General information Bevacizumab is an anti-angiogenic agent that has been rationally designed to target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key mediator in angiogenesis. It was approved by the FDA in February 2004 for the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy, and is the first approved agent to target angiogenesis [ ]. The principal adverse events seen in clinical trials are…

General information Bethanechol is a quaternary ammonium compound that shares both the muscarinic and nicotinic actions of acetylcholine but it is much more slowly deactivated. It has been used to treat clomipramine-induced orgasmic dysfunction [ ], as well as decrease the duration of urethral catheterization in patients who underwent type III radical hysterectomy [ ]. You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full…

General information Beta-lactamases are genetically and structurally closely related to penicillin-binding proteins. Their production by bacteria is a major mechanism of resistance to the action of beta-lactam antibiotics. Drugs have therefore been developed that inhibit beta-lactamase, as a way of overcoming this resistance [ ]. They are beta-lactam compounds with particularly high affinities for beta-lactamases [ , ], which therefore act as competitive inhibitors of beta-lactamases.…

General information The beta-lactam antibiotics still comprise roughly half of the antibiotic market worldwide. The common structure that defines the whole family of beta-lactam antibiotics is the four-membered, highly reactive beta-lactam ring, which is essential for antimicrobial activity [ ]. The following simplifying classification is practical: 1. penicillins; 2. cephalosporins; 3. monobactams (containing no second ring system besides the beta-lactam ring); 4. carbapenems. In addition, beta-lactamase…

General information Many beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (beta-blockers) have been developed, and their adverse effects have been comprehensively reviewed [ ]. The spectrum of adverse effects is broadly similar for all beta-blockers, despite differences in their pharmacological properties, notably cardioselectivity, partial agonist activity, membrane-stabilizing activity, and lipid solubility (see Table 1 ). The influence of these properties is mentioned in the general discussion when appropriate and is summarized…

See also individual agents General information Beta 2 -adrenoceptor agonists are widely used in asthma and have inevitably been associated with a number of problems. Some of these are attributable to the drugs themselves, others to the formulations in which they are given. Combination therapy Asthma guidelines recommend adding long acting β 2 -adrenoceptor agonists (LABAs) to inhaled glucocorticoids at step 3 in adults and adolescents…

See also Herbal medicines General information The genera in the family of Berberidaceae ( Table 1 ) include lychee and soapberry. Table 1 Genera of Berberidaceae Achlys (achlys) Epimedium (epimedium) Podophyllum (may apple) Berberis (barberry) Jeffersonia (jeffersonia) Vancouveria (insideout flower) Caulophyllum (cohosh) Mahonia (barberry) Diphylleia (umbrellaleaf) Nandina (nandina) Berberis vulgaris Barberry (pipperidge bush) is a vernacular name for Berberis vulgaris (the European barberry), but it can…

See also Prostaglandins General information Beraprost is a stable, orally active analogue of PGI 2 . It has been tested in patients with intermittent claudication in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial [ ]. Beraprost improved walking distance more often than placebo. It also reduced the incidence of critical cardiovascular events, but the trial was not powered for statistical validation of this effect. As with iloprost, headache and…

See also Calcium channel blockers General information Bepridil is an antidysrhythmic drug with unusual pharmacological properties in that it belongs to both class I and class IV. In other words, it blocks both the fast inward sodium current and the slow outward calcium current in excitable cardiac cells [ , ]. It was withdrawn because of its serious prodysrhythmic effects. Bepridil has been the subject of…

General information Bephenium hydroxynaphthoate is an antihelminthic drug that has been used in the treatment of hookworm infections due to Ancylostoma duodenale in a single dose [ ]. It is well tolerated, and reactions are confined to mild gastrointestinal disturbances (unpleasant taste, nausea, abdominal pain, and sometimes also vomiting and diarrhea), headache, and dizziness. It is reputed to be safe in pregnancy but is better avoided…

General information Benzyl alcohol is commonly used as a preservative in multidose injectable pharmaceutical formulations. For this purpose, concentrations in the range of 0.5–2.0% are used and the whole amount of benzyl alcohol injected is generally very well tolerated. Concentrations of 0.9% are used in Bacteriostatic Sodium Chlorine (USP), which is often used in the management of critically ill patients to flush intravascular catheters after the…

General information Benzydamine is 1-benzyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropoxy)- H -indazole, used for medical purposes as the hydrochloride. It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and local anesthetic effects. In the past it has been especially used in the symptomatic treatment of edematous postoperative or traumatic swelling, non-specific inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, and inflammation of connective tissues and joints. Benzydamine is marketed in different countries as Difflam or Tantum verde.…

General information Benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial and keratolytic agent used in the treatment of acne; it is also added to some foods. It is a catalyst for cross-linking in the production of plastics and is occasionally used in acrylic resin systems (for example composite dental fillings, dental prostheses) in which it is formed during the cross-linking process. You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree…

General information Benzoxonium is a quaternary ammonium compound with antibacterial, antiviral, and antimycotic activity. It can be used in topical disinfection, disinfection of surgical instruments, inhibition of plaque formation, and in veterinary products. 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 benzodiazepines typically share hypnotic, anxiolytic, myorelaxant, and anticonvulsant activity. Because their efficacy and tolerability are generally good, especially in the short term, they have been used extensively and are likely to continue to be used for many years to come. However, their less specific use in the medically or psychiatrically ill, and in healthy individuals experiencing the stresses of life or non-specific symptoms…

See also Anesthetics, local General information Benzocaine is a poorly soluble local anesthetic, an ester of para-aminobenzoic acid. It is used in many countries as a component of some free-sale formulations for topical use, for example in skin creams, as a dry powder for skin ulcers, as throat lozenges, and as teething formulations for young children. It is also used in aerosol sprays when anesthetizing the…

General information Benznidazole, a nitroimidazole, is used in the treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi infections and Chagas’ disease, and is recommended for use in urogenital trichomoniasis, all forms of amebiasis, giardiasis, and anaerobic infections. Its adverse effects are similar to those of metronidazole [ ]. Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and ataxia occur occasionally. With prolonged and/or high doses, transient peripheral neuropathy and epileptiform seizures can be seen. Other…

See also individual agents The benzimidazoles are a group of compounds that include albendazole, carnidazole, fenbendazole, flubendazole, mebendazole, metronidazole, niridazole, satranidazole, triabendazole, tinidazole, and triclabendazole. General information The benzimidazoles are a group of compounds that include albendazole, flubendazole, mebendazole, niridazole, triabendazole, and triclabendazole. The broad-spectrum benzimidazoles have a wide spectrum of antihelminthic activity, killing larval and adult cestodes as well as intestinal nematodes, with generally low…

General information Quaternary ammonium compounds are surface-active agents. Some of them precipitate or denature proteins and destroy micro-organisms. The most important disinfectants in this group are cationic surface-active agents, such as benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and methylbenzethonium chloride, and cetylpyridinium chloride; the problems that they cause are similar. In an extensive report, the Expert Panel of the American College of Toxicology [ ] has concluded that…

See also Antidysrhythmic drugs General information Benzbromarone is a benzofuran derivative chemically related to amiodarone. It increases uric acid excretion by non-specifically inhibiting its tubular reabsorption. It is used in patients with venous disorders to prevent, retard, or reverse varicose degenerative changes in the vessel wall. Benzbromarone causes diarrhea (3–4% of patients), urate and oxalate stones, urinary sand, renal colic, and allergy in a small number…