Differences In Drug Use Research Articles

Potential of bioregulatory therapy in the treatment of patients with rhinitis medicamentosa

Chronic rhinitis is a common condition characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose. It can lead to troublesome symptoms like itching, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing and irritation. Rhinitis can significantly lower the quality of life, have a detrimental effect on productivity and negatively affect social communications. Therefore, it is important to diagnose and treat this disease in due time. There are two main types of rhinitis: allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis. Non-allergic rhinitis refers to patients who have nasal symptoms, but skin tests do not show any allergic reactions. In this case, additional tests are necessary before making an accurate diagnosis. In turn, several subgroups of non-allergic rhinitis can be distinguished according to the causes and mechanisms of its development. The article discusses the features of the treatment of rhinitis medicamentosa. The use of different drugs can cause nasal symptoms, including nasal congestion. Rhinitis medicamentosa can be divided into two subgroups: rhinitis caused by adverse effects of systemic drugs and rhinitis due to overuse of antioedemic nasal therapy. Topically active vasoconstrictors are used to relieve nasal congestion caused by various reasons. However, the long-term use of such drugs can lead to the development of rhinitis medicamentosa and other adverse reactions. There are several hypotheses as to why rhinitis medicamentosa occurs. They include activation of beta-adrenergic receptors, the decreased production of presynaptic endogenous norepinephrine, and the development of tachyphylaxis. The overuse of topical nasal decongestants can bring on vicious cycle: the more frequently the patients use the drugs, the more likely thery are to get increased adverse effects. It is important to understand the potential risks and limitations of using topical nasal decongestants. If symptoms of nasal congestion or other adverse effects develop, it is necessary to consult a doctor to adjust the treatment.

Social and Psychological Factors Influencing Drug Use Among Young People: Analysis of Modern Society

The article examines key aspects influencing the spread of drug use among young people. The main focus is on the analysis of social and psychological factors, such as the influence of family and immediate environment, the role of social networks and media, as well as the influence of peers and group dynamics. It also examines psychological aspects, including stress, anxiety, depression, personality characteristics and emotional instability, which can contribute to the formation of a tendency to use drugs. The article examines cultural and economic differences in drug use, revealing the impact of economic inequality, unemployment and changing social norms on the behavior of young people. Based on a comprehensive analysis of data from various sources, the article seeks to identify the main causes and mechanisms behind drug use among young people and offers recommendations for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

The Frequency and Characteristics of Brokered Illegal Drug Sales: Reconceptualizing Illegal Drug Markets and Measuring Local Demand

Background Drug policies and interventions require an ongoing understanding of the local demand for illegal drugs. How illegal drugs are distributed to consumers is critical in the demand process. To overcome barriers to purchasing illegal drugs, people utilize their peers to purchase substances for them. These brokered drug sales allow buyers to leverage their peer networks to make purchases. For brokers, this form of exchange allows them to obtain drugs for free. This drug acquisition strategy is underappreciated in understanding how local drug market's function. Methods This paper presents findings from a brief survey on brokering collected from a random sample (N = 241) of active illegal drug injectors recruited from two syringe services programs in Ohio, USA. Results Findings indicate that 30-day and lifetime brokering behavior is common (71% and 90% respectively). Respondents who brokered in the last 30 days (n = 181) purchased drugs for an average of 7 people and from an average of 4 different sellers. Among this group, over 84% indicated that they used drugs with the person they brokered for, 49% reported often or always inflating the price to the buyer, and 27% indicated they removed some drug before returning to the buyer. Conclusion Measuring brokering offers new insight on the dynamics of drug markets, how they operate, and ways to measure their activity. The demand for illegal drugs incorporates the increased use of a drug, changes in the use of different drugs, and/or a novel drug being used. Accessing drugs via brokering accommodates these dynamics. By including brokering in drug market activity, the concept and scope of illegal drug markets transform into networks and not places.

Clinical and Biochemical Differences in Patients Having Non-Variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding on NSAIDs, Oral Anticoagulants, and Antiplatelet Therapy.

