The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Duloxetine and venlafaxine-XR in the treatment of major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
Duloxetine has joined venlafaxine on the antidepressant market as a second serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. No previous studies have directly compared these drugs. ⋯ Venlafaxine-XR tends to have a favorable trend in remission and response rates compared with duloxetine. However, dropout rates and adverse events did not differ. A direct comparison is warranted to confirm this tendency.
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To determine the prevalence of substandard antiemetic therapy among recently published trials conducted in patients with cancer who received emetogenic chemotherapy. ⋯ In recent antiemetic trials for CINV, the employment of substandard antiemetic therapy is common. These results raise important ethical questions regarding contemporary antiemetic trial design.
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To review the literature on a novel calcium sensitizer, levosimendan. ⋯ Levosimendan is useful in moderate to severe low-output heart failure in patients who have failed to respond to diuretics and vasodilators. Based on current studies, levosimendan appears to be a safe alternative to dobutamine for treatment of acute, decompensated heart failure. Prospective clinical trials are needed to confirm the effect of levosimendan on long-term survival and its role in heart failure in the setting of myocardial infarction.
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Comparative Study
Are the Naranjo criteria reliable and valid for determination of adverse drug reactions in the intensive care unit?
The Naranjo criteria are frequently used for determination of causality for suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs); however, the psychometric properties have not been studied in the critically ill. ⋯ Inter-rater reliability is marginal; however, within-rater evaluation appears to be consistent. The inter-item correlation is expected to be higher since all questions pertain to ADRs. Overall, the Naranjo criteria need modification for use in the ICU to improve reliability, validity, and clinical usefulness.
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Review Meta Analysis
Vitamin E supplementation in cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention: Part 1.
To review clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of vitamin E supplementation in cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention. ⋯ Available data do not support the supplementation of vitamin E in cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention.