Isan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IJPS (Isan J Pharm Sci)

Aprocitentan: A novel endothelin receptor antagonist in the treatment of resistant hypertension

2024-06-14T10:07:01+07:00

The previous mechanism of action of antihypertensive drugs works by blocking of salt and water reabsorption including renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers and diuretics, or directly vasodilating blood vessels including calcium channel blockers and beta-adrenoceptor blockers. The endothelin (ET) system has emerged as a new pathway resulting in a potent vasoconstriction which is related to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Aprocitentan, a novel endothelin receptor antagonist, lowering blood pressure by inhibition of ET-1 from binding to both ET_A/ET_B receptors to produce vasodilation. Its effects lead to reducing cell hypertrophy and hyperproliferation, inflammation, and fibrosis, and thereby slowing organ damages and any cardiovascular complications. It is now approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in March, 2024 for the indication of resistant hypertension in combination with other antihypertensive agents. The highlight keys of aprocitentan include less drug-drug interactions since its metabolism is independent of cytochrome 450 and no dose adjustment is required in patients with mild to moderate of liver or renal impairments. In addition, aprocitentan allows for once-daily dosing, due to its long acting, is thus convenient for administration and promotes medication adherence. The most common side effects are fluid retention and hemodilution, resulting in anemia. Furthermore, long-term adverse drug events monitoring should be performed.

Microbial Contamination Test of Ceftriaxone Infusion Solutions

2022-05-17T15:53:17+07:00

Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic belonging to the third generation of cephalosporins. It is commonly prescribed to treat various infectious diseases in hospitalized patients. While ceftriaxone infusion solution is chemically stable for 2–10 days, the expiration date is limited to approximately 24 hours due to a lack of data on microbiological stability beyond this period. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the microbial contamination of ceftriaxone infusion solutions stored beyond 24 hours to establish an appropriate expiration date. Methods: Ceftriaxone infusion solution was prepared under a laminar airflow environment to achieve final concentrations of 10–20 mg/mL. There were four groups of ceftriaxone solutions. Group 1 comprised 20 samples of a 10 mg/mL ceftriaxone solution stored at room temperature (28–30 ºC). Groups 2 and 3 included 20 samples each of 20 mg/mL ceftriaxone stored at room temperature (28–30 ºC) and under refrigeration (2–8 °C), respectively. Group 4 consisted of 15 samples of 48-hour-old leftover ceftriaxone solutions stored in a refrigerator (2–8 ºC) at hospital wards. Microbial contamination was determined using the direct inoculation method; fluid thioglycolate media was incubated at 30–35 ºC for the detection of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, while soybean-casein digest media was incubated at 20–25 ºC for the detection of fungi, and both were observed for a period of 14 days. Results: After a 10-day period of preparation and storage, all ceftriaxone test samples in groups 1, 2, and 3 were negative for microbial growth. Similarly, the leftover ceftriaxone solutions in Group 4 exhibited no bacterial contamination. Conclusion: Ceftriaxone infusion solutions 10–20 mg/mL demonstrated biological stability for at least ten days post-preparation. However, considering the limitations of chemical stability, the recommended expiration dates for ceftriaxone solutions are 30 hours when stored at 28-30 ºC, 48 hours when stored at 25 ºC, and up to 10 days when stored at 2-8 ºC.

Simple Flow Injection Spectrofluorimetric in Determination of Piroxicam

2024-04-04T10:35:54+07:00

A simple flow injection spectrofluorimetric method has been developed for the determination of piroxicam. The principle is based on the injection of a standard or sample solution into a moving, nonsegmented continuous carrier stream, which is then transported toward a spectrofluorometer detector. Method: The presented method was developed on the injection of 150 µl standard or sample solution of piroxicam into the carrier stream of 0.1 mol l^-1 nitric acid with the optimum flow rate at 4.0 ml min^-1. The reaction is occurred in 100 cm of mixing coil length which was passed through to the fluorimetric detection unit. The fluorescence intensity was monitored using excitation and emission wavelength at 330 and 440 nm, respectively. Results: The calibration curve was established in concentration ranges 0.1-4.0 µg ml^-1 of piroxicam which was plotted against fluorescence intensity. For linearity within the optimum range, regression equation was shown y = 92.946x + 0.2335, and the coefficient of determination (r²) was 0.9994. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.03 µg ml^-1. The percentage recoveries of proposed method had shown in range of 98.65%-100.48% and repeatability was found the relative standard deviation lesser than 0.43%. The effect of excipients which are usually added to pharmaceutical formulations was investigated on piroxicam analysis and shown none effected for determination of piroxicam. The difference between the results of proposed and reference methods was figured out statistically and showed no statistical difference at a 95% confidence level (n=10). Conclusion: The proposed method is fast and reasonably economic with the rate of 90 sample h^-1, and could be useful for routine analysis of piroxicam in capasules.

