Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Z Desta

Publications and source records attributed to Z Desta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Pharmacokinetics and QT interval pharmacodynamics of oral haloperidol in poor and extensive metabolizers of CYP2D6.

We studied the pharmacokinetics and QT interval pharmacodynamics of a single 10 mg dose of oral haloperidol in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of healthy poor (PMs) and extensive (EMs) metabolizers of CYP2D6. There was a statistically significant greater mean QT(c) on haloperidol (421.6+/-20.1 ms) than on placebo (408.4+/-18.5 ms, P=0.0053) occurring 10 h post haloperidol/placebo administration. Men and women had similar ranges of QT(c) changes from placebo. Despite a statistically significant greater mean elimination half-life (19.1+/-3.6 vs 12.9+/-4.0 h, P=0.04) and lower mean apparent oral clearance (12.8+/-4.1 vs 27.0+/-11.3 ml/min/kg, P=0.02) of haloperidol in CYP2D6 PMs than in EMs, this exposure change did not translate into marked QT(c) changes from baseline that could be considered clinically important. Although the magnitude of the mean QT(c) prolongation on haloperidol relative to placebo is relatively small, it may assume significance in the presence of other risk factors for QT prolongation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Stereoselective pharmacokinetics of cisapride in healthy volunteers and the effect of repeated administration of grapefruit juice.

AIMS: To determine whether the pharmacokinetics of cisapride and its interaction with grapefruit juice are stereoselective. METHODS: The study was a randomized, two-phase cross over design with a washout period of 2 weeks. Ten healthy volunteers were pretreated with either water or 200 ml double strength grapefruit juice three times a day for 2 days. On the 3rd each subject ingested a single 10 mg dose of rac-cisapride tablet. Double strength grapefruit juice (200 ml) or water was administered during cisapride dosing and 0.5 and 1.5 h thereafter. Blood samples were collected before and for 32 h after cisapride administration. Plasma concentrations of cisapride enantiomers were measured by a chiral h.p.l.c. method. A standard 12-lead ECG was recorded before cisapride administration (baseline) and 2, 5, 8, and 12 h later. RESULTS: This study showed that cisapride pharmacokinetics are stereoselective. In control (water treated) subjects, the mean Cmax (30 +/- 13.6 ng ml-1; P = 0.0008) and AUC(0, infinity) (201 +/- 161 ng ml-1 h; P = 0.029) of (-)-cisapride were significantly higher than the Cmax (10.5 +/- 3.4 ng ml-1) and AUC(0, infinity) (70 +/- 51.5 ng ml-1 h) of (+)-cisapride. There was no marked difference in elimination half-life between (-)-cisapride (4.7 +/- 2.7 h) and (+)-cisapride (4.8 +/- 3 h). Compared with the water treated group, grapefruit juice significantly increased the mean Cmax of (-)-cisapride from 30 +/- 13.6-55.5 +/- 18 ng ml-1 (95% CI on mean difference, -33, -17; P = 0.00005) and of (+)-cisapride from 10.5 +/- 3.4 to 18.4 +/- 6.2 ng ml-1 (95% CI on mean difference, -11.8, -3.9, P = 0.00015). The mean AUC(0, infinity) of (-)-cisapride was increased from 201 +/- 161 to 521.6 +/- 303 ng ml-1 h (95% CI on mean difference, -439, -202; P = 0.0002) and that of (+)-cisapride from 70 +/- 51.5 to 170 +/- 91 ng ml-1 h (95% CI on mean difference, -143, -53; P = 0.0005). The tmax was also significantly increased for both enantiomers (from 1.35 to 2.8 h for (-)-cisapride and from 1.75 to 2.9 h for (+)-cisapride in the control and grapefruit juice group, respectively; P < 0.05). The t(1/2) of (-)-cisapride was significantly increased by grapefruit juice, while this change did not reach significant level for (+)-cisapride. The proportion of pharmacokinetic changes brought about by grapefruit juice was similar for both enantiomers, suggesting non-stereoselective interaction. We found no significant difference in mean QTc intervals between the water and grapefruit juice treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacokinetics of cisapride is stereoselective. Grapefruit juice elevates plasma concentrations of both (-)- and (+)-cisapride, probably through inhibition of CYP3A in the intestine. At present, there are no data on whether the enantiomers exhibit stereoselective pharmacodynamic actions. If they do, determination of plasma concentrations of the individual enantiomers as opposed to those of racemic cisapride may better predict the degree of drug interaction, cardiac safety and prokinetic efficacy of cisapride.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2001

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoforms by isoniazid: potent inhibition of CYP2C19 and CYP3A.

