Astromicin is an aminoglycoside antiviotic that is structually different from conventional aminoglycosides. Astromicin has been shown to be active against aerobic Gram-negative bacilli. The pharmacokinetics of astromicin were determined in 12 healthy volunteers ($65.5\pm5.23\;kg$ of body weight) following a 30-min continuous intravenous infusion at a dose of 200 mg. The plasma and urine samples were collected up to 24 h and drug concentrations were measured by a bioassay using Bacillus subtilis. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by fitting individual concentration-time curve to a one-exponential decay model. The plasma levels were $16.9\pm1.68\;and\;1.05\pm0.346\l{\mu}g/ml$ at 0 h and 8 h after the infusion, respectively. The elimination half-life of astromicin was $1.86\pm0.360\;h$ The volume of distribution was $0.182\pm0.0164\;L/kg$, and the total body clearance was $5.25\pm1.74\;L/h$. These pharmacokinetic parameters were similar to these of gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin. Therefore, it is recommended that therapeutic drug monitoring of astromicin could be conducted in a similar fashion as the other aminoglycosides.

Filgrastim is used as an indispensable adjuvant drug to reduce the degree and duration of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. The purpose of this research is to study the use of filgrastim by reviewing retrospective medical records of breast cancer patients who have been treated by filgtastim in the National Cancer Center. 84 patients have received 323 cycles of chemotherapy, of which 134 cycles were treated by filgrastim $(41.5\%)$. Among those 134 cycles, 34 were for prophylaxis $(21.6\%)$, and 100 for treatment of neutropenia $(74.6\%)$. The frequence of filgrastim usage was more than $50\%$ in frequency with regimens containing docetaxel. For prophylaxis, the median of filgrastim initiation was measured on the day of chemotherapy (-3rd-13th). For the treatment, on the other hand, the median appeared on the 9th day (4th-2lst) after chemotherapy, which showed very wide distribution. Time to filgrastim initiation ranged between the 7th and the 9th day after chemotherapy in docetaxel+doxorubicin combination regimen and docetaxel single regimen, whereas it showed after the 10th day in doxorubicin+cyclophosphamide combination regimens. For the treatment, 48 out of 61 patients $(73.8\%)$ in 63 cycles have experienced fever, had to visit the emergency room, required hospitalization, caused infection, transfusion, dosage reduction and schedule changes in spite of using filgrastim with chemotherapy. For prophylaxis, 11 out of 19 patients $(17.9\%)$ in 11 cycles have experienced the same results. In conclusion, the guideline of time to the initiation and the last is required for cost-effective administration of filgrastim because of the difference occurring ANC nadir, the severity and duration of neutropenia by chemotherapy regimens.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aspirin (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) on the pharmacokinetics of metformin $(15\;mg/kg)$ in rabbits. The plasma concentration of metformin was decreased significantly (p<0.05) by co-administration of aspirin (10, 20 mg/kg) compared with control. Area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of metformin was decreased significantly (p<0.05) by co-administration of aspirin (10, 20mg/kg) compared with control. Relative bioavailability $(R.B\%)$ of metformin by co-administration was 79.3 (5 mg/kg), 57.5 (10 mg/kg) and 62.5 (20 mg/kg). Peak plasma concentration of metformin was significantly (p<0.05) decreased by co-administration of aspirin (10, 20 mg/kg) compared with control. The elimination rate constant $(K_{el})$ of metformin was increased by co-administration of aspirin (10, 20 mg/kg) compared with control. The terminal half-lifes $(t_{1/2})$ and mean resident time (MRT) of metformin by co-administration of aspirin (10, 20 mg/kg) were decreased significantly (p<0.05) compared with control. It is considered that the significantly decreased plasma concentration and AUC of metrormin is due to increase of elimination in urine acidified by co-administration of aspirin. The results suggest that the dosage of metformin should be adjusted when metformin is co-administered with aspirin in the clinical situation.

Adverse drug reaction (ADR) may increase hospital admission, morbidity and mortality and adding extra cost to healthcare expenditures. AIMS: This study was performed to identify the types of ADR being reported in a tertiary hospital, and to find out the ways to improve current ADR monitoring system. To investigate the attitudes of hospital pharmacists towards, and their understanding of ADR reporting. METHODS: Of 117 reports submitted to the pharmacy department during 3 months survey period, A questionnaire survey of 75 randomly selected hospital pharmacists was conducted. RESULT: Of the report was from patients aged between 60 and 70. The medical department with the high frequency in ADR reporting was Internal Medicines $(60\%)$. The most common ADR manifestations were gastrointestinal complaints $(47.8\%)\;and\;80\%$ of the reported cases were mild in their severity. The most common drugs suspected of causing ADR were CNS drugs which accounted for $38.4\%.\;55.5\%$ of respondent were aware of the need to education and information about ADR monitoring. The important reasons for unreporting ADR were unknown of how to report ADRs $(94.6\%)$. CONCLUSIONS: An ADR reporting system based on reporting by staff pharmacists has been effective increasing the number of reported reactions and pharmacist involvement in monitoring patients for ADRs. Pharmacists have the knowledge and responsibility to contribute to ADR reporting program. A great opportunity exists for pharmacists to contribute in this area of patient care.

