Journal of Pharmacy Technology最新文献

{"title":"Anticholinergic Adverse Effects Associated With Skeletal Muscle Relaxants in the Intensive Care Unit.","authors":"Justin P Reinert, Jordyn Maroszek, Rose Sikorski","doi":"10.1177/87551225261446913","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/87551225261446913","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: Pain is prevalent among critically ill patients and is frequently underrecognized due to sedation and mechanical ventilation. Opioids remain the primary analgesic therapy in the intensive care unit (ICU); however, opioid-related adverse effects have prompted increased adoption of multimodal analgesia strategies. Centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants, including cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol, are commonly used as adjuncts, yet data evaluating their anticholinergic adverse effects in critically ill populations are limited. <b>Methods</b>: The primary objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of anticholinergic adverse drug events (ADEs) associated with cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol among ICU patients. <b>Purpose</b>: This retrospective cohort study evaluated adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to any ICU at a single academic medical center between January 1, 2023 and January 31, 2025, who received at least 1 dose of cyclobenzaprine or methocarbamol during ICU admission. The primary outcome was the prevalence of anticholinergic ADEs, identified through provider documentation and <i>International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision</i> (<i>ICD-10</i>) codes. Secondary outcomes included types of ADEs, dosing of the study drugs, and medication discontinuation rates. <b>Results</b>: Of 367 eligible patients, 260 were included in the final analysis. Cyclobenzaprine was administered to 112 patients (43%) and methocarbamol to 148 patients (57%). Potential anticholinergic ADEs were identified in 29 patients (14.4%) receiving cyclobenzaprine and 17 patients (10.8%) receiving methocarbamol. Among the 69 total ADEs, 55 (79%) prompted an intervention, most commonly pharmacologic therapy adjustments. Medication discontinuation due to ADEs was infrequent. <b>Conclusions</b>: Cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol were associated with anticholinergic adverse effects in critically ill ICU patients, though this did not translate to medication discontinuation. These findings support the cautious use of centrally acting muscle relaxants as part of multimodal analgesia strategies. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to evaluate and mitigate adverse drug effects in the critically ill.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261446913"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13144285/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147839261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of a Clinical Pharmacist on Weight Loss Outcomes in Primary Care Patients Without Diabetes.","authors":"Kayla Sturtevant, Marci Wood, Juvena R Hitt, Amanda G Kennedy, Halle G Sobel","doi":"10.1177/87551225261443443","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/87551225261443443","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Obesity is a prevalent condition associated with numerous comorbidities. Weight loss medications reduce comorbidity burden, but barriers hinder access and titration. Clinical pharmacists play a key role in chronic disease management, but limited research exists on pharmacists managing weight loss. <b>Objective:</b> Evaluate the impact of a clinical pharmacist on weight loss medication management for adults without diabetes in an outpatient Internal Medicine primary care resident clinic. <b>Methods:</b> This matched case-control study included adults without diabetes with at least 1 weight management visit with a clinical pharmacist between July 2023 and May 2024. Controls were matched on insurance and baseline body mass index, and included patients prescribed weight loss medications by clinicians and those without pharmacotherapy. Data were collected over 6 months. The primary outcome was percent weight loss. Rate of weight loss was explored as a secondary outcome. <b>Results:</b> 94 patients were included: 35 pharmacist-managed, 24 clinician-managed, and 35 without pharmacotherapy. At 6 months, mean weight change was -11.8%, -8.3%, and +1.3% in the pharmacist, clinician, and nonmedication groups, respectively. Absolute weight loss was greater in the pharmacist group, but not statistically significant compared with the clinician-managed group (<i>P</i> = 0.12). The weekly rate of weight loss was significantly higher in the pharmacist group (-0.29 kg/week; <i>P</i> = 0.04 and <i>P</i> < 0.001 vs controls). <b>Conclusion:</b> Patients prescribed obesity medications experienced significant weight loss, regardless of whether the patients were managed by pharmacists or primary care clinicians. These findings support a collaborative care model in obesity management.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261443443"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13132977/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147816247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Safety and Efficacy of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Compared to Warfarin in Patients With Body Mass Index ≥40 kg/m² in a Real-World Setting.","authors":"Kiara Bautista, Anisa Bici, Denise Sutter-Long, Elizabeth Liza Renner, Erin Mouland, Mary Jo Elder, Nhan Hoang, Amir Farid, Nghi Ha","doi":"10.1177/87551225261445649","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/87551225261445649","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) are common conditions requiring anticoagulation in patients with severe obesity (body mass index ≥40 kg/m²). Comparative safety and efficacy data for direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) vs warfarin in this population remain limited.