Isoniazid (INH) remains the most safe and cost-effective drug for the treatment and prophylaxis of tuberculosis. The use of INH has increased over the past years, largely as a result of the coepidemic of human immunodeficiency virus infection. It is frequently given chronically to critically ill patients who are coprescribed multiple medications. The ability of INH to elevate the concentrations in plasma and/or toxicity of coadministered drugs, including those of narrow therapeutic range (e.g., phenytoin), has been documented in humans, but the mechanisms involved are not well understood. Using human liver microsomes (HLMs), we tested the inhibitory effect of INH on the activity of common drug-metabolizing human cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoforms using isoform-specific substrate probe reactions. Incubation experiments were performed at a single concentration of each substrate probe at its K(m) value with a range of INH concentrations. CYP2C19 and CYP3A were inhibited potently by INH in a concentration-dependent manner. At 50 microM INH (approximately 6.86 microg/ml), the activities of these isoforms decreased by approximately 40%. INH did not show significant inhibition (<10% at 50 microM) of other isoforms (CYP2C9, CYP1A2, and CYP2D6). To accurately estimate the inhibition constants (K(i) values) for each isoform, four concentrations of INH were incubated across a range of five concentrations of specific substrate probes. The mean K(i) values (+/- standard deviation) for the inhibition of CYP2C19 by INH in HLMs and recombinant human CYP2C19 were 25.4 +/- 6.2 and 13 +/- 2.4 microM, respectively. INH showed potent noncompetitive inhibition of CYP3A (K(i) = 51.8 +/- 2.5 to 75.9 +/- 7.8 microM, depending on the substrate used). INH was a weak noncompetitive inhibitor of CYP2E1 (K(i) = 110 +/- 33 microM) and a competitive inhibitor of CYP2D6 (K(i) = 126 +/- 23 microM), but the mean K(i) values for the inhibition of CYP2C9 and CYP1A2 were above 500 microM. Inhibition of one or both CYP2C19 and CYP3A isoforms is the likely mechanism by which INH slows the elimination of coadministered drugs, including phenytoin, carbamazepine, diazepam, triazolam, and primidone. Slow acetylators of INH may be at greater risk for adverse drug interactions, as the degree of inhibition was concentration dependent. These data provide a rational basis for understanding drug interaction with INH and predict that other drugs metabolized by these two enzymes may also interact.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2001

Stereoselective metabolism of cisapride and enantiomer-enantiomer interaction in human cytochrome P450 enzymes: major role of CYP3A.

Cisapride is a chiral molecule that is marketed as a racemate consisting of two optical isomers, but little is known about its stereoselective metabolism. Studies with (-)-, (+)-, and (+/-)-cisapride were undertaken in human liver microsomes (HLMs) and recombinant cytochrome P450s (P450s) to determine the stereoselective metabolism and enantiomer-enantiomer interaction. Each enantiomer and racemic cisapride were N-dealkylated to norcisapride (NORCIS) and hydroxylated to 3-fluoro-4-hydroxycisapride (3-F-4-OHCIS) and 4-fluoro-2-hydroxycisapride (4-F-2-OHCIS). The kinetics for the formation of NORCIS from (-)-cisapride (Km = 11.9 +/- 4.8 microM; Vmax = 203 +/- 167 pmol/min/mg of protein) or (+)-cisapride (Km = 18.5 +/- 4.7 microM; Vmax = 364 +/- 284 pmol/min/mg of protein) in HLMs exhibited simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics, while a sigmoidal model characterized those of 3-F-4-OHCIS and 4-F-2-OHCIS. In vitro, NORCIS appears to be the major metabolite of both enantiomers. NORCIS and 3-F-4-OHCIS were preferentially formed from (+)-cisapride rather than (-)-cisapride, but that of 4-F-2-OHCIS was the reverse, suggesting regio- and stereoselective metabolism. The formation rate of each metabolite from each enantiomer (20 microM) in 18 HLMs was highly variable (e.g., NORCIS, >35-fold) and correlated with the activity of CYP3A (r = 0.6-0.85; p < 0.05). Coincubation of troleandomycin (50 microM) with cisapride enantiomers (15 microM) in HLMs resulted in potent inhibition of NORCIS formation (by 75-80%), while other inhibitors showed negligible effect. Of 10 recombinant human P450s tested, CYP3A4 catalyzed the formation of NORCIS, 3-F-4-OHCIS, and 4-F-2-OHCIS from each enantiomer and racemic cisapride (15 microM) with the highest specific activity (Km values close to those in HLMs). We noted that the rate of racemic cisapride metabolism by HLMs and recombinant human CYP3A4 is slower compared with equimolar concentrations of each enantiomer. When incubated simultaneously in HLMs, the enantiomers inhibit each other's metabolism. In conclusion, our data demonstrate for the first time the stereoselective metabolism and enantiomer-enantiomer interaction of cisapride. Provided that the potency or the response of the enantiomers differ, understanding the factors that control their disposition as opposed to that of racemic cisapride may better predict adverse drug interactions and the resulting prokinetic efficacy and cardiac safety of cisapride.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗
PubMed2000

