outcomes on either fracture healing or bone health. Pharmacovigilance reports have described the influence of medications, allowing for bone health to be quite unpredictable.
Methods
First, mechanisms found in the medical literature of potential drug adverse effects regarding fracture healing are presented. Second, the 100 most frequently prescribed medications in 2010 are reviewed regarding adverse effects on fracture healing. These reported adverse effects are evaluated for medical causation. Last, a data table describing the 100 reviewed medications and their reported effects on fracture healing is provided.
Results
The actual number of different medications in the review was 72. Reported drug adverse effects on bone and fracture healing occurred with 59 of the 72 drugs (81.9%). These adverse effects are either described as a definitive statement or represented by postmarketing case reports. Thirteen of the 72 review drugs (18.1%) did not have any description of the possible effects on bone health. A total of 301 cases reports describing delayed union, malunion, and nonunion of fractures represent 31 of the 72 medications reviewed (43.1%).
Conclusions
This review offers the health-care provider information regarding potential adverse drug effects on bone health. Empowered with this information, clinicians may assist their patients in maximizing pharmacologic outcomes by avoiding these reported harmful adverse effects.
