[Knowledge of Kerman general practitioners about Tramadol in 2004]

Tramadol is an opioid analgesic indicated for the management of moderate and severe pains. Its side effects, in parts are due to the activation of micro receptors and in parts to increasing central catecholamine and serotonin levels. In the case of long administration, tramadol has a potential to cause dependency, tolerance and also drug abuse. After prohibition of injective diclofenac, considering Iranian's tendency for rapid sedation of pain symptoms, tramadol has been prescribed widely. The aim of this study is to determine general practitioners knowledge about this new drug. This cross-sectional study was arranged by collecting data through a self-administrated questionnaire consisted of 25 questions related to different aspects of drug knowledge. Sample consisted of 244 general practitioners in Kerman and data analysis was performed by SPSS. Out of 173 general practitioners, 49.1% worked in clinics, 34.9% in private offices and 16% in Emergency Units. Mean knowledge score was 30.72 +/- 0.35 out of the maximum of [50]. From all subjects 49.7% had poor knowledge [Z<-1], while 39.3% had moderate knowledge [-11]. The poorest information was in regard to drug classification and pharmacokinetics, while in dosage and side effects subjects' knowledge was better. No correlation was observed between mean score and variables of job experience, duration, place and sex of practitioners. Considering serious side effects and drug interactions of tramadol and also the low level of knowledge of general practitioners about this drug, educational programs and limitation of distribution seems to be necessary

[Knowledge of Kerman general practitioners about Tramadol in 2004]

Tramadol is an opioid analgesic indicated for the management of moderate and severe pains. Its side effects, in parts are due to the activation of micro receptors and in parts to increasing central catecholamine and serotonin levels. In the case of long administration, tramadol has a potential to cause dependency, tolerance and also drug abuse. After prohibition of injective diclofenac, considering Iranian's tendency for rapid sedation of pain symptoms, tramadol has been prescribed widely. The aim of this study is to determine general practitioners knowledge about this new drug.This cross-sectional study was arranged by collecting data through a self-administrated questionnaire consisted of 25 questions related to different aspects of drug knowledge. Sample consisted of 244 general practitioners in Kerman and data analysis was performed by SPSS. Out of 173 general practitioners, 49.1% worked in clinics, 34.9% in private offices and 16% in Emergency Units. Mean knowledge score was 30.72 +/- 0.35 out of the maximum of [50]. From all subjects 49.7% had poor knowledge [Z<-1], while 39.3% had moderate knowledge [-11]. The poorest information was in regard to drug classification and pharmacokinetics, while in dosage and side effects subjects' knowledge was better. No correlation was observed between mean score and variables of job experience, duration, place and sex of practitioners. Considering serious side effects and drug interactions of tramadol and also the low level of knowledge of general practitioners about this drug, educational programs and limitation of distribution seems to be necessary

[Antidepressant effect of sour orange flowers extract on lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive-like behaviors in rat]

Based on the documents in traditional medicine regarding the therapeutic effect of Sour orange flowers [Citrus aurantium L.] on the nervous system disorders, this experimental study was conducted to evaluate the pretreatment of Sour orange flowers extract in preventing or reducing depressive-like behaviors induced by systemic injection of lipopolysaccharide [LPS] in rats. To perform this study, percolated extract of sour orange flowers was used. Each experimental group of animals was pretreated with the extract along with drinking water before the injection of LPS. The depressive-like behaviors induced by the injection of LPS consisted of the reduction in the preference for sucrose solutions, food consumption, body weight and inability to pleasure. The LPS-injected rats that were chronically pretreated with the extract improved sucrose preference compared with control group, however this was not significant. Food consumption in extract-pretreated group was significantly increased on day 2 and 3 after the injection of LPS compared with control group [P<0.05]. The effect of extract and LPS on social interaction [consisting of body sniffing and grooming] showed that in extract pretreated rats, the time spent for social interaction was equal to that before the injection [baseline]. However in control group there was a significant reduction in the time spent for social interaction compared to the baseline. Considering the effect of LPS in reduction of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine, the attenuation of Sour orange flowers extract on the effect of LPS might be the result of the effect of extract in increasing the level of this neurotransmitter at their site of the activity. To confirm this, more studies to evaluate the pharmacological effect of extract are required