The Safety of Artificial Sweeteners and their Use in Pharmaceuticals

Artificial sweeteners are sugar substitutes that add sweetness to foods and beverages without the extra calories found in sugar. These additives are used to help patients with diabetes avoid hyperglycemia and assist people in losing weight or avoiding weight gain by providing a replacement to higher calorie sugar-sweetened foods. Artificial sweeteners can be found in many sugar-free beverages, candies and gum, as well as pharmaceutical products. Although artificial sweeteners are often recommended over the sugar-sweetened alternatives in weight loss and diabetes prevention, the use of such products are not without risk. Studies have been conducted to assess artificial sweeteners involvement in contributing to cancer, genotoxicity and diabetes. To provide optimal health care to patients, it is imperative to know the implications involved with these risks. Pharmaceutical products formulated for oral and peroral administration have been sweetened by both artificial and natural sweeteners, and the utilization of artificial sweeteners has been deemed more beneficial than its natural counterpart. As health care professionals, it is our job to counsel patients on the benefits of artificial sweeteners over natural sweeteners along with the importance of using artificial sweeteners in moderation

Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Benefits and Challenges

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder affecting approximately 11 percent of the country\u27s children and adolescents, between the ages four to seventeen years. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamines are the first-line of treatment for ADHD. The increasing use of these stimulant medications has resulted in increased media attention and raised questions about their efficacy and safety. This review focuses on the history of stimulant use in ADHD, the disease\u27s pathophysiology, the long-term benefits of pharmacotherapy, and the possible subsequent adverse effects associated with prolonged stimulant use in children and adolescents suffering from ADHD. Furthermore, we will highlight the important role of the pharmacist in both the long-term management of ADHD patients and in preventing the misuse/abuse of prescription stimulant medications. In addition, we briefly discuss the role of non-stimulants in the treatment of ADHD. Overall, a detailed review of the available literature suggests that there is an urgent need to conduct well-designed, long-term studies to more clearly understand the benefits and adverse effects associated with stimulant and non-stimulant use in the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents

Comparing the GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Byetta®, Victoza® and once-weekly Bydureon™

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has traditionally been managed with oral medications. However, in the last few years, subcutaneous glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have risen to fame. These agents serve as a reliable addition to current monotherapy. GLP-1 receptor agonists offer a significant reduction in hemoglobin AlC (HbAlc), fasting plasma glucose, and have the added benefit of weight loss. They work primarily by enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion while inhibiting glucagon secretion. The available GLP-1 agonists are Byetta® (exenatide), Victoza® (liraglutide), and Bydureon™ (exenatide extended-release). Studies suggest that they are similar in safety and efficacy, with the longer acting GLP-1 receptor agonists, liraglutide and extended-release exenatide, proving to be slightly more efficacious in terms of HbAlc and weight reduction. All three products have unique half-lives, dosing schedules, efficacies, side effects and contraindications