Clinical therapeutics
-
Clinical therapeutics · Jun 2007
Cost-effectiveness of clopidogrel in myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation: a European model based on the CLARITY and COMMIT trials.
Several health economic studies have shown that the use of clopidogrel is cost-effective to prevent ischemic events in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and unstable angina. ⋯ Treatment of these STEMI patients with clopidogrel appeared to be cost-effective in all 3 European countries studied. Predicted ICERs were below generally accepted threshold values.
-
Clinical therapeutics · Jun 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyTretinoin gel microspheres 0.04% versus 0.1% in adolescents and adults with mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a 12-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, phase IV trial.
Topical retinoids are considered first-line therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris, yet can be associated with cutaneous irritation, including erythema, peeling, dryness, burning, and itching. Tretinoin gel microsphere (TGM) formulations were developed to minimize these effects. A lower-strength TGM formulation may be desirable to further reduce exposure to tretinoin. ⋯ Both TGM 0.04% and TGM 0.1% were associated with reductions in lesion counts in these patients with mild to moderate facial acne. Both concentrations were generally well tolerated. The results suggested an early (week 2) incremental benefit for the use of TGM 0.1% in the treatment of inflammatory lesions.
-
Clinical therapeutics · Jun 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyA 12-week, multicenter, randomized, partially blinded, active-controlled, parallel-group study of budesonide inhalation suspension in adolescents and adults with moderate to severe persistent asthma previously receiving inhaled corticosteroids with a metered-dose or dry powder inhaler.
Nebulized budesonide inhalation suspension (BIS) is approved in the United States for children with asthma aged 1 to 8 years. ⋯ In this study, no difference in efficacy between BIS 2.0 mg BID and 0.5 mg QD was found in adolescents and adults with persistent asthma when transitioned from ICSs delivered with a DPI or MDI. Subjects taking all BIS dosages experienced similar responses for variables associated with asthma control.
-
Clinical therapeutics · Jun 2007
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialTransition from methylphenidate or amphetamine to atomoxetine in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder--a preliminary tolerability and efficacy study.
The primary treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been psychostimulants. Recently developed nonpsychostimulant treatments have allowed certain patients to switch from a psychostimulant to a nonpsychostimulant. However, the outcomes of such switches have not been systematically studied. ⋯ These children and adolescent patients were successfully switched from methylphenidate or amphetamine to atomoxetine treatment, with resulting improvement in ADHD symptom severity from baseline in this pilot study.
-
Clinical therapeutics · Jun 2007
A retrospective analysis of possible renal toxicity associated with vancomycin in patients with health care-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia.
The goal of this investigation was to determine whether more aggressive vancomycin dosing is associated with greater risk for renal toxicity in patients with health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP) attributed to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). ⋯ The results suggest that aggressive vancomycin dosing and prolonged vancomycin administration may be associated with greater risk for renal toxicity in patients with MRSA HCAP. However, this retrospective study cannot establish causation, and a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial is needed.