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The oral dosage forms are the most popular way of taking medicine although having some disadvantages like deliberate absorption and thus onset of action is extend. This can be overcome by administrating the drug in a liquid form i.e. effervescent tablet. The research is a formulation of diclofenac sodium as a effervescent tablet by wet granulation method. The bitter taste of the drug are masked by added sweetening agent (lactose, glucose etc.) In the present work we are prepared effervescent tablet in that we are used active drug diclofenac sodium and other active ingredient acid like tartaric acid and base sodium bicarbonate in different concentrations. The formulation of tablet was done by using wet granulation, wet granulation is found to be acceptable method of effervescent tablet formulation. The various pre-formulation studies was performed hardness, weight variation, disintegration, dissolution etc.

The present study was conducted in the Hematology section of the Department of Pathology over two years. Two hundred and seventy-three geriatric patients diagnosed as anaemic as per WHO criteria were included in the study—maximum 51.2%number of cases from the age group of 60-65 years. Geriatric anaemia showed slight male preponderance (52.4%) over females (47.6%). Lowest haemoglobin value observed was 3.4 gm/dl, while the highest value was 12.3 gm/dl in males and 11.9 gm/dl in females. Most of the study population presented with moderate grade anaemia (47.6%) Patients requiring hospitalisation (71.8%) outnumbered the patients treated on OPD basis (28.2%). Among the hospitalised patients, moderate grade (51.5%) was common Generalised weakness was the most common symptom (69.6%) followed by fatigue (62.2%). There was a significant association (p= 0.009) observed between the severity of anaemia and dyspnoea Underlying malignancy (20.1%) was the most common comorbid condition among the anaemic subjects. Amongst the 148 cases of anaemia of chronic disease, 120 cases (81%) had normocytic normochromic blood picture, and the majority of the cases had mild anaemia (75 cases-50.6%). Iron deficiency was 2nd leading cause of geriatric anaemia (15.3%); presenting with moderate grade anaemia in a majority (69%). Chronic blood loss was the most common contributing factor for iron deficiency anaemia (61.9%). The incidence of anaemia is quite high among elderly patients, more so when associated with chronic diseases and malignancies. Despite modern diagnostic advances, geriatric anaemia remains underreported and inadequately investigated.

Chickenpox is caused by the Varicella-Zoster virus, a member of the herpes virus family. The same virus also causes herpes zoster (shingles) in adults. This infection can be widely detected in developing countries, especially for those tropical countries. It is presented with fever and vesicular lesions all over body.(1,2) Even the pregnant women can get chicken pox, and this becomes an important concern. In this specific paper, we have given the details and discussed 5 cases on chicken pox in term pregnancy and its outcome. We have also discussed the management of VZV (Varicella Zoster Virus) infection in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Eclampsia/ Pre-eclampsia are leading causes of maternal mortality. Various mgso4 regimes are used to control convulsions. As the Indian women have less weight low dose mgso4 was used. AIMS OBJECTS: To study comparative efficacy of low dose mgso4 in controlling convulsions in Eclampsia and in preventing convulsions in imminent Eclampsia METHODS A MATERIALS: Randomised Prospective study in which 60 cases were studied with low does mgso4 and 60 cases with Pritchard regime. Serum mg++ levels were studied in every patient. RESULTS: Convulsions were controlled in 90% cases of low dose regime and in 91.60% cases of Pritchard regime in eclampsia. The success rate in seizure Prophylaxis was 100% in both regimes for imminent eclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: Low dose mgso4 regime is equally effective in controlling / preventing convulsions if compared with Pritchard regime

Background : There is need to investigate the use of liposomal amphotericin B in cryptococcal meningitis in India. Aims : To compare the efficacy, safety, duration of treatment and cost of two doses of liposomal amphotericin B (Amp B) (Fungisome TM ) in cryptococcal meningitis in HIV/AIDS patients. Settings and Design : Prospective, randomized, multicenter study in tertiary care hospitals across India. Materials and Methods : Adult patients with culture-proven cryptococcal meningitis with HIV/AIDS were randomized to receive either 1 (Group A) or 3 mg/kg/day of Fungisome (Group B). Clinical efficacy and tolerability, laboratory evaluations and mycological response were assessed daily, twice weekly and weekly respectively. The patients were assessed at four and eight-week follow-up. Statistics : We calculated average and standard deviation for the various parameters. Results : The time to show clinical response was 13.66 days (1 mg) and 9.55 days (3 mg). In Group B (n=6 complete response), 50% patients responded within one week by microbial conversion, 83% in two weeks and 100% in three weeks. Patients with 1 mg dose (n=4 complete response), none showed microbial conversion within one week, 75% responded in two weeks, whereas one patient took four weeks. The average duration of treatment was 36.5±14.4 and 26.5±5.89 (S.D.) days in 1 and 3 mg/kg/day respectively. Drug was tolerated with little renal, hepatic or hematological toxicity. The cost was found to be 3.81 lacs and 1.74 lacs with 3mg/kg/day and 1mg/kg/day respectively. Conclusion : Higher dose showed better efficacy and quicker microbial conversion of Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (cerebrospinal fluid) than 1 mg/kg/day. It shortened the duration of treatment in days by 27% while drug cost almost doubled (Clinical trial registration number: ISRTCN 52812742)

