Drug misuse, dependence and addiction.

Drug addiction presents a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by persistent drug-seeking and taking behaviors. Given the significant detrimental effects of this disease both socially and economically, a considerable research has been dedicated to understanding a number of issues in addiction including behavioral and neuropharmacological factors that contribute to the development of addiction, loss of self control and persistence of compulsive addictive behaviors. This review was designed to list out the drugs and factors which initiate and maintain dependence and how the relapse of these substances occurs in drug dependent persons.

Antituberculotic Chemotherapy-General and Hepatic Toxicity Revisited.

Severe or pertinent hepatic toxicity interferes with antituberculotic chemotherapy resulting in dose reductions, treatment delays or cessation of therapy. Hepatic toxicity by antituberculotic agents is due to anaphylactic reactions (acetylaor phenotype polymorphism) and is relative to the cumulative dose intensity. Risk of hepatic toxicity is higher in the elderly and alcoholic patients. Patients with previous hepatic diseases such as hepatitis and comorbidities i.e. HIV infections, malnutrition and renal damages are prone to an added risk of hepatic toxicity. This review consolidates the pattern of hepatic adverse effects associated with each component of the antimyobacterial regimen e.g. isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamaide. Higher propensities of hepatic adverse effects are associated with the first line agents, intensified by the incorporation of second line antibiotics, primarily metabolized in the liver. In conclusion the hepatic biomarkers should be monitored in the patient under a tuberculosis treatment plan as well as purposefully assessed during follow-up visits of the patients.

Enteric coating of ibuprofen tablets (200 mg) using an aqueous dispersion system / Revestimento entérico dos comprimidos de ibuprofeno (200 mg), utilizando um sistema de dispersão aquosa

Ibuprofen is a propionic acid derivative that belongs to the class NSAIDs. Major adverse reactions associated with Ibuprofen are related to GIT and include peptic and mucosal ulcers, dyspepsia, severe gastric pain and bleeding, that results in excessive treatment failure. The goal of this study was to develop enteric coated ibuprofen tablets in order to avoid gastric mucosal irritation, diffusion of drug across mucosal lining and to let active ingredient be absorbed easily in small intestine. The formulation was developed and manufactured through the direct compression process, the simplest, easiest and most economical method of manufacturing. Enteric coating was done using an Opadry white subcoating and an aqueous coating dispersion of Acryl-Eze. Enteric coated formulation was subjected to disintegration and dissolution tests by placing in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid for 2 h and then 1 h in phosphate buffer with a pH of 6.8. About 0.04 percent of drug was released in the acidic phase and 99.05 percent in the basic medium. These results reflect that ibuprofen can be successfully enteric coated in order to prevent its release in the stomach and facilitate rapid release of the drug in the duodenum, due to the presence of superdisintegrant. Formulating this enteric coated tablets could increase patient compliance by decreasing adverse drug reactions (ADR S) associated with Ibuprofen therapy.

Ibuprofeno é um derivado do ácido propiônico, que pertence à classe dos fármacos não-esteróides (AINES). As principais reações adversas associadas com o ibuprofeno se referem àquelas do trato gastrintestinal (TGI), como úlceras pépticas e da mucosa, dispepsia, dor gástrica grave e sangramento, que resultam em muitas falhas de tratamento. O objetivo do estudo foi desenvolver comprimidos revestidos de ibuprofeno que impeçam a irritação da mucosa gástrica, difusão do fármaco através da mucosa e permitam, facilmente, a absorção do princípio ativo do intestino delgado. A formulação foi desenvolvida e manufaturada por meio de processo de compressão direta, método mais simples e econômico de preparação. O revestimento entérico foi efetuado utilizando-se subrevestimento com Opadry branco e revestimento por dispersão aquosa de Acryl-Eze. A formulação de revestimento para liberação entérica foi submetida a testes de desintegração e de dissolução, em ácido clorídrico 0,1 M, por 2 h, e, então, a h, em tampão fosfato pH 6,8. Cerca de 0,04 por cento do fármaco foi liberado na fase ácida e 99,05 por cento, no meio básico. Estes resultados refletem o fato de que o ibuprofeno pode ser revestido com sucesso, a fim de impedir sua liberação no estômago e facilitar a rápida liberação do fármaco no duodeno, devido à presença de superdesintegrante. A formulação de tais comprimidos aumentaria a adesão do paciente pela diminuição das reações adversas (RAs), associadas à terapia com ibuprofeno.