Data Dose December 2023 p.2

Breathe easy: Delving into the safety of nasal drops

In a world that rarely slows down, the inconvenience of nasal congestion can disrupt even the most hectic schedules. Nasal drops have emerged as a discreet yet powerful solution, offering comfort and relief. As we embark on a journey into nasal drops, we must explore their efficacy and the importance of safety in their usage. Read more...

The butterfly effect in pharmacovigilance: Small data, big impact

In the expansive realm of pharmacovigilance, where information weaves an intricate tapestry, we cannot overstate the importance of seemingly small adverse events. Similar to a butterfly’s wings triggering a cascade of events, these inconspicuous signals hold profound implications for drug safety and public health. This article explores the butterfly effect in pharmacovigilance, examining instances where minor signals resulted in significant discoveries. Read more...

In-flight hypoglycemia

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic health conditions around the world. According to WHO, the number of adults living with diabetes has almost quadrupled to 422 million adults since 1980. More than 95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Lowering blood glucose levels through lifestyle modifications and glucose-lowering medications is a priority in diabetes management. However, glucose-lowering pharmacotherapy can lead to iatrogenic hypoglycemia, the most common adverse effect of diabetes therapy. Hypoglycemia, also called low blood glucose or blood sugar, occurs when the level of glucose in the blood drops below normal. It can be caused by too much insulin intake or oral hypoglycemic agents, too little food, or excessive physical activity. We present a unique case of in-flight hypoglycemia in a pilot due to treatment with an oral hypoglycemic agent. This case we found with the DrugCard platform during local medical literature monitoring. Read more...

An adverse reaction with an unclear prognosis

Neapolitan physician Carlo Curzi originally described scleroderma in a monograph dated 1752. The term is derived from the Greek words “sklerosis,” meaning hardness, and “derma,” meaning skin. Systemic sclerosis prevalence is estimated between 3 and 24 per 100,000 persons. The prognosis in systemic sclerosis is poor and often fatal, with 10-year survival ranging from 54–66%. In turn, the term “pseudoscleroderma” is an umbrella term that has been used to describe skin lesions that imitate or resemble systemic sclerosis. These disorders typically occur as either distinct pathological entities or a complication of malignancy. But drug-induced pseudoscleroderma is clinically and histopathologically similar to systemic sclerosis. For example, chemotherapy-induced pseudoscleroderma may occur several weeks or months after the treatment. The?DrugCard platform?in the medical literature found just such a case of an adverse reaction with an unclear prognosis. Read more...