Advances in therapy
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Advances in therapy · Mar 2013
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyTapentadol prolonged release versus strong opioids for severe, chronic low back pain: results of an open-label, phase 3b study.
This open-label, phase 3b study evaluated the effectiveness and tolerability of oral tapentadol prolonged release (PR; 50-250 mg twice daily [b.i.d.]) for managing severe, chronic low back pain in patients responding to World Health Organization (WHO) step III opioids but tolerating treatment poorly. Equianalgesic ratios for tapentadol to prior strong opioids were calculated. ⋯ Tapentadol PR (50-250 mg b.i.d.) provided at least comparable pain relief and improved tolerability versus prior strong opioids in patients with severe, chronic low back pain responding to WHO step III therapy. Conversion from strong opioids to tapentadol PR, with its two mechanisms of action, went smoothly considering overall effectiveness and tolerability outcomes. Equianalgesic ratios of tapentadol to oxycodone and other strong opioids were in line with other phase 3/3b studies.
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Advances in therapy · Mar 2013
Multicenter Study Observational StudyBeyond the traditional definition of breakthrough pain: an observational study.
Breakthrough pain (BTP) is traditionally defined as a transitory pain flare in opioid-treated patients with chronic background pain. This definition has, however, been challenged in recent years. This study aimed to analyze BTP prevalence in different pain conditions. ⋯ BTP is frequently reported in patients who do not have BTP according to the traditional definition. BTP frequency and severity is similar in oncological and non-oncological pain.
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Advances in therapy · Mar 2013
ReviewLinaclotide, novel therapy for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
Chronic constipation (CC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) are common gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Current treatment options, either prescription or nonprescription medications, have limited efficacy in a subset of patients. There is significant demand for more efficacious medications for the treatment of CC and IBS-C. ⋯ It has a low oral bioavailability with negligible systemic side effects, and it acts locally in the intestinal lumen. In several clinical trials, in health and disease, linaclotide has demonstrated durable efficacy and safety in CC and IBS-C. Linaclotide received approval by the Federal Drug Administration in August 2012 to treat chronic idiopathic constipation and IBS-C.