UV Spectrophotometric Determination Of Rupatadine Fumarate In Bulk And Tablet Dosage Form By Using Single Point Standardization Method

Objective: To develop and validate a simple, selective, precise and accurate method for the estimation of rupatadine fumarate in bulk and tablet dosage form by using the single point standardization method as per international conference on harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Methods: In this proposed method, the absorbance of a standard solution of known concentration and a sample solution was measured. From this, the concentration of the unknown can be calculated. Results: Rupatadine fumarate showed maximum absorbance at 246 nm with methanol. Linearity was checked in different concentrations. The calibration curve was obtained in the range of 2-10 µg/ml. The slope, intercept and correlation coefficient (R2) values of Rupatadine fumarate were found to be 0.047, 0.0034 and 0.9995 respectively. Intra-day and inter-day precision studies were carried out and there % RSD values were found within limits i.e. less than 2%. The recovery studies were carried out by adding a known amount of standard drug to preanalysed formulation and % Recovery was found to be within 99.7-101.6%. LOD and LOQ of Rupatadine fumarate were found to be 0.1 µg/ml and 0.3 µg/ml respectively. Robustness studies were performed at different wavelengths and the % RSD was found within the limits i.e. less than 2 %. Conclusion: The developed single point standardization method for the estimation of Rupatadine fumarate was found to be simple, precise, accurate, reproducible and cost-effective. Statistical analysis of the developed method confirms that the proposed method is an appropriate and it can be useful for the routine analysis. The proposed method gives the basic idea to the researcher who is working in the area like product development.

Medication Therapy Management Services and Pharmacovigilance Studies in Tuberculosis Patients: A Patient Care Aspect in the Pulmonology Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Tuberculosis is fundamentally a disease of the lungs, however, it can influence any organ in the body. Objectives: Primary objective was to improve the patient compliance or medication adherence and to identify, detect, monitor ADRs induced by anti-tubercular drugs and report them. A secondary objective was to prevent the emergence of drug resistance and treatment of prolongation/failure in TB patients. Methods: A prospective, observational, cohort study was carried out for 6-months in tertiary care hospital. There were 60 patients included in the study. The data were evaluated for patients’ demographic profile, type of TB, medication adherence and occurrence of ADRs. Adverse drug reactions were observed and recorded. The causality of ADRs was assessed using WHO-causality assessment scale and Naranjo causality assessment scale. The severity of ADRs was determined using Hartwig’s severity assessment scale. Results and Discussion: Total of 60 patients were included in the study. Results showed that among 60 patients included in the study, 44 patients experienced ADRs. Among all age groups, the highest numbers of ADRs were seen in the age group 19-30 (43.1%) years. The occurrence of ADRs was noticed more in females (77.7%). The majority of ADRs occurred in patients was general (28.4%), and gastrointestinal effects (23.8%). Conclusion and Scope of the Study: Adherence to treatment is crucial for the cure of individual patients, controlling the spread of infection, minimizing the development of drug resistance and to reduce the chances of re-infection. Proper therapeutic monitoring of regimen, dose management, and pharmacovigilance activities are necessary. Such approaches will not only improve the treatment outcomes but also minimizes the chances of treatment prolongation/failure. All the health care professionals should interpret their responsibility in this domain of the health care profession.

Study of incidence of helminthic infestation in children aged 1 to 15 years attending to a tertiary care hospital.

Background: Helminthic infestation is common in children because of their habits and opportunity for exposure. The present study was undertaken in the Narayana Hospital, Nellore to determine the incidence of various helminthes, the symptomatology and clinical manifestations of various helminthes and to correlate type of helminthic infestatioin. Material and methods: This is a prospective study, was done in 1 to 15 years children who attended O P D or admitted to the pediatric ward, Narayana Hospital, Nellore. The material for the study comprises of 500 children’s, who attended OPD or admitted to the Pediatric ward belonging to 1 to 15 years age groups. A detailed clinical examination including stool examination was done for all the 500 children. Blood examination was done for knowing the degree of anemia. Results and discussion: Out of 500 children examined in various age groups, 275 children’s were found to be positive for one or other helminthic ova in the stool samples examined giving an overall incidence of 55%. Number of stool samples examined Number of stool samples infested with Helminths. Out of 500 children examined, 235 were males and 265 were females, of which 130 males and 145 females were found to be infested for one or other helminthic ova. Out of 500 stool examples examined 275 were positive for one or other helminthic ova, 160 were positive for ascariasis, 20 were positive for Hookworm, 40 were positive for Trichuris trichura, 10 were positivefor hymenolepis nana and 5 was positive for Taenia infestation. Out of 500 children studied, 130 children belong to class V Socio - economic class, 150 children belong to class IV socio - economic class, 120 children belong to class III Soci -economic class and 100 children belong to class II Socio – economic class, giving a percentage of infestation according to Socio - economic class, giving a percentage of infestation according to Socio-–economic class as 80% in class V, 63.3% in class IV, 41.7% in class - III and 30% in class II respectively. Anemia in hookworm infestation was of mild degree in all 15 children. Anemia in mixed infestation was of mild degree in 20 children and moderate degree in 5 children. Out of 500 children studied 300 children had normal nutritional status a nd positive percentage of helminthic infestation in them was 26.7%, 140 children had Grade – I malnutrition and positive percentage of helminthic infestation in them 96.4, 40 children had Grade-II and 20 children had Grade - 111 malnutrition. Positive percentage of helminthic infestation in Grade – II and Grade – III malnutrition was found to be 100%. Conclusion: This study confirms the finding of the other authors all over india regarding helminthic infestations in respect to epidemiology, clinical manifestations and relation with nutritional status. There was a high co-relation with poor nutritional status.

