General information Fibrin glue is a topical tissue adhesive, a two-component system. One component contains highly concentrated fibrinogen, factor VIII, fibronectin, and traces of other plasma proteins. The other component contains thrombin, calcium chloride, and antifibrinolytic agents such as aprotinin. Mixing the two components promotes clotting. Fibrinogen is activated by thrombin in the presence of calcium, and the resultant clot aids hemostasis and tissue sealing and…

General information Fibrates reduce plasma triglycerides by inhibiting their hepatic synthesis and increasing their catabolism. They reduce the synthesis of triglyceride–very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) by increasing the beta-oxidation of fatty acids in the liver. They increase triglyceride catabolism by inducing lipoprotein lipase gene transcription and reducing apoC-III gene transcription. Fibrates increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by increasing apoA-I and apoA-II gene transcription. These effects are…

See also Antihistamines General information Fexofenadine is the active metabolite of terfenadine. It has antihistaminic but not dysrhythmogenic properties. It is not metabolized by the liver, but eliminated unchanged in the urine. It is efficacious and well tolerated in seasonal allergic rhinitis [ ], with positive effects on nasal blockade [ ], and in chronic idiopathic urticaria [ , ]. Drug studies Systematic reviews Fexofenadine can…

See also Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) General information Feprazone is an NSAID that is related to phenylbutazone. It was withdrawn in the UK because of adverse reactions, which resemble those of phenylbutazone. It was designated as a last-resort drug by the Japanese Committee on Safety of Drugs [ ]. In an 8-week trial in 2693 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, 30% reported adverse effects and…

See also Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) General information Fentiazac, a thiazoleacetic acid derivative, has the same adverse reactions profile as other NSAIDs. Adverse reactions in as many as 56% of patients (5–56%), are even more frequent than with phenylbutazone [ ]. In 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis enrolled in a double-blind trial of fentiazac 400 mg/day or sulindac 200 mg/day for 3 months, adverse reactions were…

See also Opioid receptor agonists . General information Fentanyl citrate is a synthetic opioid 1000 times more potent than pethidine. It has a relatively short duration of action, and its effects are rapidly reversed by opioid antagonists [ ]. It is useful [ ] but has typical opioid adverse effects. The analgesic effect of fentanyl 1.5 micrograms/kg has been compared with that of tramadol 1.5 mg/kg…

General information Fenspiride is a bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory drug. Two in vitro studies have suggested possible mechanisms for these effects. Functional studies in human isolated bronchi showed that fenspiride causes a shift to the left of concentration effect curves for relaxation induced by isoprenaline and sodium nitroprusside [ ]. Biochemical studies confirmed that phosphodiesterase type IV (cyclic AMP-specific) and phosphodiesterase type V (cyclic GMP-specific) are the…

See also Amphetamines , Anorectic drugs General information Fenproporex is structurally related to amfetamine, to which it is rapidly metabolized after oral ingestion. Stimulatory effects, somnolence, and electroencephalographic abnormalities are reported to be the major undesired reactions [ ]. Dependence has also been reported [ ]. Adverse reactions to fenproporex have been reported in individuals who took illegally imported diet pills [ ]. A 26-year-old US…

See also Beta 2 -adrenoceptor agonists General information Fenoterol is a β 2 -adrenoceptor agonist with higher intrinsic activity than salbutamol; it produces a greater maximal effect and has greater systemic effects at higher than conventional doses. It is available as a multidose pressurized aerosol 100 and 200 micrograms per puff and as a nebulizer solution, respules, 4 ml containing 1.25 mg. A formulation for injection…

General information Fenoldopam is a selective dopamine D 1 receptor agonist, which has been used in the management of acute severe hypertension and heart failure [ ], and to preserve renal function in various circumstances, such as after cardiac surgery [ , ]. Because it increases glomerular infiltration rate by renal vasodilatation, it has also been used in an attempt to reduce the risk of contrast-induced…

See also Anorectic drugs ; Benfluorex ; Phentermine General information Although it resembles amfetamine structurally, the appetite suppressant fenfluramine does not produce central nervous system stimulation in therapeutic doses. Dexfenfluramine, the dextrorotatory isomer, was previously widely marketed as an appetite suppressant in the management of obesity. It appears to be a pure serotonin receptor agonist without the dopaminergic and sympathetic activity of the racemic mixture. Fenfluramine,…

See also Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) General information Fenclofenac was withdrawn in the UK after its licence was not renewed because of its adverse drug reactions profile [ ]. Data from the UK's Committee on Safety of Medicines included records of seven deaths and 895 adverse reactions in patients taking fenclofenac. Shortly afterwards it was withdrawn in all other countries in which it had been marketed.…

See also Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) General information The profile of fenbufen is similar to the profiles of other NSAIDs [ ]. The dropout rate due to adverse reactions was 12–22% in different studies. Organs and systems Respiratory Fenbufen can cause a pulmonary alveolitis with rash, dry cough, breathlessness, fever, hypoxia, sometimes eosinophilia, and bilateral alveolar shadowing or infiltrates, which regress after withdrawal [ ]. You’re…

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

See also Calcium channel blockers General information Felodipine is a dihydropyridine derivative with diuretic properties [ ]. Its diuretic properties are not unique but are shared by other dihydropyridines. Vasodilatory adverse reactions include flushing, headache, and tachycardia [ , ]. Reduced arterial oxygen saturation has been seen in patients given intravenous felodipine for pulmonary hypertension [ , ]. Along with amlodipine, but unlike other calcium channel…

See also Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) General information Felbinac, an active metabolite of fenbufen, is used as a gel for topical treatment and has been thought to be equivalent to ibuprofen [ ]. 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

See also Antiepileptic drugs General information Felbamate is a broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug, whose use has been drastically curtailed owing to the risks of aplastic anemia and hepatotoxicity. Benefit to harm balance The Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society [ ] has reviewed efficacy and safety data to establish recommendations for felbamate use in the light of the risk…

General information Originally claimed, from animal experiments, to be of rapid onset, short duration, and free of important adverse effects and reactions, this non-depolarizing relaxant has been found to be less satisfactory in man. The usual doses are 0.5–0.75 mg/kg, although 1 mg/kg is sometimes advocated for fast intubation (within 1–2 minutes). The duration of action is similar in man to that of d -tubocurarine and…

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

See also Histamine H 2 receptor antagonists General information Famotidine is a histamine H 2 receptor antagonist. It does not affect drug metabolism and it has been claimed to be free of the antiandrogenic effect of cimetidine; however in one woman who accidentally took double doses of the drug for some months it did cause hyperprolactinemia and breast engorgement [ ]. In other ways it bears…