Current medical research and opinion
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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.
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Case Reports Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A controlled study of benzydamine oral rinse ("Difflam") in general practice.
Fifty-two patients suffering from presumed viral pharyngeal infection or tonsillitis were treated with either benzydamine or placebo oral rinse as a gargle at 3-hourly intervals in a randomized double-blind study. Patients on the active preparation experienced faster resolution of pain and dysphagia and at 7 days 88% were symptom-free compared with 38% on placebo.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A double-blind comparative trial of new muscle relaxant, tizanidine (DS 103-282), and baclofen in the treatment of chronic spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
A double-blind trial with two parallel groups was carried out to compare the antispastic effect and tolerability of a new muscle relaxant, tizanidine (DS 103-282), with those of baclofen in the treatment of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis. Twenty-one hospitalized patients with stable spasticity participated in the 6-week trial. Eleven received tizanidine and 10 baclofen in gradually increasing daily doses. ⋯ Tiredness was the most frequent side-effect on tizanidine and muscle weakness on baclofen. The laboratory tests did not show any pathological changes with either medication. According to these results, tizanidine provides a new therapeutic alternative in the treatment of spasticity.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparative study of haloperidol and diazepam in the treatment of anxiety.
In a single-blind study in general practice, 60 patients with anxiety neuroses were randomly allocated to receive either 0.5 mg haloperidol twice daily or 2 mg diazepam 3-times daily for 6 weeks. Eighteen patients (6 on haloperidol and 12 on diazepam) were excluded from the analysis of efficacy. On the Hamilton Rating Scale both haloperidol and diazepam reduced the anxiety and depression scores. ⋯ After 6 weeks, 93% of patients felt 'better' or 'much better' on haloperidol, compared with 83% on diazepam. A few, minor side-effects were reported, slightly fewer on haloperidol than on diazepam. In the parameters tested in this study, haloperidol has been shown to be more effective than diazepam in the treatment of anxiety neuroses and appears to provide significantly better overall symptomatic relief and to be more acceptable to patients than diazepam.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Double-blind comparison of two antihistamines: mequitazine and dexchlorpheniramine.