Monday, March 21, 2011

Trim sulfa

Trim sulfa is not there in Quick Look as it is a combination drug.


It is a combination antimicrobrial drug, which by two consecutive steps blocks protein synthesis in susceptible bacteria.


When used alone the sulfonamides are bacteriostatic, and the trimethoprim is bactericidal, but when used in combination form the potentiated sulfas are bactericidal.


This combination drug has broad-spectrum activity. It is effective against Gram-positive bacteria such as streptococci and some strains of staphylococcus. Gram-negative organisms of the enterobacteriaceae are also susceptible to this drug. However, it does not appear to be effective against either mycoplasma, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa.


Trimethoprim sulfa is able to penetrate into exudate and abscessed tissue, as well as, penetrate the blood-brain-eye-placenta barrier. It is well absorbed orally with minimal effect on flora of the GI tract.


Trimethoprim sulfa is metabolized by the liver, and excreted during glomerular filtration and tubular secretion.


source:  http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/trimethoprim_sulfa.php

Thursday, March 10, 2011

COMPANION trial


Comparison of Medical Therapy, Pacing, and Defibrillation in Heart Failure (COMPANION) Trial


The COMPANION trial is the largest heart failure device trial to date. The trial shows that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT),
used in combination with optimal pharmacologic therapy (OPT), can significantly improve both the quality and duration of life for a large group
of heart failure patients.
The COMPANION trial followed more than 1500 heart failure patients from 128 US center.