Slovo úvodem

Martin Doležal

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 199  

Are vaccines safe?

Aleš Franc

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 204-207 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2020.031  

Vaccines are still a discussed pharmaceuticals. Nowadays, there are groups of activists and experts from different fields around the world protesting against vaccination, especially because of the content of heavy metals and biological additives. In the current Covid-19 pandemic, unrealistic hopes are placed on vaccines with the possibility of developing a safe and effective vaccine within a few months. Both positions undermine the undeniable progress of vaccines in the treatment of infectious diseases. The article briefly mentions the basic types of vaccines, their composition, technology, and evaluation. The public usually do not have access to scientific...

Drug interactions in urology - what to watch out for

Josef Suchopár, Michal Prokeš, Štěpán Suchopár

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 208-214  

Drug interactions are a problem in all medical disciplines including urology. A number of typically urological drugs such as drugs for the treatment of overactive bladder, benign prostatic hyperplasia or erectile dysfunction are substrates of CYP3A4 and the P-glycoprotein transport system. Combination of these drugs with inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4 or P-glycoprotein can either lead to adverse events or reduce the effect to failure. In addition, manufacturers often recommend changes in drug dosage when combined with CYP3A4 inhibitors and it may be difficult for physicians to navigate such recommendations.

Pitfalls of systemic and local corticosteroid treatment

Hana Matějovská Kubešová, Ondřej Výška, Jiří Nakládal, Jan Matějovský

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 13-23  

Corticosteroids were first used for therapeutic purposes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and topically for relief in the case of skin exanthem. With increasing medical knowledge, the indications for their administration have been expanded to include a broad spectrum of clinical conditions. In an acute single-use setting, there is no contraindication to the administration of corticosteroids which can often be life-saving. With long-term treatment, one has to take into consideration the possible risks of adverse side effects resulting from the nature of corticosteroids as agents that provide coping with stress situations, thus increasing blood...

High pressure as a side effect of drugs

Jana Gregorová, Petra Holečková

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 24-31  

Drugs are often overlooked as the cause of secondary hypertension. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - given regulatory for long period, sex hormones - in higher doses than substitution, immunosuppressants - cyclosporine, antidepressants - venlafaxine, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids themselves, and drugs that lead to their excess, and some antineoplastics are associated with blood pressure elevation. The main focus of the paper will be on the mechanism by which vascular endothelial growth factor pathway blockers interfere with the regulation of blood pressure.

Oral pharmacotherapy of dystonia

Pavel Filip, Marek Baláž

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 32-37  

Despite the long history and relatively high use in the clinical practice, oral drugs in the therapy of dystonia are associated with considerable limitations. This review summarizes the options in oral therapy of acute drug-induced dystonia and chronic dystonic syndromes with various drug groups as anticholinergics, antidopaminergic agents, baclofen, benzodiazepines and others. It describes the basic posology, adverse effects and risks, emphasizing the need for individualised approach. In addition to the lacking support in relevant randomized clinical trials, the review underlines the mere symptomatic, non-curative character of the effect and the absence...

Skin adverse drug events - allergic reactions

Karel Ettler, Jiří Ettler

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 38-51  

Skin exanthema represents one of the most frequent adverse drug reactions. Pharmacologic and idiosyncratic (including allergic reaction especially after repeated exposition) reactions according to mechanisms are mentioned. Four types of allergic reactions are distinguished - the IV. type is the most frequent (including the most severe epidermal necrolysis). The first step in patient´s management is withdrawing of the drug. Topical dermatological treatment depends on type of exanthema. Systemic therapy (antihistamins, steroids, immunosuppressives, IVIG, biologics) is used in severe cases. The records to the patients documentation (allergy pass) are...

New direct oral anticoagulances - new molecules in research

Anna Zatloukalová

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 3-12  

Currently, new direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are gradually replacing the historically most frequently used warfarin. These are two classes of drugs directly inhibiting factor Xa (Xarelto, Eliquis, Lixiana) and thrombin (Pradaxa). It offers many positives that patients themselves will appreciate. These include, in particular, no need for regular monitoring, minimal drug and food interactions, or afavorable safety profile. However, one of the drawbacks is the absence of antidotes for overdose. Only Pradaxa currently has its specific antidote - Idarucizumab. Others are in development as well as new molecules of anticoagulants themselves.

