Acyclovir to reduce HIV-1 transmission from people coinfected with HIV-1 and HSV

Around 60–90% of people infected with HIV-1 are seropositive for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV 2). There is evidence that coinfection with HSV-2 increases the infectiousness of HIV-1 and that treatment for HSV-2 reduces plasma HIV-1 RNA levels. Now, a trial in southern and East Africa has confirmed that treatment with acyclovir reduces HIV-1 RNA levels but does not prevent HIV-1 transmission.

The study included 3,408 heterosexual couples at 14 sites in seven African countries. In each couple one partner was coinfected with HIV-1 and HSV-2, and the other partner was not infected with HIV-1. The HIV-1 infected partners were not taking antiretroviral therapy at the time of enrolment. Randomization of infected partners was to acyclovir 400 mg twice daily or placebo. There were 132 HIV-1 seroconversions. Among these, 84 were shown by viral sequencing to be within-couple infections; 41 in the acyclovir group and 43 in the placebo group, a nonsignificant difference. Acyclovir reduced mean plasma concentration of HIV-1 RNA by 0.25 log10 copies per mL, and the risk of HSV 2-positive genital ulcers by 73%. There were no serious adverse events related to acyclovir.

Treatment of coinfected partners with acyclovir reduced plasma HIV-1 RNA levels and the risk of HSV-2-positive genital ulcers but did not reduce inter-partner HIV-1 transmission.

Celum C et al. Acyclovir and transmission of HIV-1 from persons infected with HIV-1 and HSV-2. NEJM 2010;362:427–439.

Banned Drugs In India contd....

46.Antidiarrhoeal formulations containing Kaolin or Pectin or Attapulgite or Activated Charcoal.

47.Antidiarrhoeal formulations containing Phthalyl Sulphathiazole or Sulphaguanidine or Succinyl Sulphathiazole.

48.Antidiarrhoeal formulations containing Neomycin or Streptomycin or Dihydrostreptomycin including their respective salts or esters.

49.Liquid Oral antidiarrhoeals or any other dosage form for pediatric use containing Diphenoxylate Lorloperamide or Atropine or Belladona including their salts or esters or metabolites Hyoscyamine or their extracts or their alkaloids.

50.Liquid Oral antidiarrhoeals or any other dosage form for pediatric use containing halogenated hydroxyquinolines.

51. Fixed dose combination of antidiarrhoeals with electrolytes.

52. Patent and Proprietary Oral Rehydration Salts other than those conforming to the

53. Fixed dose combination of Oxyphenbutazone or Phenylbutazone with any other drug.

54. Fixed dose combination of Analgin with any other drug.

55. Fixed dose combination of dextropropoxyphene with any other drug other than anti-spasmodics and/or non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

56. Fixed dose combination of a drug, standards of which are prescribed in the Second Schedule to the said Act with an Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani drug.

57. Mepacrine Hydrochloride (Quinacrine and its salts) in any dosage form for use for female sterilization or contraception.

58. Fenfluramine and Dexfenfluramine.

59. Fixed dose combination of Diazepam and Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride .

60. Rimonabant.

61 Rosiglitazone

62 Nimesulide formulations for human use in children below 12 years of age

.

63. Cisapride and its formulations for human use.

64. Phenylpropanolamine and its formulation for human use.

65. Human Placental Extract and its formulations for human use.

66. Sibutramine and its formulations for human use, and

67. R-Sibutramine and its formulations for human use.

68. Gatifloxacin formulation for systemic use in human by any route including oral and injectable

69. Tegaserod and its formulation for human use.

Source:http://cdsco.nic.in/html/Drugsbanned.html

Banned Drugs in India.. contd...

Contd......

21. Practolol.

22. Methapyrilene, its salts.

23. Methaqualone.

24. Oxytetracycline Liquid Oral preparations.

25. Demeclocycline Liquid Oral preparations.

26. Combination of anabolic Steroids with other drugs.

27.Fixed dose combination of Oestrogen and Progestin (other than oral contraceptive) containing per tablet estrogen content of more than 50 mcg (equivalent to Ethinyl Estradiol) and progestin content of more than 3 mg (equivalent to Norethisterone Acetate) and all fixed dose combination injectable preparations containing synthetic Oestrogen and Progesterone. (Subs. By Noti. No. 743 (E) dt 10-08-1989)

28.Fixed dose combination of Sedatives/ hypnotics/anxiolytics with analgesics-antipyretics.

29.Fixed dose combination of Rifampicin, isoniazid and Pyrazinamide, except those which provide daily adult dose given below: Drugs Minimum Maximum Rifampicin 450 mg 600 mg Isoniazid 300 mg 400 mg Pyrazinamide 1000mg 1500 mg

30. Fixed dose combination of Histamine H-2 receptor antagonists with antacids except for those combinations approved by Drugs Controller, India.

31.The patent and proprietary medicines of fixed dose combinations of essential oils with alcohol having percentage higher than 20% proof except preparations given in the Indian Pharmacopoeia.

32. All Pharmaceutical preparations containing Chloroform exceeding 0.5% w/w or v/v whichever is appropriate.

33.Fixed dose combination of Ethambutol with INH other than the following: INH Ethambutol 200 mg. 600 mg. 300 mg. 800 mg.

34. Fixed dose combination containing more than one antihistamine.

35.Fixed dose combination of any anthelmintic with cathartic/purgative except for piperazine/Santonim.

36. Fixed dose combination of Salbutamol or any other drug having primarily bronchodilatory activity with centrally acting anti-tussive and/or antihistamine.

37.Fixed dose combination of laxatives and/or anti-spasmodic drugs in enzyme preparations.

