International journal of clinical pharmacy
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Inhibition of cough reflex sensitivity by diphenhydramine during acute viral respiratory tract infection.
Currently available over-the-counter cough remedies historically have been criticized for lack of scientific evidence supporting their efficacy. Although the first-generation antihistamine diphenhydramine is classified as an antitussive by the United States Food and Drug Administration, to the authors' knowledge it has never been shown to inhibit cough reflex sensitivity in subjects with pathological cough. ⋯ Our results provide the initial evidence of the ability of diphenhydramine to inhibit cough reflex sensitivity in subjects with acute pathological cough. Timing of cough reflex sensitivity measurement may not have allowed demonstration of maximal antitussive effect of dextromethorphan.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Reducing pain from heel lances in neonates following education on oral sucrose.
Heel lances are common painful procedures performed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Upon observation, pain relieving methods were not consistently applied during such procedures in our institution. ⋯ Health care providers were aware of sucrose but were not using this treatment modality, despite its availability on nursing units. Education was effective in the adoption of sucrose use, leading to a reduction in pain from heel lances in neonates.