Slovo úvodem

MUDr. Lenka Krajčovičová, Ph.D.

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2024;38(2):51  

Evaluation of the incidence of unlicensed and off-label prescriptions in children

Petra Matalová, Lucie Belfínová, Kristýna Vrbicová, Jana Fürstová, Martin Wawruch

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2024;38(2):52-54 | DOI: 10.36290/far.2024.008  

Many common drugs have not been registered for use in children. Therefore, they are sometimes prescribed as unlicensed or off-label. This study, performed at the Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic, evaluated off-label and unlicensed prescriptions. A similar study, conducted in 2013 by the same authors (P. Matalová - maiden name P. Langerová), showed that the number of off-label and unlicensed prescriptions was relatively low, compared to other studies. The goal of this study was to compare the frequency of off-label and unlicensed drug prescriptions, and to assess whether these prescriptions have declined.

Modern pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer's disease

Iva Holmerová, Martina Nováková

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2024;38(2):55-59 | DOI: 10.36290/far.2024.010  

The article highlights the importance of dementia syndrome and its most common cause, Alzheimer's disease. It presents current options for not only pharmacotherapy but also support for patients and their family members. It delves into the most signifi­cant current development in new treatments for Alzheimer's disease, anti-amyloid therapy, discussing its effects, challenges, and the barriers currently considered in the approval process and practical implementation of these drugs. These medications offer significant hope for patients and their loved ones, demonstrating that it is possible to substantially slow or even halt the progression of Alzheimer's...

Modern pharmacotherapy of Parkinson's disease

Kateřina Menšíková

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2024;38(2):60-66 | DOI: 10.36290/far.2024.009  

Despite intensive research, the current treatment of Parkinson's disease is still symptomatic treatment and its management is primarily aimed at controlling motor symptoms. Dopaminergic agents that replace the action of the missing dopamine remain the mainstay of current therapy. In recent decades, significant progress has been made in the treatment of advanced stage of disease using interventional methods such as treatment with pump systems and deep brain stimulation. An important part of the treatment is the influence of non-motor symptoms, which significantly affect the quality of life of patients. New treatment strategies capable to affect the...

Role of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Adam Betík, Eva Vlčková

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2024;38(2):67-71 | DOI: 10.36290/far.2024.011  

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease with unclear pathophysiology and poor prognosis. Pharmacotherapy in the treatment of ALS is aimed at slowing disease progression and alleviating symptoms. The first and currently only drug that slows disease progression and is available to an unselected population is riluzole. For genetically predisposed patients with a mutation in the gene for superoxide dismutase (SOD1), tofersen is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and more recently by the European Medicines Agency. European approval is expected soon. Symptomatic pharmacotherapy improves spasticity, sialorrhea,...

Clinical aspect of the provision of pharmacy care in community pharmacies

Zuzana Mačeková, Peter Matejka, Ján Klimas, Ondrej Sukeľ, Miroslava Snopková

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2024;38(2):72-75 | DOI: 10.36290/far.2024.012  

The current concept of the profession of pharmacist is changing and "traditionally" provided pharmaceutical care is gradually expanding to include pharmacy services such as clinical pharmacy, which are directly focused on the individual patient. The professional competencies of pharmacists are expanding globally and are becoming a casual part of pharmaceutical care worldwide. Currently, for increased pressure on primary care, it is necessary that pharmacist fully participate in prevention programs and are involved in the healthcare of patients with chronic diseases. A crucial step for Slovak pharmacy and development of clinical services in community...

Polypharmacy: Prevention and management

Jozef Kolář, Dominik Grega, Lenka Smejkalová, Martina Šutorová, Tünde Ambrus

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2024;38(2):76-82 | DOI: 10.36290/far.2024.013  

Polypharmacy in the context of medicines means the prescription, dispensing, or use of multiple medications simultaneously. The correct characterization of a particular patient's prescription or use of a medicine allows the appropriate change to be chosen. Rational pharmacotherapy aims to minimize the medication-rela­ted burden, which requires controlled and often longer-lasting intervention and gradually implemented changes in the therapy of a particular patient based on individually assessed and identified drug-related problems. For example, deprescribing options can reduce inappropriate polypharmacy by targeting medi­cines that occur in prescribing...

Drug-induced psychotic syndrome

Jana Hroudová

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2024;38(2):83-87 | DOI: 10.36290/far.2024.014  

Drug-induced psychotic disorder is related to symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions directly related to drug intake. They represent complications of patients' health and worsen their prognoses. The most frequently reported manifestations are psychoses with persecutory delusions and auditory hallucinations induced by drugs: corticosteroids, antiparkinsonian drugs, antimicrobials, analgesics, and drugs with anticholinergic effects. Treatment involves withdrawal of the suspected causative drug, in most cases, the condition is reversible. If discontinuation of this drug is not possible, administration of antipsychotics (mostly atypical) is appropriate,...