Information-seeking behaviors and attitudes of physicians toward drug information centers in Saudi Arabia

To assess the drug information-seeking behavior of physicians in Saudi Arabia and the information resources they were using to obtain information about new drugs. The physicians' awareness of the existence of drug information centers [DICs] and their attitudes toward these centers were also investigated. Physicians were also surveyed concerning their future information needs. The study was conducted between September 2002 and June 2003. A questionnaire was sent to 2000 registered physicians. Data were collected on demographics, drug information resources currently used by physicians, attitudes towards DICs and future information needs. Response rate was 65.9%. Only 70% of the physicians were aware of the existence of DICs in KSA and 33.9% have used this service before with request rate of 0.3/month during the last 6 months prior to survey. Physicians relied heavily on books [79%], periodicals [59.2%], symposia [55.1%] and pharmacists [35.3%]. Physicians searched for information 17.5 times during the last 6 months and only 57.3% were using computers and 40% had no access to the Internet at work. Physicians in KSA had passive attitudes toward DICs. These centers are under-utilized by health care professionals, in part due to the lack of awareness of their existence by physicians. Drug newsletters and continuing education programs in information-retrieval and evaluation based on evidence-based medicine techniques to promote DIC's services should be instituted

Effect of abouthiouline, a novel drug with therapeutic potential as antithyroid, on some biochemical and hematologic parameters in mice and rats

Abouthiouline [1-Cyclohexyl-3[3-quinolyl]-2-thiourea] is a novel compound with antithyroid activity. Abouthiouline [ABL] was designed based on structure-activity relationships [E-state indexes] aimed at reducing the antioxidant properties of the compound by modification of acyclic thiourylene moiety. Antioxidant effects of currently available treatments such as propylthiouracil [PTU], methimazole [MTM] are associated with an incidence of agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia. In the present study, the preclinical toxicology of ABL was determined in mice and rats and compared with two reference compounds, namely, propylthiouracil, methimazole. Following short-term administration [7 days] to mice, ABL had minimal effects on biochemical parameters, although significant reductions in both total protein and albumin were noted. Long-term studies [30 days] in rats revealed significant effects of Abouthiouline, propylthiouracil and methimazole on serum electrolyte and glucose levels. Abouthiouline had no detrimental effects on hematologic parameters. However, total WBC count [propylthiouracil] and neutrophil levels [propylthiouracil and methimazole] were significantly decreased among other treatment groups. The results of this investigation suggest that Abouthiouline is a promising new antithyroid therapy with a reduced risk of hematologic toxicity that is associated with PTU and MTM. Further studies are warranted to assess the safety and efficacy of Abouthiouline

Ethnic differences innifedipine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: comparison of middle eastern arabs with Arab populations

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of oral nifedipine were studied in five healthy male middle eastern arab subjects and their results were compared with those reported for other populations. Each subject received a single 2x10-mg dose under fasting conditions and plasma concentrations were determined by a specific HPLC method. Heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were also monitored. The elimination half-life, maximum plasma concentration and time to maximum plasma concentration were found to be 3.20 +/- 0.21 h, 230.4 +/- 36.4 ng/ml and 0.95 +/- 0.23 h, respectively. Mean residence time [MRT] and operative clearance [CL/F] were determined to be 3.82 +/- 0.67 h and 0.30 +/- 0.06 l/h.kg, respectively. Plasma concentrations in middle Eastern Arab subjects were similar to those reported for south Asians, Japanese and Nigerians, but they were significantly higher than in Caucasians. The AUC and normalized AUC were 2.8 and 3.4 folds greater in Middle Eastern Arab subjects than in Caucasians. The hemodynamic effects of nifedipine were comparable in all ethnic groups studied. In conclusion Middle Eastern Arab patients should be initiated with a lower dose than would be administered to Caucasians

Diclofenac sodium in renal and ureteral colic: a double-blind comparison with hyoscine N-butyl bromide

The analgesic effects of diclofenac 75 mg IM and hyoscine N- buty1 bromide 20 or 40 mg or IV were compared in a randomized double-blind study, in 422 patients reporting moderate to severe pain due to renal or ureteral colic. Patients evaluated their pain intensity and pain relief at 0 [baseline], 15, 30, 45 minutes and hourly for 3 hours. A significant difference [p < 0.05] was found between the two groups with respect to pain intensity difference [PID], mean pain relief and onset time of analgesia. Diclofenac sodium was significantly [p < 0.05] superior to hyoscine N buty1 bromide in pain relief. Significantly [p < 0.05] fewer patents required a second dose in diclofenac sodium treated group compared to the other spasmolytic group. The dose and the route of administration of hyoscine N buty1 bromide had no significant [p > 0.05] effect on the proportion of patients with complete relief. These results confirmed that diclofenac sodium can be safely used in the management of acute renal and ureteral colic as an alternative to hyoscine N buty1 bromide