Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin current issue

{blacktriangledown}Aliskiren for hypertension in adults

2008-10-01

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease worldwide.1 Drug treatments include those that target the renin-angiotensin system, a key hormone cascade in the regulation of blood pressure. One of these is aliskiren (Rasilez – Novartis), which belongs to a new class of drugs, direct renin inhibitors.2 Here we assess its place in managing adults with hypertension.

{blacktriangledown}Retapamulin for impetigo and other infections

2008-10-01

Last year, we concluded that topical fusidic acid should be first-line treatment for impetigo.1 Since then, retapamulin ointment (Altargo – GlaxoSmithKline), a new antibacterial, has been licensed in the European Union as a short-term treatment for impetigo and infected small lacerations, abrasions or sutured wounds in people aged 9 months or above.2 Advertisements claim that the product "treats localised impetigo in just 5 days";3 by comparison, the British National Formulary (BNF) advises a 7-day course of fusidic acid.4 Here we consider the place of retapamulin in impetigo and its other licensed indications.

{blacktriangledown}Erdosteine for copd exacerbations

2008-10-01

The mucolytic drug erdosteine (Erdotin – Galen) is licensed in the UK as treatment for up to 10 days "for the symptomatic treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in adults".1 This indication differs from that for carbocisteine and mecysteine, two older mucolytic drugs that are licensed for adjunctive treatment in respiratory disorders characterised by viscous mucus, and typically used for longer to prevent exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).2 Does erdosteine have a role for people with COPD exacerbations?