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Query: UMLS:C0042963 (
vomiting
)
31,883
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, drug interactions, and dosage and administration of donepezil are reviewed. Donepezil is a synthetic noncovalent reversible inhibitor of
acetylcholinesterase
(
AChE
) for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease. In contrast to tacrine hydrochloride, the only comparable agent currently approved by FDA, donepezil exhibits a relatively high degree of selectivity for neuronal
AChE
as opposed to butyrylcholinesterase. It has a half-life of 60 hours in young adults and 104 hours in elderly patients. In clinical trials, donepezil has been associated with significant improvements in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale and Clinical Interview-Based Impression of Change scores. The most common adverse effects associated with donepezil are nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, and
vomiting
, which are most likely to occur during dose initiation or adjustment. Hepatotoxicity, a dose-limiting adverse effect that sometimes requires discontinuation of tacrine, has not been reported with donepezil. Donepezil does not appear to interact with theophylline, cimetidine, warfarin, or digoxin. Ketoconazole and quinidine inhibit the metabolism of donepezil in vitro, but there is a lack of clinical data showing that these drugs decrease the clearance of donepezil. The initial recommended dosage is 5 mg daily before bedtime, with a dosage increase to 10 mg after four to six weeks according to the patient's response and tolerance. Donepezil appears to be preferable to tacrine as the initial agent for patients with mild to moderate dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease.
...
PMID:Donepezil: an anticholinesterase inhibitor for Alzheimer's disease. 942 50
The safety of tacrine (Cognex), a centrally active, reversible
acetylcholinesterase
inhibitor approved in 1993 for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer type, was evaluated in 2,706 patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) in clinical trials and in 9861 patients with AD in a treatment investigational new drug (TIND) program. More than 190,000 patients in the United States received tacrine during the first 2 years following marketing approval. The most common tacrine-associated adverse events were elevated liver transaminase levels [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and, to a lesser degree, aspartate aminotransferase] and peripheral cholinergic events involving primarily the digestive system (nausea,
vomiting
, diarrhea, dyspepsia, anorexia, and weight loss). Based on clinical trial experience, potentially clinically significant (>3 x upper limit of normal) ALT elevations occurred in 25% of patients, requiring routine monitoring early in treatment. The elevations were almost always asymptomatic, rarely accompanied by significant increases in bilirubin, and related to time on drug rather than to dose (90% occurred within the first 12 weeks of treatment). Gastrointestinal events were related to dose and generally of mild to moderate intensity. Tacrine-associated events, including ALT elevations, were reversible. Cholinergic events were manageable with dosage adjustment. Tacrine was not associated with permanent liver injury in clinical trials or a TIND setting.
...
PMID:Safety of tacrine: clinical trials, treatment IND, and postmarketing experience. 965 Nov 38
Eptastigmine is a new
acetylcholinesterase
(
AChE
) inhibitor currently under development for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer disease. This study was conducted to establish the maximum tolerated dose and the pharmacodynamics of eptastigmine in nine healthy elderly volunteers. Subjects received single oral doses of 8 mg, 20 mg, 32 mg, and 40 mg eptastigmine and placebo according to a double-blind, randomized, rising-dose, five-way crossover design. Adverse events, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, forced expiratory volume, salivary flow, and pupilar activity were closely monitored during treatment. Pharmacodynamic activity of eptastigmine was evaluated with an assay of
AChE
activity in red blood cells. Eptastigmine doses of 8 mg, 20 mg, and 32 mg were well tolerated. Two of four subjects receiving the 40-mg dose developed profound
AChE
inhibition (58-59%) and reported severe adverse events (nausea,
vomiting
, syncope, and bradycardia), precluding further administration in the remaining subjects. Eptastigmine administration produced a weak effect on supine heart rate, body temperature, and pupil diameter. There were no effects on blood pressure, forced expiratory volume, salivary flow, and near point of focus. Acetylcholinesterase activity was inhibited in a dose-related fashion according to a sigmoidal (logistic) function. The mean (+/- SEM) maximum inhibition of
AChE
activity (Imax) was 14.5+/-3.3%, 20.4+/-2.3%, 28.7+/-2.9%, 45.2+/-1.3% and 53.6+/-2.9% after placebo, 8 mg, 20 mg, 32 mg, and 40 mg of eptastigmine, respectively. The theoretical maximum response (Emax) was 72.9%, and the dose that produced half of the maximum response (ED50) was 29.5 mg. At 24 hours, residual
AChE
inhibition ranged from 9% to 15%, with a half-life of recovery of the enzyme of approximately 10 hours. The maximum tolerated dose of eptastigmine after single-dose oral administration in healthy elderly subjects is 32 mg. Single oral doses of eptastigmine produce sustained, dose-related inhibition of
AChE
activity. Adverse events are related to the degree of
AChE
inhibition.