Introduction: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is among the most common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for major resource allocation and increasing incidence. This study aimed to evaluate the severity of non-variceal bleeding in patients at risk of bleeding through the use of NSAIDs, oral anticoagulants, and antiplatelet therapy. Material and Method: The study included 296 patients admitted in the Gastroenterology Department of the Municipal County Emergency University Hospital, Timisoara, between 01.01.2018 and 01.04.2020, and diagnosed via gastroscopy with non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding. The patients were divided among four groups based on their use of different drugs known to induce UGIB, i.e., aspirin and clopidogrel, NOACs, NSAIDs, and anti-vitamin K drugs, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed based on ANOVA one-way tests for continuous variables and Chi-square tests for categorical variables with pairwise comparisons based on Bonferroni adjusted significance tests. Results: The results showed several parameters having statistical significance among the different groups of patients. Patients on NOACs had statistically significant lower hemoglobin levels, lower hematocrit values, lower erythrocytes, lower RDW and higher fibrinogen levels compared to patients on VKA. Discussion: Surprisingly, the results from our study suggest that the use of NOACs was associated with a higher risk of bleeding when compared to VKA, which differs from the existing literature. Conclusions: One of the important factors causing upper non-variceal bleeding can be iatrogenic, either due to antiplatelet drugs or anticoagulants, to which NSAID treatment is additionally associated for various reasons. In our study, the use of NOACs seemed to have a more severe bleeding spectrum with higher morbidity compared to VKA.

Self-administration acquisition latency predicts locomotor sensitivity to cocaine in male rats

Individual differences in drug use emerge soon after initial exposure, and only a fraction of individuals who initiate drug use go on to develop a substance use disorder. Variability in vulnerability to establishing drug self-administration behavior is also evident in preclinical rodent models. Latent characteristics that underlie this variability and the relationship between early drug use patterns and later use remain unclear. Here, we attempt to determine whether propensity to establish cocaine self-administration is related to subsequent cocaine self-administration behavior in male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 14). Prior to initiating training, we evaluated basal locomotor and anxiety-like behavior in a novel open field test. We then trained rats to self-administer cocaine in daily 3 h cocaine (0.75 mg/kg/infusion) self-administration sessions until acquisition criteria (≥30 active lever presses with ≥70 % responding on the active lever in one session) was met and divided rats into Early and Late groups by median-split analysis based on their latency to meet acquisition criteria. After each rat met acquisition criteria, we gave them 10 additional daily cocaine self-administration sessions. We then conducted a progressive ratio, cocaine-induced locomotor sensitivity test, and non-reinforced cocaine seeking test after two weeks of forced abstinence. Early Learners exhibited significantly less locomotion after an acute injection of cocaine, but the groups did not differ in any other behavioral parameter examined. These results indicate that cocaine self-administration acquisition latency is not predictive of subsequent drug-taking behavior, but may be linked to physiological factors like drug sensitivity that can predispose rats to learn the operant task.

Efficacy and safety of drugs in residual cardiovascular risk: A systematic review of the literature

BackgroundThe objective of this research is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of drugs in the residual risk in any of its three components: lipid, inflammatory and thrombotic risk. MethodsA systematic review was conducted of randomized clinical trials that included as a primary outcome, at least one of the conditions related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The databases used were PUBMED/MEDLINE, Scopus and ClinicalTrials.gov. The risk of bias of the studies was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 tool. Resultsand discussion: 18 studies were included in the analysis. Half of the studies had low risk of bias or some concerns. Several drugs were effective in reducing the primary outcome: ethyl eicosapentaenoeic acid (17.2 % E-EPA versus 22 % placebo HR: 0.75; 95 % CI 0.68–0.83; p < 0.001), colchicine in stable coronary artery disease (6.8 % vs placebo 9.6 %, HR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.57–0.83; p < 0.001), Canakinumab (150 mg vs placebo ARR 15 %, HR 0.85, 95 % CI 0.74–0.98; p = 0.021) and Rivaroxaban with Aspirin in stable atherosclerotic disease (4.1 % versus aspirin 5.4 %, HR 0.76, 95 % CI 0.66–0.86, P < 0.001). Serious adverse events did not differ between study groups, except for a higher rate of bleeding with the use of combination antithrombotic therapy. ConclusionThe residual risk can be reduced through the use of different drugs that act by modifying atherogenic lipid levels, modulating inflammatory pathways and the risk of thrombosis, with an acceptable safety profile in most studies.

Research progress on mechanism of follicle injury after ovarian tissue transplantation and protective strategies.