Dopamine is an effective pressor for the treatment of shock and hypotension when patients do not respond to plasma volume expansion. Two dopamine intravenous delivery systems are currently available in Korea. The objective of this study was to compare dopamine premixed with prefilled system in terms of supply costs (preparation costs + personnel time), contamination rates and convenience. Time-and-motion studies were conducted to determine the time and costs associated with preparation and administration of the two systems. They were analyzed and compared by Mann-Whitney test. To evaluate the contaminaton rates of the two systems, both systems were prepared in an open environment similar to that of practical situations. Premixed and compounded solutions were then filtered by $0.22{\mu}m$ membrane filters, which were cultured at $37^{\circ}C$ for 10 days and their contents were visually checked for bacterial contamination. The convenience of the two systems was compared by itemized user assessments on preparation, dose calculation, admixture, administration and disposal of waste matters. They were analyzed by Wilcoxon's signed rank test and 100 part percentage. It was found that the preparation costs $(mean{\pm}SD)$ for premixed and prefilled systems were $271.70\pm293.55\;Won$ (Korean currency) and $1521.04\pm510.63\;Won$, respectively. The preparation time $(mean{\pm}SD)$ for premixed system was $68.10\pm35.69\;sec.$ while at for prefilled system was $154.03\pm50.06\;sec.$ (n=59 each, p<0.001). No bacterium was observed in the samples of both systems (n=20, each). User assessments indicated that the premixed system was more convenient than the prefilled system except for the item of dose calculation (n=24, p<0.001). Subjective evaluations have proven that the use of the dopamine premixed system resulted in increased efficiency of intravenous preparation by allowing personnel to devote more time to other labor-intensive duties and lower total medical costs.

Paclitaxel과 cephalosporines(제 1세대인 ceftezole sodium과 cephradine, 제2세대인 cefamandole sodium과 cefmetazole sodium, 제3세대인 cefoperazone sodium과 cefotaxime sodium 그러고 제4세대인 cefepime hydrochloride)을 $5\%$포도당주사액 그리고 $0.9\%$ 염화나트륨주사액과 함께 Y-Site 장치를 써서 환자에게 주입할 때 paclitaxel의 안정성에 관하여 연구하였다. Paclitaxel 0.3 mg/ml 및 1.2 mg/ml과 cephalosporines 20 mg/m을 각각 1 : 1로 혼합한 후 0, 1, 2, 4, 12시간 시점에서 paclitaxel의 농도를 HPLC로 분석하였다. 방해물질에 의한 분석오차를 줄이기 위해 분석법을 여러 상태에서 확인하였으며, 각 농도에서 3차례씩 실험하였고 각 샘플은 2차례 반복하여 HPLC로 분석하였다. 분석전에 각 시료의 투명도, 색의 변화, 침전상태 및 pH를 검사하였다. Paclitaxel 0.3 mg/ml 및 1.2 mg/ml와 cephalosporines 20 mg/ml를 각각 혼합하였을 때 12시간 동안 안정하였으며, 주사액의 혼탁이나 색의 변화 및 침전은 나타나지 않았으며 pH도 변하지 않았다.

아스코마이신(ascomycin)의 macrolactam 유도체인 피메크로리무스(pimecrolimus; 엘리델 [Elidel], SDZ ASM 981; Novartis Pharma AG, 바젤, 스위스)는 세포선택성을 지닌 염증성 사이토카인(cytokines) 억제제로서 아토피피부염, 알레르기성 접촉피부염, 자극성 접촉피부염 및 판형 건선 등 염증성 피부질환의 치료제로 개발되었다. T세포와 비만세포의 염증성 사이토카인 생산 분비를 억제하고 사전 형성된 염증성 매개물질의 비만 세포 분비를 저해한다. 국소 투여된 피메크로리무스는 알레르기성 접촉피부염(allergic contact dermatitis [ACD]) 돼지 모델에서 고역가 코르티코스테로이드 클로베타졸-17-propionate(corticosteroid clobetasol-17-propionate)와 동등한 효과를 나타낸다. 하지만 피메크로리무스는 클로베타졸과는 달리 피부 위축을 일으키지 않는다. 경구 투여시 피메크로리무스는 마우스와 랫트 ACD 치료에 있어서 타크로림무스(tacrolimus [FK 506])와 동등한 혹은 더 우수한 효과를 나타낸다. 또한 피메크로리무스는 아토피피부염 급성 징후 유사 모델인 저마그네슘 혈증 탈모 랫트(hypomagnesemic hairless rat)의 피부 염증과 소양증을 효과적으로 감소시킨다. 피메크로리무스는 랫트에서 다음과 같은 측면의 전신 면역반응 손상 효과가 타크로리무스 와 비교하여 낮게 평가된다: (1)국소 이식편대 숙주 반응, (2)양(sheep) 적혈구에 대한 항체 형성, (3)신장이식. 시험관내 평가시 돼지 피부를 통한 피메크로리무스 투과 속도가 타크로리무스보다 10배 낮게 측정되므로 생체에서 경피 흡수가 더 적게 될 것으로 판단된다. 상기 자료로 판단컨대 피메크로 리무스는 피부에 대한 항염증 활성이 높을 뿐 아니라 전신 면역반응 손상 부작용이 낮은것으로 사료된다.