...
PMID:Maximum tolerated dose and pharmacodynamics of eptastigmine in elderly healthy volunteers. 970 45
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by degeneration of various structures in the brain, with development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Deficiencies of acetylcholine and other neurotransmitters also occur. Pharmacologic treatment of the disease generally seeks to correct the histopathology, the biochemical derangements or their effects. The only drugs labeled to date for the treatment of cognitive symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease are two
cholinesterase
inhibitors that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine in the synapse. Both medications are associated with modest improvements in cognitive function. However, all benefit is lost when these drugs are discontinued; the disease then progresses to the level seen in placebo-treated patients. Tacrine, the first
cholinesterase
inhibitor to be so labeled, must be taken four times daily and is associated with hepatic toxicity. Donepezil is taken once daily. Side effects of the
cholinesterase
inhibitors include nausea,
vomiting
and diarrhea, which tend to subside after the titration period. Other drugs that have shown some promise in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are vitamin E, estrogen, selegiline and a mixture of ergoloid mesylates. Anti-inflammatory drugs and nicotine are also being studied for their effects as neuroprotectors or neurotransmitter enhancers. The caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease may see little effect from these or other investigational agents, but nursing home placement may be delayed.
...
PMID:New drugs for Alzheimer's disease. 978 82
Cholinesterase inhibitors are currently the most established treatment strategy in Alzheimer's disease. The treatment effect appears mainly to be symptomatic. Effects on progression of the disease following long term treatment, and possible neuroprotective effects, have been investigated. Delay until nursing home placement has been reported. Three
cholinesterase
inhibitors, tacrine, donepezil and rivastigmine, are in clinical use. Other
cholinesterase
inhibitors, such as galantamine (galanthamine), metrifonate, physostigmine, eptastigmine, are currently under clinical evaluation. So far the efficacy appears to be comparable between the various
cholinesterase
inhibitors; treatment for up to 6 months has produced an improvement in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale -- Cognitive Subscale score (ADAS-cog) of between 1.8 and 4.9 in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Tacrine, donepezil, galantamine and physostigmine are reversible inhibitors of
acetylcholinesterase
and butyrylcholinesterase, while metrifonate is considered to be an irreversible inhibitor and rivastigmine a pseudoirreversible inhibitor. Tacrine and physostigmine have lower bioavailability, 17 to 37% and 3 to 8%, respectively, than the other
cholinesterase
inhibitors such as rivastigmine, galantamine and donepezil (40 to 100%). The elimination half-life is considerably longer for donepezil (70 to 80h) in comparison to most of the other
cholinesterase
inhibitors (0.3 to 12h). Donepezil is therefore administered once daily in comparison to rivastigmine which is administered twice daily and tacrine which is administered 4 times daily. Simultaneous food intake lowers the plasma concentration of tacrine and reduces the adverse effects of rivastigmine. Drugs like theophylline and cimetidine have been reported to change the pharmacokinetics of tacrine and donepezil. In contrast, concomitant medication with various drugs with rivastigmine does not seem to cause any drug interactions in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Tacrine, donepezil and galantamine are metabolised via the cytochrome P450 (CYP) liver enzymes. Active metabolites are known for tacrine and galantamine. Rivastigmine is not metabolised via CYP enzymes, but via esterases and is excreted in the urine. Tacrine is associated with hepatotoxicity while other
cholinesterase
inhibitors seem devoid this adverse effect. Increased liver enzyme values have been observed in 49% of patients with Alzheimer's disease treated with tacrine. Rechallenge with tacrine reduces the incidence of elevated liver enzyme levels. Peripheral cholinergic adverse effects are common for the
cholinesterase
inhibitors, with an incidence ranging between 7 to 30%. For some
cholinesterase
inhibitors, such as rivastigmine, the cholinergic adverse effects such as nausea,
vomiting
, dizziness, diarrhoea and abdominal pain can be reduced by slowing the rate of dose titration.
