Clinical therapeutics
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Clinical therapeutics · Dec 2008
Perception of prescription medicine sample packs among Australian professional, government, industry, and consumer organizations, based on automated textual analysis of one-on-one interviews.
Prescription medicine samples provided by pharmaceutical companies are predominantly newer and more expensive products. The range of samples provided to practices may not represent the drugs that the doctors desire to have available. Few studies have used a qualitative design to explore the reasons behind sample use. ⋯ Participants recognized that prescription medicine samples have an influence on quality use of medicines and play a role in the marketing of medicines. They also believed that alternative distribution systems for samples could provide benefits. The cost of a noncommercial system for distributing samples or starter packs was a concern. These data will be used to design further research investigating alternative models for distribution of samples.
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Clinical therapeutics · Dec 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyComparative effects of 10-mg versus 80-mg Atorvastatin on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with stable coronary artery disease: results of the CAP (Comparative Atorvastatin Pleiotropic effects) study.
The major beneficial effect of statins- reducing the risk for coronary events-has primarily been ascribed to reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) but may in part be related to a direct antiinflammatory action (ie, decreased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] concentration). ⋯ In these patients with documented CAD, evidence of low-grade inflammation, and normal range lipid profiles, the effects of atorvastatin on changes in hs-CRP were dose dependent, with the high dose (80 mg) being associated with significantly greater reductions in hs-CRP concentrations. Both doses were associated with a significant and progressive decline in hs-CRP largely independent of changes in LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG. Clinical Trials Identification Number: NCT00163202.
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Clinical therapeutics · Dec 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyComparison of the effectiveness and tolerability of lidocaine patch 5% versus celecoxib for osteoarthritis-related knee pain: post hoc analysis of a 12 week, prospective, randomized, active-controlled, open-label, parallel-group trial in adults.
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitors and nonselective NSAIDs are commonly used to treat osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. ⋯ Statistically significant differences in effectiveness and tolerability were not found between these 2 treatments in these patients with OA knee pain.
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Clinical therapeutics · Dec 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialPharmacokinetics of 8-hour intravenous infusion of NXY-059: a phase I, randomized, double-blind (within dose panels), placebo-controlled study in healthy Chinese volunteers.
NXY-059 is a free radical-trapping neuroprotectant that has been reported to reduce infarct size and preserve brain function in experimental models of acute ischemic stroke. NXY-059 administered as an 8- or 72-hour IV infusion has been reported to be well tolerated in healthy young (age, 20-45 years) and older (55-75 years) white volunteers. NXY-059 is no longer in development following a lack of efficacy found in a Phase III trial in patients with acute ischemic stroke. ⋯ The results from the present study suggest that the PK properties of NXY-059 were similar in the Chinese and historical white healthy volunteer populations.
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Clinical therapeutics · Dec 2008
Comparative StudyOral versus injectable antipsychotic treatment in early psychosis: post hoc comparison of two studies.
Few studies have compared long-acting injectable second-generation antipsychotics with oral antipsychotics. Long-acting injectable antipsychotics-developed specifically to address the problem of adherence-might have an important role to play in treating early psychosis. ⋯ The findings of this post hoc analysis suggest that there were advantages in terms of efficacy, fewer extrapyramidal symptoms, and more weight gain with long-acting injectable second-generation antipsychotics as compared with oral antipsychotic treatment in early-episode psychosis.