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.

Chemical stability of bupivacaine in pH-adjusted solutions.

Abstract: Recent clinical studies have suggested that alkalinization of bupivacaine may shorten the time to onset and lengthen its duration of action. However, addition of sodium bicarbonate to commercially manufactured bupivacaine can rapidly produce precipitation. This study was performed to study the stability and precipitation of bupivacaine solutions 0.25% and 0.50% with and without epinephrine 1:200,000 after alkalinization. The results indicate that alkalinization does not increase precipitation above recommended limits and that the concentration of bupivacaine in solutions is maintained at least 6 h after alkalinization.

Pharmacists' provision of continuity of care to patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Abstract: A pharmacy program for providing continuity of care to patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is described. The program was implemented at three practice sites in Toronto: a tertiary care teaching hospital; an outpatient community pharmacy that is part of the hospital; and an ambulatory care clinic affiliated with the hospital. An HIV pharmacy practice was established at the hospital in 1993. The community pharmacy serves at least 30% of the HIV-infected patients in Ontario who are receiving antiretrovirals; patient counseling is emphasized. The ambulatory care clinic's HIV program was established in 1994; the pharmacist sees patients at the clinic or in their homes. To address the need for greater continuity of care, the following issues were addressed: workload involved in providing pharmaceutical care to HIV-infected patients, establishing patient pharmacy profiles common to the three sites, streamlining communication among the sites, creating a process for identifying patient problems in the community setting, collaborating on research and projects, and forging links with other pharmacists caring for HIV-infected patients. The program has enhanced the ability of pharmacists to make informed recommendations and care plans, increased patient follow-up, improved cross-coverage of patients in the absence of an HIV pharmacist, increased sharing of drug information, and led to joint collaboration on projects. A pharmacy program to serve HIV-infected patients was implemented at three sites and successfully integrated under a continuity-of-care model.

Multiple Complications and Withdrawal Syndrome Associated with Quetiapine/Venlafaxine Intoxication

Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To report a case of quetiapine/venlafaxine intoxication associated with multiple complications and to review their possible relationship with these 2 drugs.CASE SUMMARY:A 53-year-old white man was admitted to the hospital for loss of consciousness secondary to voluntary intoxication with venlafaxine and quetiapine. Several complications were attributable to this intoxication including seizures, prolonged coma, respiratory depression, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, prolonged QRS and QTc intervals, and a possible venlafaxine withdrawal syndrome.DISCUSSION:Quetiapine could be responsible for the neuroleptic malignant syndrome presented in this case. Moreover, venlafaxine intoxication, fever, autonomic instability, and myoclonus presented serotonin syndrome as a differential diagnosis. Potential causes of seizures and prolongation of the QRS and QTc intervals are reviewed. Finally, prolonged coma and late venlafaxine withdrawal are discussed with regard to the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics ...