British journal of clinical pharmacology
-
Br J Clin Pharmacol · Sep 1984
Disposition of betamethasone in parturient women after intramuscular administration.
When betamethasone phosphate equivalent to 8 mg betamethasone was administered intramuscularly in solution (Celestone Injection) to pregnant women, a large proportion of this ester was absorbed unchanged. Bioavailability of betamethasone from the phosphate ester was as high as after intravenous injection. ⋯ After administration of either formulation, maternal plasma cortisol concentrations fell towards a basal level but were rising again within 2 to 3 days of the last dose. We conclude that Celestone Chronodose does not provide prolonged release of betamethasone and offers no advantage over Celestone Injection.
-
Br J Clin Pharmacol · May 1984
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialObjective evaluation of dextromethorphan and glaucine as antitussive agents.
Twenty-four inpatients affected by chronic cough completed a single-dose double-blind cross-over study of placebo, glaucine 30 mg and dextromethorphan 30 mg. The study was carried out using a balanced incomplete block design, each patient receiving two of the three experimental treatments. ⋯ Coughs after dextromethorphan and glaucine were fewer than coughs after placebo: however only glaucine was significantly different from placebo in reducing coughs. Treatments were well tolerated: clinical results included a reduction in pulse rate after both dextromethorphan and glaucine , and a large number of patients reporting side effects after dextromethorphan administration.
-
Br J Clin Pharmacol · Feb 1984
Comparative StudyHaemodynamics and plasma concentrations following sublingual GTN and intravenous, or inhaled, isosorbide dinitrate.
We measured plasma nitrate levels and haemodynamics following sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) (0.5 mg), or isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) administered intravenously (0.5 mg) or by inhalation (1.25 mg) in 23 patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation for investigation of chest pain. Peak levels were detected at 90 s and 5 min following intravenous and inhaled ISDN respectively and at 3 min following sublingual GTN. Intravenous and inhaled ISDN produced similar plasma levels at 30 s and both were significantly greater than following sublingual GTN. ⋯ Maximal haemodynamic responses were greater following ISDN than GTN, with little difference between the two preparations of ISDN. Haemodynamic responses were more sustained following inhaled ISDN than following sublingual GTN or intravenous ISDN, the latter two being similar in this respect. These findings suggest that inhaled ISDN may provide more rapid and sustained relief from angina than sublingual GTN.
-
Br J Clin Pharmacol · Jan 1984
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialPencil and paper tests--sensitivity to psychotropic drugs.
The literature on pencil and paper tests and the effects of psychotropic drugs is reviewed. Performance at digit symbol substitution, symbol copying, letter cancellation, arithmetic, logic and cognitive processing with a relatively constant level of triazolam was compared with placebo. ⋯ Pencil and paper tests which measure various skills are useful for detecting drug effects. Letter cancellation, arithmetic and DSST appear to be most sensitive, although logic and symbol copying may be useful.
-
Br J Clin Pharmacol · Nov 1983
The analgesic effect of the GABA-agonist THIP in patients with chronic pain of malignant origin. A phase-1-2 study.
Fourteen patients with chronic pain of malignant origin were treated with escalating doses of THIP intramuscularly 5-30 mg in an open phase 1 study. Analgesic activity was demonstrated in 60% of the patients at the level of 20 mg THIP and a dose response relation was present. Side effects, sedation, dizziness, euphoria, nausea, and blurred vision were present in up to 80% of the patients and were dose limiting. ⋯ Mean t1/2 was 1.52 +/- 0.63 h and the clearance was 0.49 +/- 0.181 min. Significant correlations were demonstrated between serum concentration, dose of THIP, analgesic effect and side effects. It is concluded that THIP cannot be used for the treatment of chronic cancer pain, not because of insufficient analgesic effect but because of unacceptable side effects.