Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0033774 (pruritus)
 14,546 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Two separate trials compared controlled-release (CR) oral oxycodone (administered every 12 hours) with immediate-release (IR) oxycodone (4 times a day) to determine whether patients with chronic pain could be titrated to stable pain control as readily with the CR as with the IR formulation. In one study, 48 patients with cancer pain were randomized to open-label titration with either CR or IR oxycodone (maximum dose, 400 mg/day) for a period of up to 21 days. In a study of similar design, 57 patients with low back pain were titrated with either CR or IR oxycodone (maximum dose, 80 mg/day) for a period of up to 10 days. The majority of patients in both studies were converted to oxycodone from other opioid analgesics. Results of both studies showed no difference between CR and IR oxycodone with respect to both the percentage of patients achieving stable pain control, the time to achieve stable pain control, and the degree of pain control achieved. Among cancer patients, 85% achieved stable analgesia, 92% with the CR formulation and 79% with the IR formulation. Among noncancer patients, 91% achieved stable pain control, 87% with the CR formulation and 96% with the IR formulation. The most commonly reported adverse effects in both studies were similar for the two formulations and were those anticipated with opioids: nausea, vomiting, constipation, somnolence, dizziness, and pruritus. Nausea and vomiting were the most frequently cited reasons for treatment discontinuations. These studies suggest that dose titration can be accomplished as readily with oral CR oxycodone as with IR oxycodone in patients with chronic, moderate to severe pain.
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PMID:Can a controlled-release oral dose form of oxycodone be used as readily as an immediate-release form for the purpose of titrating to stable pain control? 1053 67

More than 2200 subjects were enrolled in the MorphiDex (MS:DM) development program, with a 1:1 (weight:weight) ratio of morphine sulfate (MS) to dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DM). Of the 1400 subjects exposed to MorphiDex, more than 350 subjects were treated for at least 6 months, and over 200 subjects were treated for a year or longer. The clinical population comprised an approximately equal number of men (46.2%) and women (53.8%), ranging in age from 16 to 96 years, and mostly Caucasian (91.8%). The most frequent (54.8%) daily dose of MorphiDex for subjects enrolled in the clinical program was 120 mg or less. Slow DM metabolizers took significantly lower daily doses of MorphiDex than rapid metabolizers without a significant difference in the incidence of adverse events. Plasma bromide concentrations were low and showed a wide margin of safety for both slow and rapid DM metabolizers. There were no clinically significant treatment-related changes in clinical laboratory tests, neurological examinations, or vital signs. The most common adverse events seen in the multiple dose controlled studies were nausea, dizziness, vomiting, somnolence, constipation, confusion, asthenia, headache, and pruritus. With long-term treatment, the prevalence of adverse events was greatest during the first month of MorphiDex exposure and then decreased over time. The incidence of constipation remained fairly constant over time.
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PMID:Long-term safety of MorphiDex. 1068 40

Glucagon-like peptides (GLP) 1 and 2 are hormones derived from the post-translational processing of proglucagon in the intestinal L cells that influence intestinal motility and small bowel growth, respectively. We describe a patient with a neuroendocrine tumor of unknown primary origin with peritoneal carcinomatosis and diffuse liver metastases, who presented with constipation and nocturnal itching for over 3 years. Small bowel follow-through showed decreased small intestinal motility and marked intestinal hypertrophy. Biopsies from mesenterial lymph nodes showed, histologically, a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (G1), with positive immunostaining for chromogranin A, GLP-1, GLP-2 and polypeptide YY (PYY). Jejunal biopsy demonstrated marked intestinal mucosal hypertrophy. HPLC analysis combined with RIA of tumor and serum extracts revealed that the tumor was producing and releasing fasting levels of GLP-1 of 738+/-20.7 pg/ml (normal levels (nl) <100 pg/ml), GLP-2 of 3,150+/-9 pg/ml (nl <100 pg/ml) as well as PYY 550 pg/ml (nl <100 pg/ml). Octreotide administration decreased levels of GLP-1 and GLP-2 and reduced small intestinal transit time from 150 to 50 min. However, tumor growth was not inhibited by octreotide, interferon or dacarbazine therapy and the patient died 8 months later. This is the first case report demonstrating the overproduction of GLP-1, GLP-2 and PYY from an neuroendocrine tumor, in a patient with intestinal hypertrophy and delayed intestinal transit time.
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PMID:Intestinal proliferation and delayed intestinal transit in a patient with a GLP-1-, GLP-2- and PYY-producing neuroendocrine carcinoma. 1117 2

