News &amp; Updates

Patients with severe asthma receiving treatment with biologics are more likely to contract COVID-19 and develop a severe course as compared with the general population, a study has found.

Severe asthma patients on biologics predisposed to severe COVID-19

Solriamfetol offers hope for excessive daytime sleepiness in OSA

The dopamine-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor solriamfetol helps reduce excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), without compromising primary OSA treatment, as shown in a study.

Solriamfetol offers hope for excessive daytime sleepiness in OSA

Air pollution reaches deep into kids’ DNA

01 Mar 2021 by

Exposure to air pollution impacts the methylation of immunoregulatory genes among children, and alters their immune cell and blood pressure profiles, according to a recent study.

Air pollution reaches deep into kids’ DNA

01 Mar 2021

COVID-19 vaccines vs new variants: Are we protected?

27 Feb 2021 by

While more and more COVID-19 vaccines are getting rolled out globally, the world is also seeing new variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerging. How effective will the vaccines work against these new variants is largely unknown. Billions worldwide are watching closely and bracing themselves on how this might unfold.

COVID-19 vaccines vs new variants: Are we protected?

Risk for thrombotic events higher after respiratory infections needing hospitalization

Being hospitalized for respiratory infections heightens the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and venous thromboembolism (VTE), especially in the first 30 days after discharge, a recent study has found.

Risk for thrombotic events higher after respiratory infections needing hospitalization

Metformin shields diabetics against tuberculosis

Among patients with diabetes mellitus, the use of metformin may prove to be protective against tuberculosis, a recent study has found.

Metformin shields diabetics against tuberculosis

Severe/critical COVID-19 may up perinatal risk

26 Feb 2021 by

Critical or severe COVID-19 disease could raise the risk of negative perinatal outcomes in pregnant women, according to an observational study from the US.

Severe/critical COVID-19 may up perinatal risk

26 Feb 2021

Infectious causes of Sore throat

Sore throat is a self-limiting upper respiratory tract infection characterized by dry, itchy throat and odynophagia. Most sore throats are usually of viral origin and do not require antibiotics.¹ Lozenges containing hexylresorcinol is recommended to relieve pain and discomfort.²

Reference:
1. The Pharmaceutical Journal. Case-based learning: Sore throat. The Pharmaceutical Journal resource page. Available at: https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/cpd-and-learning/learning-article/case-based-learning-sore-throat/20207040.article?firstPass=false. Accessed 25 November 2020. 2. Medicines.org.uk. Triple action sore throat relief cherry flavor 2.4mg lozenges (Hexylresorcinol). Medicines.org.uk resource page. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.9431.pdf. Accessed 18 February 2021.

Infectious causes of Sore throat

Antibiotic Resistance Lozenge

Flurbiprofen is a nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic drug¹ that is completely absorbed after oral administration. Several studies have shown that flurbiprofen was proven to be safe, well tolerated, and effective in relieving throat pain, swollen or inflamed throat, and difficulty in swallowing.^2–4 It is the preferred first line treatment in patients with inflamed or swollen, and painful throat. ⁴

References:
1. Gonzales-Younes I, et al. J Pharm Sci 1991;80:820–823. 2. de Looze F, et al. Eur J Gen Pract 2016;22:111–118. 3. Russo M, et al. Br J Gen Pract 2013;63:e149–55. 4. Aspley S, et al. Curr Med Res Opin 2016;32:1529–1538.

Antibiotic Resistance Lozenge

Obesity exerts no influence on ventilator-associated pneumonia risk

Obesity appears to have no significant association with the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, a study has found.

Obesity exerts no influence on ventilator-associated pneumonia risk