[Marijuana--2000]. / Marihuána--2000.

Marihuana (Cannabis sativa, the hemp plant) is one of the most widely used illicit drugs all over the world. Cannabis products are usually smoked. The plant contains chemicals called cannabinoids. One of these, 1-delta-9-tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) is believed be responsible for most of the characteristic psychoactive (euphoria) and cardiovascular (tachycardia, conjuctivitis) effects. Although some clinical studies suggest the medical utility of marihuana (i.e. on the basis of its antiemetic, anticonvulsive and analgesic effect)--the scientific evidence is weak. Therefore the complete legalization of the drug is strongly opposed.

[HIV protease inhibitors (new possibilities in the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS)]. / HIV-proteáz-gátló szerek (új lehetóség a szerzett immunhiányos tünetegyüttes gyógykezelésében).

In HIV/AIDS illness the reverse transcriptase and protease enzymes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are currently the agents of antiretroviral therapy. Nucleoside analogues were the first group of drugs which exerted antiviral activity in humans. More recently protease inhibitors have provided new approaches in the treatment of HIV-infection and AIDS. Impressive clinical results have been obtained with combined therapies of three antiretroviral drugs, including one protease inhibitor. It is worth to mention that apart from the above, many new compounds are under development, including the vaccine against HIV.

[Theoretical and practical problems concerning therapeutic drug monitoring from the viewpoint of the pharmacologist]. / A terápiás gyógyszerszint-ellenörzés néhány elvi és gyakorlati problémája a klinikai farmakológus szemszögéböl.

Drug treatment is aimed at achieving a maximum therapeutic benefit while minimizing unwanted side-effects. The recognition that drug doses administered to patients were often inadequate or excessive has highlighted the importance of measuring serum levels of drugs - by the methods of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, - for effective patient care. The clinical usefulness of TDM has been undoubtedly demonstrated for a number of drugs. During 1990-1995 four commonly used anticonvulsive drugs, - carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone and valproic acid - were monitored by an Abbott TDx machine, and the usefulness of TDM was further strengthened. In spite of some difficulties the number of samples located in the therapeutic range gradually elevated, assuring a better individual therapy and cost-benefit ratio. During the last 18 months similar results were obtained with theophylline and digoxin as well.

[Future possibilities of drug therapy of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome]. / A szerzett immunhiányos tünetegyüttes gyógyszeres kezelésének jövöbeni lehetöségei.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus replication offers several targets for inhibitory compounds, the foremost presently being the HIV reverse transcriptase. Since the beginning of the epidemic three nucleoside analogue drugs--Zidovudine, Didanosine and Zalcitabine--which act at the reverse transcriptase enzyme are already licensed for use in AIDS-therapy, and others--Stavudine, Alovudine and Lamivudine--are still under clinical evaluation. Although there is a very significant research work for newer drugs for HIV-therapy, it seems that for the next future Zidovudine will remain the most important drug of antiretroviral therapy.

Formulation of diazepam containing rectal suppositories and experiences of their biopharmaceutical study.

Methodology and the results of the in vitro membrane diffusion and in vivo bioavailability studies are presented. The results confirm a correlation between in vitro and in vivo findings. Hydrophilic macrogol-mixture with great molecular mass can be recommended as the optimal vehicle for formulation of diazepam suppositories.

[Current possibilities of malaria chemoprophylaxis]. / A malária kemoprofilaxis jelenlegi lehetöségei.

The number of chloroquine-resistant Pl. falciparum malaria cases in the last decade dramatically increased. This fact causes significant problems not only in the therapy but in the malaria chemoprophylaxis as well. Presently, in accordance with the WHO's recommendations, the drug of choice in the malaria chemoprophylaxis is mefloquine. Other drugs can be used only when there is a problem (medical or other) in mefloquine-use. Halofantrine (Halfan) or the so-called "double-acting" drugs (e.g. Fansidar) are not recommended in the malaria chemoprophylaxis.

[Formulation of diazepam suppositories, results of rheological and biopharmaceutical studies. 2. In vitro membrane diffusion and in vivo absorption results]. / Diazepám-tartalmú végbélkúpok formulálása, reológiai és biofarmáciai vizsgálatának tapasztalatai. 2. In vitro membrándiffúziós és in vivo felszívódási eredmények.

In the first part of the publication the rheological properties of the vehicles used for the production of suppositories were studied in order to determine the ideal parameters for formulation. In this part a detailed methodology and the results of the in vitro membrane diffusion and in vivo bioavailability studies, are presented. The results confirm a general correlation between the in vitro and the in vivo findings. It seems that hydrophilic macrogol-mixture with great molecular mass can be recommended as the optimal vehicle for formulation of diazepam suppositories.