Current medical research and opinion
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
HL301 versus Umckamin in the treatment of acute bronchitis: a phase III, randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicenter study.
Objective: HL301 is a combination product of seven medicinal plants that has been proven effective in acute bronchitis by two phase II studies. In the present study, its efficacy and safety compared with those of Umckamin in the treatment of acute bronchitis were evaluated in phase III, randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial design. Methods: A total of 246 acute bronchitis patients were randomized to receive either HL301 (600 mg/day) or Umckamin (333 mg/day) for seven days. ⋯ HL301 or Umckamin treated participants showed an equal level of response, improvement, and satisfaction rates with treatment. Both the HL301 group and Umckamin group showed the same safety profile. Conclusions: HL301 (600 mg/day) was as effective and safe as Umckamin (333 mg/day) in treating acute bronchitis.
-
Objective: To review the mechanism of action, pharmacology, dosing, and complications of tranexamic acid (TXA) and consolidate current evidence for TXA in gynecologic surgery. Methods: A literature search of PubMed, Ovid (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, and Elsevier was performed, in addition to a targeted search of cited references involving TXA and gynecologic surgery. Preference was given to systematic reviews and randomized control trials (RCTs). ⋯ Less robust data suggest a possible benefit from TXA during hysteroscopy and surgery for ectopic pregnancies. Most commonly, 1 g of intravenous TXA is given intraoperatively. Conclusion: TXA is a safe adjunct that can be considered in a variety of gynecologic surgeries to decrease blood loss and risk of blood transfusion.
-
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Approximately 15% of all first-ever strokes occur due to atheroembolism from a previously undetected/untreated asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS). Despite that, international guidelines do not recommend screening for ACS. ⋯ Detection of ACS should not be viewed as an indication for surgery, but rather as an opportunity to implement best medical treatment (BMT) and lifestyle changes to prevent not only strokes, but also cardiac events. The implementation of screening programs for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has led to a considerable reduction in the number of ruptured AAAs and AAA-related deaths. Similarly, screening high-risk individuals for ACS would enable timely identification of patients with ACS and implementation of BMT and lifestyle measures to prevent future strokes and cardiac events.
-
Objective: Fosamprenavir, a protease inhibitor (PI) to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, has been approved in more than 40 countries and mainly used with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. In Japan, Lexiva tablet (fosamprenavir calcium hydrate) has been marketed since January 2005 and used in clinical practice. The safety and effectiveness of fosamprenavir in HIV-infected Japanese patients were evaluated in an observational surveillance study (OTH112334). ⋯ ADRs were more frequent in patients with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention category B (AIDS or lipid disorders) or in those taking fosamprenavir combined with abacavir and lamivudine. Although spontaneous bleeding has been reported in hemophiliac patients taking other PIs, in this survey, only one muscle haemorrhage case was reported in 24 hemophiliac patients. Conclusions: The results of this PMS analysis in Japan support its known safety profile and identified no new safety risks for people living with HIV/AIDS in Japan currently on, or beginning treatment with, fosamprenavir.