Assessing the readiness to integrate tobacco control in medical curriculum: Experiences from five medical colleges in southern India.

Background. Making tobacco cessation a normative part of all clinical practice is the only way to substantially reduce tobacco-related deaths and the burden of tobacco-related morbidity in the short term. This study was undertaken because information on receptivity to integrate tobacco control education in the medical curriculum is extremely limited in low- and middle-income countries. Methods. From five medical colleges (two government) in southern India, 713 (men 59%) faculty and 2585 (men 48%) students participated in our cross-sectional survey. Information on self-reported tobacco use and readiness to integrate tobacco control education in the medical curriculum was collected from both the faculty and students using a pretested structured questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to find the associated factors. Results. Current smoking was reported by 9.0% (95% CI 6.6–12.1) of men faculty and 13.7% (CI 11.8–15.9) by men students. Faculty who were teaching tobacco-related topics [odds ratio (OR) 2.29; 95% CI 1.65–3.20] compared to those who were not, faculty in government colleges (OR 1.69; CI 1.22–2.35) compared to those in private colleges and medical specialists (OR 1.79; CI 1.23–2.59) compared to surgical and non-clinical specialists were more likely to be ready to integrate tobacco control education in the medical curriculum. Non-smoking students (OR 2.58; CI 2.01–3.33) compared to smokers, and women students (OR 1.80; CI 1.50–2.17) compared to men were more likely to be ready to integrate a tobacco control education in the curriculum. Conclusion. Faculty and students are receptive to introduce tobacco control in the medical curriculum. Government faculty, medical specialists and faculty who already teach tobacco-related topics are likely to be early introducers of this new curriculum.

Prevalence of rhinitis symptoms among 16 to 18 years old adolescents in Saudi Arabia.

Objective. The present study was designed to estimate the prevalence of rhinitis symptoms among secondary school students in Saudi Arabia Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among children from secondary schools in the city of Riyadh. The study utilised the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) questionnaire. Results. Among the 3073 students (1504 boys and 1569 girls), the prevalence of life-time rhinitis, rhinitis in the past 12 months, and hay fever were 43.8%, 38.6% and 21.3%, respectively. There was a significant difference between boys and girls in the prevalence of life-time rhinitis (41% versus 46.5%, p=0.02) and the prevalence of rhinitis in the past 12 months (35.1% versus 41.9%, p=0.001). There was no significant difference between boys and girls in the prevalence of hay fever (22.5% versus 20.2%, p=0.144). The prevalence of asthma symptoms among students with life-time rhinitis and hay fever were 35.4% and 39.9%, respectively. Asthma symptoms were strongly linked with life-time rhinitis (Odds Ratio [OR]=2.5, p<0.001) and hay fever (OR=2.4, p value<0.001). Conclusions. The prevalence of rhinitis symptoms is high among 16 to 18 years old adolescents in Saudi Arabia, and symptoms are more common in girls compared to boys. Rhinitis symptoms are also associated with a high frequency of asthma symptoms.

Improving Physician Referral for Tobacco Cessation Clients of Tobacco Cessation Clinic in South India

The major burden of tobacco related diseases is borne by developing countries. Tobacco cessation is an important step in preventing mortality and morbidity due to tobacco related diseases. The objective of the study was to assess the profile of tobacco users utilizing the services of the district anti tobacco cell in Bangalore. A cross sectional study was carried out in 2009. Total of 122 persons above 18 years old, current tobacco users and who were motivated to quit were interviewed by a trained medical social worker. Information about the socio-demographic profile of the clients, details of tobacco use and nicotine dependence levels using Fagerstrom score was collected. SPSS 16.0 software was used for data analysis. The results have been presented using descriptive statistics and ANOVA tests. The study population was comprised of exclusively males. The mean age was 34.9 years. Seventy four percent (73.8%) were smokers while 26% were users of smokeless tobacco products. Fagerstrom scores showed that majority of tobacco users (54% of smokers and 63% of smokeless tobacco users) had moderate to high nicotine dependence. Most of the clients were self-referred. The average pack years of tobacco use and the mean Fagerstrom score were higher in the physician referred group indicating that physicians have access to tobacco users who could benefit the most from tobacco cessation efforts. Clients attending tobacco cessation clinics tend to have moderate to high tobacco dependence. Health care providers need to put in more efforts to refer tobacco users to tobacco cessation services. Improved physician awareness could help in stepping up tobacco cessation efforts.

Extractive spectrophotometric methods for nebivolol hydrochloride.

Two simple and sensitive spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the estimation of Nebivolol hydrochloride in pure and pharmaceutical dosage forms. Method 1 is based on Ion-association complex formation of the drug with (SBT λmax 515 nm). Method 2 is based on Ion-association complex formation of the drug reacts with (BTB λmax 410nm). These methods have been statistically evaluated and found to be precise and accurate.

Exenatide and acute pancreatitis.

For a female, type 2 diabetic patient, with 4 years duration of diabetes, Exenatide (Byetta) was prescribed as glycaemic control was not satisfactory along with Glimepiride and Metformin. She had gastrointestinal disturbances, since the first day of the injection. From the eighth day she developed signs of acute pancreatitis which was confirmed with CT-Scan and biochemical investigations. Byetta was withdrawn, the patient was treated for acute pancreatitis and the symptoms subsided.