Serotonergic Agents in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 707-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa J Miller ◽  
Kristy L Kubes

OBJECTIVE: T o evaluate literature that discusses the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) with agents that involve the neurotransmitter serotonin. DATA SOURCES: Biomedical literature accessed through MEDLINE (1966–August 2001) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts. DATA SYNTHESIS: The cause and pathophysiology of FMS remain elusive, although abnormalities in the serotonin pathway have been implicated. Several serotonergic agents have been studied for use in FMS. Trials and case reports focusing on the use of newer agents: the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, venlafaxine and tramadol, were reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Current research suggests that the serotonergic agents may reduce at least some of the symptoms of FMS. However, medications that act on multiple neurotransmitters may prove to be more effective in symptom management. Additional long-term studies are required in order to validate these results.

1994 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 215-217
Author(s):  
Richard M. Cadle ◽  
Richard J. Hamill

Objective: To report a case of foscarnet-induced penile ulcerations and review literature related to this adverse effect. Data Sources: Case reports and review articles identified by a computerized search (MEDLINE) and manual search (Index Medicus). Data Synthesis: Foscarnet is a pyrophosphate analog antiviral agent that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with AIDS. It also is used investigationally for other indications and human herpesvirus infections. Adverse effects include nephrotoxicity, anemia, ionized calcium abnormalities, and penile ulcerations. The majority of penile ulcers have developed within two weeks following initiation of foscarnet therapy with dosages of 180–200 mg/kg/d. Most cases required discontinuation of foscarnet to resolve the penile lesions. A postulated mechanism for this effect is inflammatory contact dermatitis from exposure to urine with elevated concentrations of foscarnet. We report a case of foscarnet-induced penile ulcerations that resolved after discontinuing this agent. Conclusions: Foscarnet can induce penile ulcerations. Increased awareness of this phenomenon, along with meticulous genital hygiene and urination practices, are required for its prevention.


Biology Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. bio053363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janelle M. Spinazzola ◽  
Matthias R. Lambert ◽  
Devin E. Gibbs ◽  
James R. Conner ◽  
Georgia L. Krikorian ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle-wasting disease caused by mutation of the dystrophin gene. Pharmacological therapies that function independently of dystrophin and complement strategies aimed at dystrophin restoration could significantly improve patient outcomes. Previous observations have suggested that serotonin pathway modulation ameliorates dystrophic pathology, and re-application of serotonin modulators already used clinically would potentially hasten availability to DMD patients. In our study, we used dystrophin-deficient sapje and sapje-like zebrafish models of DMD for rapid and easy screening of several classes of serotonin pathway modulators as potential therapeutics. None of the candidate drugs tested significantly decreased the percentage of zebrafish exhibiting the dystrophic muscle phenotype in the short-term birefringence assay or lengthened the lifespan in the long-term survival assay. Although we did not identify an effective drug, we believe our data is of value to the DMD research community for future studies, and there is evidence that suggests serotonin modulation may still be a viable treatment strategy with further investigation. Given the widespread clinical use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants and reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase, their reapplication to DMD is an attractive strategy in the field's pursuit to identify pharmacological therapies to complement dystrophin restoration strategies.


1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 1089-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Kuo ◽  
Nancy Winiarski ◽  
Serafino Garella

OBJECTIVE: To report the case of a patient who developed nonthrombocytopenic purpura sequentially following the administration of nifedipine and diltiazem. DATA SOURCES: Case reports, MEDLINE review of pertinent literature, and review of relevant studies. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted from direct patient observation and review of laboratory studies and published reports. DATA SYNTHESIS: Nonthrombocytopenic purpura secondary to cutaneous vasculitis is a known, although rare, adverse effect of nifedipine. It has not been reported in association with diltiazem. We report the case of a 75-year-old woman in whom a purpuric rash demonstrated by biopsy to be attributable to cutaneous vasculitis developed in the course of nifedipine therapy. The rash disappeared after discontinuation of the drug; however, it recurred when diltiazem therapy was initiated. CONCLUSIONS: Nonthrombocytopenic purpura may be associated with diltiazem as well as with nifedipine. When this adverse effect occurs following administration of a calcium-channel blocker, caution is advised in using other agents of the same class.


1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Pallone ◽  
Morton P. Goldman ◽  
Matthew A. Fuller

Objective To describe a case of isoniazid-associated psychosis and review the incidence of this adverse effect. Data Sources Information about the patient was obtained from the medical chart. A MEDLINE search of the English-language literature published from 1950 to 1992 was conducted and Index Medicus was manually searched for current information. Study Selection All case reports describing isoniazid-associated psychosis were reviewed. Data Extraction Studies were evaluated for the use of isoniazid, symptoms of psychosis, onset of symptoms, and dosage of isoniazid. Data Synthesis The case report is compared with others reported in the literature. The incidence of isoniazid-associated psychosis is rare. Conclusions The mechanism of isoniazid-associated psychosis is uncertain. It appears that isoniazid was associated with the psychosis evident in our patient and in the cases reviewed.


