Clinical drug investigation
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Patients from a previous study of neuropathic pain (NP) in the Spanish primary care setting still had symptoms despite treatment. Subsequently, patients were treated as prescribed by their physician and followed up for 3 months. Since pregabalin has been shown to be effective in NP, including refractory cases, the objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of pregabalin therapy in patients with NP refractory to previous treatments. ⋯ Treatment with pregabalin (as monotherapy or combination therapy) provides benefits in pain and treatment satisfaction in patients with NP, including refractory cases. Shorter disease progression and neuralgia and PCS etiologies are favorable factors for pregabalin treatment response.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Effectiveness and tolerability of tapentadol prolonged release compared with prior opioid therapy for the management of severe, chronic osteoarthritis pain.
Tapentadol prolonged release (PR; 100-250 mg twice daily) has been efficacious and well tolerated for managing moderate-to-severe, chronic osteoarthritis hip or knee pain in phase 3 studies with washout of previous analgesic treatment. ⋯ Significant improvements in effectiveness were observed for tapentadol PR (50-250 mg twice daily) versus WHO step III opioids in patients with severe, chronic osteoarthritis knee pain who previously responded to WHO step III therapy. Equianalgesic ratios were calculated for tapentadol to transdermal buprenorphine and oral oxycodone and were in line with observations from previous phase 3 studies.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of sugammadex on QT/QTc interval prolongation when combined with QTc-prolonging sevoflurane or propofol anaesthesia.
We evaluated the potential for QT/corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation after sugammadex given with propofol or sevoflurane anaesthesia. ⋯ Sugammadex 4 mg/kg does not cause clinically relevant QTc interval prolongation versus placebo when combined with propofol or sevoflurane.
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Although the pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine in healthy volunteers have been studied, there are limited data about the pharmacokinetics of long-term administration of dexmedetomidine in critically ill patients. ⋯ The pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine are dose-proportional in prolonged infusions when dosing rates of 0.2-1.4 μg/kg/h, recommended by the Dexdor(®) summary of product characteristics, are used.
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A randomized study published in 2003 by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal Fetal Medicine Units network showed efficacy of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) for the prevention of recurrent preterm delivery. Between 2003 and 2011 the drug was often provided by compounding pharmacies. In 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug for this indication. ⋯ Awareness of 17P for the prevention of preterm birth among obstetricians is high. FDA-approved medications seem to have physician preference due to enhanced assurance for product efficacy and safety.