Current medical research and opinion
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of flunisolide and beclomethasone dipropionate in seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Sixty-nine patients were entered into a randomized, single-blind, parallel group study. Patients had a history of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis and all patients commenced treatment before the start of the pollen season. Treatment was with either flunisolide or beclomethasone dipropionate, both being administered as 2 sprays to each nostril twice daily for 7 weeks. ⋯ Analysis of results did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the treatments. Minor side-effects were reported by 1 patient from each treatment group. Both treatments proved to be effective in the treatment of hay fever and were equally well tolerated.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Does oxpentifylline ('Trental') have a place in the treatment of intermittent claudication?
In a randomized double-blind study, the clinical and haemorrheological responses of 40 patients receiving oxpentifylline (200 mg 3-times daily) were compared with those of 40 patients receiving placebo. The treatment period in both groups was 2 months. The parameters measured before and after treatment were: subjective response; claudication and maximum walking distances; ankle systolic indices; maximum blood flow in the lower limb by gravimetric plethysmography; plasma fibrinogen; erythrocyte deformability and whole blood viscosity. ⋯ The placebo group showed a significant improvement (p less than 0.05) in claudication distance and mean plasma fibrinogen concentration, but no such improvements were observed in the oxpentifylline group. There were no significant differences in either of the two groups with regard to the subjective response, ankle systolic indices, maximum limb blood flow or whole blood viscosity. It is concluded that oxpentifylline , when taken in oral form at the dose used in this study, increased erythrocyte deformability without conferring any clinical or haemorrheological benefit to patients with intermittent claudication.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of a combination of orphenadrine/paracetamol tablets ('Norgesic') on myalgia: a double-blind comparison with placebo in general practice.
The clinical efficacy and tolerability of a combination preparation ('Norgesic') of 35 mg orphenadrine plus 450 mg paracetamol was compared with that of placebo in a controlled double-blind, parallel group, 7-day study comprising 44 patients suffering from pain due to tension of the cervical and upper thoracic musculature. The patients were allocated at random into two homogeneous groups, stratified by sex and initial pain intensity. One group received the combination, the other placebo. ⋯ Despite the low dosage used, orphenadrine/paracetamol produced statistically significant pain relief from initial levels by and from the second day of the study. Comparison between the groups showed that the analgesic efficacy of the combination was significantly superior to that of placebo from the third day of treatment. These results confirm the efficacy of a combination of orphenadrine/paracetamol in patients suffering from myalgia nuchae.
-
Seven hundred and fifty cycles of treatment with a new triphasic oral contraceptive (WL-49(50). 'Trinordiol') containing the lowest quantity of steroids of all available preparations were evaluated in 75 healthy young women (mean age 19.6 years), 70% of whom had regular, normal cycles. Sixty-five percent had not used contraception before; the others had previously been on combined or progestagen-only oral contraceptives or had an IUD. The mean length of treatment with the triphasic preparation was 10 cycles. ⋯ Complaints of oestrogen-related symptoms such as breast tenderness and digestive disorders were probably due to the reduced progestagen content of the preparation compared with combined low fixed daily dose oral contraceptives. However, no increases in dysmenorrhoea and/or premenstrual tension were noted. It is concluded that the triphasic preparation provides effective contraception with excellent cycle control and minimal side-effects, which should help to increase the acceptability of low-dose combined oral contraceptives.
-
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
An open comparative trial of three doses of ciramadol used intravenously in renal colic.
In an open investigation, ciramadol, a partial agonist opioid, was found to be a potent analgesic when given intravenously in patients experiencing renal colic. Single intravenous doses of 20, 30 and 40 mg of ciramadol were given to 11, 11 and 12 patients with renal colic, respectively, and good pain relief was obtained in 10, 11 and 10 patients, respectively. Vomiting and nausea occurred in 9 patients, 4 in the 20 mg group, 2 in the 30 mg group and 3 in the 40 mg group. This adverse effect was related to standing and walking following the ciramadol injection.