1994 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Cadle ◽  
Golden J. Zenon ◽  
Maria C. Rodriguez-Barradas ◽  
Richard J. Hamill

OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of fluconazole-induced symptomatic phenytoin toxicity and review literature related to this interaction. DATA SOURCES: Case reports and review articles identified by a computerized (MEDLINE) and manual ( Index Medicus) search. DATA SYNTHESIS: Fluconazole is a broad-spectrum triazole antifungal agent primarily eliminated by renal mechanisms, although hepatic cytochrome P-450 inhibition and hepatotoxicity have been observed. We report two cases of fluconazole-induced symptomatic phenytoin toxicity. Both patients received high doses of the drug; one patient developed phenytoin toxicity only after long-term coadministration. Previously reported cases have occurred primarily with high-dose fluconazole and short-term coadministration. CONCLUSIONS: Fluconazole can increase phenytoin serum concentrations leading to toxicity. Constant and continuous monitoring of serum phenytoin concentrations with fluconazole doses as low as 200 mg/d is warranted.


1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 928-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joaquin Navarro-Badenes ◽  
Inocencia Martínez-Mir ◽  
Vicente Palop ◽  
Elena Rubio ◽  
Francisco J. Morales-Olivas

OBJECTIVE: To report four cases of cinnarizine-induced weight gain. DATA SOURCES: Case reports from a local obesity center and review articles. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were abstracted from spontaneous comments made by patients to one of the authors, who was a doctor at the clinic, and reviewed by the remaining authors. DATA SYNTHESIS: We reviewed the cases of four women, aged 50–57 years without endocrine or metabolic pathologies, that showed weight gain associated with the intake of cinnarizine for one to two years. No other drugs usually were administered during the period in which the women gained weight, although in two cases cinnarizine was associated with dihydroergocristine in the same medicine (Clinadil). The mean weight increase was 6.25 kg (range 4–10). The increases do not appear to be related to whether the patients' initial weight was ideal or excessive. The weight gain was always associated with increased appetite and food intake. One patient discontinued cinnarizine treatment and her weight returned to its previous level. CONCLUSIONS: Cinnarizine is a piperazine derivative used in the treatment of vertigo and in the prophylaxis of migraine. In contrast to related drugs, data about cinnarizine are scarce because randomized trials of cinnarizine have been inconclusive. Our observations indicate that cinnarizine may cause weight gain, as observed with other drugs in the same class.


2003 ◽  
Vol 37 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1124-1127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly J Enders ◽  
Jason M Enders

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between isotretinoin and psychiatric illness in adolescents and young adults. DATA SOURCES: Primary literature located via MEDLINE (1966–December 2002). Key terms were isotretinoin, depression, psychosis, suicide, and adolescents. DATA SYNTHESIS: Information regarding depression was added to isotretinoin labeling in 1998 following a series of case reports and submitted to the MedWatch system. CONCLUSIONS: Although a causal relationship may exist between isotretinoin and psychiatric illness in adolescents and young adults, this has not been demonstrated in the literature. Until evidence establishes a presence or lack of causality, prescribers should exercise caution when treating adolescents and young adults with isotretinoin.


2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1088-1092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherrill J Brown ◽  
Samantha F Eichner ◽  
Jennifer R Jones

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nebulized morphine for the management of dyspnea in chronic pulmonary diseases. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (1966–May 2004), EMBASE (1980–May 2004), and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970–May 2004) searches were performed. Key search terms included morphine, dyspnea, and inhalation. DATA SYNTHESIS: Nine studies have evaluated the efficacy of nebulized morphine in relieving dyspnea. Three trials had positive resuts, but the rest failed to show improvement after treatment with doses ranging from 1 to 40 mg nebulized morphine. The small number of subjects, variety of disease states, and different outcome measures limit interpretation of the studies. CONCLUSIONS: Results from several small studies do not support the use of nebulized morphine for treatment of dyspnea; however, several positive case reports have been published.


2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 382-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolene F Siple ◽  
Diana C Schneider ◽  
Wendy A Wanlass ◽  
Burton K Rosenblatt

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of levodopa therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease and malignant melanoma. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search (January 1966–September 1999) of English-language articles was conducted. Key search terms included levodopa, melanoma, and Parkinson's disease; 34 case reports were identified. DATA SYNTHESIS: Carbidopa/levodopa continues to be a mainstay in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Since the late 1970s, a warning has appeared in the prescribing literature for levodopa regarding the risk of activating malignant melanoma. An evaluation was conducted of the case reports in which a causal relationship between levodopa and melanoma was suggested. CONCLUSIONS: There is an unlikely association between levodopa and induction or exacerbation of malignant melanoma.


1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen O. Hagmeyer ◽  
Laurie S. Mauro ◽  
Vincent F. Mauro

OBJECTIVE: To report three cases of meperidine-related seizures when meperidine was administered via patient-controlled analgesia pump (PCAP) and to review literature related to meperidine-associated seizures. DATA SOURCES: Case reports and review articles identified by a computerized search (MEDLINE) and manual search ( Index Medicus). DATA SYNTHESIS: PCAPs are being used frequently to relieve the pain of sickle cell crisis as well as pain from many other etiologies. We report three cases of meperidine-related seizures associated with its administration via PCAP. Each of the patients received either relatively high doses, long-term therapy, or both. Meperidine has been associated with seizure activity when administered via traditional routes. Previously identified risk factors for the development of meperidine-related seizures include renal failure, high meperidine dosages, and coadministration of hepatic enzyme-inducing medications or phenothiazines. CONCLUSIONS: Meperidine administered via PCAP may be associated with seizures. Optimally, an alternative analgesic should be administered when this route is used.


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