ABSTRACT
We report on three patients who developed fever after starting treatment with the anti-neoplastic agent, hydroxyurea. Fever occurred within 5 days to 3 weeks after starting treatment. In all cases the causal relationship between fever and use of hydroxyurea was demonstrated by spontaneous recovery after drug withdrawal and was confirmed by recurrence of fever after rechallenge. Other causes were excluded. Fever was accompanied by rash, gastro-intestinal and pulmonary symptoms, and arthralgia. Physicians should be aware of the fact that unexplained fever may be caused by hydroxyurea.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Fever/chemically induced , Hydroxyurea/adverse effects , Aged , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Hydroxyurea/therapeutic use , Male , Recurrence , Thrombocytosis/blood , Thrombocytosis/drug therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori using metronidazole is less effective in patients with a metronidazole resistant strain. Moreover, metronidazole is responsible for many side-effects. This open study examined the efficacy and side-effects of a triple treatment regimen substituting clarithromycin for metronidazole. METHODS: 36 patients with a H. pylori infection, proven by culture, were treated with tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate 120 mg q.d.s., tetracycline 250 mg q.d.s. and clarithromycin 250 mg q.d.s. for 10 days. Eradication was defined as a negative culture and histological examination of antral biopsy specimens, taken at least 6 weeks after completion of the treatment. RESULTS: Eradication was achieved in 26 patients (72%). The treatment was well tolerated with only 4 (11%) of the patients having significant side-effects. CONCLUSION: Triple therapy with clarithromycin seems to be less effective than standard triple treatment when the prevalence of metronidazole resistance is low. It is suggested, however, that this combination could be a valuable alternative in areas with a high prevalence of metronidazole resistance.
Subject(s)
Clarithromycin/therapeutic use , Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy , Metronidazole/therapeutic use , Organometallic Compounds/therapeutic use , Tetracycline/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anti-Ulcer Agents/administration & dosage , Anti-Ulcer Agents/therapeutic use , Clarithromycin/administration & dosage , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Male , Metronidazole/administration & dosage , Metronidazole/adverse effects , Middle Aged , Organometallic Compounds/administration & dosage , Tetracycline/administration & dosageABSTRACT
The bioavailability of two altretamine preparations was studied in a randomized cross-over design. The two preparations were compared with a third in a parallel design. Dissolution differences between the preparations were observed, which could give rise to differences in bioavailability caused by the extensive first-pass effect of altretamine. The in vivo data showed a trend to differences in bioavailability.
Subject(s)
Altretamine/pharmacokinetics , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacokinetics , Triazines/pharmacokinetics , Adult , Aged , Altretamine/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Biological Availability , Chromatography, Gas , Female , Half-Life , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , SolubilitySubject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Colorectal Neoplasms , Liver Neoplasms/secondary , Adult , Aged , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Drug Evaluation , Female , Floxuridine/administration & dosage , Fluorouracil/administration & dosage , Hepatic Artery , Humans , Infusions, Intra-Arterial , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Ingestion of 12 g of endrin by a 49-year-old man caused convulsions persisting for 4 days, hypersalivation, hyperthermia, renal insufficiency, thrombocytopenia and recurrent hypotension. Death followed after 11 days, due to pulmonary complications (infection and haemorrhage) and hypoxaemia causing bradycardia and cardiac arrest. Endrin and dieldrin concentrations in blood 4 hours, 6 and 11 days after ingestion were respectively 450, 86 and 71 micrograms/l for endrin and 60, 19 and 19 micrograms/l for dieldrin. Dieldrin was also present, possibly because the endrin preparation contained traces of dieldrin. Endrin concentrations 11 days after ingestion were 0.071 mg/l in blood, in adipose tissue 89.5 mg/kg, in the heart 0.87 mg/kg, in the brain 0.89 mg/kg, in the kidneys 0.55 mg/kg and in the liver 1.32 mg/kg.
