Current medical research and opinion
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Rofecoxib 12.5 mg, rofecoxib 25 mg, and celecoxib 200 mg in the treatment of symptomatic osteoarthritis: results of two similarly designed studies.
To compare the efficacy of rofecoxib and celecoxib for the treatment of knee or hip OA over 6 weeks. ⋯ Rofecoxib 25 mg was significantly better than celecoxib 200 mg in relieving night pain at 6 weeks in one study; this was not confirmed in the accompanying study.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Extended-release tramadol in the treatment of osteoarthritis: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of tramadol extended-release (tramadol ER) tablets once daily in subjects with osteoarthritis pain. ⋯ Tramadol ER 100-300 mg once daily was associated with significant improvement in pain intensity and physical function, and was well tolerated, despite the use of a fixed-dose study design not reflective of usual clinical practice. Tramadol ER is a useful treatment option for patients with osteoarthritis pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Randomized, open-label comparison of epoetin alfa extended dosing (80 000 U Q2W) vs weekly dosing (40 000 U QW) in patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia.
This randomized, open-label, multicenter study compared the efficacy and safety of epoetin alfa (EPO) 80 000 U every 2 weeks (Q2W) to the FDA-approved regimen of 40 000 U weekly (QW) in patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia. ⋯ Extended dosing (80 000 U Q2W) and once-weekly dosing (40 000 U QW) of EPO provided comparable safety and efficacy for chemotherapy-induced anemia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Allergy medication in Japanese volunteers: treatment effect of single doses on nocturnal sleep architecture and next day residual effects.
To evaluate the acute effects of two histamine H(1)-receptor antagonists on nocturnal sleep architecture and on next day cognitive function and psychomotor performance. ⋯ These findings suggest that a single nocturnal dose of fexofenadine has advantages over the first-generation antihistamine chlorpheniramine, being free of disruption of night-time sleep and detrimental effects on cognitive performance the next day. It is likely that this advantage will remain with chronic ingestion, but this would need to be confirmed.
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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by a distinct mechanical hyperalgesia and chronic pain. Recently, cannabinoids have been demonstrated as providing anti-nociceptive and anti-hyperalgesic effects in animal and human studies. Here, we explored in nine FM patients the efficacy of orally administered delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on electrically induced pain, axon reflex flare, and psychometric variables. ⋯ This pilot study demonstrated that a generalized statement that delta-9-THC is an analgetic drug cannot be made. However, a sub-population of FM patients reported significant benefit from the delta-9-THC monotherapy. The unaffected electrically induced axon reflex flare, but decreased pain perception, suggests a central mode of action of the cannabinoid.