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation is the only way to preserve fertility for female cancer patients in prepubertal ages and those who cannot delay radiotherapy or chemotherapy. However, the success rate of cryopreservation and transplantation of ovarian tissue is still low at present due to the risk of ischemia and hypoxia of the grafted tissues. Abnormal activation of primordial follicles and ischemia-reperfusion injury after blood supply recovery also cause massive loss of follicles in grafted ovarian tissues. Various studies have explored the use of different drugs to reduce the damage of follicles during freezing and transplantation as well as to extend the duration of endocrine and reproductive function in patients with ovarian transplantation. For example, melatonin, N-acetylcysteine, erythropoietin or other antioxidants have been used to reduce oxidative stress; mesenchymal stem cells derived from different tissues, basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin 2 and gonadotropin have been used to promote revascularization; anti-Müllerian hormone and rapamycin have been used to reduce abnormal activation of primordial follicles. This article reviews the research progress on the main mechanisms of follicle loss after ovarian tissue transplantation, including hypoxia, ischemia-reperfusion injury and associated cell death, and abnormal activation of follicles. The methods for reducing follicle loss in grafted ovarian tissues are further explored to provide a reference for improving the efficiency of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation.

A CASE STUDY ON DUSTA VRANA (DIABETIC FOOT ULCER)

Dustavrana (chronic ulcers) are frequently encountered problems in the present era. They are produced common-ly as a complication of trauma or pathogenic insult, and they cause long-term agony to the patients. Diabetes patients have poor glycemic control, and frequent foot ulcers lead to amputation of the leg. Acharya Sushruta has explained Vrana in detail in “Sushruta Samhita “ as a concourse of wound healing procedures described by Sushruta still holds its place today. Sushruta has described 60 measures for managing the Vrana, including local and systemic use of different drugs and treatment modalities.

Factors Influencing the Use and Demand of New Coronavirus Therapy Drugs Among the Adults During COVID-19 in China.

This alteration in the policy of COVID-19 resulted in widespread infections throughout China. Most people only need some antiviral drugs such as lopinavir/ritonavir or Chinese herbal preparations for treatment. In this context, the lack of drug knowledge and inadequate drug availability are evident. This study aims to explore the factors influencing drug use and demand during the COVID-19 epidemic. This study used quota sampling based on gender, age, and place of residence to perform a cross-sectional survey on a sample of 771 adults. The researchers used chi-square tests to understand differences in drug use and demand across characteristics, and binary logistic regression to analyse the influencing factors. The study revealed that 85.9% of the participants used drugs following the COVID-19 infection. Participants with college and above, (OR=2.49, 95% CI=1.27-4.88) annual personal income between 30,000 and 80,000CNY (OR=2.19, 95% CI=1.35-3.55) and over 80,000CNY (OR=1.96, 95% CI=1.05-3.66) were more knowledgeable about using drugs. Gender, (OR=0.69, 95% CI=0.50-0.95) age, (OR=2.11, 95% CI=1.15-3.88) residence, (OR=1.58, 95% CI=1.06-2.37) chronic disease conditions (OR=0.46, 95% CI=0.27-0.78) and infection symptoms (OR=0.60, 95% CI=0.38-0.93) as factors influencing the need for drug delivery services. (P<0.05). Research has revealed that a significant proportion of infected people in China chose drug treatment during COVID-19. Individuals with severe symptoms use more medication and require more drug delivery and storage. Low-education and low-income populations are lacking in drug knowledge, and older adults with underlying medical conditions are more likely to need drug delivery services. Therefore, governments should prioritize vulnerable groups when formulating drug policies and target drug literacy and guidance. In addition, it is recommended that a drug distribution system be set up within the community so that those in need can have quick and easy access to drugs.

Chinese expert consensus on the treatment of hemorrhoids by injection(2023 edition)

Hemorrhoids is a common anorectal disease, usually occurring in middle-aged people aged 25-65 years old, clinical bleeding, swelling, prolapse, pain, itching and anal discomfort, and repeatedly attacks and aggravated gradually, seriously affecting the quality of life of patients. The treatment of hemorrhoids includes conservative, injection, ligation, and various surgical procedures. Injection therapy with a history of more than 150 years is simple to operate, easy to popularize and apply in grass-roots units, causes less intraoperative bleeding and fewer complications, and has reliable efficacy. As a result, it is favored by clinicians and patients. The injection treatment of hemorrhoids has been mentioned in various hemorrhoid treatment guidelines and consensus at home and abroad, but there is no special expert consensus for reference. Led by the Anorectal Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association and the Colorectal Surgery Group of the Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, experts in related fields in China were invited to review the latest evidence-based medical evidence at home and abroad and conducted evidence quality assessment and recommendation strength classification according to the GRADE system. This paper attempts to make detailed recommendations on the types and application methods of the preparations commonly used in the injection treatment of hemorrhoids at home and abroad, and form the Chinese Expert Consensus on the Treatment of hemorrhoids by anal injection (2023 edition), aiming to guide the reasonable selection of drugs and dosage forms for hemorrhoidal injection treatment, and to provide reference for standardizing the use of different drugs and dosage forms, so as to improve the effectiveness and safety of clinical application of hemorrhoidal injection treatment.