Background : In May 2003, an indigenously developed liposomal amphotericin B (FungisomeTM) was introduced in the Indian market for the treatment of systemic fungal infections and visceral leishmaniasis. The present post marketing study assessed the safety and effectiveness of FungisomeTM in actual clinical practice. Setting and Design : Retrospective post marketing surveillance from four cities of India. Methods : The present study was carried out for a period of 6 months (Jun-Nov 2004), a year after the introduction of the drug. A list of doctors who had prescribed and procured the drug was obtained from the distributor. Consent to participate and scrutinize the patients′ source notes were obtained from the concerned doctors. All patients who had received FungisomeTM treatment were included. Data was collected from the patient′s source notes on a predesigned proforma. They were then analyzed by descriptive statistics. Cost of FungisomeTM was calculated on the basis of dose used and number of days of treatment Results : Data were available for 109/144 patients from 35/40 physicians. FungisomeTM was administered at 1-3 mg/kg/day for 7-76 days. No serious adverse events related to the drug were observed in the study. Mild infusion-related adverse events were reported in 40 (36% ), moderate in 11 (10%) of patients and severe in 2 (1.8% ). None of the adverse events were certain to FungisomeTM exposure, 12 (11 %) were probable, 28 (25 %) were possible, and 13 (11.9%) were unlikely. Of the 91 assessable patients (received at least eight doses of FungisomeTM) for efficacy complete response was observed in 67 (73.6%), 16 (17.5% ) had partial responses, and 8 (8.7%) of patients had no response. The acquisition cost per day and per course treatment of different fungal infections ranged from (apprx) Rs 4500-8000 and 0.9 -2.1 lakh respectively. Conclusion : This postmarketing study documents the safety, tolerability, effectiveness and cost advantage of indigenously developed liposomal amphotericin B in the treatment of systemic fungal infections and febrile neutropenia in actual clinical practice.

The main objective of drug delivery systems is to deliver a drug effectively, specifically to the site of action and to achieve greater efficacy and minimise the toxic effects compared to conventional drugs. Amongst various carrier systems, liposomes have generated a great interest because of their versatility. Liposomes are vesicular concentric bilayered structures, which are biocompatible, biodegradable and nonimmumnogenic. They can control the delivery of drugs by targeting the drug to the site of action or by site avoidance drug delivery or by prolonged circulation of drugs. Amphotericin B (Amp B) remains the drug of choice in most systemic mycoses and also as a second line treatment for Kala azar. However, its toxic effects often limit its use. Although the liposome delivery system has been tried for several drugs, only a few have been used in patients due to the slow development of necessary large-scale pharmaceutical procedures. This paper reviews the development of the technique for liposomal Amphotericin B (L-Amp-LRC-1, FungisomeTM) drug delivery system in our laboratory in collaboration with the department of Biochemistry, Delhi University in India and proving the safety and efficacy of this preparation in clinical practice. It also attempts to compare the efficacy and benefits of our product for Indian patients with those of similar products and it includes facts from the publications that flowed from our work. As compared to conventional Amp B, Fungisome is infused over a much shorter period requiring a smaller volume and no premedication. It was found to be safe in patients who had developed serious unacceptable toxicity with conventional Amp B. In renal transplant patients, Fungisome did not produce any nephrotoxicity. Fungisome is effective in fungal infections resistant to fluconazole, conventional Amp B and in virgin and resistant cases of visceral leishmaniasis. The cost of any drug is of great significance, especially in India. We have therefore devoted a section of our review to the relative costs of our product and those of other commercially available products. This patient-worthy formulation is safe, efficacious and cheaper than the commercially available formulation of liposomal amphotericin B. The product has been patented and technology transferred to a pharmaceutical company for marketing. Results of postmarketing study also document safety and efficacy as observed in premarketing studies. A brief review of this work is provided here.

Pathological conditions are known to affect pharmacokinetics of many drugs. Antipyrine half-life is used as a marker of liver microsomal enzyme function. Antipyrine pharmacokinetics, therefore, was investigated in 23 thyrotoxic and 11 euthyroid goitre patients. Of these, 11 thyrotoxic and 9 euthyroid goitre patients also participated in doxycycline bioavailability studies. In thyrotoxic patients, antipyrine half-life and AUCo infinity and doxycycline Cpmax and AUCo infinity were found to be reduced as compared to those of healthy euthyroid normal subjects. Following treatment of thyrotoxicosis, the antipyrine half-life and AUCo infinity returned to normal. Doxycycline AUCo infinity returned to near normal range but Cpmax did not.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils play an important role in host defense mechanism. To assess PMN function in neonate a micromethod using only a few drops of blood was standardised. PMN adherent to coverslip were incubated with bacteria and using a differential staining with Acridine Orange (AO) phagocytic and bactericidal capacity were estimated.