...
PMID:Cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a comparison of tolerability and pharmacology. 988 90
This paper investigates the acute effects of carbofuran in workers of two pesticide-formulating plants. Mean airborne carbofuran concentrations ranged from 0.025 to 1.115 mg/m3 in plant A and from 0.018 to 0.067 mg/m3 in plant B, respectively. In workers of plant A the post-shift blood
cholinesterase
activity was significantly reduced, compared to pre-shift values. No difference in blood
cholinesterase
activity was found between pre- and post-shift values in workers of plant B. During the investigation, 25 cases of acute carbofuran poisoning were diagnosed by their clinical picture and depressed
cholinesterase
activity in blood. Usual symptoms included dizziness, weakness, blurred vision, nausea and sweating. Pallor, epigastric pain,
vomiting
and chest tightness occurred only in a few cases. Myosis was recorded in 24 cases. Fasciculation of muscle gastrocnemius induced by percussion was found in 6 cases, and four of them had also fasciculation of muscle orbicularis oculi. Inhibition of
cholinesterase
activity in the blood was related with the clinical features; however, the inhibition was rapidly reversible. In most cases, recovery was complete within 2-3 hours, with or without atropine treatment, after the subjects were removed from exposure. Rapid onset, mild illness and quick recovery are typical characteristics of occupational acute carbofuran poisoning.
...
PMID:Acute effects of carbofuran in workers of two pesticide plants. 1021 31
This study investigates the pharmacokinetics and safety profile of Z-321, (4R)-3-(indan-2-ylacetyl)-4-(1-pyrrolidinyl-carbonyl)-1,3-thiazoli dine, a novel specific orally active prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) inhibitor. Following a preliminary safety evaluation wherein 2 subjects received 3.75 and 15 mg doses and 2 other subjects received 7.5 and 30 mg doses, 16 subjects were assigned to two groups of 8 subjects each. In each group, 6 subjects were to receive active treatment, and 1 or 2 subjects were to receive placebo treatment. One group received 60 mg under fasted and fed conditions. A separate group of 8 subjects received 60 mg of Z-321 or a placebo in a bid regimen for 6 days and the morning dose on day 7. The concentrations of Z-321 and its main metabolites--R- and S-sulfoxide; RR-, SS-, and RS-indanol; and indanolsulfoxides in plasma and urine--were determined by the HPLC method. In the multiple-dose study, the
cholinesterase
activity was gradually increased and reached above the normal range on day 8 in 3 of 6 subjects given Z-321 and gradually returned to the normal range after completion of dosing. The elevation of plasma
cholinesterase
activity was considered to be an action of Z-321, but this remains to be verified. In a single-dose study at a dose of 30 mg, headache and
vomiting
were observed in 1 of 6 subjects. In the multiple-dose study, slight skin itching and eczema in 3 and 2 of 6 subjects, respectively, and headache in 2 of 6 subjects were observed, but all symptoms were not severe. There were no other abnormal findings in objective signs and laboratory findings, including blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram, body temperature, hematology, blood chemistry, and urinalysis. The Cmax of Z-321 at 30, 60, and 120 mg in the fasting state were 63.7 +/- 23.9, 102.0 +/- 43.1, and 543.3 +/- 437.0 ng/ml (mean +/- SD), respectively, at 0.9 hours after administration, and the t1/2 was about 1.8 hours. There were no dramatic changes in the pharmacokinetics of Z-321 in the presence of food. In the multiple-dose study, there was no drug accumulation trend in plasma. These results indicate that Z-321 has acceptable pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetics profiles for clinical use without any serious adverse events, as verified in healthy young male volunteers.
...
