See also HMG coenzyme-A reductase inhibitors General information The adverse events profile of lovastatin in 8245 patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia has been evaluated in a double-blind, diet- and placebo-controlled trial [ ]. The difference between lovastatin and placebo in the incidence of adverse events that required discontinuation was small, ranging from 1.2% at 20 mg bd to 1.9% at 80 mg Among a variety of symptoms,…

See also Angiotensin II receptor antagonists General information Losartan is a non-peptide, selective angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist. Because it has been suggested that there is a local renin–angiotensin system in the eye, losartan may be useful in treating glaucoma. In a small, well-designed, placebo-controlled, crossover study in four groups of subjects—controls, hypertensive patients with normal intraocular pressure, and patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with…

See also Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) General information Data are insufficient to indicate whether the oxicam NSAID lornoxicam is safer for the gastrointestinal tract than other oxicam derivatives [ ]. Headache, dizziness, and gastrointestinal symptoms are the most frequent adverse effects; clinically significant gastrointestinal events include upper gastrointestinal ulceration, with or without hemorrhage or perforation [ , ]. The profile of drug interactions is similar to…

See also Benzodiazepines General information Lormetazepam is a short-acting benzodiazepine with effects similar to those of diazepam. Drug studies You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited articles Become membership If you are a member. Log in here

General information Lorenzo’s oil is a 4:1 mixture of glyceryl trioleate and glyceryl trierucate. It is used in patients with adrenoleukodystrophy. The dyslipidemia in patients with adrenoleukodystrophy consists of increased blood concentrations of very-long-chain saturated fatty acids, particularly hexacosaenoic acid (C26:0). Treatment with Lorenzo’s oil has tended to normalize the abnormality in the blood while the patient deteriorates. Neurological changes are unrelated to the fatty acid…

See also Antidysrhythmic drugs General information The clinical pharmacology, clinical use, efficacy, and adverse effects of lorcainide have been reviewed [ ]. The adverse effects of lorcainide may be partly caused by its active metabolite, norlorcainide, which accumulates during treatment [ ]. Organs and systems Cardiovascular Cardiovascular effects of lorcainide are reportedly uncommon (under 1% of cases) and have mostly been associated with intravenous administration. They…

See also Benzodiazepines General information Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine with CNS, depressant, anxiolytic, and sedative properties, used as a hypnotic, sedative, and anxiolytic drug. Drug studies Comparative studies In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind comparison of diazepam (0.15 mg/kg followed by phenytoin 18 mg/kg), lorazepam (0.1 mg/kg), phenobarbital (15 mg/kg), and phenytoin (18 mg/kg) in 518 patients with generalized convulsive status epilepticus, lorazepam was more effective than…

See also Antihistamines General information Loratadine is a second-generation antihistamine [ ]. Drug studies Placebo-controlled studies Adverse events (including dry mouth, headache, and insomnia) were reported in 30% of those taking loratadine + pseudoephedrine (5 + 120 mg bd for 4 days) compared with 21% of those taking placebo [ ]. You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited…

See also HIV protease inhibitors General information Lopinavir is a nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor, which is used in combination with ritonavir, another nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor, in the treatment of AIDS. The pharmacology, clinical pharmacology, uses, adverse effects, and adverse reactions and interactions of lopinavir + ritonavir have been reviewed [ ]. Ritonavir is mainly restricted to its use as a potent inhibitor of…

See also Opioid receptor agonists General information Loperamide is an opioid whose action is almost completely restricted to the gut. Recognition of its consequent safety, if it is appropriately used, has led to its being released in many countries for sale without prescription. It nevertheless has some central activity, and nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, abdominal pain, ileus, and lethargy all occur in a minority of users,…

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See also Cytotoxic and immunosuppressant drugs General information Lometrexol is a folic acid analogue, 5,10-dideaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid, which acts as an antifolate drug and targets de novo purine synthesis in tumor cells by inhibiting glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFT), a folate-dependent enzyme [ , ]. Folic acid supplementation improves efficacy and without it severe cumulative toxicity on the bone marrow and the mucosa is likely [ , ].…

See also Fluoroquinolones General information Lomefloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial drug with actions and uses similar to those of ciprofloxacin. Organs and systems You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited articles Become membership If you are a member. Log in here

General information The genera in the family of Loganiaceae ( Table 1 ) include strychnos and trumpet flower. Table 1 The genera of Loganiaceae Fagraea Gelsemium (trumpet flower, jessamine) Labordia (labordia) Mitreola (hornpod) Spigelia (pinkroot) Strychnos (strychnos) You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited articles Become membership If you are a member. Log in here

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General information Lobeline is derived from the plant Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco). It is both an agonist and an antagonist at nicotinic receptors, although it is not structurally related to nicotine [ ]. It inhibits nicotine- and amphetamine-induced dopamine release by interacting with the tetrabenazine-binding site on the monoamine transporter. It also inhibits dopamine re-uptake. It has been used in smoking cessation, but is ineffective […

General information Lithium (Li; atomic number 3, atomic weight 7) is an alkaline earth element that is used medicinally in the form of salts such as lithium chloride and lithium carbonate. Its main use is in the prevention or attenuation of recurrent episodes of mania and depression in individuals with bipolar mood disorder (manic depression). Lithium also has clearly established antimanic activity, although its relatively slow…

General information Lisuride is a dopamine receptor agonist that is used as an alternative drug in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The pattern of adverse reactions is similar to that seen with most of the ergot alkaloids [ ]. The adverse reactions that occurred after subcutaneous administration were so troublesome that the subcutaneous formulation was eventually unmarketable. Organs and systems You’re Reading a Preview Become a…

See also Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors General information Lisinopril is a non-sulfhydryl ACE inhibitor. It has been used in patients with hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and diabetic nephropathy. Organs and systems Cardiovascular The use of lisinopril in congestive heart failure has been reviewed [ ], including a section on tolerability and details of the ATLAS (Assessment with Treatment with Lisinopril and Survival) trial. The tolerance of…

General information Lipsticks contain waxes, oils, emollients, antioxidants, and pigments [ ]. Common ingredients include beeswax, ozokerite, candelilla wax or Carnauba wax; olive oil, mineral oil, cocoa butter, petrolatum, lanolin, or castor oil. Palmitate-related substances and branched-chain fatty acid esters, such as glyceryl di-isostearate and di-isostearyl malate, have replaced lanolin and castor oil as major components. Lipsticks often contain lead in small amounts. In 26 different…