38.Fixed dose combination of Metoclopramide with systemically absorbed drugs except fixed dose combination of metoclopramide with aspirin/paracetamol

39.Fixed dose combination of centrally acting, antitussive with antihistamine, having high atropine like activity in expectorants.

40.Preparations claiming to combat cough associated with asthma containing centrally acting antitussive and/ or an antihistamine.

41.Liquid oral tonic preparations containing glycerophosphates and/or other phosphates and / or central nervous system stimulant and such preparations containing alcohol more than 20% proof.

42.Fixed dose combination containing Pectin and/or Kaolin with any drug which is systemically absorbed from GI tract except for combinations of Pectin and/or Kaolin with drugs not systemically absorbed.

43. Chloral Hydrate as a drug.

44. Dovers Powder I.P.

45. Dover’s Powder Tablets I.P.

Source:http://cdsco.nic.in/html/Drugsbanned.html

Banned Drugs In India....

LIST OF DRUGS PROHIBITED FOR MANUFACTURE AND SALE THROUGH GAZETTE NOTIFICATIONS UNDER SECTION 26A OF DRUGS & COSMETICS ACT 1940 BY THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

*1. Amidopyrine.

*2. Fixed dose combinations of vitamins with anti-inflammatory agents and tranquilizers.

*3. Fixed dose combinations of Atropine in Analgesics and Antipyretics.

*4. Fixed dose combinations of Strychnine and Caffeine in tonics.

*5.Fixed dose combinations of Yohimbine and Strychnine with Testosterone and Vitamins.

*6. Fixed dose combinations of Iron with Strychnine, Arsenic and Yohimbine.

*7. Fixed dose combinations of Sodium Bromide/chloral hydrate with other drugs.

*8. Phenacetin

.

*9. Fixed dose combinations of antihistaminic with anti-diarrhoeals.

*10. Fixed dose combinations of Penicillin with Sulphonamides.

*11. Fixed dose combinations of Vitamins with Analgesics.

*12.Fixed dose combinations of any other Tetracycline with Vitamin C.

*13.Fixed dose combinations of Hydroxyquinoline group of drugs with any other drug except for preparations meant for external use

.

*14. Fixed dose combinations of Corticosteroids with any other drug for internal use.

*15. Fixed dose combinations of Chloramphenicol with any other drug for internal use.

*16.Fixed dose combinations of crude Ergot preparations except those containing Ergotamine, Caffeine, analgesics, antihistamines for the treatment of migraine, headaches.

*17.Fixed dose combinations of Vitamins with Anti TB drugs except combination of Isoniazid with Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6).

*18. Penicillin skin/eye Ointment.

*19. Tetracycline Liquid Oral preparations.

*20. Nialamide.

contd.......

Source: http://cdsco.nic.in/html/Drugsbanned.html

.

Heart Tissue Regeration after MI - Feasible Miracle In Near Future?

It's been long time since the stem cell study has begun. But the expected amount of success has not been achieved in the treatment of terminal diseases. Recently a phase I trial was conducted with funding by US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Heart Stem Cell Center. Intracoronary cardiosphere-derived cells for heart regeneration after myocardial infarction (CADUCEUS): a prospective, randomised phase 1 trial Interpretation We show intracoronary infusion of autologous CDCs after myocardial infarction is safe, warranting the expansion of such therapy to phase 2 study. The unprecedented increases we noted in viable myocardium, which are consistent with therapeutic regeneration, merit further assessment of clinical outcomes. If this trial and upcoming trials succeed to the expected level, then it will be a breakthrough in the field of stem cell therapy... http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2812%2960195-0/fulltext

Pioglitazone and Ca Urinary Bladder

AFSSAPS French regulatory authority suspended the use of Pioglitazone in the treatment of Type 2 DM based on the reports of statistically significant increased risk of carcinoma urinary bladder. As India has large no. of Type 2DM patients, the treating doctors will have to review their prescription..

Vijay Panikar JAPI JANUARY 2012 • VOL. 60

http://www.japi.org/january_2012/contents.html

Cyclopia...

Cyclopia- Occurs due to improper division of orbits by prosencephalon.. It has central eye and proboscis or nose which is situated above the central eye.. Very rare anomaly..

Courtesy: doctorshangout.com

Framingham Risk score for Heart Attack

Framingham Heart study is a big study related to heart diseases.. it allows u to calculate the next 10 years risk of particular heart diseases. The below given link calculates the 10 year cardiovascular disease eg MI. http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/atpiii/calculator.asp

Cant pay: Work Hard:: Work Hard : Get cheated

This has been the story since ages in Indian medical entrance exams. Poor GOVT medical college fellows of periphery those who haven't even seen the CT scan machine are made to answer about the mechanism of MRI or PET scan machine. Around 80000 aspirants fight it tooth and nail for 5000 govt seats. After struggling to get into medical stream after 12th std they grind for 5 and a half years. then they prepare for pg entrance for a year and give the entrance. Which has 300 multiple option questions of as many as 19 subjects which are to be answered in 210 mins.The paradox of this entrance is neither the question paper is handed over to the candidate after exam nor the ans for the questions are published. The candidate is suppose to ans and come out and sit blindly till the results. In between all this few high tech morons use gadgets to copy in such a high profile entrance. In a way copying is idiotic in such entrances. I say even if they provide all the books or internet answering the questions wont be child's play!

Geeks Gadget freaks

http://www.unboundmedicine.com/news/unbound_releases_windows_phone In the ancient age the doctors used to follow a particular protocol while treating a patient based on their memory and experience. As the medical science developed the dependency of a doc on the machines also developed. Now for a hitech diagnosis knowledge about the current trends and lab values, protocols is indispensable. And in emergencies time is money. Here are few Gadgets by unbound medicine for your mobiles/tabs . http://www.unboundmedicine.com/products/5-minute_clinical_consult_5mcc/demo/winphone