International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Dec 2007
Efficacy and safety of pregabalin in treatment refractory patients with various neuropathic pain entities in clinical routine.
Conventional approaches to the management of neuropathic pain (NeP) often yield unsatisfactory results. We aimed to investigate pregabalin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-analogue, in a wide range of pregabalin naive patients with treatment refractory NeP. ⋯ Our findings suggest that pregabalin is an effective and well-tolerated drug in difficult-to-treat NeP patients under daily clinical practice conditions. A flexible dosing approach appears appropriate to ensure patient compliance and treatment success.
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Obesity is fast becoming the major cause of premature death in the developed world. The rising prevalence of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities also elevates healthcare costs, and reduced quality of life. ⋯ However, the current pharmaceutical treatment available to combat this epidemic remains limited. We review the efficacy and pharmacology of the anti-obesity agents currently used in clinical practice as well as some of the potential agents in phase II and III trials.
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This was a study of 30 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients to assess the ease of use and preference of four dry powder inhalers -- accuhaler, aerolizer, handihaler, turbohaler -- the accuhaler and turbohaler are multidose devices, whereas the aerolizer and handihaler are single dose devices. ⋯ In COPD patients starting on dry powder inhalers, multidose devices appear to be preferred, have fewer problems and are easier to use effectively.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyTherapeutic comparison of a new budesonide/formoterol pMDI with budesonide pMDI and budesonide/formoterol DPI in asthma.
Budesonide/formoterol is an effective treatment for both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study compared the efficacy and safety of a novel hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) formulation of budesonide/formoterol with that of budesonide pMDI and budesonide/formoterol dry-powder inhaler (DPI; Turbuhaler). ⋯ Budesonide/formoterol, administered via the HFA pMDI or DPI, is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for adult and adolescent patients with asthma, with both devices being therapeutically equivalent.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of combining viscous fibre with lovastatin on serum lipids in normal human subjects.
Soluble fibre supplements are recommended to reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Limited information exists on the interaction between fibre and hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the per se effect of psyllium (10 g/day) and lovastatin (20 mg/day) alone and in combination on serum lipids in normal human volunteers. ⋯ Psyllium soluble fibre should be considered as a safe and well-tolerated dietary supplement option to enhance cholesterol lowering.