Comparative study of effects of ramosetron and ondansetron on global satisfaction of patients on cisplatin chemotherapy in head and neck cancers

Background: To compare level of satisfaction of the patients receiving ramosetron and ondansetron in prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with cisplatin chemotherapy.Methods: 60 patients were recruited in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to ramosetron (R) and ondansetron group (O). Patients were screened between day 1 and day 7. Study visits included clinic visits on day 8, day 9 and day 14. Patient diaries were used to record patients’ global satisfaction which was based on severity of nausea and vomiting using visual analogue scale (VAS), recorded daily until day 12 starting from day 8. On 14th day the patient diary cards were collected back.Results: VAS score was significantly lower in R group (46.2±4.95) as compared to O group (63.7±5.06) (p<0.01) in acute phase of nausea and vomiting indicating level of satisfaction higher in R group. Similarly, in delayed and overall phase R group (49.57±14.63 and 48.9±12.91 respectively) experienced lower range of scoring on VAS scale as compared to O group (63.0±8.49 and 63.10±7.38 respectively). The difference was statistically significant (p<0.01).Conclusions: Level of overall satisfaction of the patients in R group was significantly higher as compared to O group in patients receiving the two drugs for prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by cisplatin chemotherapy in head and neck cancer patients

Comparative evaluation of the effect of Ocimum sanctum and metformin on serum lipid profile in high fat diet fed diabetic rats

Background: Dyslipidaemia is an important risk factor for development of macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ocimum sanctum (OS) and metformin have shown to have antihyperlipidaemic effects. The present study was undertaken  to evaluate the effects of  OS and Metformin on body weight & plasma lipid  levels of high fat diet fed diabetic ratsMethods: Total of 30 male wistar  rats (100-150gm) were obtained. Animals were fed with a high fat diet throughout the study (6 weeks). Diabetes was induced by using single intra-peritoneal injection of Streptozotocin 50mg/kg at the end of 4 weeks.  Diabetic rats were divided into groups of 6 each and treated as follows: Group 1- Diabetic control, was given vehicle orally. Group 2- O.S. ethanolic extract 100mg/kg body weight orally for 14 days. Group 3- O.S. ethanolic extract  200mg/kg body weight orally for 14 days. Group 4-  Metformin 100mg/day for 14 daysResults: At the end of 4 weeks, body weight of rats were significantly increased (p 0.05). Decrease in body weight was seen in metformin group. Abdominal circumference of rats also showed similar pattern (p >0.05).  OS 200 caused significant reduction in serum LDL levels (p 0.05).Conclusions: Present study revealed that Ocimum Sanctum caused significant reduction in serum lipid levels in high fat diet fed diabetic rats. Metformin  also exhibited antihyperlipidaemic activity. So, it is concluded that OS or metformin alone or in combination  could be a novel adjunct to diet and life style modification for the management of dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetes.  Further studies are required to confirm the antidyslipidaemic activities of individual phytoconstituents of Ocimum sanctum

Analysis of self medication practice among medical undergraduates: a study in tertiary care teaching hospital, Bareilly

Background: Self medication is becoming a most prevalent practice among educated people across the world. In today’s era, internet and media is one of the most important sources for promoting self medication practice. Medical students are highly influenced with this practice. Many drugs can have significant unwanted effects. This may result in serious clinical effects with potential life-threatening complications. Objective of the study was to find out the self medication practice and its details among medical undergraduates of SRMSIMS, a tertiary care teaching hospital, Bareilly.Methods: During the study period 1st, 2nd and 3rd prof. of MBBS students were included in the study. Sample size was 348. They were asked to fill printed semi structured validated questionnaire which consist of straight forward multiple type questions. The duration of study was March 22nd 2015 to 29th March 2015.Results: Out of 300 students, 60% (n=180) students were male and 40% (n=120) were females. Among them 94% (n=282) gave positive response and 6% (n=18) gave negative response to self-medication. Antibiotics were the most common class of drug self medicated by the majority of participants (80%) while the most common illness was fever (70%).Conclusions: It was concluded that more than half of strength of students are likely to take self-medication for various illnesses; the reason might be the awareness of drugs due to easy accessibility of information through books, internet pharmacy and through media too. So, essential measure should be taken to reduce the practice of self medication among students to avoid development of drug dependence, resistance and drug interactions

