ABSTRACT
Prescriptions comprising multi-drug therapy mostly illustrate the prescribing error. The phenomenon of error is bonded with human inaccuracy. The erroneous practice is observed in under developed countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and also in developed ones. Consequently drug-drug interaction is one of the most common error associated with potentially serious adverse response even death. Accordingly the present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of prescribing errors and drug-drug interactions in out-patients receiving angiotensin receptor blockers. The study was done with population size one hundred fifty prescriptions obtained from different out-patient settings in Karachi. The prescriptions were screened for prescribing errors and risk factors for drug-drug interactions. Drug-drug interactions were recognized by Micromedex.2.0.Drug-Reax®database. The most common type of error was omission error. These errors were patient's age, weight and diagnosis found in 51.3%, 97.3% and 74% of prescriptions, respectively. The prevalence of drug-drug interaction was 38%. A total of 746 drugs were prescribed with an average of 5 drugs per prescription and 450 medication errors were detected. Majority of the interaction were moderate [19.33%], others were minor [14%] and major [6%] in severity. Patients who prescribed many drugs [more than 5 drugs in a while] had a higher risk of developing drug-drug interactions [OR=4.76; 95% CI=2.30-9.64; p=0.0001*].The study data reports the occurrence of prescribing errors in Karachi and also necessitate the need of clinical pharmacist's services in health care system. The step will help to minimize the risk factors by having the drug prescriptions reviewed by the pharmacists
ABSTRACT
A precise, sensitive and quick High Performance Liquid Chromatographic [HPLC] method for the determination of rosuvastatin calcium in bulk and tablet dosage forms has been validated. The chromatographic scheme involved: Sil-20A auto sampler, LC-20A pump, SPD-20A UV/visible detector with separation attained by C18 column at 40oC temperature through a mobile phase of acetonitrile and buffer [50:50] at a flow rate of 1.0ml/min. The method is precise [%RSD for intra-day and inter-day extended between 1.06-1.54% and 0.103-1.78%] and linear [r[2]=0.9997]. Limit of detection and quantification [LOD and LOQ] of the adopted method were 0.78 and 1.56Mug/ml. The proposed HPLC method was established to be sensitive, precise and swift that can be proficiently adopted in quality control/quality assurance laboratories for predictable investigation of the bulk and oral solid dosage forms of rosuvastatin calcium
ABSTRACT
An innovative, selective and rapid reversed phase High Performance Liquid Chromatographic [RP-HPLC] method for the analysis of cefadroxil in bulk material and oral solid dosage forms has been developed and validated. The Chromatographic system consisted of Sil-20A auto sampler, LC-20A pump and SPD-20A Uv/visible detector. The separation was achieved by C[18] column at ambient temperature with a mobile phase consisting of methanol: Phosphate buffer [10: 90] at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min. The method is reproducible, repeatable [%RSD for intra-day and inter-day ranged between 1.75-5.33% and 0.58-2.69%] and linear [R[2]=0.9935]. The LOD and LOq of the method were 0.5 and 1.0 microg/ml, respectively. The present RP-HPLC method was found to be sensitive, accurate, precise, rapid and cost effective that can be efficiently used in QC/QA laboratories for routine analysis of the raw materials as well as oral dosage formulations of cefadroxil
ABSTRACT
Fast Disintegrating Tablets [FDTs] is a rapidly growing dosage form preferred for special population (pediatric, geriatric and psychotic patients]
It is also developed with the aim of improving bioavailability and patient compliance
During the present study, cefadroxil fast disintegrating tablets formulations [n=9] were designed and optimized by central composite design with two independent variables [croscarmellose and crospovidone] using design expert® software
The effects of independent variables on formulation properties such as friability, hardness, in vitro dispersion and disintegration were assessed by drawing response surface graphs with design expert® software. Tablets were assessed for pharmacopeial and non-pharmacopeial parameters to ensure the quality of compressed tablets
Among all formulations, F3, F8 and F9 have shown better results. The formulation F9 containing 15mg croscarmellose and !l075mg crospovidone showed good pharmacotechnical attributes as well as shelf life. F 9 showed improved dissolution with t90o/0 of> 2 min and will lead to better bioavailability
ABSTRACT
Antibiotic resistance development is an ongoing process associated with irrational antibiotic use. WHO recommends regular surveillance programs for monitoring of antibiotic resistance. The present study is a step in this direction. A total of 124 clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from different hospitals in Karachi. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility studies were carried out by agar dilution method using newer quinolones that included Gatifloxacin and Levofloxacin. It was observed that 50% [n=30] isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to gatifloxacin. Gatifloxacin was more active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa [n=23] and showing complete susceptibility with MIC 1mg/L except for three very resistant strains that shown resistance at even higher concentrations. Escherichia coli [n=45] has shown 15.5% and Klebsiella pneumoniae [n=26] 34.61% resistance to gatifloxacin. Levofloxacin was more active against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli showing complete susceptibility at 0.5 mg /L concentration. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae were found to be resistant to Levofloxacin showing 36.36% and 23.08% resistance respectively. The study strongly recommends the adherence to the antibiotic policy and regular susceptibility testing to overcome the problem associated with antimicrobial resistance