Prescrire international
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(1) Gastroschisis is a severe defect in the closure of the abdominal wall in newborns. The incidence seems to be increasing. (2) Three case-control studies have examined pseudoephedrine exposure among mothers of children born with gastroschisis. ⋯ In the most recent study, the risk of gastroschisis was increased 4.2-fold among women taking the pseudoephedrine-paracetamol combination (95% confidence interval 1.9-9.2). Paracetamol is not known to cause this malformation. (3) Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic vasoconstrictor contained in many over-the-counter oral decongestants sold in France. (4) In practice, it is best to avoid prescribing, dispensing or using preparations containing pseudoephedrine during pregnancy.
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Prescrire international · Aug 2004
Comparative StudyRosuvastatin: new preparation. Opt for statins with evidence of efficacy on clinical outcome.
(1) Simvastatin and pravastatin are the two reference statins for type IIA and type IIB hypercholesterolaemia because they have the best-documented protective effect against cardiovascular events. Simvastatin and pravastatin are also the reference statins for familial heterozygous hypercholesterolaemia, though there is no evidence that they prevent cardiovascular events in this group. Statins are not very effective in familial homozygous hypercholesterolaemia. (2) Rosuvastatin is the sixth statin to arrive on the French market. ⋯ One trial showed it to be slightly more effective than atorvastatin on cholesterol levels. According to one trial, rosuvastatin does not appear to be more effective than atorvastatin in homozygous forms. (5) In clinical trials the adverse effects of rosuvastatin were similar to those of other statins, with the exception of renal adverse effects. We don't know whether rosuvastatin is more or less likely than other statins to cause rhabdomyolysis. (6) Clinical trials reported some cases of proteinuria and renal failure suggesting there is a need for more thorough assessment in long-term trials. (7) In practice, statins with the best-documented benefits (simvastatin and pravastatin) should be used first for cardiovascular prevention in patients with hypercholesterolaemia.