The British journal of clinical practice
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A patient with a greatly prolonged international normalised ratio (INR) during the combined use of warfarin and indomethacin is described. In patients on warfarin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided as far as possible. If NSAIDs are absolutely necessary, patients should be closely monitored for prolongation of INR and bleeding.
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The recent European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST) and North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) have clearly defined a population who benefit from carotid artery endarterectomy (CAE). However these trials used different criteria to identify > 70% stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA). The role of CAE in asymptomatic ICA stenosis has been investigated by the Carotid Artery Stenosis with Asymptomatic Narrowing Operation Versus Aspirin (CASANOVA) study, the Veterans Administration Asymptomatic Carotid Study (VAACS) and the Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis (ACAS) trials, all of which have design limitations. The Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Trial (ACST) is still recruiting patients but until the natural history of asymptomatic ICA disease is understood, the role of surgical intervention will continue to be controversial.
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We review advances in the treatment of schizophrenia. We begin with an overview of antipsychotic drug development, focusing on the in vitro and in vivo binding profiles of clozapine and a new generation of D2:5HT antagonists. ⋯ Within this framework, we review the mechanisms of action and clinical uses of the 'atypical' antipsychotic drugs. We also show how a variety of psychosocial interventions, particularly those that incorporate cognitive techniques, can be used in combination with pharmacotherapy to overcome the same clinical hurdles.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparative efficacy and tolerability of two diclofenac formulations in the treatment of painful osteoarthritis.
The efficacy and tolerability of a new resinate formulation of diclofenac 75mg taken once or twice daily were compared with that of conventional enteric-coated diclofenac sodium 50mg tablets given two or three times daily in a double-blind, randomised, between-patient, 12-week trial in 216 adult patients suffering from painful osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee. Similar and clinically significant reductions in the mean intensity scores of pain at rest or on activity were observed after treatment with either formulation. ⋯ A significant analgesic effect was obtained within two weeks of treatment with 150mg diclofenac daily; this improvement was maintained on reduction of the dosage to 75-100mg over the next ten weeks. One or more drug-related adverse events, predominantly gastrointestinal adverse events, were reported by 40% and 38% of patients in the diclofenac resinate and diclofenac sodium groups, respectively.