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Benzodiazepines may increase risk of CAP, mortality
Benzodiazepines, which have been associated with an increased incidence of infections in the critically ill, also may increase the risk of community-acquired pneumonia, according to a recent report published in Thorax.
Benzodiazepines, which have been associated with an increased incidence of infections in the critically ill, also may increase the risk of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and mortality following pneumonia, according to a recent report published in Thorax.
In a case-control study of approximately 29,700 controls and 5,000 patients with CAP from a UK patient database (2001-2002), researchers investigated the association between benzodiazepines and CAP occurrence as well as the impact of the drugs on mortality in the patients with CAP.
Eneanya Obiora, Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham, UK, and colleagues found that use of benzodiazepines was associated with an increased risk of pneumonia (OR=1.54; 95% CI, 1.42–1.67). Diazepam, lorazepam, and temazepam were all associated with an increased incidence of CAP. In addition, this drug class was associated with increased 30-day (HR=1.22; 95% CI, 1.06–1.39) and long-term mortality (HR=1.32; 95% CI, 1.19–1.47) in patients who had a prior diagnosis of CAP.
The authors of the study suggested that further research is needed to determine the immune safety profile of benzodiazepines.
Coalition promotes important acetaminophen dosing reminders
November 18th 2014It may come as a surprise that each year Americans catch approximately 1 billion colds, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 20% get the flu. This cold and flu season, 7 in 10 patients will reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to treat their coughs, stuffy noses, and sniffles. It’s an important time of the year to remind patients to double check their medicine labels so they don’t double up on medicines containing acetaminophen.
Support consumer access to specialty medications through value-based insurance design
June 30th 2014The driving force behind consumer cost-sharing provisions for specialty medications is the acquisition cost and not clinical value. This appears to be true for almost all public and private health plans, says a new report from researchers at the University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID Center) and the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC).
Management of antipsychotic medication polypharmacy
June 13th 2013Within our healthcare-driven society, the increase in the identification and diagnosis of mental illnesses has led to a proportional increase in the prescribing of psychotropic medications. The prevalence of mental illnesses and subsequent treatment approaches may employ monotherapy as first-line treatment, but in many cases the use of combination of therapy can occur, leading to polypharmacy.1 Polypharmacy can be defined in several ways but it generally recognized as the use of multiple medications by one patient and the most common definition is the concurrent use of five more medications. The presence of polyharmacy has the potential to contribute to non-compliance, drug-drug interactions, medication errors, adverse events, or poor quality of life.
Medical innovation improves outcomes
June 12th 2013I have been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the pancreas, a disease that’s long been considered not just incurable, but almost impossible to treat-a recalcitrant disease that some practitioners feel has given oncology a bad name. I was told my life would be measured in weeks.