Phytopharmaceuticals in managing anxiety disorders

Sylva Racková, Vilma Vranová

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 226-228  

Anxiety disorders are among the most frequent mental disorders. Anxiolytics and antidepressants are primarily used to treat anxiety, with a great deal of attention being paid to the development of novel drugs, if possible, without adverse effects such as sedation or those causing dependence, sexual dysfunction, and/or weight alterations. People have always tried to manage anxiety and its bodily manifestations by using plants; lavender extract, introduced here in more detail, is the only registered anxiolytic of plant origin.

Portulaca oleracea - active compounds and therapeutic effects

Zdeňka Navrátilová

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 229-232  

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is an annual plant from Portulacaceae family, which is actually widely spread in warmer parts of the world including Czech Republic, where it is considered to be an invasive plant. In traditional medicine, purslane is used for treating many illnesses, e.g. infections, inflammation, gastrointestinal complaints, snake bite, fever, insomnia, and wounds. In China and India, purslane is included in official pharmacopoeia. It is also used as a vegetable. In vitro studies and animal experiments have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and...

Medical devices for ostomy patients II.: Supplementary devices in ostomy care

Barbora Vraníková, Andrej Kováčik, Petra Svačinová

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 221-225 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2020.034  

Not only the ostomy systems but also supplementary devices facilitating the care of the stoma and its surroundings are essential for living with an ostomy. This work aims to introduce commercially available medical devices intended for the care of ostomy, supplemented by practical advice on their proper application. For easier orientation, the individual groups of medical devices are arranged according to the time sequence in which they are used when replacing the basic system.

A unique project of memory examination for early detection of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive disorders of various etiology in Czech pharmacies

Ondřej Šimandl, Aleš Bartoš, Michala Belasová

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 216-220 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2020.033  

With an increasing proportion of the aging population, there is an increase in the elderly with memory disorders, which may be the first sign of Alzheimer's disease, but also a number of other serious brain diseases. Early diagnosis of their proper cause can lead to the initiation of effective therapy. The aim of the pharmacy memory examination project is the early detection of patients with suspected cognitive impairment, ideally in the stage of mild cognitive impairment, but also in the more advanced stages of dementia. Through this activity, pharmacists, as healthcare professionals, significantly expand the availability of preventive examinations...

Whole cow’s milk and milk fat in infant formulas – new findings

Pavel Ježek

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 247-250  

Breast milk is the Gold standard in infant nutrition. Infant formulas are intended for children who cannot be breastfed for various reasons. Whole cow’s milk based formulas naturally contain components of mammalian- milk fats to greater extent. These components include milk fat globules (MFG) and beta-palmitate. Recent studies have shown their positive impact on infant´s health and development.

Vydávání přes alert jednou skončí. Co pak?

Pavlína Štisová

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 251-252  

Molekula erdostein společnosti Recipharm byla s pozitivním výsledkem testována jako součást léčby pacientů s COVID-19
Antioxidační a bronchoprotektivní účinek erdosteinu

Adriana Vavříková

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 254-256  

Acute respiratory infection - symptomatic self-medication in adults

Hana Kotolová, Tomáš Hammer

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 233-242 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2020.037  

Addressing respiratory infections is a common reason to visit a pharmacy. Although the cause of problems can be diverse in terms of inducing agents, many of them can be addressed through self-medication. In 2020, COVID-19, which is caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is a very current topic. Symptomatic treatment is indicated as monotherapy for respiratory infections of primarily viral etiology, otherwise it is administered as an adjunct to causal treatment. We currently have a range of over-the-counter drugs from various pharmacotherapeutic groups. In addition to drugs, phytopharmaceuticals can also be used. An essential part of the treatment is...

Preparations for care of teeth and oral cavity

Andrej Kováčik, Georgios Paraskevopoulos, Barbora Vraníková

Prakt. lékáren. 2020; 16(4): 243-246 | DOI: 10.36290/lek.2020.038  

The care of teeth, gums and other areas of the oral cavity is an essential part of daily hygiene. Therefore, the commercial market of the Czech Republic offers a lot of products that should facilitate the care of these areas. This article provides an overview of dental products based on the traditional classification instead of the categorization of products according to the current legislation. Each mentioned group includes commercially available examples together with their legislative classification (medicinal preparations, medical devices, cosmetics). A fundamental part of the article also represents the practical advice and information that should...