Current medical research and opinion
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Imipramine, rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid factor.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Analgesia following oral surgery for day patients: a clincial comparison of two analgesics.
A single-blind, between-patient study was carried out in 167 patients following oral surgery to compare the effectiveness and tolerance of two combination analgesic preparations; pentazocine (15 mg) plus paracetamol (500 mg) and dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride (32.5 mg) plus paracetamol (325 mg). Assessments of pain and pain relief were made over two periods, initially over the 90 minute period following administration of either preparation and secondly, over the subsequent 3 days following discharge. At the hospital, those patients receiving pentazocine plus paracetamol achieved a greater relief of pain than those receiving dextropropoxyphene plus paracetamol, though the differences did not reach statistical significance. At home, pain relief was very similar for both groups of patients, both preparations being effective and well tolerated.
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A clinical study was carried out to evaluate the usefulness of intravenous lorazepam, given for sedation instead of opiate narcotics or diazepam, in 25 seriously-ill patients being treated in a respiratory and intensive care unit. All but 3 patients were on assisted ventilation. Standard doses of 4 mg lorazepam were given at 4 or 6-hourly intervals for periods up to 25 days. ⋯ No side-effects were reported, nor was there any local reaction to the injection. Cardiac output was measured in 9 patients following intravenous administration of a single-dose of either 4 mg or 8 mg lorazepam. No significant changes were recorded.
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Metaclopramide has been observed to induce dramatic relief of intractable hiccup in 14 patients with diverse serious illnesses. When given orally or parenterally the effect was observed within 30 minutes, the relief lasting up to 8 hours, indicating a direct relation to the duration of action of the drug. This drug is recommended for symptomatic relief of hiccup associated even with serious organic illnesses, without any fear of undesirable effects.