ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Famotidine dosage adjustment is required in patients with chronic kidney disease. Since recommendations on the degree of famotidine dose reduction vary between references, a chart review was conducted to evaluate the tolerability of varying famotidine doses in adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS: An assessment was made of famotidine doses prescribed to patients with ESRD over a 7-year period in a university hospital. Patient medical records were reviewed for evidence of mental status changes associated with famotidine. RESULTS: In 38 patients who met study criteria, 35 had no evidence of mental status change while receiving famotidine therapy. Among these 35 patients, the mean dose of famotidine was 24 mg/daily for 5.5 days. Three patients had mental status changes possibly associated with famotidine therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, most ESRD patients seemed to tolerate famotidine 20 mg daily well, but larger prospective studies need to be done before final recommendations can be made. A small percentage of patients may require further dose reduction to minimize risk of mental status change.
Subject(s)
Famotidine/therapeutic use , Histamine H2 Antagonists/therapeutic use , Kidney Failure, Chronic/drug therapy , Mental Disorders/chemically induced , Adult , Aged , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Famotidine/adverse effects , Female , Histamine H2 Antagonists/adverse effects , Humans , Kidney Failure, Chronic/psychology , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine if gender differences in the skill of using peak flow meters affect peak expiratory flow (PEF). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: University classroom. SUBJECTS: One hundred sixteen first-year pharmacy students (76 women, 40 men). INTERVENTION: Students were taught correct use of a peak flow meter by means of classroom discussion and demonstrations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The students' technique in use of the peak flow meter was scored 3 times, and their PEF was recorded. Men scored higher than women (p=0.03) for the steps of "inhale fully" and "exhale as hard and as fast as you can" in the first attempt. Percentage increases in PEF did not significantly differ between the groups. Percentage change in PEF improved from the second attempt to the third attempt in women (p=0.036) but not men. On the third attempt, 13.2% of women versus 2.6% of men had an increase in PEF of more than 50% (p=0.1). CONCLUSION: This study found that men learned the correct technique for using a peak flow meter and attained their best PEF more quickly than women.