PMID:Pharmacokinetics and safety of Z-321, a novel specific orally active prolyl endopeptidase inhibitor, in healthy male volunteers. 1023 93
Chlorpromazine and other phenothiazine derivatives are neuroleptic drugs of widespread use for clinical situations beyond the realm of psychiatry, such as to control nausea,
vomiting
and intractable hiccups. The present study investigated in vitro different cytotoxic effects of chlorpromazine in cultures of mouse neuroblastoma cell line Neuro-2a exposed to different concentrations of this compound. Indicators assessed were cell proliferation by quantification of total protein content of the cell culture, lysosomal function evaluated by the relative uptake of neutral red cytosolic phosphofructokinase (PFK) and enolase (ENL) activities in glycolysis, mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity in the citric acid cycle, lysosomal beta-galactosidase (GAL) activity, and neuronal
acetylcholinesterase
activity. Marked inhibitory effects were found for cell proliferation and relative neutral red uptake; PFK, ENL and GAL activities had no significant differences from control. Stimulation was specifically detected on SDH and the Krebs cycle at concentrations up to 30 microM. Chlorpromazine did not have high toxicity for cytotoxic effects on lysosomes.
...
PMID:Biochemical effects of chlorpromazine on mouse neuroblastoma cells. 1050 25
Hypersensitivity to
acetylcholinesterase
inhibitors (anti-AChEs) causes severe nervous system symptoms under low dose exposure. In search of direct genetic origin(s) for this sensitivity, we studied six regions in the extended 22 kb promoter of the ACHE gene in individuals who presented adverse responses to anti-AChEs and in randomly chosen controls. Two contiguous mutations, a T-->A substitution, disrupting a putative glucocorticoid response element, and a 4-bp deletion, abolishing one of two adjacent HNF3 binding sites, were identified 17 kb upstream of the transcription start site. Allele frequencies for these mutations were 0.006 and 0.012, respectively, in 333 individuals of various ethnic origins, with a strong linkage between the deletion and the biochemically neutral H322N mutation in the coding region of ACHE. Heterozygous carriers of the deletion included a proband who presented with acute hypersensitivity to the anti-AChE pyridostigmine and another with unexplained excessive
vomiting
during a fourth pregnancy following three spontaneous abortions. Electromobility shift assays, transfection studies and measurements of AChE levels in immortalized lymphocytes as well as in peripheral blood from both carriers and non-carriers, revealed functional relevance for this mutation both in vitro and in vivo and showed it to increase AChE expression, probably by alleviating competition between the two hepatocyte nuclear factor 3 binding sites. Moreover, AChE-overexpressing transgenic mice, unlike normal FVB/N mice, displayed anti-AChE hypersensitivity and failed to transcriptionally induce AChE production following exposure to anti-AChEs. Our findings point to promoter polymorphism(s) in the ACHE gene as the dominant susceptibility factor(s) for adverse responses to exposure or to treatment with anti-AChEs.
...
PMID:A transcription-activating polymorphism in the ACHE promoter associated with acute sensitivity to anti-acetylcholinesterases. 1081 9
A young man was sent to our emergency unit because he had suffered from
vomiting
and cold sweating for 2 days. At the time he was admitted, he had no acute abdominal pains or gastrointestinal symptoms, and a physical examination revealed nothing but a faster heart rate and moist, flushing skin. The patient had worked for 6 years at a plastic bottle-recycling factory, but none of his co-workers had the same symptoms. Nevertheless, because the plant also recycled pesticide bottles, we suspected organophosphate pesticide intoxication. The patient's plasma
acetylcholinesterase
level was checked, revealing 1498.6 microU/L (normal range: 2,000-5, 000) on the first day and 1,379 microU/L on the second day. Upon questioning, the patient recalled that one of his shoe soles had been damaged and that his foot had been wet from walking all day in rain collected on the factory floor on the day that his symptoms first occurred. We conducted a study in the change of preshift and postshift
acetylcholinesterase
levels among six of his co-workers on a rainy day. We used the Wilcoxon signed rank test to compare the preshift and postshift plasma
acetylcholinesterase
levels; no significant difference was revealed (p = 0.600), leaving contamination via the damaged shoe sole suspect. We reviewed the literature on organophosphate intoxication; pesticide bottle-recycling factories were reported to be at a low risk of organophosphate toxicity in the working environment. However, because the potential risk of intoxication is still present, protective equipment such as clothing, gloves, and water-proof shoes should be worn, and employees should be educated on the potential risks.
...
PMID:An unusual case of organophosphate intoxication of a worker in a plastic bottle recycling plant: an important reminder. 1110 4
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