Stereoselective determination of cisapride, a prokinetic agent, in human plasma by chiral high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection: application to pharmacokinetic study.

We have developed a simple, sensitive, specific and reproducible stereoselective high-performance liquid chromatography technique for analytical separation of cisapride enantiomers and measurement of cisapride enantiomers in human plasma. A chiral analytical column (ChiralCel OJ) was used with a mobile phase consisting of ethanol-hexane-diethylamine (35:64.5:0.5, v/v/v). This assay method was linear over a range of concentrations (5-125 ng/ml) of each enantiomer. The limit of quantification was 5 ng/ml in human plasma for both cisapride enantiomers, while the limit of detection was 1 ng/ml. Intra- and inter-day C.V.s did not exceed 15% for all concentrations except at 12.5 ng/ml for EII (+)-cisapride, which was approximately 20 and 19%, respectively. The clinical utility of the method was demonstrated in a pharmacokinetic study of normal volunteers who received a 20 mg single oral dose of racemic cisapride. The preliminary pharmacokinetic data obtained using the method we describe here provide evidence for the first time that cisapride exhibits stereoselective disposition.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed2000

In vitro inhibition of the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) system by the antiplatelet drug ticlopidine: potent effect on CYP2C19 and CYP2D6.

AIMS: To examine the potency of ticlopidine (TCL) as an inhibitor of cytochrome P450s (CYP450s) in vitro using human liver microsomes (HLMs) and recombinant human CYP450s. METHODS: Isoform-specific substrate probes of CYP1A2, 2C19, 2C9, 2D6, 2E1 and 3A4 were incubated in HLMs or recombinant CYPs with or without TCL. Preliminary data were generated to simulate an appropriate range of substrate and inhibitor concentrations to construct Dixon plots. In order to estimate accurately inhibition constants (Ki values) of TCL and determine the type of inhibition, data from experiments with three different HLMs for each isoform were fitted to relevant nonlinear regression enzyme inhibition models by WinNonlin. RESULTS: TCL was a potent, competitive inhibitor of CYP2C19 (Ki = 1.2 +/- 0.5 microM) and of CYP2D6 (Ki = 3.4 +/- 0.3 microM). These Ki values fell within the therapeutic steady-state plasma concentrations of TCL (1-3 microM). TCL was also a moderate inhibitor of CYP1A2 (Ki = 49 +/- 19 microM) and a weak inhibitor of CYP2C9 (Ki > 75 microM), but its effect on the activities of CYP2E1 (Ki = 584 +/- 48 microM) and CYP3A (> 1000 microM) was marginal. CONCLUSIONS: TCL appears to be a broad-spectrum inhibitor of the CYP isoforms, but clinically significant adverse drug interactions are most likely with drugs that are substrates of CYP2C19 or CYP2D6.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed2000