Sucralfate is a well-established drug in the therapy of gastric and duodenal ulcers. Its adverse reactions are rare, where constipation is the most common side effect. Liver injury due to sucralfate has not been previously reported. We describe an elderly patient with significant liver injury accompanied with pruritus during treatment with sucralfate.
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PMID:Hepatotoxicity related to sucralfate. 1134 60

Anorectal symptoms and complaints are common and may be caused by a wide spectrum of conditions. Although most conditions are benign and may be successfully treated by primary care practitioners, a high index of suspicion for colorectal cancer should be maintained, and all patients should be appropriately investigated. Inspection, palpation and anoscopic examination using an Ive's slotted anoscope provide adequate initial assessment. Pruritus ani usually represents a self-perpetuating itch-scratch cycle and is uncommonly due to infection. The history, as well as the physical examination, can distinguish anal pain due to hemorrhoids, fissure, abscess, cancer or proctalgia fugax. The most frequent causes of rectal bleeding are hemorrhoids, fissures and polyps. Diagnoses associated with difficulty in passing stool can range from constipation to fecal incontinence.
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PMID:Common anorectal conditions: Part I. Symptoms and complaints. 1143 Apr 54

Most patients with advanced cancer develop diverse symptoms that can limit the efficacy of pain treatment and undermine their quality of life. The present study surveys symptom prevalence, etiology and severity in 593 cancer patients treated by a pain service. Non-opioid analgesics, opioids and adjuvants were administered following the WHO-guidelines for cancer pain relief. Other symptoms were systematically treated by appropriate adjuvant drugs. Pain and symptom severity was measured daily by patient self-assessment; the physicians of the pain service assessed symptom etiology and the severity of confusion, coma and gastrointestinal obstruction at each visit. The patients were treated for an average period of 51 days. Efficacy of pain treatment was good in 70%, satisfactory in 16% and inadequate in 14% of patients. The initial treatment caused a significant reduction in the average number of symptoms from four to three. Prevalence and severity of anorexia, impaired activity, confusion, mood changes, insomnia, constipation, dyspepsia, dyspnoea, coughing, dysphagia and urinary symptoms were significantly reduced, those of sedation, other neuropsychiatric symptoms and dry mouth were significantly increased and those of coma, vertigo, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, intestinal obstruction, erythema, pruritus and sweating remained unchanged. The most frequent symptoms were impaired activity (74% of days), mood changes (22%), constipation (23%), nausea (23%) and dry mouth (20%). The highest severity scores were associated with impaired activity, sedation, coma, intestinal obstruction, dysphagia and urinary symptoms. Of all 23 symptoms, only constipation, erythema and dry mouth were assessed as being most frequently caused by the analgesic regimen. In conclusion, the high prevalence and severity of many symptoms in far advanced cancer can be reduced, if pain treatment is combined with systematic symptom control. Nevertheless, general, neuropsychiatric and gastrointestinal symptoms are experienced during a major part of treatment time and pain relief was inadequate in 14% of patients. Cancer pain management has to be embedded in a frame of palliative care, taking all the possibilities of symptom management into consideration.
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PMID:Symptoms during cancer pain treatment following WHO-guidelines: a longitudinal follow-up study of symptom prevalence, severity and etiology. 1151 84

