Browsing by Author "Samardzic, R. (7006061861)"

[No abstract available]

Both noradrenaline and clonidine, injected into the cerebral ventricles, induced dose-dependent and shortlasting emesis in cats. Intracerebroventricular yohimbine, but not prazosin, inhibited the emesis evoked by noradrenaline. In contrast, both intracerebroventricular yohimbine and prazosin did not significantly change the clonidine-induced emesis. The ablation of the area postrema impaired the noradrenaline, but not the clonidine-induced emesis. It is postulated that the emesis produced by noradrenaline is mediated through alpha-2 adrenoceptors within the area postrema, whereas clonidine acted on emetic detectors outside chemoreceptor trigger zone in the area postrema most probably within the brainstem areas. These detectors are at least as sensitive to emetic stimuli as those within the area postrema. Moreover, chemical stimuli originating from the cerebrospinal fluid can induce emesis through these detectors without the area postrema.

[No abstract available]

[No abstract available]

The effect of tropisetron and morphine injected intravenously upon emesis caused by oral copper sulphate was investigated in unanaesthetized cats. Morphine, but not tropisetron, inhibited the emetic response to copper sulphate. Only the inhibition of percentage of cats showing emesis was dose-dependent. The most sensitive to the inhibitory effect of morphine was number of vomits. These results suggest that morphine might be a putative central inhibitory neurotransmitter, although its peripheral effect cannot be excluded with certainty. In addition, the present experiments support the view that morphine is a broad spectrum antiemetic drug.

Objectives: The use of drugs in an off label or unlicensed manner to treat children is a widespread phenomenon in Europe and the United States. The incidence of unlicensed and off label prescribing in paediatric cardiology practice has not been studied to date. This study was designed to assess the extent and nature of off label and unlicensed drug use in paediatric cardiology inpatients. Methods: In a prospective study, drug prescriptions in a paediatric cardiology ward were reviewed during a 2-year period. Data were collected and analyzed by special software created for this purpose. Results: The children (n=544) studied varied in age from 4 h to 18 years. One or more off label and unlicensed prescriptions were given to 414 (76%) patients. Of the 2,130 prescriptions given during the 2-year period, more than one-half were unlicensed (11%) or off label (47%). While children aged 2-11 years received most of the unlicensed drug prescriptions (17%), neonates, who did not receive unlicensed drugs, led (64%) in the use of off label drugs. Conclusions: This study showed that the problem of off label and unlicensed drug use also exists in paediatric cardiology. The findings imply that the phenomenon of off label and unlicensed use of drugs in children can be correlated with the deficiency of paediatric drug formulations on the global market and insufficient data from clinical studies which must be performed to confirm the efficacy and safety of drugs in the paediatric population. Therefore, efforts to improve paediatric labelling are important and need the full support of all involved. © Springer-Verlag 2005.

Objectives: The use of drugs in an off label or unlicensed manner to treat children is a widespread phenomenon in Europe and the United States. The incidence of unlicensed and off label prescribing in paediatric cardiology practice has not been studied to date. This study was designed to assess the extent and nature of off label and unlicensed drug use in paediatric cardiology inpatients. Methods: In a prospective study, drug prescriptions in a paediatric cardiology ward were reviewed during a 2-year period. Data were collected and analyzed by special software created for this purpose. Results: The children (n=544) studied varied in age from 4 h to 18 years. One or more off label and unlicensed prescriptions were given to 414 (76%) patients. Of the 2,130 prescriptions given during the 2-year period, more than one-half were unlicensed (11%) or off label (47%). While children aged 2-11 years received most of the unlicensed drug prescriptions (17%), neonates, who did not receive unlicensed drugs, led (64%) in the use of off label drugs. Conclusions: This study showed that the problem of off label and unlicensed drug use also exists in paediatric cardiology. The findings imply that the phenomenon of off label and unlicensed use of drugs in children can be correlated with the deficiency of paediatric drug formulations on the global market and insufficient data from clinical studies which must be performed to confirm the efficacy and safety of drugs in the paediatric population. Therefore, efforts to improve paediatric labelling are important and need the full support of all involved. © Springer-Verlag 2005.

Sympathetic nerve fibers in the gastrointestinal tract are derived from neurons in prevertebral ganglia, and terminate around intrinsic neurons of intestinal plexuses and in sphincter muscles. Sympathetic innervation of intestinal smooth muscles and mucosal cells is sparse. Noradrenaline is released from sympathetic nerve terminals, and acts via alpha and beta adrenergic receptors located on neuronal and effector cells throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Sympathicus exerts tonic activity on the intestinal blood flow and secretions, but not on motility. However, sympathetic stimulation results in the inhibition of propulsive activity of the gut. In extreme conditions, stress, pain, abdominal irritation, intestinal obstruction induce excessive activation of sympathetic inhibitory pathways in the gut, and may cause adynamic ileus, which can be relieved by alpha-2 receptor blocking drugs, and possibly by beta-blockers. Pharmacological effects of drugs acting on adrenergic mechanisms vary along the gastrointestinal tract and between species. Their therapeutical use is rather limited and in many instances controversial.

[No abstract available]