Fundamental & clinical pharmacology
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Fundam Clin Pharmacol · Oct 2007
Overview of adverse reactions to nefopam: an analysis of the French Pharmacovigilance database.
Nefopam is widely used for the relief of moderate acute pain. Its safety profile remains to be specified. The objective of the study was to review adverse reactions to nefopam spontaneously reported to the French Pharmacovigilance system. ⋯ Most of them were 'unexpected', including neuropsychiatric (hallucinations, convulsions) or cutaneous (pruritus, erythema, urticaria) ADRs. Six cases of anaphylactic ADRs (two angioedema and four anaphylactic shocks) were reported, all occurring shortly after use of nefopam during the post-operative period. Physicians should be aware of the possible occurrence of some serious ADRs when using nefopam such as convulsions and anaphylactic shocks, especially when the drug is used in special medical conditions, like post-operative periods.
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Fundam Clin Pharmacol · Oct 2007
Synergistic interaction between dexamethasone and tramadol in a murine model of acute visceral pain.
Tramadol is effective in the management of mild to moderate postoperative pain, but its administration is associated with nausea and vomiting. Patients treated with tramadol, often receive dexamethasone as antiemetic. The aim of our investigation was to assess if the two drugs interact in a murine model of acute visceral pain. ⋯ Tramadol and dexamethasone induced a dose-dependent inhibition of the writhing response when administered individually, with ED(50) values of 2.9 [2.09-4.31, 95% confidence limit (CL)] mg/kg, and 0.13 (0.05-0.29, 95% CL) mg/kg, respectively. The ED(50) of the combination was 0.13 (0.01-0.29, 95% CL) mg/kg; the isobolographic and interaction index analysis revealed a synergistic interaction. The results suggest that the combination of tramadol and dexamethasone could be beneficial in the management of postoperative pain in humans.