Selection of drugs to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: the role of drug interactions.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is probably the most common acid-peptic disease in Western countries, and the successful treatment of mild to moderate disease with pharmacotherapy has become commonplace. A large number of effective drugs are now available, and so the decision-making process for physicians increasingly relies on considerations other than pure efficacy. Cost, adverse effects and drug interactions have therefore become important, particularly in the most vulnerable patients - children, the elderly and patients who are ill and are taking medications that may influence the efficacy of antireflux therapy. Important drug interactions with antacids include the prevention of the absorption of antibacterials such as tetracycline, azithromycin and quinolones. H2 antagonists, proton pump inhibitors and prokinetic agents undergo metabolism by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system present in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Cimetidine is an inhibitor of CYP3A and it may cause significant interactions with drugs of narrow therapeutic range and low bioavailability that are metabolised by these enzymes. The gastroparietal proton pump inhibitors lansoprazole, omeprazole and pantoprazole are all primarily metabolised by a genetically polymorphic enzyme, CYP2C19, that is absent from approximately 3% of Caucasians and 20% of Asians. These drugs may also interact with CYP3A, but to a lesser extent. Interactions with prokinetic agents carry the greatest potential for harm. Metoclopramide is a dopamine antagonist that may cause extrapyramidal effects when administered alone at high concentrations, or when coadministered with antipsychotic agents such as haloperidol or phenothiazines. Cisapride is clearly able to prolong the electrocardiographic QT interval and cause lethal ventricular arrhythmias when its metabolism is slowed by interaction with inhibitors of CYP3A, such as erythromycin, ketoconazole or itraconazole.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Interaction of cisapride with the human cytochrome P450 system: metabolism and inhibition studies.

Using human liver microsomes (HLMs) and recombinant cytochrome P450s (CYP450s), we characterized the CYP450 isoforms involved in the primary metabolic pathways of cisapride and documented the ability of cisapride to inhibit the CYP450 system. In HLMs, cisapride was N-dealkylated to norcisapride (NORCIS) and hydroxylated to 3-fluoro-4-hydroxycisapride (3-F-4-OHCIS) and to 4-fluoro-2-hydroxycisapride (4-F-2-OHCIS). Formation of NORCIS, 3-F-4-OHCIS, and 4-F-2-OHCIS in HLMs exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics (K(m): 23.4 +/- 8.6, 32 +/- 11, and 31 +/- 23 microM; V(max): 155 +/- 91, 52 +/- 23, and 31 +/- 23 pmol/min/mg of protein, respectively). The average in vitro intrinsic clearance (V(max)/K(m)) revealed that the formation of NORCIS was 3.9- to 5. 9-fold higher than that of the two hydroxylated metabolites. Formation rate of NORCIS from 10 microM cisapride in 14 HLMs was highly variable (range, 4.9-133.6 pmol/min/mg of protein) and significantly correlated with the activities of CYP3A (r = 0.86, P =. 0001), CYP2C19, and 1A2. Of isoform-specific inhibitors, 1 microM ketoconazole and 50 microM troleandomycin were potent inhibitors of NORCIS formation from 10 microM cisapride (by 51 +/- 9 and 44 +/- 17%, respectively), whereas the effect of other inhibitors was minimal. Of 10 recombinant human CYP450s tested, CYP3A4 formed NORCIS from 10 microM cisapride at the highest rate (V = 0.56 +/- 0. 13 pmol/min/pmol of P450) followed by CYP2C8 (V = 0.29 +/- 0.08 pmol/min/pmol of P450) and CYP2B6 (0.15 +/- 0.04 pmol/min/pmol of P450). The formation of 3-F-4-OHCIS was mainly catalyzed by CYP2C8 (V = 0.71 +/- 0.24 pmol/min/pmol of P450) and that of 4-F-2-OHCIS by CYP3A4 (0.16 +/- 0.03 pmol/min/pmol of P450). Clearly, recombinant CYP2C8 participates in cisapride metabolism, but when the in vitro intrinsic clearances obtained were corrected for abundance of each CYP450 in the liver, CYP3A4 is the dominant isoform. Cisapride was a relatively potent inhibitor of CYP2D6, with no significant effect on other isoforms tested, but the K(i) value derived (14 +/- 16 microM) was much higher than the clinically expected concentration of cisapride (<1 microM). Our data suggest that CYP3A is the main isoform involved in the overall metabolic clearance of cisapride. Cisapride metabolism is likely to be subject to interindividual variability in CYP3A expression and to drug interactions involving this isoform.

