American Pharmacists Association

About: American Pharmacists Association is a other organization based out in Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Pharmacist & Pharmacy. The organization has 2413 authors who have published 1969 publications receiving 30470 citations. The organization is also known as: APhA & American Pharmaceutical Association.

Multivitamin Supplement Use and Risk of Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis:

Abstract: BackgroundThe association between consumption of multivitamins and breast cancer is inconsistent in epidemiologic studies.Objective:To perform a meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies to evaluate multivitamin intake and its relationship with breast cancer risk.Methods:The published literature was systematically searched and reviewed using MEDLINE (1950 through July 2010), EMBASE (1980 through July 2010). and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2010 issue 1). Studies that included specific risk estimates were pooled using a random-effects model. The bias and quality of these studies were assessed with REVMAN statistical software (version 5.0) and the GRADE method of the Cochrane Collaboration.Results:Eight of 27 studies that included 355,080 subjects were available for analysis. The total duration of multivitamin use in these trials ranged from 3 to 10 years. The frequency of current use in these studies ranged from 2 to 6 times/week. In analyses by duration o...

Cost of managing anemia with and without prophylactic epoetin alfa therapy in breast cancer patients receiving combination chemotherapy.

Abstract: The cost of managing anemia with prophylactic epoetin alfa therapy versus blood transfusions in breast cancer patients receiving combination chemotherapy was studied. A retrospective study of anemia in breast cancer patients treated with four cycles of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin with fluorouracil (CAF) or without fluorouracil (CA) was conducted. For each cycle of chemotherapy, patients were assessed for fatigue, subsequent blood transfusions administered, and potential response to and adverse effects of blood transfusions. Transfusions were given at the prescriber's discretion rather than in accordance with standard guidelines. The lowest hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit of each patient per cycle were reported. Data on these patients, along with data from published studies of prophylactic use of epoetin alfa, were used in a decision analysis of the costs associated with using epoetin alfa versus red blood cell transfusions to manage anemia. The charts of 50 patients were reviewed. In the study group, the percentage of patients with anemia and the frequency of fatigue rose with each chemotherapy cycle. In general, blood transfusions were not used. The cost of using epoetin alfa prophylactically for all four cycles was estimated at $6483 per patient for the literature-based group versus $169 for the study group. The cost of managing anemia in breast cancer patients was substantially lower when blood transfusions were used than when epoetin alfa was given prophylactically throughout four cycles of therapy with CAF or CA; the absence of standard guidelines for transfusion might have exaggerated the difference in costs.

Osteonecrosis in Six HIV-Infected Patients Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Abstract: OBJECTIVETo report 6 cases of osteonecrosis in HIV-infected patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and compare the observed risk factors with those of published cases.CASE SUMMARIESOsteonecrosis was diagnosed between 1999 and 2002 in 6 of 417 HIV-infected patients in our department of infectious diseases. At the time of diagnosis, mean patient age was 42 years, and 5 patients had developed AIDS. Mean CD4+ lymphocyte count was 563.5 cells/mm3 and viral load was undetectable (<50 copies/mL) in 5 patients. The patients’ mean body mass index was 22.5 kg/m2. Four had lipodystrophy. All were receiving HAART, including a protease inhibitor in 4 patients; the remaining 2 patients had a history of protease inhibitor treatment. Median time from the first antiretroviral therapy to osteonecrosis diagnosis was 46.5 months. Established risk factors were the use of corticosteroids in 2 patients and dyslipidemia in all patients. All of the patients developed pain and functional impotence of th...

Pitavastatin: A New HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor

Abstract: Objective:To review pitavastatin, the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor and determine its place in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.Data Sources:Literature was accessed through PubMed (1948–December 2009). Pitavastatin, itavastatin, nisvastatin, NK 104, and NKS 104 were used as search terms. Results were limited to articles written in the English language.Study Selection And Data Extraction:All articles identified from the data source were reviewed for inclusion. Articles included were those pertaining to the pharmacology and pharmacokinetic properties of pitavastatin, in addition to original research evaluating the clinical efficacy of pitavastatin for hypercholesterolemia.Data Synthesis:Pitavastatin is an oral HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidwmia. Pitavastatin 2 mg has been shown to be noninferior to atorvastatin 10 mg and simvastatin 20 mg with respect t...