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Biomedical subjects

D A Chamberlain

Publications and source records attributed to D A Chamberlain.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Long-term control of bacteriuria with trimethoprim-sulphonamide.

Long-term antibacterial therapy with the drug combination trimethoprim-sulphonamide has been used for the treatment of 52 patients with persistent or recurrent bacteriuria. Hypersensitivity or gastrointestinal intolerance was observed in six. Bacteriuria was controlled in 36 out of 38 patients with organisms sensitive to trimethoprim-sulphonamide, 28 having received treatment for periods ranging from 6 to 49 months. Treatment was in some cases curative and in others suppressive or prophylactic. The importance of supportive measures is re-emphasized.

Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary↗

Plasma concentrations of digoxin after oral administration in the fasting and postprandial ste.

After the oral administration of 0.5 mg of digoxin in tablet form to fasting subjects peak plasma levels were reached in 30 to 60 minutes. Levels then fell to reach a plateau at six to eight hours. When the same dose was given after food the peak plasma concentrations were significantly lower, but the concentrations reached in samples obtained from two to eight hours after the dose did not differ appreciably from corresponding samples obtained in the fasting experiments.In a four-week cross-over study of 21 patients on maintenance therapy, digoxin taken regularly in the fasting state produced plasma concentrations similar to those obtained when the drug was taken after meals.The rapid appearance of digoxin in the blood suggests that the oral route of administration is adequate for most patients who require rapid digitalization, and the timing of maintenance dosage in relation to meals is unimportant.

Administration, Oral↗

Plasma digoxin concentrations in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Plasma digoxin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in 116 patients with atrial fibrillation on long-term oral treatment with the drug, and in 23 patients with digoxin toxicity. The mean concentrations were 1.4 ng./ml. and 3.1 ng./ml., respectively. Though an overlap occurred between the therapeutic and toxic ranges, toxicity is unlikely to occur below a level of 2 ng./ml. Plasma concentration showed a poor correlation with resting heart rate during atrial fibrillation. In patients with good renal function, however, a significant correlation was found between oral dose and plasma concentration. No evidence was obtained for increased sensitivity to therapeutic concentrations of the drug in elderly subjects, but the doses required to achieve these concentrations tended to be less than in younger patients.

Administration, Oral↗

Potassium depletion in severe heart disease.

Exchangeable sodium and potassium, total body water, and sulphate space were measured in 42 patients with severe valvular heart disease who were free of oedema. Compared with normal subjects of the same height, no increase in exchangeable sodium was found but a mean potassium depletion of 27% was shown. This depletion was not related to diuretic therapy, and no relationship between the degree of depletion and postoperative arrhythmias was found. It is concluded that the major cause of the low exchangeable potassium is the reduction in cell mass that occurs in chronic heart disease, and that there is no significant fall in the intracellular potassium concentration.

Adult↗