Enhancement of drug action

A8. Alving, A. S., Johnson, C. F., Tarlov, A. R., Brewer, G. J., Kellermeyer, R. W., and Carson, P. E., Mitigation of the hemolytic effect of primaquine and enhancement of its action against exoerythrocytic forms of the Chesson strain of Plasmodium vivax by intermittent regimens of drug administration. Bull. World Health Organization 22, 621-631 (1960). 

Specific Physicochemical and Biological Characteristics of Chitosan Useful for Improvement of Drug Action or Enhancement of Drug Absorption... 

Q12 Pharmacological treatment of peptic ulcers aims to restore the balance between mucosal defence and mucosal damage by acid and pepsin in the stomach wall. The general mechanisms of drug action include (i) inhibition of acid secretion, (ii) neutralization of the acid with antacid preparations, (iii) eradication of H. pylori with antibiotics and (iv) enhancement of the mechanisms which protect the mucosa. 

Gels and creams are generally easier to apply to animals but are less occlusive than ointments. Ointments provide a longer duration of drug action, and the occlusive effect may enhance preparation of the active ingredi-ent(s) to the site of infection. 

Nevertheless, there are some exciting avenues to explore, of which one is the already mentioned possible role of PUFAs in the ketogenic diet, as is covered in Chapter 17. Another aspect is the enhancement of the action of conventional drugs by nanomolar concentrations of PUFAs. This interesting phenomenon was observed at very low doses... 

Song B, Aebischer N, Orvig C. 2002. Reduction of [V02(ma)2] and [V02(ema)2] by ascorbic acid and glutathione kinetic studies of pro-drugs for the enhancement of insulin action. Inorg Chem 41 1357-1364. 

More than two hundred pharmacologically unrelated compounds, when administered to animals enhance the activity of oxidative microsomal en mes and thus alter the duration and the intensity of drug action. For example, treatment of animals with phenobarbital decreases the hypnotic effect of subsequently administered hexobarbital. the muscle relaxant effect of zoxazolamine. the anticonvulsant activity of diphenylhydantoin, or the anticoagulant effect of bishydnn coumarin. This effect is blocked by co-administration of inhibitors of protein synthesis such as puromycin and actinomydn-D and is thought to result from de novo en me synthesis. Indeed, addition of the foreign compounds to microsomes in vitro does not increase enzyme activity and thus, activation of pre-existing enzyme can be ruled out. 

In the recently released book on worldwide compliance issues (Adherence to Long-term Therapies, Evidence for Action),7 published by the World Health Organization, researchers indicate that the problem of noncompliance is worse in countries in the developing world than in countries in the industrialized world. Many parts of the United States have similar morbidity and mortality rates as countries in the Third World.8 Specific disease states may have significant additional noncompliance ramifications due to the development of drug-resistant strains of bacteria.9 Many times what is necessary is referral to specific clinicians for individualized treatment and monitoring to enhance compliance. The case histories provided in this text will allow you to follow what others have done in similar situations to optimally help patients succeed in improving compliance rates and subsequent positive health outcomes. 

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