The impact of nursing home residency on psychotropic drug use in major neurocognitive disorder: A nationwide comparison.

Psychotropic drugs are utilized against neuropsychiatric symptoms among people with major neurocognitive disorder (NCD) despite well-documented risks, and older people in nursing homes are expected to be more frequently exposed to those medicines. This study compared psychotropic drug use and associated factors between older people with major NCD and matched references. This cross-sectional study included individuals from three national registries in Sweden. References were randomly matched 1:1 by age and sex from the Swedish Total Population Register. Drug use was defined as at least one prescription fill from 1 July to 31 December 2019 and presented as proportion of drug users. In addition, ORs regarding psychotropic drug use and associated factors use were analysed using generalized estimating equations. There were 102,419 complete matching pairs alive on 31 December 2019. The proportions of psychotropic drug users were 59% in the population of people with major NCD and 28% in the reference group. Moreover, there was a substantial number of individuals in nursing homes who had been treated with antipsychotics but who, for unknown reasons, had not been diagnosed with major NCD. Psychotropic drug use was positively associated with both major NCD and nursing home residency. The difference in drug use in relation to major NCD was more pronounced among people living in ordinary homes. Despite well-documented risks in people with cognitive impairment, psychotropic drug use was overall high and positively associated with both major NCD and nursing home residency. Taken together, interventions to better target neuropsychiatric symptoms in older people are warranted. Hypnotic drug use among older people in general as well as antipsychotic drug exposure among older people in nursing homes appear to be two important focus areas.

Pregnant in the Intensive Care Unit

Although admission to an intensive care unit during pregnancy is rare, pregnant women may become critically ill due to either obstetric or non-obstetric illness. Whilst critical illness due to obstetric reasons during the peripartum period (e.g. peripartum haemorrhage, HELLP-syndrome) is more common, it is also important to know how to care for critically ill pregnant women with non-obstetric illness (e.g. infection, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, trauma). Physiological changes during pregnancy may affect critical care treatment, variation in standard and target values for blood pressure management or artificial ventilation. Pregnancy specific reference values in interpretation of blood chemistry are important issues to consider. The use of different drugs is inevitable in critical care, knowing which drugs are safe to use during the different stages of pregnancy is essential. Caring for mother and unborn child in the ICU is a challenge, open communication, ethical considerations and interdisciplinary as well as multiprofessional collaborations should be key points when caring for critically ill pregnant patients.

Opioid use disorder amongst young people living with HIV: A 10-year trend

BackgroundThe increasing prevalence of young people living with HIV (YPLWH) is a major public health concern. In 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that young people accounted for 21% (8164) of the 38,739 new HIV diagnoses in the United States. Therefore, understanding opioid use disorder (OUD) among YPLWH is critical in developing effective treatment and prevention strategies. The study intends to provide evidence regarding the prevalence of opioid use disorder as well as to examine the effects of moderators on the diagnosis of OUD among a subset of YPLWH. MethodsThe National Inpatient Sample data (2008–2017) were analyzed. Participants ranged in age from 13 to 24 years old and had an HIV-related ICD code was included. The outcomes were OUD diagnosis, patterns, and moderators. The adjusted effects of the moderators on the likelihood of being diagnosed with opioid use were examined using multivariable logistic regression. ResultsResults from the study showed that 501 (2%) of the 27,538 HIV-positive young people aged 13 to 24 had comorbid Opioid use disorder (OUD). After adjusting for sex, race, and mental health diagnosis (MHD), having HIV (p < 0.05) and an MHD [OR 2.46 (1.92, 3.16)] was associated with a higher risk of OUD. Individuals with the highest income level were 42% less likely to have OUD (Table 3). The likelihood of having OUD is much lower among YPLWH aged 13–24 years from the United States' southern and western states. ConclusionOpioid use disorder (OUD) among young people living with HIV is of public concern. Understanding the drivers of the increasing prevalence provides opportunities for policies aimed at stemming the rise. Overall, our findings suggest that there is a significant need for interventions and support for young people with comorbid HIV and OUD, particularly those with low income and mental health issues. Addressing socioeconomic factors such as poverty and increasing access to mental health services could help reduce the risk of OUD among this population. Additionally, understanding regional differences in drug use could inform targeted prevention and intervention efforts.

