| 1. |
- Apelqvist, G, et al.
(författare)
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Dynamic and kinetic effects of chronic citalopram treatment in experimental hepatic encephalopathy
- 2000
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Ingår i: Clinical neuropharmacology. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0362-5664 .- 1537-162X. ; 23:6, s. 304-317
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chronic hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome that arises in liver-impaired subjects. Patients with HE display various neuropsychiatric symptoms including affective disturbances and may therefore likely receive treatment with novel thymoleptics like citalopram (CIT). The simultaneous pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic outcome of the commonly used serotonin-selective thymoleptic drugs in liver-impaired subjects with pending chronic HE is far from understood today. We therefore investigated the effects of chronic, body-weight-adjusted (10 mg ╖ kg-1 ╖ day-1), treatment with CIT in rats with and without portacaval shunts (PCS). Open-field activity was monitored. The 5-HT, 5-HIAA, noradrenaline (NA), and dopamine (DA) output were assessed in the frontal neocortex. The racemic levels of CIT and its metabolites DCIT and DDCIT, including the S- and R-enantiomers, were determined in serum, brain parenchyma, and extracellular fluid. The rats with PCS showed higher (2-3-fold) levels of CIT than rats undergoing a sham treatment with CIT in all compartments investigated. The PCS rats also showed elevated levels of DCIT and DDCIT. No major differences in the S/R ratios between PCS rats and control rats could be detected. The CIT treatment resulted in neocortical output differences between PCS rats and control rats mainly within the 5-HT and DA systems but not within the NA system. For the 5-HT system, this change was further evidenced by outspoken elevation in 5-HT output after KCl-depolarizing challenges. Moreover, the CIT treatment to PCS rats was shown to "normalize" the metabolic turnover of 5-HT, measured as a profound lowering of a basal elevation in the 5-HIAA levels. The CIT treatment resulted in an increased or "normalized" behavioral activity in the PCS group. Therefore, a dose-equal chronic treatment with CIT in PCS rats produced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes not observed in control rats. The results further support the contention of an altered 5-HT neurotransmission prevailing in the chronic HE condition. However, the tentatively beneficial behavioral response also seen following chronic CIT treatment to PCS rats in this study has to be viewed in relation to both the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes observed.
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| 2. |
- Carlsson, Björn, et al.
(författare)
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Enantioselective Analysis of Citalopram and Metabolites in Adolescents
- 2001
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Ingår i: Therapeutic drug monitoring. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0163-4356. ; 23, s. 658-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Studies of the antidepressant effect and pharmacokinetics of citalopram have been performed in adults, but the effects on children and adolescents have only been studied to a minor extent despite its increasing use in these age groups. The aim of this study was to investigate a group of adolescents treated for depression, with respect to the steady-state plasma concentrations of the enantiomers of citalopram and its demethylated metabolites desmethylcitalopram and didesmethylcitalopram. Moreover, the authors studied the genotypes for the polymorphic cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 in relation to the different enantiomers. The S/R ratios of citalopram and desmethylcitalopram found in this study of 19 adolescents were similar to studies involving older patients. The concentrations of the R-(-)- and S-(+)-enantiomers of citalopram and desmethylcitalopram were also in agreement with values from earlier studies, the R-(-)-enantiomer (distomer) being the major enantiomer. The results indicate that the use of oral contraceptives may have some influence on the metabolism of citalopram. This might be because of an interaction of the contraceptive hormones with the CYP2C19 enzyme.
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| 3. |
- Druid, H., et al.
(författare)
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Flunitrazepam : An evaluation of use, abuse and toxicity
- 2001
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Ingår i: Forensic Science International. - 0379-0738 .- 1872-6283. ; 122:2-3, s. 136-141
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The benzodiazepine flunitrazepam is extensively prescribed to patients with insomnia in many countries, but has also become popular among alcohol- and drug abusers. Several reports indicate that it is used as a date rape drug and suggest that it may precipitate violent behavior. Furthermore, flunitrazepam is involved in many fatal intoxications in Sweden. This study was designed and conducted to explore the negative consequences of flunitrazepam abuse in Sweden, and to assess the trends in its use and abuse. The occurrence of flunitrazepam in cases referred to the Department of Forensic Chemistry in Linköping, Sweden 1992-1998, was investigated in detail. The detections were studied separately for different groups, medicolegal death investigations, drug abuse cases, driving under influence cases, and other medicolegal cases. These data were further compared with the sales, and seizures by the Swedish Customs and the Swedish Police. During 1992-1998, 641 fatalities occurred, where the cause of death was attributed to intoxication with flunitrazepam solely (130) or in combination with other drugs, or concomittant conditions (511). In 78% of all driving under influence cases, where flunitrazepam was detected, the analyses also disclosed the presence of illicit drugs. A similar association was seen in drug abuse cases. The seizures reported by the Swedish Customs revealed a substantial and increasing illegal trade. Cases, where flunitrazepam seemingly induced violent behavior were identified, and one of these is described in some detail. It is concluded that the abuse pattern and the toxicity of flunitrazepam should be kept in mind by forensic investigators and that this panorama also should be considered when decisions about the registration and classification of flunitrazepam are made in different countries. Copyright © 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.
