Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin

Overview of: Copaescu AM, Vogrin S, James F, et al. Efficacy of a clinical decision rule to enable direct oral challenge in patients with low-risk penicillin allergy: The PALACE randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med 2023;183:944-52.

Overview of: Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes. N Engl J Med 2023;389:2221-32.

Overview of: Siraj RA, Bolton CE, McKeever TM. Association between antidepressants with pneumonia and exacerbation in patients with COPD: a self-controlled case series (SCCS). Thorax. 2023. doi:10.1136/thorax-2022-219736 [Epub ahead of print 19 June 2023].

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Acne vulgaris is very common and can have significant negative impact on people. While sometimes a transient problem, acne may persist for many years and often leads to permanent scars or pigment changes. Guidelines unanimously advise topical treatments as first-line, although differ in recommending either topical benzoyl peroxide or topical retinoid (mainly adapalene) alone or in combination. Guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence advises counselling patients regarding avoidance of skin irritation when starting topical treatments and promoting adherence (treatments take 6-8 weeks to work)...

Overview of: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Statins: very infrequent reports of myasthenia gravis. Drug Safety Update 2023;17(2):1.

Overview of: Dequin PF, Meziani F, Quenot JP, et al. Hydrocortisone in severe community-acquired pneumonia. N Engl J Med 2023;388:1931-41.

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Overview of: Vasilevskis EE, Shah AS, Hollingsworth EK, et al. deprescribing medications among older adults from end of hospitalization through postacute care: a Shed-MEDS randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med 2023;183:223-31.

Semaglutide (▼Ozempic solution for injection, ▼Rybelsus tablets-Novo Nordisk) was initially granted market authorisation for the treatment of type 2 diabetes as an adjunct to diet and exercise. In 2021 and 2022, regulatory agencies in the USA and Europe licensed semaglutide (▼Wegovy solution for injection-Novo Nordisk) for the treatment of individuals who are obese, or overweight and who have at least one weight-related comorbidity. Manufacturer-sponsored randomised controlled trials have shown a loss of almost 12% of body weight over a 68-week period, however, once the medication is stopped people regain most of their pretreatment weight...

Overview of: Nissen SE, Lincoff AM, Brennan D, et al. Bempedoic acid and cardiovascular outcomes in statin-intolerant patients. N Engl J Med 2023;388:1353-64.

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There is considerable interindividual variability in the effectiveness and safety of medicines. Although the reasons for this are multifactorial, it is well recognised that genetic changes impacting the absorption or metabolism of these drugs play a significant contributory role. Understanding how these pharmacogenetic variants impact response to medicines, and leveraging this knowledge to guide prescribing, could have significant benefits for patients and health services. This article provides an introduction to the field of pharmacogenetics, including its nomenclature, the existing evidence base and the current state of implementation globally...