Different instruction times impact student learning outcomes and Student’s Opinions survey: A case study of pharmacy students at Walailak University

2023-10-04T11:42:42+07:00

The scheduling of two sub-group classes with the same lecturer necessitates separate class schedules for morning and afternoon classes. It may impact the learning outcomes of pharmacy students. Objectives: to compare the learning outcomes between morning or afternoon classes and assess the opinions on the scheduling of morning or afternoon classes on the efficacy and quality of life for pharmacy students at Walailak University. Methodology: This research is a prospective study. A total of 130 second-year, 126 third-year, and 103 fourth-year pharmacy students who registered in the third semester (3/2022) were divided into two different groups according to student ID and student registration order of pharmacy students. Each with a different class time at morning class (7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) or afternoon class (1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.). All classes were taught with the same material and the same instructor. The subject course data consists of industrial pharmacy and pharmaceutical care courses. The learning outcomes included of midterm exam scores, final exam scores and the total score of the summative evaluation. The tools used to collect data are 20-item opinion survey questionnaires during the study period. Results: The cumulative grade point average (GPAX) background of the second- and fourth-year pharmacy students is not different between the morning and afternoon classes (3.39 ± 0.28 vs. 3.47 ± 0.27) (3.25 ± 0.29 vs. 3.21 ± 0.27), respectively. However, the third-year pharmacy students show statistically different differences between morning and afternoon classes (3.36 ± 0.31 vs. 3.21 ± 0.33, P < 0.05). It was found that only second-year students showed better learning outcomes in the Physical Pharmacy subject course (pharmaceutical industry program) and Pharmacology (pharmaceutical care program) in the afternoon class than in the morning class with a significant difference in mid-term, final and total summative scores (P < 0.05). The third-year pharmacy students showed no statistical difference in the midterm score of the subject course Pharmaceutical Technology 3 (pharmaceutical industry program), but a statistical difference in the final and total summative scores. The Pharmacotherapy 1 subject course (pharmaceutical care program) showed no statistical difference in midterm, final or total summative scores. The fourth-year students showed there is no difference in the learning outcomes including of mid-term, final and total summative scores both in the Novel Drug Delivery System (pharmaceutical industry program) and Pharmacotherapy 4 (pharmaceutical care program). The opinion questionnaires on the efficacy and quality of life of morning and afternoon classes were evaluated in three categories: learning efficiency, convenience of daily life, and environmental support for learning. The results show that the all-afternoon groups reveal the most agreement in terms of learning efficiency and quality of life and are very agreeable on the environmental support for learning. Contrary to with the morning class disagee on learning efficiency but very much agree on the convenience of daily life and environmental support for learning. Conclusion: The time of the instruction period did not affect the learning outcomes in the second-fourth year of pharmacy students. That is significantly different without direction. The students in the afternoon class have opinions on aspects 1 and 2 at the level of strong agreement, and aspect 3 at the level of highest agreement. Because it encourages learning efficiency and has a positive effect on student lifestyle and living environment.

Study on the Voluntary Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment Program at Sub-District Health Promoting Hospitals in Amnat Charoen Province Using the Delphi Process

2023-12-31T13:07:05+07:00

Drug addiction is a global threat, with 271 million drug users worldwide, accounting for 5.5% of the global population. The Thai government has implemented a policy allowing the sub-district health promoting hospitals to treat drug addicts. Objectives: To develop the voluntary methamphetamine addiction treatment program at the sub-district health promoting hospitals in Amnat Charoen province using the Delphi process. Materials and methods: The research was conducted using the Delphi method, where experts were consulted on the treatment model for the voluntary methamphetamine addiction treatment program at the sub-district health promoting hospitals in Amnat Charoen province. The experts involved were responsible for drug addiction treatment at various levels, including the Ministry of Public Health, Thanyarak Khon Kaen Hospital, Provincial Public Health Offices, provincial and district hospitals, and down to the sub-district health promoting hospitals. Results: The experts agreed that incorporating Buddhist practices, which involve beliefs and faith in Buddhism, into the existing psychosocial treatment model may enhance the effectiveness of the voluntary methamphetamine addiction treatment program at sub-district health promoting hospitals in Amnat Charoen province. Conclusion: The treatment model for the voluntary methamphetamine addiction treatment program at sub-district health promoting hospitals in Amnat Charoen province, which integrates Buddhist practices into the treatment process, may lead to more effective outcomes.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression among Pharmacy Students, Rangsit University

2024-06-12T13:15:52+07:00

Depression is a common disease in adolescent and elderly adult that negatively influences on daily life, academic performance and relationships with others. Pharmacy student is the one of health sciences students who often get stressed because of academic overload and difficult curriculum. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of Pharmacy students who had tendency to be depressed and prevalence of students who had mild symptoms or above and to determine factors associated with those. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study in Pharmacy students between January to March 2024. Online questionnaire were used to gather data. They were consists of 3 parts; 1) general information and factors associated 2) 2Q depression screening form 3) 9Q depression severity assessment form. Descriptive statistical, Fisher’s exact test, independent t-test and multiple logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results: 60.34% of 179 participants had a tendency to be depressed and 31.84% had mild symptoms or above (9Q≥7). The factors associated with likelihood to have depression were relationship problems with friends or intimate person [OR 5.32 (1.83-15.50)], sleep problems [OR 3.16 (1.43-6.95)] and academic years; first-year students had tendency to be depressed more than second-, third-, fourth-, or fifth-year students. There were not association between any factors and mild symptoms of depression or above. Conclusion: 60.34% of participants were more likely to be depressed and 31.84% had mild symptoms or above. There should be some policies to reduce the risk of depression, such as setting activities that build up friendships, providing advisors or counselors at the dormitory, and establishing proactive monitoring in high-risk students.