Cisapride↗
PubMed1999

Effect of clarithromycin on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of pimozide in healthy poor and extensive metabolizers of cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6).

BACKGROUND: The use of pimozide is associated with prolongation of the QT interval and fatal ventricular arrhythmia. We recently reported 2 fatal cases in patients taking pimozide and clarithromycin and we have shown that clarithromycin inhibits CYP3A-mediated metabolism of pimozide in vitro. In this study, we examined the effect of clarithromycin on pimozide pharmacokinetics and QT interval changes in a total of 12 healthy subjects (7 men and 5 women), documented as extensive metabolizers or poor metabolizers of CYP2D6. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design, subjects were given a single 6-mg oral dose of pimozide after 5 days of treatment with clarithromycin (500 mg twice a day) or a placebo pill. Blood samples were obtained before and for 96 hours after pimozide administration, and plasma pimozide and clarithromycin concentrations were measured by HPLC. Electrocardiograms for the analysis of the QTc intervals were recorded immediately before each blood sample. RESULTS: Pimozide significantly lengthened QTc interval in the first 20 hours in both the placebo-treated groups (delta QTcmax = 13.3 +/- 5.3 ms; P = .003) and clarithromycin-treated groups (delta QTcmax = 15.7 +/- 9.5 ms; P = .005) compared with baseline values. This is consistent with an effect of the parent drug. Clarithromycin caused a significant increase in the peak plasma concentration (P = .015), terminal elimination half-life (P = .003), and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (P = .024) and a decrease in the clearance (P = .029) of pimozide. Mean QTcmax observed within 20 hours of pimozide administration was significantly greater in the clarithromycin-treated group (23.8 +/- 12.2 ms; P = .0397) than in the placebo-treated group (16.8 +/- 6 ms). There was no significant effect of CYP2D6 or gender on the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of pimozide. CONCLUSIONS: A single 6-mg oral dose of pimozide resulted in measurable QT interval changes. Clarithromycin inhibited CYP3A-mediated pimozide metabolism and the resulting elevation in plasma concentrations may increase the risk of pimozide cardiotoxicity.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Identification and characterization of human cytochrome P450 isoforms interacting with pimozide.

Using human liver microsomes (HLMs) and recombinant human cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoforms, we identified the major route of pimozide metabolism, the CYP450 isoforms involved, and documented the inhibitory effect of pimozide on CYP450 isoforms. Pimozide was predominantly N-dealkylated to 1,3-dihydro-1-(4-piperidinyl)-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (DHPBI). The formation rate of DHPBI showed biphasic kinetics in HLMs, which suggests the participation of at least two activities. These were characterized as high-affinity (K(m1) and Vmax1) and low-affinity (K(m2) and Vmax2) components. The ratio of Vmax1 (14 pmol/min/mg protein)/K(m1) (0.73 microM) was 5.2 times higher than the ratio of Vmax2 (244 pmol/min/mg protein)/K(m2) (34 microM). K(m2) was 91 times higher than K(m1). The formation rate of DHPBI from 25 microM pimozide in nine human livers correlated significantly with the catalytic activity of CYP3A (Spearman r = 0.79, P = .028), but not with other isoforms. Potent inhibition of DHPBI formation from 10 microM pimozide was observed with ketoconazole (88%), troleandomycin (79%), furafylline (48%) and a combination of furafylline and ketoconazole (96%). Recombinant human CYP3A4 catalyzed DHPBI formation from 10 microM pimozide at the highest rate (V = 2.2 +/- 0.89 pmol/min/pmol P450) followed by CYP1A2 (V = 0.23 +/- 0.08 pmol/min/pmol P450), but other isoforms tested did not. The K(m) values derived with recombinant CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 were 5.7 microM and 36.1 microM, respectively. Pimozide itself was a potent inhibitor of CYP2D6 in HLMs when preincubated for 15 min (Ki = 0.75 +/- 0.98 microM) and a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A (Ki = 76.7 +/- 34.5 microM), with no significant effect on other isoforms tested. Our results suggest that pimozide metabolism is catalyzed mainly by CYP3A, but CYP1A2 also contributes. Pimozide metabolism is likely to be subject to interindividual variability in CYP3A and CYP1A2 expression and to drug interactions involving these isoforms. Pimozide itself may inhibit the metabolism of drugs that are substrates of CYP2D6.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed1998

Human N-demethylation of (S)-mephenytoin by cytochrome P450s 2C9 and 2B6.

