ABSTRACT
To investigate whether methyldopa alters digoxin disposition, eight healthy subjects received methyldopa titrated to 250 mg t.i.d. or placebo in a double-blind, cross-over manner for 16 consecutive days, with 0.25 mg intravenous digoxin coadministered on day 5 and 0.25 mg oral digoxin on days 9 to 16. Digoxin concentrations in plasma and urine were measured by RIA. Although assay sensitivity did not allow an adequate assessment of serum AUC(0-infinity) after intravenous administration, mean digoxin AUC(0-24) was 10.2 +/- 3.5 and 10.0 +/- 1.8 ng/ml X hr with placebo and methyldopa, respectively (P greater than 0.05). Mean urinary excretion after digoxin with or without methyldopa treatment was 0.204 +/- 0.34 and 0.197 +/- 0.38 mg, respectively. The mean steady-state serum concentrations of oral digoxin (AUC(0-24)/zeta) with and without methyldopa were 0.65 +/- 0.2 and 0.62 +/- 0.3 ng/ml, respectively. These data revealed no significant differences (P greater than 0.05) for various parameters with power of greater than 0.8 to detect meaningful differences of approximately 30 per cent. Thus, methyldopa did not alter digoxin disposition in healthy subjects, and a pharmacokinetic interaction in patients is unlikely.
Subject(s)
Digoxin/metabolism , Methyldopa/pharmacology , Administration, Oral , Adult , Digoxin/blood , Digoxin/urine , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Injections, Intravenous , Male , Random Allocation , Time FactorsABSTRACT
A survey was administered to a random sample of community pharmacy practitioners who participate as preceptors in clerkship programs for colleges of pharmacy throughout the country. The purpose of this survey was to determine (1) in what ways, if any, students have affected the preceptors' practices; (20 whether the students served as a sources of continuing education to the preceptors; (3) whether the preceptors identified areas of students' strengths/deficiencies; and (4) roles of colleges of pharmacy and pharmacy associations in providing continuing education programs for pharmacists. Results of this survey are discussed. Data are cross-tabulated for types of pharmacy services provided, years in practice, length of clerkship rotations, and other essential demographic information needed for evaluation. Based on responses, recommendations are made that will provide guidance to colleges of pharmacy, pharmaceutical associations, and practitioners currently involved or those who are considering involvement in clerkship programs.
