Current medical research and opinion
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Comparative Study
Carbamazepine extended-release capsules vs. oxcarbazepine: computer simulations of the effect of missed doses on drug plasma concentrations.
Plasma concentrations of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can vary and are not always an indication of clinical utility. However, adverse event occurrence can be correlated to fluctuations in plasma drug levels that occur with varying dosing regimens of the many AEDs. In this study, we present the results of computer simulations of plasma concentrations of the AEDs carbamazepine (CBZ) extended-release capsules (CBZ-ERC) (Carbatrol) and oxcarbazepine (OXC). ⋯ The ultimate goal of antiepileptic therapy is a seizure-free state without side effects. The current computer simulation study indicates that AEDs such as CBZ-ERC and OXC, which produce relatively stable plasma concentrations, should be useful in attaining this goal. Nonetheless, simulated plasma concentrations resulting from CBZ-ERC treatment tended to oscillate less dramatically compared with simulated plasma concentrations resulting from treatment with 600 or 1200 mg OXC.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Low-dose cyclobenzaprine versus combination therapy with ibuprofen for acute neck or back pain with muscle spasm: a randomized trial.
This prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter, community-based study was conducted to compare cyclobenzaprine 5 mg three times daily (TID) orally (CYC5) given for 7 days as monotherapy or in combination with ibuprofen 400 mg TID (CYC5/IBU400) or 800 mg TID (CYC5/IBU800) in adults with acute neck or back pain with muscle spasm. ⋯ This randomized, community-based clinical trial demonstrated that combination therapy with cyclobenzaprine 5 mg TID plus ibuprofen was not superior to cyclobenzaprine 5 mg TID alone in adult patients with acute neck and back pain with muscle spasm. All treatments were well tolerated.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Safety assessment of raloxifene over eight years in a clinical trial setting.
Osteoporosis is a chronic disorder that warrants long-term therapy. If benefits are to outweigh risks, the long-term safety profiles of these therapies must be favorable. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of raloxifene over 8 years in 4011 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in a clinical trial setting through adverse event reporting. ⋯ These 8-year data support the known clinical safety profile of raloxifene, established in the MORE trial.
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Epoetin alfa (EPO) and darbepoetin alfa (DARB) are approved for the treatment of chemotherapy-related anemia (CRA) in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies. This study examined dosing and hematologic outcomes with these agents in community oncology clinics. ⋯ EPO was superior to DARB for early hematologic outcomes in patients with CRA in community oncology clinics. Retrospective data collection and relative inexperience with DARB at the time of the study may limit the generalization of these results. Randomized, controlled trials comparing EPO and DARB are warranted.