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the safety and efficacy of DOACs and warfarin in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and VTE in patients with severe obesity in a real-world setting.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This single-center, retrospective matched cohort study included adults with severe obesity receiving a DOAC or warfarin for NVAF or VTE from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2024. Patients were matched by age, sex, and indication. Primary outcomes were composite thrombotic events (recurrent VTE or ischemic stroke occurrence) and composite bleeding events (clinically relevant non-major and major bleed). Secondary outcomes were assessments of predictors for these events.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 182 patients, 91 per cohort. Composite bleeding was significantly higher in the warfarin group (39.6% vs 23.1%, <i>P</i> = 0.017), but it was not significantly different after adjustment for time on therapy. Composite thrombotic events were similar between groups (12.1% vs 9.9%, <i>P</i> = 0.89). History of major bleed (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.37, <i>P</i> = 0.022, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.13-4.96]) and concomitant antiplatelet use (HR = 3.80, <i>P</i> < 0.001, 95% CI = [1.98-7.26]) were predictors for bleeding. History of cerebrovascular accident (CVA)/transient ischemic attack (TIA) (HR = 3.34, <i>P</i> = 0.014, 95% CI = [1.28-8.74]) was a predictor for thrombosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>DOACs demonstrated comparable safety and efficacy to warfarin in patients with severe obesity with NVAF or VTE.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261445649"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13132985/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147816253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) Associated With Lenvatinib: A Disproportionality Analysis.","authors":"Eleonora Castellana, Maria Rachele Chiappetta","doi":"10.1177/87551225261446468","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/87551225261446468","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare but potentially life-threatening neurological condition characterized by seizures, headache, visual disturbances, and altered mental status, typically associated with vasogenic edema on neuroimaging. Although several anticancer therapies have been implicated in PRES, evidence regarding its association with lenvatinib remains limited.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The aim of this study was to investigate a potential safety signal between lenvatinib and PRES using a pharmacovigilance approach and evaluate whether reports of PRES are disproportionately associated with lenvatinib in a large spontaneous reporting database.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective pharmacovigilance study was conducted using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) mentioning lenvatinib and PRES were identified and extracted. Disproportionality analysis was performed by calculating the reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), and chi-square statistic. According to Evans' criteria (n > 2, PRR > 2, chi-square > 4), a drug-event combination is considered suggestive of a potential safety signal.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The disproportionality analysis revealed a statistically significant signal for PRES associated with lenvatinib. The PRR was 5.79 (95% CI: 4.80-6.98), and the ROR was 5.81 (95% CI: 4.81-7.00), both exceeding commonly accepted signal detection thresholds. These findings suggest that reports of PRES occur more frequently with lenvatinib than with other drugs in the database.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This pharmacovigilance analysis identified a significant disproportionality signal suggesting a potential association between lenvatinib and PRES. Although spontaneous reporting systems cannot establish causality, these findings highlight the importance of clinical awareness and further investigation to better characterize this rare but serious adverse event.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261446468"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13132986/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147816271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Utilization of Cefiderocol in a Case of Extensively Drug-Resistant <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> Prostatitis and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection.","authors":"Nicole Sunshine, Rachel M Kenney, Nathan A Everson, Anita B Shallal, Michael P Veve","doi":"10.1177/87551225261443444","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/87551225261443444","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Treatment of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) organisms is complicated by pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic (PK) limitations of current antimicrobial agents. Prostatitis is an infection that is historically difficult to treat with beta-lactams given poor tissue penetration as compared to fluoroquinolones and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Cefiderocol is a novel cephalosporin that is often used to treat a wide variety of gram-negative bacteria that have extensive resistance to other antibiotics. Cefiderocol remains stable against many β-lactamases and shows enhanced bacterial cell entry as a result of siderophore uptake. However, its penetration into prostatic tissue has not been studied. This review presents the use of cefiderocol in a patient with complicated urinary tract infection and prostatitis caused by XDR <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> resistant to almost all tested antibiotics, including novel beta-lactam/beta-lactamase combinations. Although PK data suggest that cefiderocol may achieve therapeutic concentrations in prostatic tissue, further