Current medical research and opinion
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Efficacy of 750-mg, 5-day levofloxacin in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia caused by atypical pathogens.
Current recommended durations for treatment of atypical community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) range from 10 to 21 days. However, antibiotics such as the fluoroquinolones may allow for effective, short-course regimens. ⋯ The 750-mg, 5-day course of levofloxacin was at least as effective as the 500-mg, 10-day regimen for atypical CAP. Additionally, the 750-mg, short-course levofloxacin therapy may reduce total antimicrobial drug usage and more rapidly relieve pneumonia symptoms.
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Comparative Study
Gastrointestinal tolerability of extended-release metformin tablets compared to immediate-release metformin tablets: results of a retrospective cohort study.
Metformin, a biguanide antihyperglycemic medication, lowers blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes with minimal risk of hypoglycemia. Most common side effects include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Extended-release metformin (Glucophage XR)*, a once-daily tablet using the patented GelShield Diffusion System release mechanism, may be better tolerated than immediate-release metformin (Glucophage). This retrospective chart review examined the overall gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability of both formulations. ⋯ In this retrospective chart review, patients switched from immediate-release metformin to metformin-XR experienced fewer GI side effects on comparable doses of the extended-release metformin.