Sodium oxybate therapy for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome and the maintenance of alcohol abstinence
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB or sodium oxybate) is both an exogenous and endogenous molecule with neuromodulator properties. In the United States, GHB is an approved drug for the treatment of narcolepsy and narcolepsy with cataplexy in adults. In some European Union countries, sodium oxybate is applied for the treatment of opioid and alcohol withdrawal.
Clinical pharmacology of citrus aurantium and citrus sinensis for the treatment of anxiety
Objective. The aim of this review is to analyze preclinical and clinical studies investigating the anxiety effects ofCitrus aurantiumorCitrus sinensisessential oils (EOs).Design. The bibliographic research was made on the major scientific databases. Analysis included only articles written in English and published on peer-reviewed scientific journals describing preclinical experiments and clinical trials carried out to investigate the antianxiety effects ofCitrus aurantium or Citrus sinensisEOs on anxiety disorders. Clinical studies reporting the antianxiety effects of products containingCitrus aurantiumorCitrus sinensisEOs in combination with other active substances, including medicinal pla…
Neurological aspects of medical use of cannabidiol
Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) is among the major secondary metabolites of Cannabis devoid of the delta-9-tetra-hydrocannabinol psychoactive effects. It is a resorcinol-based compound with a broad spectrum of potential therapeutic properties, including neuroprotective effects in numerous pathological conditions. CBD neuroprotection is due to its antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities and the modulation of a large number of brain biological targets (receptors, channels) involved in the development and maintenance of neurodegenerative diseases. Objective: The aim of the present review was to describe the state of art about the pre-clinical research, the potential use and, when existing, t…
Lethal Anaphylactic Reaction to Intravenous Gelatin in the Course of Surgery
Plasma volume expanders (PVEs) are widely used to increase circulating blood volume. Gelatins used as PVEs are heterogeneous mixtures of polypeptides, usually prepared by hydrolysis of bovine collagen containing large amounts of proline and hydroxyproline residues. It has been shown that gelatins can cause anaphylactic reactions. We describe the case of a 73-year-old man who during surgery for intestinal obstruction presented a lethal anaphylactic reaction after the administration of a PVE containing gelatin lysate. The reaction occurred 10 minutes after the start of plasma expander infusion. Then, patient became comatose, and he died without awakening after 76 days. Necroptic aspects and h…
Sodium Oxybate Therapy for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome and Keeping of Alcohol Abstinence
BACKGROUND Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB or sodium oxybate) is both an exogenous and endogenous molecule with neuromodulator properties. In the United States, GHB is an approved drug for the treatment of narcolepsy and narcolepsy with cataplexy in adults. In some European Union countries, sodium oxybate is applied for the treatment of opioid and alcohol withdrawal. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present review was to describe the state of art of the pre-clinical research and the clinical evidence related to GHB used alone or in combination with other treatments in alcohol withdrawal syndrome and alcohol abstinence maintenance. METHOD Internationally published pre-clinical findings and clinical studi…