JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
-
Zomepirac sodium (Zomax) is a new orally effective nonopioid analgesic that can relieve mild to severe pain. It is more effective than aspirin or codeine alone and is as effective as analgesic combinations containing codeine or other narcotics. ⋯ Like aspirin, zomepirac has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic actions and inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins. Zomepirac is generally well tolerated with both short-term and long-term use; gastrointestinal reactions are the most frequently occurring side effects.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Administration of levodopa for relief of herpes zoster pain.
Forty-seven outpatients with herpes zoster, seen within five days of onset of the eruption, received ten days' administration of oral levodopa and benserazide or placebo in a double-blind controlled study. Both the total patient group and high-risk group, eg, those with either ophthalmic zoster or those older than 65 years, were analyzed. ⋯ A significant decrease in intensity of pain was seen in the group receiving levodopa from the third day, and complete cessation of both pain and sleep disturbances was more frequent in the patients. Two months later, postherpetic neuralgia was also less frequent in the group that received levodopa.