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The article presents a formulary drug review on Defibrotide, a noted hematological agent. Discussed is the drug's indication, clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, adverse reactions, contraindications, warnings and precautions. Also highlighted are recommended monitoring, safety and risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) of the Defibrotide.

The 2014 American Diabetes Association guidelines denote four means of diagnosing diabetes. The first of these is a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) .6.5%. This literature review summarizes studies (n=47) in the USA examining the significance, strengths, and limitations of using HbA1c as a diagnostic tool for diabetes, relative to other available means. Due to the relatively recent adoption of HbA1c as a diabetes mellitus diagnostic tool, a hybrid systematic, truncated review of the literature was implemented. Based on these studies, we conclude that HbA1c screening for diabetes has been found to be convenient and effective in diagnosing diabetes. HbA1c screening is particularly helpful in community-based and acute care settings where tests requiring fasting are not practical. Using HbA1c to diagnose diabetes also has some limitations. For instance, HbA1c testing may underestimate the prevalence of diabetes, particularly among whites. Because this bias differs by racial group, prevalence and resulting estimates of health disparities based on HbA1c screening differ from those based on other methods of diagnosis. In addition, existing evidence suggests that HbA1c screening may not be valid in certain subgroups, such as children, women with gestational diabetes, patients with human immunodeficiency virus, and those with prediabetes. Further guidelines are needed to clarify the appropriate use of HbA1c screening in these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents review of Doxylamine Succinate/Pyridoxine HydrochlorideDelayed-ReleaseTablets also known as Diclegis which are being manufactured by Duchesnay Inc. It mentions that that the drug has been approved to be used in pregnant women for treatment of vomiting and nausea but the drug has not been still approved for the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum. It reports on clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and warning and precautions associated with Diclegis.

The article discusses the efficiency of tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with adequate response to methotrexate (MTX). The article provides two comparative studies to evaluate the safety of tofacitinib therapy for the treatment of RA with long-use monotherapy, and concomitant nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. It concludes that tofacitinib is a useful for the treatment of some patients with RA who are receiving background methotrexate.

The article discusses Ivermectin 0.5% Topical Lotion, which is indicated for the topical treatment of head lice infestation in patients 6 months or older. The topical lotion exhibits pediculicidal activity and is not directly ovicidal. The various pediculicidal and scabicidal agents approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are included. Studies evaluating the comparative efficacy of Ivermectin are described. The contraindications, warnings and precautions to be taken are included.