Current medical research and opinion
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This article provides a short but comprehensive pharmacotherapeutic update of adjunctive therapy with lacosamide for partial-onset seizures in adult patients. ⋯ The evidence on lacosamide was limited and studies suffered from a number of methodological limitations. Lacosamide appears to be a safe, efficacious and cost-effective adjunctive therapy for partial-onset epileptic seizures in adult patients. However, these results need to be validated by studies that explore the impact of lacosamide in real-life clinical practice.
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Some patients with epilepsy require treatment with >1 adjunctive antiepileptic drug (AED) to achieve adequate seizure remission. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding adjunctive pregabalin to an AED regimen that included levetiracetam in patients with refractory partial-onset epilepsy. ⋯ In this population of patients with refractory partial-onset seizures, adding pregabalin to an AED regimen with levetiracetam produced further seizure reductions. The safety profile of pregabalin in patients receiving levetiracetam and ≥1 other AEDs did not appear to be compromised by the number of concomitant AEDs.
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Review Comparative Study
A systematic review of the efficacy and safety outcomes of anti-VEGF agents used for treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration: comparison of ranibizumab and bevacizumab.
To systematically review ocular and systemic events in treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibodies, ranibizumab and bevacizumab, and to provide a detailed perspective of their differences on clinical use, efficacy and safety. ⋯ In contrast to ranibizumab, current safety data for bevacizumab are incomplete and not yet robust. If the medical community remains committed to using intravitreal bevacizumab, it is critical to establish that it has an acceptable safety profile, supported by evidence-based medicine. Considerable further research is warranted to achieve this.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Thorough QT study of the effects of vildagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor, on cardiac repolarization and conduction in healthy volunteers.
This randomized, double-blind study evaluated the effects of vildagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor for treating type 2 diabetes, on cardiac repolarization and conduction. ⋯ Vildagliptin did not prolong QT interval or affect cardiac conduction at the highest daily therapeutic dose or a fourfold higher dose.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Evaluation of a new safety peripheral IV catheter designed to reduce mucocutaneous blood exposure.
We evaluated performance and clinical acceptability of a new peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) designed to reduce blood exposure. ⋯ The PIVC with blood control demonstrated reduced blood leakage during insertion and was rated no different for clinical acceptability and insertion performance compared to the conventional PIVC. Clinicians agreed that the new design replaced the need for venous compression to control blood flow during IV catheter insertion.