16 month survey of cyclosporine utilization evaluation in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

Objectives: Graft versus host disease [GVHD] is a life threatening reaction in the stem cell transplantation process. Nowadays Cyclosporine is the most commonly utilized agent for GVHD prophylaxis and it has a major role in successful transplantation. Cyclosporine has been applied for many years in this field but it could be stated that currently no general consensus is available for its optimal method of administration. Conditions related to cyclosporine administration and possible related adverse reactions observed closely in our patients with the aim of constructing a comprehensive practice guideline in the future

Patients and Methods: Allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients who have been taking cyclosporine were monitored during and after their hospitalization while recording all observations on predefined questionnaires on the basis of periodic clinical and laboratory examinations for a 16 month period

Results: Mean recorded duration of infusions was 1.44 +/- 0.68 h and by twice daily administration, means intravenous and oral dose was 101.85 +/- 22.03 mg and 219.28 +/- 63.9 mg, respectively. A mean CsA trough level after about 12 h of specified unique doses was 223 +/- 65 ng/mL. We found hypertension, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia in about 14, 20, 48, and 94 percent of patients

Conclusions: This study proposed that permanent guidance of healthcare team according to a fixed and standard method of cyclosporine administration routine with using efficient facilities and protocols would be helpful considerably for an optimal pharmacotherapy

Potential of drug interactions among hospitalized cancer patients in a developing country

Cancer patients are more susceptible to adverse drug-drug interactions [DDIs] due to receiving multiple medications especially chemotherapy medications, hormonal agents and supportive care drugs. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of potential DDIs and to identify risk factors for these potential interactions in hospitalized cancer patients in a developing country

A cross-sectional study conducted by reviewing charts of 224 consecutive in hospitalized patients in hematology-oncology ward of a teaching hospital in Tehran, during a 12 month period from July 2009 to July 2010. "Drug Interaction Facts 2008, 2009: The Authority on Drug Interactions" was used for screening the potential drug-drug interactions. Potential interactions were classified by levels of severity and documentation

The median age of patients was 50 years, the length of hospital stay for patient was 5 days and the number of drugs per patient was 8 drugs. Two hundred and twenty-eight potential interactions were detected. Nearly 14% of the interactions were major and 60% were moderate. Approximately 9% and 10% potential interactions were graded as established and probable. In multivariate analysis, being older than 61 years old, suffering from hematologic cancer, source of cancer in different specific organs [esophagus, testis and cervices more than other sources], and number of ordered drugs for patients were independent predictors of having at least one potential DDI in hospital order. Suffering from hematologic cancer, source of cancer in different organs, length of hospital stay and number of ordered drugs for patients were independent predictors for number of interactions per patients

Having a DDI seems to be more likely to occur in patients older than 61 years old. Hematologic cancers, having more medications in physician's order, longer length of hospital stay, esophageal cancer, testicular cancer and cervical cancer have related to having a DDI and also having more number of interactions

Plerixafor in the treatment of stem cell mobilization failure; first experience in Iran

High-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation [SCT] have become an effective care for many patients with hematological malignancies. Harvesting the stem cells is one the most important parts of SCT. The two most commonly used mobilization regimens are the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF] or G-CSF plus chemotherapy. However, about 10-30% of patients are unable to collect enough cells to support HSCT due to previous chemotherapies, radiation, marrow involvement or fibrosis. In multiple myeloma patients, it is hard to collect enough stem cells when the bone marrow is extensively involved. Plerixafor has emerged as a novel mobilizing agent and its efficacy has been shown in two phase III studies. Considering the importance of autologous SCT in patients with multiple myeloma, we report the first successful Iranian experience at Tehran Taleghani bone marrow transplantation center using plerixafor to mobilize stem cells in a patient with refractory multiple myeloma with extensive bone marrow involvement who failed mobilization with G-CSF

Vancomycin utilization evaluation in a teaching hospital: a case- series study in Iran

Increasing antimicrobial resistance is now a critical point of human being in the world. Especially wide spectrum antibiotics resistance germs like vancomycin-resistant enterococci [VRE] should be dealt as soon as possible as an emergency conflict. Our study tries to reveal the amount of irrational use of vancomycin in a teaching hospital in Iran. We elected the whole inpatients that received vancomycin between February 2007 and May 2008. Forty four out of those 45 patients had inappropriate indication and dosing regimen of vancomycin [97.7%]. The most use of vancomycin was recorded in hematology - oncology ward and then Intensive Care Unit [ICU]. Culture responses were negative despite great clinical evidence of infection. Vancomycin irrational use was high compared to other countries and it could be concerned as a major health problem by health policy makers and physicians to deal. However more detailed researches are needed to reveal the other aspects of this problem. Implementation of antibiotic protocols and standard treatment guidelines are recommended

drug utilization evaluation study of amphotericin B in neutropenic patients in a teaching hospital in Iran

Drug Utilization Evaluation [DUE] studies facilitate assessing the appropriateness and rational use of medications.The goal of the present study was to evaluate Amphotericin B usage in neutropenic patients. A prospective DUE study was performed in Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation wards at Taleghani hospital for one-year. National comprehensive cancer network, clinical practice guidelines in oncology, American Hospital Formulary Service and other relevant medical practice and up-to dated articles were used to evaluate whether Amphotericin B is properly used according to the guidelines. All data collected by a pharmacist in daily review using information of physician and nursing records as well as laboratory findings. During the one-year study, 35 patients receiving amphotericin B were evaluated. 29 patients [82.9%] received amphotericin B due to neutropenia and fever and 6 patients had confirmed fungal infections. All of the injectable solutions of amphotericin B were appropriately prepared for intravenous infusion. In addition, for all patients, ordering [indication] of the study drug was in accordance with the guidelines. Twenty-five [71.4%] patients received an appropriate dose according to the guidelines. Duration of treatment was properly selected in 21 [60%] patients. Twenty-two [62.8%] patients developed hypokalemia as the most frequent adverse drug event. Although, preparation and indication of amphotericin B was in compliance with the current guidelines, dosage and duration of treatment were considered to be incoherent with the designed protocol used in this study. We conclude more attention should be paid to dosage and duration of treatment with amphotericin B in order to optimize its administration