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| 4. |
- Fugelstad, A, et al.
(författare)
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Use of morphine and 6-monoacetylmorphine in blood for the evaluation of possible risk factors for sudden death in 192 heroin users
- 2003
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Ingår i: Addiction. - : Wiley. - 0965-2140 .- 1360-0443. ; 98:4, s. 463-470
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: To detect risk factors for sudden death from heroin injection. Design: Evaluation of data from forensic investigations of all fatal cases of suspected heroin death in a metropolitan area. Only cases with detectable morphine and 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) in blood were included in order to select heroin intoxication cases. Setting: Stockholm, Sweden. Measurements: Autopsy investigation and toxicological analysis of blood and urine: and police reports. Findings: In two-thirds of the 192 cases, death occurred in public places, and mostly without any time delay. Blood concentrations of morphine ranged from 50 to 1200 ng/g, and of 6-MAM from 1 to 80 ng/g. Codeine was detected in 96% of the subjects. In the majority of cases the forensic investigation indicated polydrug use, the most common additional findings being alcohol and benzodiazepines. However, in one-quarter of the cases other drug combinations were found. Previous abstinence from heroin and use of alcohol were identified as risk factors. For 6-MAM there was also a correlation with the presence of THC and benzodiazepines. Despite a high frequency of heart abnormalities (e.g. myocarditis and focal myocardial fibrosis), these conditions did not correlate with morphine or 6-MAM blood concentrations. Conclusions: We confirm that alcohol intake and loss of tolerance are risk factors for death from heroin use, whereas no connection to heart pathology was observed. Further, prospective, studies should focus on other possible risk factors.
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| 5. |
- Holmgren, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Caffeine fatalities - four case reports
- 2004
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Ingår i: Forensic Science International. - : Elsevier BV. - 0379-0738 .- 1872-6283. ; 139:1, s. 71-73
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Four cases of fatal intoxications with caffeine are described. Caffeine is widely available in beverages and in different OTC-products, in many of them in combinations with other drugs like ephedrine. Caffeine is not as harmless as one might believe. An overdose of caffeine alone, intentional or not, might be deadly. It seems to be warranted to include caffeine in the drug-screening of forensic autopsy cases. It is not motivated from a medical point of view to sell pure caffeine over the counter.
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| 6. |
- Holmgren, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Enantioselective analysis of citalopram and its metabolites in postmortem blood and genotyping for CYD2D6 and CYP2C19
- 2004
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Ingår i: Journal of Analytical Toxicology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0146-4760 .- 1945-2403. ; 28:2, s. 94-104
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is one of the most commonly found drugs in Swedish forensic autopsy cases. Citalopram is a racemic drug with 50:50 of the S- and R- enantiomers. Enantioselective analysis of citalopram and its metabolites desmethylcitalopram and didesmethylcitalopram were performed in femoral blood from 53 autopsy cases by a chiral high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The mean (± standard deviation) S/R ratio for citalopram was 0.67 ± 0.25 and for desmethylcitalopram, 0.68 ± 0.20. We found increasing S/R ratios with increasing concentrations of citalopram. We also found that high citalopram S/R ratios were associated with a high parent drug-to-metabolite ratio and may be an indicator of recent intake. Citalopram is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, 2C19, and 2D6. Genotyping for the polymorphic CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 revealed no poor metabolizers regarding CYP2C19 and only 2 (3.8%) poor metabolizers regarding CYP2D6. The presence of drugs metabolized by and/or inhibiting these enzymes in several of the cases suggests that such pharmacokinetic interactions are a more important (practical) problem than metabolic deficiency. Enantioselective analysis of citalopram and its metabolites can provide additional information when interpreting forensic toxicology results and might be a necessity in the future.
