Real Time Pharmacology

 1.  Primary efficacy analysis of the Phase 3 COVE study  Moderna's mRNA-1273 involving 30,000 participants included 196 cases of COVID-19, of which 30 cases were severe Vaccine efficacy against COVID-19 was 94.1%; against severe COVID-19 was 100%. (source: Moderna Nov 30 press release) The primary endpoint of the Phase 3 COVE study is based on the analysis of COVID-19 cases confirmed and adjudicated starting two weeks following the second dose of vaccine.  Vaccine efficacy has been demonstrated at the first interim analysis with a total of 95 cases based on the pre-specified success criterion on efficacy. Today’s primary analysis was based on 196 cases, of which 185 cases of COVID-19 were observed in the placebo group versus 11 cases observed in the mRNA-1273 group, resulting in a point estimate of vaccine efficacy of 94.1%. A secondary endpoint analyzed severe cases of COVID-19 and included 30 severe cases (as defined in the study  protocol ) in this analysis....

Medications used to prevent Stroke 1. Antiplatelet/Anticoagulant (Blood Thinners) 2. Antihypertensives 3. Antiarrhythmics 4. Anticholesterolemia 5. Other medications Class I: Anti-Platelet Medications: Aspirin Aspirin/Dipyridamole (Aggrenox) Clopidogrel (Plavix) Prasugrel (Effient)

Dronabinol 2.5 mg capsules Contraindicated: with Metronidazole and Disulfiram Drug Classes: Antiemitic, Appetite enhancer, Cannabinoid     FDA approved uses: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting HIV/AIDS  - Loss of appetite AIDS - Loss of appetite (Capsule) Initial, 2.5 mg orally twice daily, before lunch and dinner; titration, adjust based on optimal clinical response and tolerance; may increase dosage gradually to 2.5 mg before lunch and 5 mg before dinner, and then to 5 mg twice daily as tolerated; MAX, 20 mg/day in divided doses    Chemotherapy-induced vomiting, In patients with inadequate response to commonly used antiemetic treatments (Capsule) Initial, 5 mg/m(2) orally 1 to 3 hours prior to chemotherapy, then 5 mg/m(2) every 2 to 4 hours after chemotherapy for a total of 4 to 6 doses/day; titration, adjust dosage based on response and tolerance; may increase dose in increments of 2.5 mg/m(2); MAX, 15 mg/m(2)/dose Side effects: Serious Immunological hy...

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) usually occurs in individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. It can also occur in younger, predominantly male, individuals  without preexisting chronic conditions. Genetic immunodeficiencies may predispose to severe disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Study:    The 4 male patients had a mean age of 26 years (range, 21-32), with no history of major chronic disease.  Hospitalization with COVID-19:  The mean duration of ventilatory support was 10 days (range, 9-11); the mean duration of ICU stay was 13 days (range, 10-16).  Mortality: One patient died out of 4 men. Genetic features:  Rapid clinical whole-exome sequencing of the patients and segregation in available family members identified loss-of-function variants of the X-chromosomal  TLR7.  Loss-of-function of  TLR7 leads to  lack of type I and II IFN (interferon) respo...

In this blog we will look at a study that describes the post COVID-19 conditions. Number of patients that participated in the study:   143  .  Worsened quality of life was observed among 44.1% of patients, 60 days after first COVID-19 symptoms.  None of the patients had fever or any signs or symptoms of acute illness.  1. The mean age was 56.5 (SD, 14.6) years (range, 19-84 years), and 53 (37%) were women. 2. During hospitalization, percentage   of participants had evidence of interstitial pneumonia:  72.7%  3. The mean length of hospital stay was 13.5 (SD, 9.7) days; 21 patients (15%) received noninvasive ventilation and 7 patients (5%) received invasive ventilation.  Patients were evaluated after a mean of 60.3  (SD, 13.6) days   after onset of the first COVID-19 symptom;  Evaluations results: Only 18 (12.6%) were completely free of any COVID-19–related symptom, while 32% had 1 or 2 symptoms and 55% had 3 or more. Fatigue was...