Side effect profile

Serious hepatotoxicity of tacrine has been documented. More recent data suggest, however, that this toxicity can be reduced by carehiUy monitoring semm alanine aminotransferase levels (125). The side effects of tacrine also include gastrointestinal disturbances and emesis, and alternative AChE therapies are being advanced. Velnacrine (20), a metaboUte of tacrine, was expected to have reduced hepatotoxicity. However, its limited efficacy and side-effect profile, which includes dmg-related hematological changes, caused it to be dropped from further development. 

SSRIs are widely used for treatment of depression, as well as, for example, panic disorders and obsessive—compulsive disorder. These dmgs are well recognized as clinically effective antidepressants having an improved side-effect profile as compared to the TCAs and irreversible MAO inhibitors. Indeed, these dmgs lack the anticholinergic, cardiovascular, and sedative effects characteristic of TCAs. Their main adverse effects include nervousness /anxiety, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, insomnia, tremor, dizziness, headache, and sexual dysfunction. The most commonly prescribed SSRIs for depression are fluoxetine (31), fluvoxamine (32), sertraline (52), citalopram (53), and paroxetine (54). SSRIs together represent about one-fifth of total worldwide antidepressant unit sales. 

Clinically, GM-CSF or G-CSF have been used to accelerate recovery after chemotherapy and total body or extended field irradiation, situations that cause neutropenia and decreased platelets, and possibly lead to fatal septic infection or diffuse hemorrhage, respectively. G-CSF and GM-CSF reproducibly decrease the period of granulocytopenia, the number of infectious episodes, and the length of hospitalization in such patients (152), although it is not clear that dose escalation of the cytotoxic agent and increased cure rate can be rehably achieved. One aspect of the effects of G-CSF and GM-CSF is that these agents can activate mature cells to function more efficiently. This may, however, also lead to the production of cytokines, such as TNF- a, that have some toxic side effects. In general, both cytokines are reasonably well tolerated. The side effect profile of G-CSF is more favorable than that of GM-CSF. Medullary bone pain is the only common toxicity. 

P-Adrenoceptors have been subdivided into P - and P2-adrenoceptors. A third subset called nontypical P-adrenoceptors or P -adrenoceptors have been described but are stiU the subject of debate. In terms of the interactions with various subsets of P-adrenoceptors, some antagonists are nonselective in that they antagonize the effects of activation of both P - and P2-adrenoceptors, whereas others are selective for either P - or P2-adrenoceptors. P - and P2-adrenoceptors coexist in almost all organs but generally, one type predominates. The focus herein is on the clinically relevant P -adrenoceptor-mediated effects on heart and on P2-adrenoceptor-mediated effects on smooth muscles of blood vessels and bronchioles, the insulin-secreting tissue of the pancreas, and skeletal muscle glycogenolysis for side effects profile (36). 

Antidepressants are used in the treatment of neuropathic pain and headache. They include the classic tricyclic compounds and are divided into nonselective nor-adrenaline/5-HT reuptake inhibitors (e.g., amitriptyline, imipramine, clomipramine, venlafaxine), preferential noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (e.g., desipramine, nortriptyline) and selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitors (e.g., citalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine). The reuptake block leads to a stimulation of endogenous monoaminer-gic pain inhibition in the spinal cord and brain. In addition, tricyclics have NMDA receptor antagonist, endogenous opioid enhancing, Na+ channel blocking, and K+ channel opening effects which can suppress peripheral and central sensitization. Block of cardiac ion channels by tricyclics can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias. The selective 5-HT transporter inhibitors have a different side effect profile and are safer in cases of overdose [3]. 

The precise side effect profile of the selective COX-2 inhibitors however, will only be known after several years of clinical use. 

In clinical trials, ATI antagonists have proven to be as effective as ACE inhibitors in hypertension, congestive heart failure, and renal failure [3]. The favorable side effect profile of ATI antagonists argues for a greater use of these diugs. At present, due to still higher costs, they are indicated in patients who do not tolerate ACE inhibitor treatment. 

Anxiolytics with little abuse potential, such as buspirone, and antidepressants that have a benign side-effect profile and may reduce ethanol intake warrant careful evaluation in the treatment of anxious and depressed alcoholic patients. 

If a stroke patient receives intravenous (IV) thrombolysis, care often continues in the ED until the patient arrives in the ICU. Close monitoring must continue during this time, with special attention to the blood pressure. The blood pressure is most commonly checked via an arm cuff, since the placement of invasive lines (e.g., arterial catheterization) is relatively contraindicated once the patient has received intravenous thrombolysis (unless the situation is emergent and mandates such treatment). The systolic pressure must not exceed 185 mm Hg, and the diastolic pressure limit should be 110 mm Hg. Should the blood pressure exceed these limits, IV antihypertensive agents should be administered. IV pushes of labetolol (10-20 mg over 1-2 minutes) may be effective, but if patients are refractory to these initial measures then a continuous infusion of labetolol (0.5-2.0 mg/minute), nicardipine (5-15 mg/hour), or nitro-prusside (0.25-10 mg/kg/minute) may be necessary to keep the patient s blood pressure within the range. There will be a more detailed discussion of these antihypertensive agents, including their side effect profiles, later in this chapter. 

The side-effect profile for entecavir is similar to lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil and comparable to placebo. Patients treated with entecavir should be monitored for signs and symptoms associated with lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, because some cases have been fatal. Dosage adjustments are required in patients with renal dysfunction. 

Loop diuretics (furosemide, bumetanide, torsemide, and ethacrynic acid) are all equally effective when given in equivalent doses. Therefore, selection is based on the side-effect profile, cost, and pharmacokinetics of the agents. The incidence of ototoxicity is significantly higher with ethacrynic acid compared to the other loop diuretics therefore, its use is limited to patients who are allergic to the sulfa component in the other loop diuretics.15 While ototoxicity is a well-established side effect of furosemide, its incidence is greater when administered by the intravenous route at a rate exceeding 4 mg per minute.16 Torsemide has not been reported to cause ototoxicity. 

Compare the side-effect profiles of individual antipsychotics. 

Second-generation antipsychotics as a class are heterogeneous with regard to side-effect profiles. Many second-generation antipsychotics carry an increased risk for weight gain and for... 

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