CP, April 2016, Vol 8, No 4

Bipolar disorder: pharmacotherapy options with a focus on women of childbearing age

Bipolar disorder and its implications for women of childbearing age, with a focus on the use of valproate and how this compares to other available pharmacologic treatments.…

Bridging anticoagulation: perioperative management of patients on anticoagulants

How patients on anticoagulants can be effectively managed in the perioperative period, including the evidence for the need for ‘bridging’ anticoagulation therapy and introduction of direct oral anticoagulants.…

Enthusiasm for PCSK9 inhibitors to lower LDL cholesterol is premature

Although PCSK9 inhibitors have been hailed as the next big thing in the treatment of high cholesterol, there are not enough data to make informed opinions about their overall value.…

E-cigarettes in smoking cessation: a harm reduction perspective

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are novel devices that simulate aspects of cigarette smoking and deliver nicotine to users. Evidence for their efficacy in smoking cessation, based on several randomised controlled trials of older devices, suggests a modest effect. They appear to be far less harm…

The effectiveness of granisetron transdermal patch in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy. It can have a negative impact on quality of life and may discourage patients from continuing treatment. Economic impacts include costs of prolonged hospital stays, emergency admissions for de…

Antidepressant class not linked to increased cardiovascular risk

Study of nearly 240,000 patients shows SSRI antidepressants are not linked with increased risk of cardiovascular events.…

Curcumin boosts immune cell power against tuberculosis

Incubating cells with turmeric compound reduced Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.…

Follow-up more than six weeks after heart attack linked to reduced medication adherence

Researchers looked at the effect of follow-up appointments on medicine adherence following acute myocardial infarction.…

Omalizumab reduces colds in children with asthma

Children treated with omalizumab had 27% fewer colds then those treated with guideline-based care.…

Community pharmacies effective at public health interventions

A systematic review of public health interventions in community pharmacies showed they were as effective as usual care.…