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| 7. |
- Holmgren, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Stability of drugs in stored postmortem femoral blood and vitreous humor
- 2004
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Ingår i: Journal of Forensic Sciences. - 0022-1198 .- 1556-4029. ; 49:4, s. 820-825
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The stability of 46 drugs in postmortem femoral blood stored for one year at -20°C was investigated. The drugs included benzodiazepines, antidepressants, analgetics and hypnotics. For seven drugs we found a significant change in the concentration between the first and second analysis. Five substances; ethanol, desmethylmianserin, 7-amino-nitrazepam, THC and zopiclone showed a decrease in the concentration whereas the concentrations of two substances; ketobemidone and thioridazine increased. However, the changes observed were not of such an order that it would affect the interpretation in normal forensic casework. We also investigated the possible influence of potassium fluoride on the concentrations of the 46 drugs in vitreous humor after storage for one year. For two substances, ethanol and zopiclone, there were significantly lower concentrations in the samples without potassium fluoride. Furthermore, we also studied the correlation between the concentrations in femoral blood and vitreous humor. For 23 substances there was a significant difference between the concentrations in the vitreous humor and femoral blood. Significant correlations between the concentrations in these two specimens were found for 23 substances, indicating that vitreous humor can be an alternative specimen when blood samples are not available, provided that such correlation exists for the particular substance. Statistical analysis also revealed a correlation between the degree of protein binding of the different drugs and percentage of vitreous/femoral blood concentrations.
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| 8. |
- Josefsson, M, et al.
(författare)
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Letter: Amlodipine and grapefruit juice
- 2002
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Ingår i: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. - 0306-5251 .- 1365-2125. ; 53:4, s. 405-405
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
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| 9. |
- Jönsson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Fatal intoxications in a Swedish forensic autopsy material during 1992-2002
- 2004
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Ingår i: Forensic Science International. - : Elsevier BV. - 0379-0738. ; 143:1, s. 53-59
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Compilations of substances detected in fatal intoxications are important in order to observe changes in intoxication patterns, to monitor effects of preventive work and to discover new trends in drug usage. The aim of the present study was to describe the current pattern of substances detected in fatal intoxications in Sweden. Fatal intoxications investigated at the Department of Forensic Chemistry, Linköping, Sweden, during 1992–2002, were analysed. All suicides, uncertain cases and accidents where the cause of death were fatal intoxications (ICD-9: E950, E980 and E859) were included and substances detected in more than 50 fatal intoxications (in femoral blood) were listed. For each substance, a cut off value was set, above which concentrations were considered toxic. Fatal intoxications were detected by forensic-chemical analyses in 12% (6998/60,314) of the forensic autopsies during the study period. Among the suicides, an average of 3.8 substances were detected per case, the corresponding figure for uncertain cases and accidents were 3.5 and 4.1 substances, respectively. Ethanol was by far the most frequently detected substance, detected in 43% (3039) of the fatal intoxications, of which 32% (960) had toxic concentrations, followed by propoxyphene, detected in 27% (1863) of the fatal intoxications of which 74% (1370) had toxic concentrations. The number of cases where ethanol and propoxyphene were detected decreased during the study period. Moreover, other CNS-active drugs such as antidepressants, analgesics and anxiolytics were also frequently detected. The drugs with high proportions of cases with toxic concentrations detected were propoxyphene, amitriptyline, zolpidem, carisoprodol, alprazolam, thioridazine, methadone and ketobemidone. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) were detected in 12% (833) and 10% (665), respectively. A significantly (P<0.001) higher proportion of cases where TCA were detected had toxic concentrations when compared with cases where SSRI were detected (64% versus 31%).
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| 10. |
- Kjellgren, Karin I, 1950, et al.
(författare)
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Antihypertensive treatment and patient autonomy--the follow-up appointment as a resource for care.
- 2000
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Ingår i: Patient education and counseling. - 0738-3991 .- 1873-5134. ; 40:1, s. 39-49
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Since hypertension is a chronic condition which generally requires long-term commitment to pharmacological therapy as well as alterations of patient lifestyle, the patient-physician communication in the clinical setting is an important determinant of the quality of care and health outcome. The aim of the present study was to explore the structure and content of the communication between the patient and the physician, and the process of decision-making at a routine follow-up appointment for hypertension. The study was based on 51 audio-recordings of authentic consultations. Most patients had a passive role in the consultations, and initiated few topics of conversation. The few topics that the patients initiated were usually not about hypertension. Patients' questions about medication mainly referred to unwanted effects of the drugs. Little time was invested in discussing risks related to hypertension. A collaborative shared decision-making was seldom observed in the consultations.
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