studies are needed to confirm its efficacy in treating prostatitis, particularly in cases of chronic or complicated infection. This case highlights cefiderocol as a potential therapeutic option for XDR <i>Enterobacterales</i> prostatitis, though additional research is required to fully understand its prostate penetration and clinical outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261443444"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13128791/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147816353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pharmacy Student Confidence and Practice Readiness After Diabetes Educational Module With CGM Use.","authors":"Allison Hursman, Elizabeth Monson, Allyson Luthi, Jeanne E Frenzel","doi":"10.1177/87551225261433431","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/87551225261433431","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Pharmacists support diabetes technology in practice, yet formal instruction on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curricula is limited. Hands-on learning may build confidence and practice readiness for CGM-enabled care. <b>Objective:</b> To assess the impact of a diabetes education module, paired with short-term personal CGM use on pharmacy students' confidence, beliefs, and reflections related to diabetes care. <b>Methods:</b> Three cohorts of third-year pharmacy students completed pre- and post-surveys surrounding a 2-week diabetes education module delivered within a pharmacy skills laboratory. The intervention included didactic instruction and hands-on stations addressing core components of diabetes management including a personal CGM user wear experience. Quantitative analyses included <i>t</i> tests and analysis of variance. Student reflections were thematically analyzed. <b>Results:</b> Data from 148 student responses (84 pre-intervention; 64 post-intervention) were analyzed as independent samples. Belief scores demonstrated low reliability and remained stable over time (<i>P</i> > 0.05). In contrast, confidence scores showed high reliability and increased significantly following the intervention (mean 2.44 vs 4.50; <i>P</i> < 0.001), with a large effect size. Confidence differed by academic year, while belief scores did not. Qualitative analysis of 159 student responses identified themes of increased knowledge, awareness of glucose impacts, and readiness for pharmacy practice. Limitations include the single-institution setting, unpaired surveys, and reliance on self-reported, short-term outcomes. <b>Conclusion:</b> A diabetes education module incorporating short-term CGM use substantially improved student confidence and yielded practice-relevant insights, while beliefs remained stable. Structured hands-on CGM education may better prepare pharmacy graduates for technology-enabled diabetes care.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261433431"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13099733/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147774683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir Versus Short-Course Remdesivir for Mild COVID-19 in High-Risk Hospitalized Patients: A Propensity Score-Matched Study.","authors":"Taylor D Steuber, Madeline Belk, Blain Thayer, Jonathan Edwards","doi":"10.1177/87551225261436716","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/87551225261436716","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has evolved, patients increasingly present with milder disease, raising questions about optimal management of those hospitalized for other conditions, but found to have COVID-19 with high risk of progression. While these patients may traditionally be managed with a 3-day course of remdesivir (RDV) and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (N/R) in the outpatient setting, these therapies have not been explicitly studied in a similar population, but in the inpatient setting. <b>Objective:</b> To evaluate outcomes with 3-day RDV versus 5-day N/R in high-risk hospitalized patients with mild COVID-19. <b>Methods:</b> This single-center, retrospective, propensity score-matched cohort study included hospitalized adult patients who were found to have mild COVID-19 between January 2023 and December 2023. Patients were grouped by treatment received, including 3-day RDV or 5-day N/R. Baseline characteristics and risk factors for disease progression were collected. Endpoints included incidence of disease progression, need for oxygen and respiratory support, length of stay, 30-day readmission, and mortality. <b>Results:</b> One-hundred and fifty patients were included in the analysis, with 75 in each group. Baseline characteristics between groups were similar. There was no significant difference in the rate of disease progression between the RDV and N/R group (19% vs 11%, respectively; <i>P</i> = 0.166). There was no difference in additional endpoints including hospital length of stay, 30-day readmission, or mortality. <b>Conclusion:</b> There was no significant difference in rates of disease progression or other outcomes among high-risk hospitalized adults with mild COVID-19 treated with RDV or N/R. