Eosinophil markers in seasonal allergic rhinitis. Intranasal fluticasone propionate inhibits local and systemic increases during the pollen season.

Eosinophil markers in seasonal allergic rhinitis. Intranasal fluticasone propionate inhibits local and systemic increases during the pollen season. BACKGROUND: The purpose was to study activation markers of the eosinophil granulocytes in seasonal allergic rhinitis, and the impact of topical steroid therapy thereupon. METHODS: Sixty-three rhinitis patients with monoallergy to grass were examined before and at peak pollen season. Blood eosinophil count, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) in serum and nasal lavage fluid were measured. During the season, patients were randomized to treatment with intranasal fluticasone propionate 0.1 mg o.d. (n=26), 0.2 mg o.d. (n=25), or placebo (n=12). Six healthy persons served as controls. RESULTS: During the season, all parameters, except nasal lavage ECP, increased in the placebo group (P

A comparison of the efficacy of fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray and loratadine, alone and in combination, for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
A comparison of the efficacy of fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray and loratadine, alone and in combination, for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. BACKGROUND: Intranasal corticosteroids and oral antihistamines are both effective in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, although the therapeutic value of administering the two types of agents concurrently has rarely been evaluated. This study was designed to compared the efficacy, safety, and impact on quality of life of fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray (FP ANS), loratadine, FP ANS plus loratadine, and placebo (an aqueous nasal spray plus tablet) in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis during the mountain cedar allergy season in south central Texas. METHODS: Six hundred patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were treated for 2 weeks with either FP ANS 200 microgram once daily, loratadine 10 mg once daily, the FP ANS and loratadine regimens combined, or placebo in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group study. RESULTS: Clinician- and patient-rated total and individual nasal symptom scores after 7 and 14 days of therapy and overall evaluations were significantly lower (P < .001) in the FP ANS and FP ANS plus loratadine groups compared with the loratadine only and placebo groups. Loratadine was not statistically different from placebo in clinician and patient symptom score ratings nor in overall clinician and patient evaluations. FP ANS plus loratadine and FP ANS monotherapy were comparable in efficacy in almost all evaluations; for some patient-rated symptoms the combination was found superior. Mean score changes in the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire from baseline to day 14 showed significantly greater improvement (P < .001) in quality of life in the FP ANS group than in the group of patients receiving loratadine only or placebo and no significant benefit was demonstrated in the FP ANS plus loratadine group over the FP ANS monotherapy group. No serious or unusual drug-related adverse events were reported. Combining loratadine with FP ANS did not alter the adverse events profile or frequency. Journal ISSN: 0094-3509 Issue: 47-2 (1998) Pages: 118-25

Fluoxetine and tics in an adolescent.
Fluoxetine and tics in an adolescent. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of tics associated with fluoxetine. CASE SUMMARY: A depressed adolescent was treated with fluoxetine. The patient had not been exposed to any other pharmacologic agents prior to this treatment. Following eight months of fluoxetine therapy the patient developed numerous tics. The movements subsided six months after discontinuation of fluoxetine. DISCUSSION: Antidopaminergic effects have been reported in patients treated with fluoxetine. Because fluoxetine is a specific serotonin reuptake inhibitor, one plausible explanation for the extrapyramidal symptoms observed in these patients is that serotonin modulates dopaminergic neurons. CONCLUSIONS: Extrapyramidal symptoms have been reported in patients receiving fluoxetine, although never previously in an adolescent. This case report provides further evidence that fluoxetine may be associated with severe extrapyramidal adverse reactions. Journal ISSN: 1060-0280 Issue: 27-6 (1993) Pages: 725-6

