Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is characterised by disturbances in behaviour or language. Patients with the frontal variant of FTD typically present with marked changes in personality and behaviour, including apathy, disinhibition and inappropriate social behaviour, which can be difficult to manage.
Although there is currently no approved drug treatment for the behavioural symptoms of FTD and only a limited number of clinical trials have been conducted in this area, various medications have been used to ameliorate these symptoms.
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A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
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dementia,
frontotemporal Dementia,
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Iron deficiency is a common cause of anaemia, and oral iron (100 – 200 mg elemental iron/day) is regarded as first line therapy. Parenteral iron is indicated for patients with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) where there is intolerance (adverse effects and/or demonstrated non-compliance), poor absorption or lack of response to oral iron, ongoing iron losses exceeding absorption or when a more rapid increase in haemoglobin (Hb) is clinically important to prevent decompensation or transfusion.
Intravenous (IV) administration is the preferred route and current formulations can be safely administered in outpatient infusion centres. Intramuscular (IM) administration is discouraged as it is painful and can result in permanent scaring and skin discolouration. In adults with IDA, the total iron deficit (calculated using the Ganzoni formula using Hb and lean body weight) is typically 1200 – 2000 mg
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A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
Tagged as:
intravenous,
Iron,
Iron deficiency anaemia,
IV,
RGH E-bulletin
Many psychotropic medications are known to be associated with blood dyscrasias such as leucopaenias and agranulocytosis – implicated agents are known to include clozapine, olanzapine, chlorpromazine, carbamazepine and imipramine. Mirtazapine, a tetracyclic antidepressant, has also been rarely associated with reports of serious blood dyscrasias.
The manufacturer’s product information acknowledges leucopaenia, granulocytopaenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, pancytopaenia, anaemia, aplastic anaemia, eosinophilia and coagulation disorders as rare but potential adverse effects. It also states that although granulocytopaenia or agranulocytosis is reported to occur during treatment with mirtazapine, but that the rate is no greater than that of the background population.
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A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
Tagged as:
agrunulocytosis,
blood dyscrasia,
mirtazepine,
neutropaenia,
RGH E-bulletin
In pregnancy, the use of medications (both prescription & over-the-counter) is often managed with great caution. The issue can be compounded by an increased need for medications, as pregnant women can be affected by ailments such as constipation, haemorrhoids, nausea, nasal congestion, heartburn, hypertension, oedema, and an amplification in general aches and pains.
An increased risk of birth defects or miscarriage caused by drugs is a common concern for both parentsto-be and practitioners involved in their care. As such, information surrounding safety of drugs is paramount in minimising potential drug-induced harm to a pregnancy.
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A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
Tagged as:
medication,
medicines,
pregnancy,
RGH E-bulletin
