MATERIALS AND METHODS: Floating tablets were prepared by direct compression using HPMC K100M, sodium-bicarbonate and microcrystalline-cellulose. A 23 factorial-design (RStudio-v4.3.3) was used to optimize microenvironmental pH, floating lag time (FLT) and drug release. Optimized tablets were characterized for micromeritic properties, XRD, SEM, in vitro buoyancy, swelling, drug release, in vitro anti-H. pylori activity and in vivo gastric retention in Sprague-Dawley rats.

RESULTS: The optimized formulation achieved a microenvironmental pH of 7.20 ± 0.26, FLT of 15.84 ± 0.50 s, and total floating time of approximately 12 h. Cumulative AMX release reached 98.49 ± 1.69% over 12 h with non-Fickian kinetics, and XRD/SEM analysis indicated reduced crystallinity and increased amorphous character of AMX within the hydrated matrix. The formulation showed significant in vitro anti-H. pylori activity and prolonged in vivo gastric retention.

DESIGN: A 4-site, prospective randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among prison and jail inmates with HIV and OUD transitioning to the community from September 2010 through March 2016.

METHODS: Eligible participants (N = 93) were randomized 2:1 to receive 6 monthly injections of XR-NTX (n = 66) or placebo (n = 27) starting at release and observed for 6 months. The primary outcome was the proportion that maintained or improved VS (<50 copies/mL) from baseline to 6 months.

RESULTS: Participants allocated to XR-NTX significantly improved to VS (<50 copies/mL) from baseline (37.9%) to 6 months (60.6%) (P = 0.002), whereas the placebo group did not (55.6% at baseline to 40.7% at 6 months P = 0.294). There was, however, no statistical significant difference in VS levels at 6 months between XR-NTX (60.6%) vs. placebo (40.7%) (P = 0.087). After controlling for other factors, only allocation to XR-NTX (adjusted odds ratio = 2.90; 95% confidence interval = 1.04 to 8.14, P = 0.043) was associated with the primary outcome. Trajectories in VS from baseline to 6 months differed significantly (P = 0.017) between treatment groups, and the differences in the discordant values were significantly different as well (P = 0.041): the XR-NTX group was more likely than the placebo group to improve VS (30.3% vs. 18.5%), maintain VS (30.3% vs. 27.3), and less likely to lose VS (7.6% vs. 33.3%) by 6 months.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study has retrospectively compared the healthcare utilization and associated costs of pre- and post-PPIM treatment in 413 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder recruited from three major public hospitals providing psychiatric services in Hong Kong. Patients were categorized into early treatment (≤3 years since diagnosis) and chronic (>3 years) groups, and also whether they were receiving polypharmacy (POP).