Hypericum Perforatum Extract is an extract of the capsules, flowers, leaves, and stem heads of Hypericum perforatum, commonly called St. John's Wort. Hypericum Perforatum Oil is the fixed oil from H. perforatum. Techniques for preparing Hypericum Perforatum Extract include crushing in stabilized olive oil, gentle maceration over a period of weeks, followed by dehydration and filtration. Propylene Glycol and Butylene Glycol extractions were also reported. The following components have variously been reported to be found in H. perforatum: hypericin, naphtodianthrones, flavonoids, terpene and sesquiterpene oils, phenylpropanes, biflavones, tannins, xanthones, phloroglucinols, and essential oils. Hypericum Perforatum Extract is used in over 50 cosmetic formulations and Hypericum Perforatum Oil in just over 10, both across a wide range of product types. Acute toxicity studies using rats, guinea pigs, and mice indicate that the extract is relatively nontoxic. Animals fed H. perforatum flowers for 2 weeks showed significant signs of toxicity, including erythema, edema of the portion of the body exposed to light, alopecia, and changes in blood chemistry. In a chronic study, rats fed H. perforatum gained less weight than control animals. Mixtures containing the extract and the oil were not irritants or sensitizers in animals. Because of the presence of hypericin, H. perforatum is a primary photosensitizer. In clinical tests, a single oral administration of Hypericum extract resulted in hypericin appearing in the blood. With long-term dosing, a steady-state level in blood was reached after 14 days. The polyphenol fraction of H. perforatum had immunostimulating activity, whereas the lipophilic portion had immunosuppressing properties. Mixtures of the extract and the oil produced minimal or no ocular irritation in rabbit eyes. Mutagenic activity in an Ames test was attributed to flavonols in one study and to quercitin in another, but other genotoxicity assays were negative. No carcinogenicity or reproductive and developmental toxicity data were available. A mixture of the extract and the oil was not irritating in clinical studies. Adverse reactions to Hypericum extract in the clinical treatment of depression include skin reddening and itching, dizziness, constipation, fatigue, anxiety, and tiredness. Absent any basis for concluding that data on one member of a botanical ingredient group can be extrapolated to another in a group, or to the same ingredient extracted differently, these data were not considered sufficient to assess the safety of these ingredients. Additional data needs include current concentration of use data; function in cosmetics; photosensitization and phototoxicity data using visible light; gross pathology and histopathology in skin and other major organ systems associated with repeated dermal exposures; dermal reproductive/developmental toxicity data; human skin irritation and sensitization data using the oil; and ocular irritation data, if available. Until these data are available, it is concluded that the available data are insufficient to support the safety of these ingredients in cosmetic formulations.
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PMID:Final report on the safety assessment of Hypericum perforatum extract and Hypericum perforatum oil. 1155 39

Opioid antagonists have well-established indications in the reversal of life-threatening opioid toxicity, but also hold considerable promise for other applications in palliative care practice, particularly management of opioid-related constipation. We briefly review current understanding of opioid receptors, focusing on their complex role in gastrointestinal physiology. We summarize the pharmacology, conventional indications, and clinical usage of three major groups of opioid antagonists, including a promising new peripherally acting agent, methylnaltrexone, which is not commercially available. We suggest an approach to administering opioid antagonists for reduction of life-threatening opioid toxicity in patients with pain. The literature on opioid-induced constipation and its treatment with opioid-antagonists is reviewed in detail. Finally, other potential uses of opioid antagonists in palliative care are described, especially strategies for reducing such opioid side effects as nausea and pruritus and for improving analgesia or reducing tolerance by concomitantly administrating both an opioid agonist and low dosages of an antagonist.
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PMID:Opioid antagonists: a review of their role in palliative care, focusing on use in opioid-related constipation. 1218 97

