Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology
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Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol · Jun 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialDexamethasone for the reduction of postoperative nausea and vomiting and analgesic requirements after middle ear surgery in adult Japanese patients.
A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and analgesic requirements after middle ear surgery. Adult Japanese patients were allocated randomly to 1 of 3 groups (n = 30 each) to receive either placebo or dexamethasone at 2 different doses (4 mg and 8 mg) immediately before induction of anesthesia. Postoperatively, emetic episodes and analgesic requirements were evaluated by a blinded investigator. ⋯ No difference in analgesic requirement was found between the dexamethasone 4 mg and placebo groups (P = 0.396). No clinically important adverse events attributable to the study drug were observed in any of the groups. In conclusion, dexamethasone 8 mg is effective in reducing the rate of PONV and analgesic requirements in adult Japanese patients undergoing middle ear surgery.
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Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol · Nov 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEfficacy of oral paracetamol and ketoprofen for pain management after major orthopedic surgery.
The hypothesis of this study was that oral paracetamol or ketoprofen can reduce opioid consumption and the adverse effects of opioids after major orthopedic surgery. Sixty patients who had elective total hip replacement surgery took part in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. The total doses were paracetamol 4 g and ketoprofen 300 mg. ⋯ Patients in the ketoprofen group consumed a mean of 22% less fentanyl (P < 0.05) in a 20-h period than the placebo group, and 28% less than the patients in the paracetamol group (P < 0.05). Oral ketoprofen (300 mg) decreased fentanyl consumption by 22% in the 20-h period immediately following major orthopedic surgery; fentanyl consumption was unaffected by paracetamol (4 g). The frequency of adverse effects was not reduced by using adjunctive nonopioid analgesics.
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Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol · Oct 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effect of tiotropium on the pulmonary diffusing capacity.
To our knowledge, there is no data on the effect of tiotropium on pulmonary gas exchange in healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of tiotropium on pulmonary diffusing capacity. Twenty-one healthy volunteers were enrolled for a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. ⋯ There was a significant decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC) and, consequently, an increase in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to FVC ratio after placebo inhalation (p < 0.05), but no changes were found for percent-predicted FVC, FEV1, percent-predicted FEV1, percent-predicted forced expiratory flow (FEF25%-75%), percent-predicted peak expiratory flow (PEF), diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), single-breath alveolar volume (VA) and DLCO/VA ratio when compared with the baseline. Tiotropium inhalation caused a significant increase in FVC, percent-predicted FEV1, FEV1/FVC and percent-predicted FEF25%-75%, although the decrease in DLCO was insignificant (12.4 +/- 0.9 to 11.4 +/- 0.9). In conclusion, tiotropium does not change the pulmonary-diffusing capacity in healthy volunteers.
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Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol · Jun 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparison between newer local anesthetics for myofascial pain syndrome management.
Myofascial pain syndromes are characterized by the presence of painful loci within muscles, tendons or ligaments, called trigger points. Infiltration of these points with local anesthetics is often used as a treatment modality. The aim of the study was to comparatively evaluate 0.25% levobupivacaine and 0.25% ropivacaine for trigger point injection regarding pain on injection, treatment efficacy and duration of symptoms remission. ⋯ Two weeks later, they were asked about the duration of this relief. Statistical analysis did not reveal significant differences between groups with respect to pain during injection, efficacy of the treatment and duration of pain relief. The two local anesthetics seem to be equally effective for trigger point infiltration.
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Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol · Oct 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyImpact of ibuprofen administration on renal drug clearance in the first weeks of life.
The administration of ibuprofen or any other nonselective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor drug in early neonatal life is associated with a reduction of glomerular filtration, which reduces the elimination of drugs dependent on renal function for clearance. However, the relationship between COX inhibitor drug indication (prophylactic or therapeutic) and the magnitude of this effect remains unclear. ⋯ A significant and clinically relevant reduction in drug clearance is observed when ibuprofen is coadministered independent of indication, postmenstrual or postnatal age. Population modeling with covariate analyses can provide us with the tools to further disentangle the impact of nonselective COX-inhibitors on renal drug clearance.