• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.120-129
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• 2015

Objectives: Drug utilization review program in Korea has provided 'drug combinations to avoid (DCA)' alerts to physicians and pharmacists to prevent potential adverse drug events or inappropriate drug use. Seven hundred and six DCA pairs have been announced officially by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) by March, 2015. Some DCA pairs could be grouped based on the drug interaction mechanism and its consequences. This study aimed to investigate the drug-drug interaction (DDI) pairs, which may be potential DCAs, generated by the drug class-drug class interaction method. Methods: Eleven additive/synergistic and one antagonistic drug class-drug class interaction groups were identified. By combining drugs of two interacting drug class groups, numerous DDI pairs were made. The status and severity of DDI pairs were examined using Lexicomp and Micromedex. Also, the DCA listing rate was calculated. Results: Among 258 DDI pairs generated by the drug class-drug class interaction method, only 142 pairs were identified as official DCA pairs by the MFDS. One hundred and four pairs were identified as potential DCA pairs to be listed. QT prolonging agents-QT prolonging agents, triptans-ergot alkaloids, tricyclic antidepressants-monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and dopamine agonists-dopamine antagonists were identified as drug class-drug class interaction groups which have less than 50 % DCA listing rate. Conclusion: To improve the clinicians' adaptability to DCA alerts, the list of DCA pairs needs to be continuously updated.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.91-95
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• 2013

It is important to check the types of drugs when treating acute drug intoxication. This study researches the clinical characteristics and types of patients hospitalized in emergency medical center for drug addiction in 2009 and 2010. By applying a drug addiction selecting kit, it studied the flexibility and clinical efficiency during diagnosis and treatment. The study result shows, among the drugs causing addiction, Sedative accounts for 34.4%, Herdicide 23.5%, Analgesic 17.2%, Insectide 7.8% and else 17.2%. Sedative showed the highest proportion both in 2009 and 2010. Among the drug addicted patients, 39 cases did not know that the drugs are poisonous and among them, the drug addiction selecting kit was positive in 32 cases (82.0%). In 42 cases where addiction was suspicious, 25 cases (59.5%) were positive in the drug addiction selecting kit. In 57 cases of using drug addiction selecting kits, the cases in which benzodiazepine was positive, were 30 and the most frequently cases were as follows; Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA) 13 cases, Amphetamines 3 cases, barbiturate 3 cases, and piate 3 cases. In the district using drug addiction kit meaningfully had Flumazenil injection much greater impact than the one not using the kit. This proves the efficiency of the kit (p<0.05). The uses of drug addiction selecting kits are for acute drug intoxicated patients and for providing objective and scientific information when emergency medical doctor are checking unchecked poisoning drugs. It is considered that drug addiction selecting kits would give help when treating the early stage of drug addicted patients in emergency medical treatment.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.251-258
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• 1997

The dysfunction of either or both noradrenaline and serotonin system are important in the pathophysiology of depression. Previous reports have suggested that there may be an important interaction between these two systems. Recently, some investigators have suggested that the combination of tricyclic antidepressants(TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs) would produce a rapid synergistic effect on down-regulation of either or both of these two systems and that this combination may produce a more rapid and absolute antidepressant effect. We compared the treatment efficacy, treatment associated side effects, treatment satisfaction, and the quality of life between the combination therapy of dothiepin-sertraline as well as the therapy of dothiepin alone in the treatment of major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder. In our study, the combination therapy of dothiepin and sertraline produced a more rapid and absolute antidepressant effect than dothiepin alone. And the patients with combination therapy experienced relatively high treatment satisfaction than the patients with dothiepin therapy. The patients' quality of life improved more rapidly in the combination therapy, especially, in the health perception, social behavior, and life satisfaction, than dothiepin alone. These results support the hypothesis that the combination of TCA and SSRI may produce a rapid synergistic effect on either or both norepinephrine and serotonin system, and more rapid antidepressant effect and high treatment satisfaction.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.201-209
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• 1998

