Microsoft word - pharmacy new1.doc

PHARMACY NEWS FOR MAY 2011
Transdermal Patches with Metallic Components
Require Removal before MRI

BRAND NAME
METAL COMPONENT?
** Double-asterisk denotes that generic transdermal products containing this agent are

New Therapies for Treatment of Advanced Melanoma
Melanoma is the third most common type of skin cancer with an estimated
68,000 new cases diagnosed annual y in the US. Patients diagnosed with
Melanoma present with advanced stage (Stage III and IV) disease. The 5 year
survival rate for advance stage disease can vary from 20-70% for Stage III and
10% for Stage IV disease. Treatments for advance stage disease other than a
surgical modality (if the lesion(s) could be excised with adequate margins)
include: Interleukin-2, Interferon alpha, dacarbazine and temozolomide. The
response rate to these agents is <20% with a duration of response of less than 1
year in the metastatic setting.
Ipilimumab (YERVOY®) was approved by the FDA in March of 2011 for the
treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Ipilimumab an inhibitor of
cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) stimulates the T-cel s to
fight the melanoma cel s. In a clinical trial, ipilimumab was compared to an
investigational tumor vaccine for the second line treatment of advanced
melanoma. The overal survival was 10 months for the ipilimumab arm versus 6
months for the vaccine arm. The overal response rate was 10.9% for the
Ipilimumab arm versus 1.5% for the vaccine arm. Ipilimumab has been
associated with significant toxicities including: enterocolitis (12%), immune
mediated hepatitis (5%), dermatitis (14%), endocrinopathies (4%) and
neuropathies (<1%).
Peginterferon alfa-2b (SYLATRON®) received FDA approval for the adjuvant
treatment of melanoma with lymph node involvement (Stage III). Peginterferon
alfa-2b is the long acting formulation of interferon which can be administered
weekly by subcutaneous injection as opposed to daily injections required for
interferon alfa-2b. In a clinical trial peginterferon alfa-2b was compared to
observation for a 5 year period fol owing surgical resection. The relapse-free
survival was 34.8 months in the peginterferon arm versus 25.5 months in the
observation arm. There was no difference in overal survival between the
groups. The most common side effects observed with peginterferon alfa-2b
were: fatigue (94%), elevation of liver enzymes (77%), fever (75%), headache
(70%) and anorexia (69%). There is a black box warning for serious risk of
depression and suicides. 1/3 of patients discontinued treatment due to toxicities.
Despite the advent of these agents which are associated with significant
toxicities, advance melanoma remains a difficult disease to cure.

Probiotics for Prevention of Clostridium Difficile Associated Diarrhea
Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has become a recognized major
nosocomial problem nationwide. The Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee
(P&T) has approved the use of the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardi (250mg
PO BID) for prophylaxis of CDAD in high risk patients. Possible mechanisms of
action of probiotics include: 1) To reestablish the normal gastrointestinal
microflora, 2) To provide a layer of intestinal protection so that Toxin A and Toxin
B cannot attach to the intestine wal , 3) To provide direct antimicrobial action
against C. difficile, and 4) To stimulate immune modulators to increase IgA
production and stimulate monocyte function.
Risk factors for developing CDAD include administration of broad spectrum
antibiotics (mainly beta-lactams, clindamycin, erythromycin, and
fluoroquinolones), history of CDAD, age 65 years or older, patients with an NG
tube, patients in ICU, and hospital stay longer than 14 days. Probiotics are
contraindicated in immunocompromised patients and should be used with
caution in any situation where bowel integrity is in question.
To assist with this hospital-wide initiative, the pharmacists wil help identify
patients receiving systemic antibiotics that have risk factors for developing CDAD
and recommend the use of probiotics for prevention of CDAD in high risk
patients. Pharmacists are present on rounds and available for each patient care area to review and recommend therapy when appropriate. Additional y preprinted order forms for saccharomyces boulardi (Florastor) are being developed to be placed on patient’s charts to alert the medical staff that the patient is at risk for developing CDAD, which should be signed by the prescriber if deemed appropriate to initiate probiotic therapy. For more information, contact Karen Michaels: 301-896-3577.

Source: http://www.bsf01.com/creatives/SuburbanHospital/110527/PHARMACY%20NEW1.pdf