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261436716"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13092561/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147774731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Elinzanetant: A Nonhormonal Treatment Option for Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause.","authors":"Lisa Miller","doi":"10.1177/87551225261436749","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/87551225261436749","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective:</b> To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, and clinical role of elinzanetant for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) associated with menopause. <b>Data Sources:</b> PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for English-language articles published through January 2026 using the terms elinzanetant, NT-814, OASIS, SWITCH, vasomotor symptoms, and menopause. <b>Study Selection and Data Extraction:</b> Phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials evaluating elinzanetant in postmenopausal women with moderate to severe VMS were included. <b>Data Synthesis:</b> Elinzanetant is a dual neurokinin-1 (NK-1) and neurokinin-3 (NK-3) receptor antagonist targeting hypothalamic pathways involved in thermoregulation. Clinical trials demonstrated statistically significant reductions in VMS frequency and severity compared with placebo. Efficacy was observed as early as week 1 and sustained across treatment periods. Elinzanetant was generally well tolerated, including in long-term studies and in women receiving endocrine therapy for breast cancer. <b>Conclusion:</b> Elinzanetant represents an additional nonhormonal treatment option for menopausal VMS. As a dual NK-1 and NK-3 receptor antagonist, it differs mechanistically from selective NK-3 antagonists and may offer an alternative for patients who are not candidates for hormone therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261436749"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13092563/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147774660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Signals of Toxicity Associated With Gene Therapy: The Case of Etranacogene Dezaparvovec in the Treatment of Hemophilia B.","authors":"Eleonora Castellana, Maria Rachele Chiappetta","doi":"10.1177/87551225261433445","DOIUrl":"10.1177/87551225261433445","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Etranacogene dezaparvovec is the first adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy approved for the treatment of hemophilia B. Due to its recent market authorization, post-marketing surveillance is essential to characterize its safety profile in real-world clinical practice. <b>Objective:</b> To identify and characterize adverse drug reaction signals associated with etranacogene dezaparvovec using post-marketing pharmacovigilance data. <b>Methods:</b> A disproportionality analysis was performed using reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from Q1 2023 to Q3 2025, selecting cases in which etranacogene dezaparvovec was reported as the primary suspect drug. Signal detection was conducted with OpenVigil 2.1 using Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), Relative Reporting Ratio (RRR), and chi-square statistics. The Evans criteria were applied to identify probable associations. <b>Results:</b> A total of 26 reports including 35 suspected adverse drug reactions were identified. Strong and statistically significant disproportionality signals were observed for hepatic adverse events, particularly increased alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and liver enzymes, all fulfilling the Evans criteria for probable adverse drug reactions. Moderate but significant signals were also detected for headache, fatigue, and influenza-like illness. <b>Conclusion and Relevance:</b> Post-marketing pharmacovigilance data confirm hepatic toxicity as the predominant safety signal associated with etranacogene dezaparvovec, consistent with clinical trial evidence and the known immunogenic profile of AAV-based gene therapies. These findings support the importance of careful hepatic monitoring in clinical practice and highlight the role of pharmacovigilance in evaluating the real-world safety of innovative gene therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261433445"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13048973/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147623348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Time to Vancomycin De-Escalation in Pneumonia Patients Screened for MRSA Using Culture vs PCR Testing.","authors":"Kayla N Wilkinson, Megan E Wein, Pamela J McCormick, Bridget M Ott","doi":"10.1177/87551225261429822","DOIUrl":"10.1177/87551225261429822","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> There is no published data comparing time to vancomycin de-escalation for patients with respiratory infections screened for methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) with nasal culture compared to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). <b>Objective:</b> To compare the duration of vancomycin therapy between patients who underwent MRSA testing via culture vs PCR. <b>Methods:</b> This was an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved, multi-site, retrospective cohort study which included patients receiving vancomycin therapy for the treatment of pneumonia who underwent MRSA screening with either culture or PCR testing. The primary outcome was total days of vancomycin therapy. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS), incidence of acute kidney injury, and time from nasal swab to vancomycin discontinuation. <b>Results:</b> A total of 120 patients met inclusion criteria, with 57 in the culture group and 63 in the PCR group. The median duration of vancomycin was significantly shorter in the PCR group compared to the culture group (0.77 vs 1.80 days; <i>P</i> < 0.001). The median time from nasal swab collection to vancomycin discontinuation was also significantly shorter in the PCR group compared to the culture group (0.29 vs 1.38 days; <i>P</i> < 0.001). There was no difference in the median LOS or the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) between groups. <b>Conclusions:</b> This is the first study to directly compare duration of vancomycin therapy as the primary outcome for patients who underwent MRSA screening with nasal culture vs PCR. The use of MRSA PCR testing was associated with a significantly shorter duration of vancomycin therapy in patients with pneumonia when compared to culture-based testing.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87551225261429822"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13035682/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147592865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}