Background: Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) have been used for various pain syndromes for their analgesic effects. They, however, often have anticholinergic side effects and therefore search for more selective drugs with fewer side effects is justified. Paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor devoid of autonomic side effects, was evaluated for its role as an analgesic adjuvant in the management of neuropathic pain. Method: According to individual diagnostic group as diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, central pain syndrome and cancer related plexopathy, 10 patients per each group were equally accumulated. Patients have been stabilized in their analgesic regimen at least four weeks prior to enrollment into study. TCA, if taken, was discontinued for two weeks for wash out period. Baseline four point verbal pain intensity score was obtained and oral administration of paroxetine 20 mg was initiated. At two weeks follow-up visit, pain intensity scores, pain improvement scores judged by family, drug efficacy, tolerability and overall evaluation were assessed. The incidence of side effects were also obtained. Result: After two weeks of treatment, pain intensity scores decreased in 77.5% of patients and no patients experienced aggravation. These findings were objectively reflected in pain improvement scores judged by family members. But, the number of nonresponders was different among groups. In drug efficacy, tolerability and overall evaluation, the proportions of patients who scored as excellent or good were 75%, 80% and 80% respectively. Incidence of side effects was 27.5%, but the side effects spontaneously disappeared after discontinuation of medication. Conclusion: Paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, appears to be effective as adjuvant analgesic for the management of various neuropathic pain syndromes.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.91-104
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• 2011

Background : Although chronic non-bacterial prostatitis is increasing, it is hard to treat effectively. In western medicine, antimicrobials drug, ${\alpha}$-adreno-ceptor antagonists, anti-inflammatory drugs, tricyclic antidepressants and anticholinergic agents are used commonly, but chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndromes is confusing and frustrating for urologist. IDS(Indongsoyeom-bang) is used in treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndromes. And it is reported that GLS(Gleditsiae spina) and TOF(Toosendan fructus) components of IDS have significant effect on protection of the glandular epithelial cells. Objective : In this study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effects and action machanism of IDS in the rat model of non-bacterial prostatitis induced by castration and testosterone treatment. Methods : We observed six experimental objects of normal group, control group, testosterone group, and IDS 50 mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg group. Rats were treated with 17 ${\beta}$-estradiol after castration for induction of experimental non-bacterial prostatitis, which is similar to human chronic prostatitis in histophatological profiles. IDS and testosterone were administered as an experimental specimen and a positive control, respectively. The prostates were evaluated by histological parameters including the epithelial score and epithelio-stromal ratio for glandular damage. Also, the prostates were observed by Hematological alterations of WBC, RBC, hemoglobin and platelet. Results : While prostates of control rats revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation, the rats treated with IDS-50 showed a diminished range of the tissue damage. Epithelial score was improved in IDS than that of the control. The epithelio-stromal ratio was lower in IDS when compared to that of the control. Also, the examination of bloods were not observed hematological change. Conclusion : These finding suggests that IDS may protects the glandular epithelial cells. We concluded that IDS could be a useful remedy agent for treating chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.794-801
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• 2000

BOOP(Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia) is an inflammatory reaction that follows damage to the bronchiolar epithelium of the small conducting airways. BOOP is characterized by the pathologic finding of excessive proliferation of granulation tissue within the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar duct and spaces, accompanied by organizing pneumonia in the more distal parenchyma BOOP may result from diverse causes such as toxic fumes, connective tissue disorders, infections, organ transplantation and drugs or appear idiopathically. Drug induced BOOP has been described in association with acebutolol, amiodarone, cephalosporin, bleomycine, tryptophan, gold salts, barbiturates, sulfasalazine, and carbamazepine. Carbamazepine is an iminostilbene derivative that is used as both an anticonvulsant and pain reliever for pains associated with trigeminal neuralgia. It is structually related to the tricyclic antidepressants. To our knowledge, there have been no previously reported case that has described development of BOOP during carbamazepine treatment in Korea, and only two cases have been reported in the world. We report a case carbamazepine-induced BOOP with a brief review of literature.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2016