There is considerable evidence to support an immunopathogenic basis of psoriasis. However, changes such as altered angiogenesis have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. AE-941 (Neovastat; Aeterna Laboratories, Quebec City Quebec, Canada) is a naturally occurring product currently in clinical investigation that blocks two main mechanisms of angiogenesis activation, namely, vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase. We hypothesized that psoriasis could be modulated by inhibiting the neovascularization of psoriatic plaques. We conducted a randomized dose-comparison trial to evaluate the safety and potential therapeutic benefit of AE-941, administered orally to patients with psoriasis. Forty-nine patients with psoriasis were enrolled and assigned to receive AE-941 at 30, 60, 120, or 240 mL/d for 12 weeks. Patients were followed up for another 12-week period. Improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score was observed in 50%, 41.7%, and 30.8% of the patients receiving 240, 120, and 60 mL/d, respectively. No patients receiving a dosage 30 mL/d showed a PASI score improvement. A statistically significant improvement with increasing dose was observed for the PASI score, severity of itch, and the physician's global assessment. The most commonly reported nonserious drug-related adverse events affected the gastrointestinal system in 12 of 49 patients (primarily nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, and constipation) and the skin and appendages in 4 of 49 patients (primarily acne and rash). This randomized phase I/II study provides evidence that the antiangiogenic agent AE-941 offers a new therapeutic approach to the management of psoriasis.
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PMID:Neovastat (AE-941), an inhibitor of angiogenesis: Randomized phase I/II clinical trial results in patients with plaque psoriasis. 1227 Dec 97

Complications of oral contraceptives (OCs) affecting the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas are rare but potentially serious. Hepatobiliary complications are by far the most frequent and varied. Hepatic lesions will probably decline in frequency as low-dose OCs replace higher dosed pills. Intrahepatic cholestasis induced by OCs resembles that of pregnancy. There may be a genetic predisposition to both conditions involving a dose-dependent estrogen effect of decreasing bile secretion. Intrahepatic cholestasis appears within 6 cycles of OC use. Symptoms include pruritus with anorexia, asthenia, vomiting, and weight loss without fever, rash or abdominal pain. Termination of OCs clears the condition without sequelae within 1-3 months, sometimes after a temporary aggravation. A moderate and asymptomatic cytolysis may appear when OC treatment is begun. Sinusoidal dilatation has been conclusively linked to OCs although few cases have been published. Clinical manifestations other than hepatomegaly are variable. Abdominal pain and fever are the most common. The condition is not related to duration of use and disappears 5-15 days after OC use is terminated. The relative risk of Budd-Chiari syndrome in OC users is estimated at 2.37. OCs increase the prevalence of hepatic adenomas as a function of duration of treatment. They are usually discovered fortuitously but may be revealed by vague abdominal pains. Hemorrhagic complications are more likely in OC users. It may be difficult to distinguish between adenomas, hepatocellular carcinoma, and focal nodular hyperplasia. A puncture biopsy guided by sonography may aid diagnosis. The natural history of adenomas is poorly understood and treatment remains controversial. OCs do not appear to increase the risk of focal nodular hyperplasia but they increase the size of the tumor and the risk of hemorrhage. OCs should be terminated because of risk of hemorrhage. Surgical resection is not indicated unless there are complication or diagnostic doubts. While hepatocellular carcinoma is very rare, its risk is increased by a factor of 7-20 in women using OCs for 8 years or more. Use of combined OCs appears to speed development of lithiasis in predisposed women. Risk of lithiasis is linked to estrogen content in women under 30. Several cases of acute pancreatitis in the 1st 3 months of treatment have been reported in women with preexisting lipid metabolic anomalies. Cases of ischemic lesions of the small intestine or colon have been reported in OC users with A positive blood type. Such lesions can be fatal without early diagnosis and termination of OCs. Gastric esophageal reflux is increased by progestins. Preexisting constipation may be aggravated and the incidence of Crohn's disease increased by OCs. It is advisable to rule out preexisting hepatic pathology before prescribing OCs. OCs should be stopped in case of viral hepatitis.
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PMID:[Contraception and hepatogastroenterology]. 1231 76


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