June 17th 2021
The COX-2 inhibitor Anjeso, a faster-acting injectable formulation of meloxicam, reduces opioid use after surgery.
November 18th 2014
June 13th 2013
June 12th 2013
Rheumatoid arthritis: Update on the newest DMARDs and their potential place in therapy (PDF)
June 1st 2002Leflunomide, etanercept, infliximab, and anakinra represent the four latest additions to the therapeutic armamentarium for rheumatoid arthritis. All four of these DMARDs have demonstrated clinical and radiographic evidence of efficacy that is changing the therapeutic approach to treatment. The authors of this article summarize the pivotal clinical trial and efficacy data up through the perimarketing period, provide the latest efficacy and safety update on these agents, discuss the financial implications of their use, and offer insights into their place in therapy.
The potency/efficacy of the fluoroquinolones in community-acquired pneumonia
June 1st 2002This article reviews the efficacy of fluoroquinolones for treating community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and discusses clinical advantages of fluoroquinolones relative to other drug classes. Of 19 randomized, controlled trials comparing a fluoroquinolone with another agent or combination of agents in CAP, 6 trials have demonstrated superiority of the fluoroquinolone with respect to clinical and/or bacteriologic efficacy.
Stavudine: Lactic acidosis, motor weakness warnings
May 1st 2002Bristol-Myers Squibb has issued a "Dear Healthcare Provider" letter and revised labeling to inform of the potential for lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis-including some fatal cases-when nucleoside analogue therapy is used alone or in combination with other antiretrovirals
Milrinone for acute exacerbations of CHF: Routine use not recommended
May 1st 2002Ratherthan shortening the hospital stay and improving clinical outcomes, a 48-hour infusion of milrinone was associated with increased early treatment failure-particularly due to the development of arrhythmias and hypotension-in patients hospitalized with acute exacerbations of chronic heart failure (CHF).
Longer is better for thromboembolism prophylaxis after cancer surgery
May 1st 2002Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is typically used during hospitalization after orthopedic or abdominal surgery. Recent studies of its use after orthopedic surgery have shown that extending administration of the low-molecular-weight heparin after hospital discharge significantly reduces the frequency of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). A new study confirms this is also the case for abdominal surgery for cancer, which carries a high risk of this complication.
Popular antidepression herb doesn't stand up in clinical trial-but an SSRI doesn't either.
May 1st 2002Neither extracts of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort) nor sertraline (Zoloft) tested in patients with major depressive disorder performed better than placebo in reducing patients' scores on a standard assessment of depression severity.
No advantage to omapatrilat over enalapril in heart failure . . .
May 1st 2002The investigational vasopeptidase inhibitor omapatrilat is as effective as enalapril in preventing major adverse cardiac outcomes in patients with moderate to severe heart failure, but failed to show superiority, said Milton Packer, MD.
Cardiac events: Losartan beats beta blocker in patients with diabetes,HTN, & LVH
May 1st 2002Therapy starting with the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) losartansignificantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular outcomes and new-onsetdiabetes compared with a beta blocker in older high-risk hypertensive patients,said Björn Dahlöf, MD. The improved outcomes with losartan occurredeven after adjusting for small differences in blood pressure reduction betweenthe two study drugs.
Outcomes in ACS: GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor plus LMWH superior to GPs plus unfractionated heparin
May 1st 2002Atlanta-The low-molecular-weight heparin enoxaparin improves outcomes compared with currently recommended therapy in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS) who are being treated with a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor, said Shaun Goodman, MD.
Lercanidipine: A long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker for treatment of hypertension
May 1st 2002Lercanidipine is currently under FDA review for the management of hypertension. In comparative clinical trials, lercanidipine has shown antihypertensive efficacy comparable to that of slow-release nifedipine, amlodipine, nitrendipine, verapamil, captopril, and atenolol. Its side effect profile is similar or superior to these agents. This Focus article reviews those trials as well as lercanidipine?s pharmacologic properties and addresses the agent?s potential role in patients with comorbid conditions.