A randomized double-blind study of fluoxetine versus placebo in the treatment of dysthymia.
A randomized double-blind study of fluoxetine versus placebo in the treatment of dysthymia. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of fluoxetine, a selective serotonergic antidepressant, in the treatment of dysthymia. METHOD: Thirty-five patients who met criteria for dysthymia, but not major depression, began randomized, double-blind 8-week trials of fluoxetine or placebo. RESULTS: Of 32 patients who completed the study, 10 (62.5%) of the 16 patients given fluoxetine and three (18.8%) of the 16 given placebo responded to treatment. Response was defined as 1) 50% or greater decrease in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score and 2) a score of 1 or 2 on the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) improvement subscale. Fluoxetine subjects showed significantly greater improvement at week 8 than placebo subjects on the Hamilton depression and CGI scales, but not on the Hopkins Symptom Check-list (58-item) or the Cornell Dysthymia Rating Scale. CONCLUSIONS: When compared to placebo, fluoxetine showed short-term effectiveness in treating dysthymic symptoms. Journal ISSN: 0002-953X Issue: 150-8 (1993) Pages: 1169-75

Combination of bupropion, paroxetine and quetiapine as adjuvant treatment for multiple myeloma.
Combination of bupropion, paroxetine and quetiapine as adjuvant treatment for multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a severe plasma dyschrasia with no known treatment or cure, even bone marrow transplantation. Cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and interleukin-6 (Il-6) are thought to be important trophic factors for the malignant plasma cells. In turn, histamine and nitric oxide are positive regulatory factors for Il-6. Here we note that the safe, approved and commonly used psychiatric medicines bupropion (Wellbutrin), paroxetine (Paxil) and quetiapine (Seroquel) are respectively potent TNF, nitric oxide and histamine antagonists and thus might find some use in treatment of multiple myeloma. Journal ISSN: 0306-9877 Issue: 62-5 (2004) Pages: 817-8

Prenatal cocaine exposure potentiates paroxetine-induced desensitization of 5-HT2A receptor function in adult male rat offspring.
Prenatal cocaine exposure potentiates paroxetine-induced desensitization of 5-HT2A receptor function in adult male rat offspring. This study investigated the ability of prenatal exposure to cocaine to alter serotonin(2A) (5-HT(2A)) receptor function and paroxetine-induced desensitization of 5-HT(2A) receptor function in rat offspring. Following exposure to saline or (-)cocaine (15 mg/kg, s.c., b.i.d.), during gestational days 13-20, adult male offspring were treated with either saline or paroxetine (10 mg/kg/day, i.p. 14 days). Eighteen hours post-treatment, changes in the stimulation of oxytocin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone by (-)4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenylisopropylamine (DOI, 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg, s.c.) and in 5-HT(2A) receptor densities were determined. Prenatal cocaine exposure did not alter 5-HT(2A) receptor-mediated neuroendocrine responses or 5-HT(2A) receptor densities. In contrast, paroxetine treatment reduced cortical 5-HT(2A) receptors (18-25%) and desensitized 5-HT(2A) receptor-mediated oxytocin responses in both offspring groups. Furthermore, in cocaine offspring, paroxetine produced an inhibition of 5-HT(2A) receptor-mediated increase in plasma ACTH levels and a greater attenuation of the oxytocin responses to (-)DOI. Paroxetine-induced reductions in body weight gain (-8.8%) were comparable in both offspring groups. These data, demonstrating that prenatal exposure to cocaine potentiates paroxetine-induced desensitization of 5-HT(2A) receptor function, may be clinically relevant with respect to treating mood disorders in adults exposed in utero to cocaine. Journal ISSN: 0028-3908 Issue: 46-7 (2004) Pages: 942-53

Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone secondary to fluoxetine.
Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone secondary to fluoxetine. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of possible fluoxetine-induced syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). CASE SUMMARY: A 92-year-old patient was prescribed oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for depression. After 13 days of therapy, she developed severe weakness and was found to have hyponatremia. Fluoxetine was discontinued. Treatment included fluid restriction and sodium chloride and potassium supplementation. Eight days after admission, the hyponatremia resolved and the patient was discharged without any pharmacologic treatment for depression. DISCUSSION: Case reports on fluoxetine-induced SIADH were reviewed. Fluoxetine-associated SIADH appears to occur most commonly after short-term therapy in elderly patients. Resolution of hyponatremia occurs six days to two weeks after discontinuation of fluoxetine. CONCLUSIONS: Geriatric patients receiving fluoxetine should be monitored regularly to detect abnormal electrolyte values. Journal ISSN: 1060-0280 Issue: 27-6 (1993) Pages: 723-4

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