Effects of Intravascular Photobiomodulation on Insomnia, Muscle Soreness, and Biochemistry Profiles: An Eight-Year Retrospective Cohort.

Although cognitive-behavioral therapy is the first-line treatment for insomnia, pharmacotherapy is often prescribed to treat insomnia and related symptoms. In addition, muscle relaxants are commonly prescribed to alleviate muscle soreness when the pain is unbearable. However, pharmacotherapy can lead to numerous side effects. The non-drug strategy intravascular laser irradiation of blood (iPBM) has been advocated to improve pain, wound healing, blood circulation, and blood cell function to relieve insomnia and muscle soreness symptoms. Therefore, we assessed whether iPBM improves blood parameters and compared drug use before and after iPBM therapy. Consecutive patients who received iPBM therapy between January 2013 and August 2021 were reviewed. The associations between laboratory data, pharmacotherapies, and iPBM therapy were retrospectively analyzed. We compared patient characteristics, blood parameters, and drug use within the three months before the first treatment and the three months after the last treatment. We also compared the changes before and after treatment in patients who received ≥10 or 1-9 iPBM treatments. We assessed 183 eligible patients who received iPBM treatment. Of them, 18 patients reported insomnia disturbance, and 128 patients reported pain in any part of their body. After the treatment, HGB and HCT significantly increased after treatment in both the ≥10 and 1-9 iPBM treatment groups (HGB p < 0.001 and p = 0.046; HCT p < 0.001 and p = 0.029, respectively). Pharmacotherapy analysis revealed no significant differences in drug use before and after treatment, though drug use tended to decrease after iPBM. iPBM therapy is an efficient, beneficial, and feasible treatment that increases HGB and HCT. While the results of this study do not support the suggestion that iPBM reduces drug use, further larger studies using symptom scales are needed to confirm the changes in insomnia and muscle soreness after iPBM treatment.

Intranasal corticosteroid and antihistamine combinations in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: the role of the novel formulation olopatadine/mometasone furoate

ABSTRACT Introduction Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disease with an important impact on the quality of life and very high management costs. In many patients, the poor control of rhinitis symptoms often requires the use of different drugs, and polytherapy tends to reduce therapeutic adherence. According to the latest version of ARIA guidelines, the currently recommended drugs for the treatment of moderate-to-severe AR are second-generation antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids, and their combination, even in a single nasal spray device. A single medication with a rapid onset of action, acting on breakthrough symptoms too, would be advantageous, also in terms of patient compliance. Areas covered GSP301 (olopatadine 600 µg – mometasone furoate 25 µg) is a novel intranasal formulation, combining the second-generation antihistamine olopatadine hydrochloride with mometasone furoate. Here, we review the evidence for GSP301, especially concerning the efficacy and safety profile of this intranasal combination in the treatment of AR. Expert opinion The evidence provided in the current review clearly supports the use of GSP301 as a novel intranasal corticosteroid/antihistamine combination with a well-documented efficacy and safety profile in terms of rapid symptom relief and good tolerability.

Differences in Drug Use among Persons Experiencing Homelessness According to Gender and Nationality.

The main aims of this article are to update the data related to drug and alcohol use in persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) who use shelters, and to see if there are significant differences in their drug use depending on their gender and nationality. The article presents an analysis of the interconnections between the results of drug dependence detection tools (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10), Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS)) according to gender and nationality with the intention of identifying specific needs that lead to new lines of research into better approaches to homelessness. A cross-sectional, observational and analytical method was used to analyse the experiences of persons experiencing homelessness who use various shelters in the cities of Madrid, Girona, and Guadalajara (Spain). The results show that there are no gender differences in the risks of using drugs and drug addiction, but there are differences in terms of nationality for drug addiction, with Spanish nationals showing a greater tendency to develop drug addiction. These findings have significant implications, as they highlight socio-cultural and socio-educational influence as risk factors in drug addiction behaviours.

