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Merck

Ketoconazole in the prevention of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Pharmacotherapy (1998-06-10)
A DeVries, W M Semchuk, J G Betcher
ABSTRACT

We conducted a critical review of the literature on ketoconazole in preventing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a serious disorder associated with high mortality. Two double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized trials compared ketoconazole with placebo for prophylaxis of ARDS. In one trial, compared with placebo, ketoconazole resulted in a reduced frequency of ARDS (6% vs 31%, p<0.01), lower plasma thromboxane B2 levels (33 vs 75 pg/ml, p<0.05), and shorter intensive care unit stay (7 vs 15.5 days, p<0.05). In the second trial the drug reduced the frequency of ARDS (15% vs 64%, p=0.002), lowered thromboxane B2 levels (83 vs 143 pg/ml), and reduced mortality (15% vs 39%, p=0.05) compared with placebo. Larger multicenter studies are warranted to validate the findings of these two trials.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Ketoconazole, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard
USP
Ketoconazole, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard
Sigma-Aldrich
Ketoconazole, 99.0-101.0% (EP, titration)
Supelco
Ketoconazole, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material