We tested the ability of human liver microsomes (HLMs) and recombinant human cytochrome P450 (CYP or P450) isoforms to catalyze the N-demethylation of nirvanol-free (S)-mephenytoin [(S)-MP] in vitro. In mixed HLMs, the kinetics of (S)-MP N-demethylation suggested two contributing activities. A high-affinity/low-capacity component exhibited a KM of 174.1 microM and a Vmax of 170.5 pmol/mg protein/min, whereas a low-affinity/high-capacity component exhibited a KM of 1911 microM and a Vmax of 3984 pmol/mg protein/min. The activity of the high-affinity component was completely abolished by sulfaphenazole, with little effect on the low-affinity component. Of the recombinant P450 isoforms tested, only CYP2B6 and CYP2C9 formed nirvanol from (S)-MP. The KM value (150 +/- 42 microM) derived for recombinant CYP2C9 was close to that obtained for the high-affinity/low-capacity component in mixed HLMs (KM = 174.1 microM). The predicted contribution of this activity at concentrations (1-25 microM) achieved after a single 100-mg dose of racemic MP is approximately 30% of the rate of nirvanol formation. At concentrations of >1000 microM, we estimate that >90% of the rate can be explained by the low-affinity activity (CYP2B6). Therefore, the N-demethylation of (S)-MP to nirvanol may be a useful means of probing the activity of CYP2B6 in vitro when concentrations of >1000 microM are used, but it is unlikely to be a suitable phenotyping tool for this isoform in vivo, where concentrations of >1000 microM are rarely encountered.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed1997

Sensitive assay for pimozide in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection: application to pharmacokinetic studies.

A method is described for the measurement of pimozide in human plasma using HPLC with fluorescence detection. The method is specific and sensitive in the range of concentrations seen in human plasma after conventional dosing (1-15 ng/ml) with a limit of quantification of 1 ng/ml. The calibration curves are linear for concentrations between 1 and 50 ng/ml. Within-day and inter-day coefficients of variation are less than 7.4% and 15.5%, respectively, at three concentrations of pimozide (2, 10 and 20 ng/ml). Intra-day and inter-day bias are less than 18.5% and 12.5%, respectively. A pharmacokinetic study conducted in a healthy volunteer administered 6 mg of pimozide orally demonstrates the utility of this method.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed1997

Assessment of rational drug use and prescribing in primary health care facilities in north west Ethiopia.

A study on rational drug use was undertaken in nine health centres (HCs) and nine health stations (HSs) in Ethiopia. Prescribing, patient care and facility specific factors were measured using drug use indicators. Prescribing patterns of drugs were also assessed. With only few exceptions, the drug use indicators in HCs and HSs and between retrospective and prospective studies were similar despite differences in manpower and facilities. The average consultation time (in minutes) in HSs and HCs was 5.1 +/- 0.8 and 5.8 +/- 1.06, respectively. The dispensing time (in minutes) was 1.5 +/- 0.7 in HSs and 1.9 +/- 0.6 in HCs. Both patient care indicators seem to be adequate to influence patient satisfaction to the overall health service and patient knowledge of important dosage instructions. Most drugs (more than 89% in HCs and 71% in HSs) were actually dispensed from the health facilities and labelling was satisfactory. Prescribing by generic names (average: 75% in HCs and 83% in HSs) was encouraging. While the availability of key drugs was ensured, essential documents were missing in most facilities or they were unpopular for use, and those available required revision and updating. Polypharmacy in which the number of drugs/encounter was < 2.5 was minimal, but that a large proportion of the prescriptions contained two or more drugs could result in adverse drug-drug interactions. The most frequently prescribed drugs were anti-infectives and analgesics accounting for over 76% in HCs and 82% in HSs and in most cases they are probably prescribed with little justification. The exposure of patients to antibiotics (average: 60% in HCs and 65% in HSs) was unacceptably high to justify epidemiological trends. The high exposure of patients to injections, especially in the HSs (over 37%), should be seen from the health and economic points of view. The results revealed priority areas for intervention. They also provide standard references to compare drug use situations and their change over time in different settings, area and time in Ethiopia.