A Study of awareness, attitude and practice of pharmacovigilance among health care professionals in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Bareilly, India

Background: Awareness towards Pharmacovigilance among health professionals in any hospital is an important part of health care system. So, the present study was conducted to know the extent of awareness of Pharmacovigilance among health care professionals.Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire based study about knowledge, attitude and practices towards adverse drugs reaction (ADRs) and Pharmacovigilance was carried out at Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institue of Medical Sciences, Bareilly (U.P). 153 questionnaires were distributed among the Post graduate students, faculties, interns, nurses and pharmacists. 2-3 days time was given to fill the questionnaire.Results: Out of 153 questionnaires distributed, 99 filled forms were turned up for evaluation. Hence, response rate was 64.70%. 73.33% PGs, 100% faculty members, 53.33% interns, 36% nurses and 18.75% pharmacists were aware of adverse drugs reactions (ADRs) and Pharmacovigilance. Regarding reporting of ADRs, 86.66% PGs, 91.66% faculties, 73.33% interns, 88% nurses and 81.25% pharmacists were agreed to report ADR as it is mandatory and related to increased patients’ safety. Regarding discouraging factors for practice of reporting ADRs, 20% PGs, 16.66% faculties, 80% interns, 40% nurses and 68.75% pharmacists found ADR forms difficult to be filled. According to 66% faculties, 80% PGs, 66.66% interns managing patients are more important than reporting ADRs while 93.75% nurses and 76% pharmacists did not know how to report and where to report.Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that the acceptable number of health-care professionals had a good knowledge and attitude towards pharmacovigilance. There was a huge gap between the ADR experienced, and ADR reported by the health-care professionals. So, there is need of conductance of CMEs, workshops and seminars related to pharmacovigilance for all heaith care professionals especially nurses and pharmacists so, that whole community can be benefitted

Effect Of Celery (Apium Graveolens) Seeds Extract On Protease Inhibitor (Ritonavir) Induced Dyslipidemia

Abstract: Objective: The present study was carried out to explore protective effects of ethanolic extract of Apium graveolens (celery seeds) on ritonavir, a protease inhibitor induced dyslipidemia. Materials &amp; Methods: Thirty mice were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 mice served as healthy control. Group 2 mice were given drug ritonavir at doses of 33.33 mg/kg (200mg/day, human dose), group 3 received same dose of ritonavir and ethanolic extract of celery seeds(CSE) at the doses of 75mg/kg. Group 4 was treated with same dose of ritonavir and CSE at high doses i.e.150mg/kg. Group 5 mice were given ritonavir and hypolipidemic drug, fenofibrate. All groups of mice were given the drug and extract by oral gavage route for the period of 12 weeks. Blood lipid profile and liver lipids of all the groups were tested at the end of 12 weeks. Results: Blood lipid profile was found to be deranged in the group of mice treated with ritonavir. Concurrent treatment of ritonavir with low dose of CSE showed no significant improvement in blood lipid profile in group 3 mice but high dose CSE along with ritonavir with the same dose of ritonavir exhibited significant improvement (p&lt;0.05) in group 4 mice. Effect of fenofibrate in group 5 was almost equally effective as that of high dose of CSE. There was a similar pattern of decrease in liver lipids in all the groups (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Above results suggest that ethanolic extract of celery seeds possess potential for improving blood lipid profile &amp; liver lipids deranged by ritonavir when given concurrently. Its efficacy approaches that of fenofibrate. Its intake along with ritonavir would be better in terms of cost and side effects as compared to fenofibrate. [Ahmed Q et al NJIRM 2012; 3(1) : 52-56