Comparison of WHO-UMC and Naranjo Scales for Causality Assessment of Reported Adverse Drug Reactions

Cariprazine for Clozapine-Induced Urinary Incontinence in Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Case Report

Urinary incontinence (UI) is an adverse effect associated with clozapine treatment. Several management options are available, including adjuvant medication. We describe the case of a woman in her 50s with a history of major depressive disorder and a current severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms. The case is discussed, and a review of the relevant literature is presented, examining the use of cariprazine in the management of clozapine-induced UI. Cariprazine was initiated as a first-line treatment, followed by clozapine several months later. Following a reduction in the dose of cariprazine, the patient developed UI. Physical examination was unremarkable, and laboratory investigations were normal. No additional interventions were required. No other medication was altered, and upon reintroduction of cariprazine, the patient's UI improved significantly. Although a single case is inadequate for establishing definitive conclusions, this case report indicates the need for further investigation into the potential of cariprazine in addressing clozapine-induced UI.

Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms Induced by Diosmin and Hesperidin: A Case Report

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe cutaneous adverse reaction which exhibits a diverse range of presentations. We described a 48-year-old man diagnosed with acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)-like DRESS following the administration of diosmin and hesperidin. To our knowledge, diosmin and hesperidin-induced DRESS are exceptionally rare. This aims to raise awareness of potential severe cutaneous side effects in patients taking these agents.

A retrospective study of the efficacy and safety of levofloxacin in children with severe infection

Objectives

Levofloxacin is widely used because of its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and convenient dosing schedule. However, the relevance of its use in children remains to be investigated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of levofloxacin use in children with severe infections.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients <18 years of age who received levofloxacin intravenously in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of our hospital during the period between 2021 and 2022. Patient demographics, course characteristics, clinical effectiveness, and adverse event correlations were extracted through a retrospective tabular review.

Results

We included 25 patients treated with 28 courses of levofloxacin. The mean age of these children treated with levofloxacin was 4.41 years. Conversion of pathogenic microbiological test results to negative after levofloxacin treatment was detected in 11 courses (39.29%). A decrease in inflammatory markers, white blood cell or C-reactive protein counts, was detected in 18 courses (64.29%). A total of 57 adverse events occurred during the treatment period, of which 21 were possibly related to levofloxacin and no adverse events were probably related to levofloxacin.

Conclusion

The effectiveness of levofloxacin use in children with serious infections is promising, especially for the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Adverse events occurring during the initiation of levofloxacin therapy in children are reported to be relatively common, but in this study, only a small percentage of them were possibly related to levofloxacin, and none of them were highly possibly related to levofloxacin.