Drug Prescriptions↗
PubMed1996

Prescription writing in Gondar outpatient teaching hospital, Ethiopia.

A total of 19,119 prescriptions consecutively written between January-July 1992 were collected from Gondar outpatient hospital selling pharmacy and reviewed to determine physician's adherence to the basic principles of prescription order writing. In 36.6%, 16.8% and 12.4% of the prescriptions, respectively, age, sex and chart numbers of patients were not recorded. Twelve percent, 7%, 6.4%, 5.8% and 1.6% of the prescriptions did not indicate routes of drug administration, directions for drug use, frequency of drug administration, drug dose and duration of treatment, respectively. No prescription order had special advice or warnings to the patient and in 10.8% of the cases date was omitted. Out of the dispensed drugs, 82.9% were written in generic names and over 70% were included in the Essential Drug List of Ethiopia. The five most commonly dispensed individual drugs were ampicillin (10.4%), paracetamol (9.5%), TB 450 + isoniazid (7.4%), penicillin G (6.8%) and aspirin (5.8%). As therapeutic classes, antiinfectives were most common (47.8%) of which antibacterials constituted 38.1%, followed by analgesic-antipyretics (17.5%). Most drugs were prescribed by young medical interns and dispensed by less qualified personnel. Our preliminary survey indicates that essential components of a prescription order were omitted to a great extent and suggested to modify the existing undergraduate pharmacotherapeutic teaching in order to promote rational use and prescribing before bad habits get a chance to develop. The type of drugs dispensed at the selling pharmacy could not be beneficial to the patient without competent professional patient counselling, delivery of correct information as well as appropriate prescription monitoring.

Drug Prescriptions↗
PubMed1995

Prescribing pattern of antibacterial drugs in a teaching hospital in Gondar, Ethiopia.

The prescribing pattern of antibacterial agents was analyzed by reviewing case notes of 407 patients discharged between October and November 1992 from a teaching hospital in Gondar, North-West Ethiopia. Seventy percent had received one or more antibacterials. Most exposure was in surgical ward (84%) followed by paediatric (82%), orthopaedic (78%), medical (72%), gynaecologic (58%) and obstetric (20%) wards. The antibacterials most frequently prescribed were penicillin G (25%), chloramphenical (24%), and ampicillin (20%). The total list numbered 13 and included no cephalosporines or quinoline derivatives. The preliminary survey indicated an inappropriate use of antibacterials and suggested the need to develop a policy on hospital antibacterial use.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1992

Effects of isoniazid on hepatic drug oxidation and N-acetylation capacities in rats.

In vitro and in vivo activity of hepatic monooxygenase as well as in vivo N-acetylation capacity were assessed in male Wistar rats after oral pretreatment with 10 and 50 mg/kg isoniazid for 7 d. Both doses of isoniazid showed no statistical difference in protein contents, total cytochrome P-450 and the activities of aminopyrine N-demethylase as well as ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase in the 9000 x g liver homogenate suspension compared to the saline pretreated group. Body and relative liver weights remained also unchanged. In vivo isoniazid pretreatment with either dose hardly changed the kinetic profiles and parameters of phenazone and sulfadimidine (free + total). The results suggest that drug metabolizing pathways that can be evaluated by the metabolism of the model substances employed here may not be modified by prolonged isoniazid treatment.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1992

Pharmacodynamic interactions between isoniazid and theophylline in mice and rats, and the influence of pyridoxine.

Convulsions induced by acute administration of isoniazid (1), theophylline (2) as well as combinations of 1 and 2 were evaluated in male albino mice and male Wistar rats. The effect of pyridoxine (3) on these seizures was tested. Serum and brain levels of 1 after coadministration with 2 and caffeine (4) were assessed. The relevance of the observed pharmacokinetic phenomena in serum is questionable for the CNS processes because animals convulsed late (starting 90 min) and no significant changes of brain levels of 1 were observed. In conclusion, interactions of 1 and 2 may not occur through common mechanisms and exist only if the dose of 1 is toxic suggesting toxicological rather than therapeutic relevance.

Animals↗