Current medical research and opinion
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Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been avoided as an initial therapeutic option in the treatment of hypertension in African-Americans. A major reason for this has been the widespread perception of clinicians that these agents have poor blood pressure (BP) lowering efficacy in this population. Remarkably uniform and pervasive interpretations of clinical trial data have formed the basis of this clinical perception and can be summarised as follows: (1) there has been a lesser BP lowering effect of ACE inhibitors in African-Americans compared to whites, particularly at low doses; and (2) short-acting ACE inhibitors like captopril prescribed at the midpoint of its maximal total daily dose lower BP less effectively than higher doses of calcium antagonists in African-Americans. ⋯ Thus, ACE inhibitors can effectively lower BP in African-Americans. These data suggest that the clinician should not avoid these agents in African-Americans because of a presumed lack of BP lowering efficacy. Rather, we should recognise the importance of adequate drug dosing and modest reductions in dietary sodium intake in augmenting the BP lowering effect of ACE inhibitors in hypertensive African-Americans.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Effect of eprosartan and enalapril in the treatment of black hypertensive patients: subgroup analysis of a 26-week, double-blind, multicentre study. Eprosartan Multinational Study Group.
A double-blind comparator study was performed in 528 hypertensive patients [baseline sitting diastolic blood pressure (SitDBP) 95-114 mmHg]. The primary objective was to compare the incidence of drug-related cough in patients treated with enalapril and eprosartan. The secondary objective was to compare antihypertensive efficacy between treatments. ⋯ In conclusion, eprosartan is effective and appears to be safe in black hypertensive patients. The combination of eprosartan and HCTZ was also well tolerated and provided additional efficacy in those patients not responding to eprosartan alone. The incidence of treatment-associated cough in the black subgroup was low, but there were no apparent differences between treatment groups.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Efficacy and safety of a fixed combination phytomedicine in the treatment of the common cold (acute viral respiratory tract infection): results of a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, multicentre study.
The common cold (acute viral respiratory tract infection) is one of the most frequent diseases in man, world-wide. Clinically relevant efficacy should include early improvement of all symptoms. Results of a clinical trial of a commercially available fixed combination herbal remedy (Radix echinaceae, Radix baptisiae, Herba thujae) are reported here. The aim of this study was to verify clinical efficacy shown in recent studies under (i) good clinical practice (GCP) quality assurance and (ii) common situations at family doctors. ⋯ This study shows that the herbal remedy is effective and safe. The therapeutic benefit consists of a rapid onset of improvement of cold symptoms. If patients with colds are able to start the application of the herbal remedy as soon as practical after the occurrence of the initial symptoms, the benefit would be expected to increase (e.g. self-medication).
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Olanzapine (2-methyl-4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-10H-thieno[2,3-b][1,5] benzodiazepine) is a novel antipsychotic agent of the theinobenzodiazepine class developed by Eli Lilly & Co. It has a pleotrophic pharmacology and affects the dopaminergic, serotonergic, muscarinic and adrenergic systems. The therapeutic advantage of recent antipsychotics (so-called atypical antipsychotics) has been attributed to additional serotonergic effects. ⋯ Reported evidence to date suggests that olanzapine is relatively less likely to produce sexual dysfunction. In general, weight gain and sexual dysfunction are of great concern to people taking antipsychotics and the side-effect profile of any antipsychotic may affect compliance. Olanzapine's general efficacy and side-effect profile suggest that, unforeseen post-marketing complications notwithstanding, olanzapine deserves a major place in the first-line management of psychotic disorders.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison of etodolac (Ultradol) with acetaminophen plus codeine (Tylenol #3) in controlling post-surgical pain in vasectomy patients.
The efficacy and safety of etodolac (Ultradol) and acetaminophen plus codeine [A + C (Tylenol #3)] in controlling post-surgical pain were compared in an open-label, randomized, parallel-group outpatient study. Patients who were voluntarily having a vasectomy performed for sterilization were assigned to receive either etodolac 200 mg (20 patients) or A + C (20 patients). All medication was taken as required for up to 7 days. ⋯ Results of the study indicated that patients taking etodolac were more likely to say they could return to work 24 hours after their vasectomy (p = 0.04). There were no other statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients. The results from this study indicate that etodolac and A + C are equally efficacious and well-tolerated for the control of post-vasectomy pain and that patients may observe an increased benefit with etodolac by being able to return to work sooner.