Liver involvement in patients with COVID-19 infection: A comprehensive overview of diagnostic imaging features

During the first wave of the pandemic, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection has been considered mainly as a pulmonary infection. However, different clinical and radiological manifestations were observed over time, including involvement of abdominal organs. Nowadays, the liver is considered one of the main affected abdominal organs. Hepatic involvement may be caused by either a direct damage by the virus or an indirect damage related to COVID-19 induced thrombosis or to the use of different drugs. After clinical assessment, radiology plays a key role in the evaluation of liver involvement. Ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to evaluate liver involvement. US is widely available and it is considered the first-line technique to assess liver involvement in COVID-19 infection, in particular liver steatosis and portal-vein thrombosis. CT and MRI are used as second- and third-line techniques, respectively, considering their higher sensitivity and specificity compared to US for assessment of both parenchyma and vascularization. This review aims to the spectrum of COVID-19 liver involvement and the most common imaging features of COVID-19 liver damage.

Legal and Illegal Drug Consumption among Students at the University of Seville (Spain)

In current society, the fight against drug abuse is an important social challenge given its harmful effects on health and quality of life, globally. Numerous studies show that university life fosters drug use among university students. This research explores the perceptions of legal and illegal drug use of undergraduate students at the University of Seville (Spain). The research design is quantitative: a specific questionnaire was administered to a sample of 1478 students. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis using SPSS v.27 software. It is found that the majority of students do not use illegal drugs, although they do use alcohol and tobacco. Students with a failing grade average use more legal and illegal drugs than those who have outstanding grade averages. There are gender differences in drug use, with males using legal and illegal drugs more than females. Nevertheless, women report taking more tranquillizers and sleeping pills. It is necessary for universities to develop policies for the prevention of legal and illegal drug use, as well as the creation of training programs and counselling courses to promote good health.

Analysis of the range of drugs registered in the Russian Federation to control parasitic infections in pigs

The purpose of the research is the analysis of the range of antiparasitic drugs for pig breeding as registered in the Russian Federation and included in the State Register of Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use.The control of parasitic diseases is an essential element of veterinary support for animal husbandry, and its constituent part is the use of antiparasitic drugs. The State Register contains more than three hundred drugs to control parasitic infections of animals of various species. Forty-eight drugs are allowed for use in pig breeding. The analysis of drug compositions found that they contained a limited list of compounds as active substances. For example, 17 antiparasitic drugs contained compounds of the avermectin class as active substances (12 of them had ivermectin as the active substance); 8 drugs against endoparasites contained albendazole in their composition. At the same time, the composition of combined drugs lack distinction and is a combination of two or more active substances produced in mono-preparations. To prevent the resistance in parasites, it is advisable to use a minimum required list of drugs which allows the availability of a reserve for drug rotation in the future. Simultaneous or sequential use of different drugs (including insectoacaricides based on neonicotinoids or synthetic pyrethroids to treat premises in the presence of animals) complicates the assessment of the individual drug effect on animal health and can induce immunological stress, which creates favorable conditions for infectious diseases including opportunistic infections.

The Frequency of Use of Warfarin-Interfering Drugs in Patients Suffering from Warfarin Toxicity Referred to the Emergency Department of Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad

Aims: With the progress made in the treatment of cardiovascular patients, the use of anticoagulants such as warfarin, aspirin, ticlopidine, etc. have increased. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of use of warfarin-interfering drugs in warfarin toxicity patients admitted to the emergency ward of Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, from March to August 2016.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: In this original cross-sectional study after obtaining the approval of the university's ethics committee, 133 patients with warfarin toxicity admitted from March to August 2016 were included in the study. The hospital records of the patients were reviewed, and based on the detailed history taken from the patients the information related to the simultaneous use of different drugs, the duration of warfarin use, the reasons for warfarin use, and the symptoms of warfarin toxicity were extracted. SPSS version 24 software was used for data analysis (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Results: Artificial heart valve was the most common indication for warfarin use (48%). Potentially fatal bleeding occurred in 85% of patients, and gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common symptom of warfarin toxicity (37.6%). The most common drugs used were aspirin (62.4%), metoprolol (33.1%), and statins (28.8%).&#x0D; Conclusion: In this study, a high frequency of drug interactions with warfarin was observed, which seems to play a significant role in the occurrence of warfarin toxicity. The most common drug interactions were observed in the simultaneous use of aspirin, metoprolol, and statins. Careful monitoring of the type of drugs used by patients is extremely important in providing safe and effective treatment and reducing side effects.