Purpose: Aspiration pneumonia is an important complication of drug intoxication with decreased mental status. The purpose of the study is to investigate the risk factors of aspiration pneumonia in the patients of benzodiazepine overdose with or without co-ingestion of other drugs. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who visited the emergency department between January 2012 and December 2014 was conducted. Demographic data, time from ingestion to visit, initial vital signs, symptoms, mental status, medical history, laboratory results, chest radiological findings and co-ingested medications were recorded. Multiple logistic analyses were performed to verify the association between variables and the development of aspiration pneumonia. Results: A total of 249 patients presented to the emergency department with benzodiazepine overdose. Aspiration pneumonia had developed in 24 patients (9.6%). Univariate analysis revealed time from ingestion to visit was longer, Glasgow coma scale score was lower, hypoxia was presented, leukocytosis was shown, types of ingested drugs was high, less activated charcoal was applied and tricyclic antidepressants was taken in patients that developed aspiration pneumonia. Time from ingestion to visit (odds ratio (OR) 1.121, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.057-1.189, p=0.000), GCS score (OR 0.724. 95% CI, 0.624-0.839, p=0.000), oxygen saturation (OR 0.895, 95% CI, 0.835-0.959, p=0.002), and co-ingestion of TCA (OR 4.595, 95% CI, 1.169-18.063, p=0.029) were identified as risk factors of morbidity of aspiration pneumonia upon multiple logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Time from ingestion to visit, low GCS score, low oxygen saturation and co-ingestion of TCA were risk factors of the development of aspiration pneumonia in benzodiazepine overdose patients.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2010

This type of neuropathic pain(atypical odontalgia) is seen most often in middle-aged women or men after dentoalveolar operation. Atypical odontalgia probably is caused by deafferentation leading to intraneural changes in the medullary dorsal horn. Treatment of this problem is difficult, but some success has been reported in uncontrolled, open-labeled studies using high doses of tricyclic antidepressants. This is the management report of a patient case, that had a neuropathic atypical odontalgia recognized with the right maxillary lateral incisor. The patient was consulted to the Department of Pain Clinics, ENT & Neurology and diagnosed the adenoid cystic carcinoma on left cerebellum and right paranasal sinus with extension to the cavernous sinus. In spite of the osteoplastic craniotomy, neurosurgical mass removal and radiation therapy were done with chemotherapy, atypical odontalgia was continued. In addition to the consultation to Psychology, stress management and antidepressant medication were done and improved slowly.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of intravenous lipid emulsion as well as adverse events in acute poisoning patients. Methods: Literature was accessed through PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Web of science, and KoreaMed. All forms of literatures relevant to human use of intravenous lipid emulsion for acute poisoning were included. Cases reports or letters without description of clinical outcomes for each case were excluded. The literature search was conducted by two investigators in March, 2015, with publication language restricted to English and Korean. The effect, onset time, and adverse event of lipid emulsion and final outcome of each case were analyzed. Results: Eighty-one published articles were included, excluding articles whose title and abstract were not relevant to this study. No articles were classified as high level of evidence. Sixty-eight case reports were identified, consisting of 25 local anesthetics and 43 other drugs, such as tricyclic antidepressants and calcium channel blockers. Although most cases described significant clinical improvements, some of them showed no beneficial effect or worsening of clinical course. Several adverse events including hyperamylasemia and laboratory interference were reported. Conclusion: Although there were many case reports illustrating successful use of lipid for various drug poisonings, the effect cannot be estimated due to significant possibility of publication bias. Therefore, lipids might be considered in severe hemodynamic instability resulting from lipophilic drug poisoning, however further studies should follow to establish the use of lipid as the standard of care.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.61-78
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• 2021

Background and Objective: The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) increases the risk of negative health outcomes, including drug-related admissions. Tools for structured medication review have been developed to ensure optimal medication use and safety. Here, we aimed to evaluate medication use review (MUR) tools for community-dwelling older patients. Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement (PRISMA). We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from 1991 to 2020, excluding tools that are specifically applied to hospitalized patients or nursing home residents. We identified the most common inappropriate medications, drug-disease interactions, drug-drug interactions and prescribing omissions presented among tools. Results: From among 9,788 identified reports screened, 60 met our inclusion criteria; finally, 27 were eligible for data analysis considering originality and up-to-dateness. Most tools presented explicit criteria (93%), and only one was specific to community-dwelling elderly. The most common PIM was tricyclic antidepressants. Use of diltiazem and verapamil in patients with heart failure and the combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics and warfarin were the most frequent disease-specific PIM and drug-interaction, respectively. Conclusions: Although several medication review tools have been developed for older adults, specific guidelines for community-dwelling populations remain limited. Furthermore, the list of PIMs differed among available tools. In future, specific but integrating MUR tools need to be developed for clinical practice considering this population.