Clinical therapeutics
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Clinical therapeutics · Jul 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialEfficacy and tolerability of topiramate 200 mg/d in the prevention of migraine with/without aura in adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 12-week pilot study.
Several large, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have found topiramate (TPM) to be effective and generally well tolerated as a preventive therapy for migraine. ⋯ In this pilot study, mean monthly migraine frequency did not differ significantly between TPM and placebo.
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Clinical therapeutics · Jul 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialRofecoxib 50 mg and valdecoxib 20 or 40 mg in adults and adolescents with postoperative pain after third molar extraction: results of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose studies.
These studies assessed the comparative efficacy of rofecoxib and valdecoxib in the treatment of acute postoperative dental pain. ⋯ Rofecoxib 50 mg had comparable analgesic efficacy to valdecoxib 20 and 40 mg in these patients with pain after dental surgery. All active treatments were well tolerated.
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Clinical therapeutics · Jun 2006
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialTime to pain freedom and onset of pain relief with rizatriptan 10 mg and prescription usual-care oral medications in the acute treatment of migraine headaches: a multicenter, prospective, open-label, two-attack, crossover study.
Patients and physicians consider rapid onset of pain relief and pain freedom among the most important attributes of migraine therapy. ⋯ In this selected population, treatment of a migraine attack with rizatriptan 10 mg was associated with a faster time to pain freedom and onset of pain relief compared with treatment with usual-care oral migraine medications. Patients reported greater satisfaction with and preference for rizatriptan.
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Clinical therapeutics · Jun 2006
Meta AnalysisEffects of low-dose norethindrone acetate plus ethinyl estradiol (0.5 mg/2.5 microg) in women with postmenopausal symptoms: updated analysis of three randomized, controlled trials.
Based on the potential risks of post-menopausal hormone therapy (HT) found by the Women's Health Initiative, guidelines for HT now recommend use of the lowest effective dose and shortest treatment duration consistent with individual treatment goals. Current (2003) guidance established by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that clinical assessments of HT include women with more frequent and more intense vasomotor symptoms than previously studied. Therefore, this analysis was conducted to further assess the efficacy of a low-dose combination of norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol (NA/EE) previously assessed in dose-ranging studies, while meeting conservative FDA trial design and analysis criteria. ⋯ The results from this post hoc analysis and overview of 3 previously published studies suggest that NA/EE 0.5 mg/2.5 microg was associated with decreased frequency and intensity of vasomotor symptoms. This dose of NA/EE was also associated with maintenance of BMD over 24 months, a significant positive effect on BMD compared with placebo. Low-dose NA/EE was also associated with cumulative amenorrhea rates comparable to those of placebo and was not associated with endometrial hyperplasia. This dose was well tolerated, with rates of adverse events generally similar to those of placebo.
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Clinical therapeutics · Jun 2006
ReviewReview of the molecular pharmacology of Losartan and its possible relevance to stroke prevention in patients with hypertension.
The Losartan Intervention For End-point reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study found that a losartan-based regimen, compared with an atenolol-based regimen, resulted in a significantly lower risk of stroke in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, despite similar reductions in blood pressure. ⋯ This review of the literature suggests that losartan (and perhaps other AIIAs) may possess a number of properties, independent of its antihypertensive effects, that may be associated with decreased vulnerability of the plaque, myocardium, and blood.