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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Review Meta Analysis
A systematic review of tacrolimus ointment compared with corticosteroids in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the efficacy and tolerability of tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) compared with topical corticosteroids. ⋯ The current review and meta-analysis showed tacrolimus ointment to be of similar efficacy to corticosteroids. The interpretation of available data is limited by heterogeneity in outcome measures between trials. Further trials are needed to assess the impact of treatments on patient reported outcomes.
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To explore the clinical dimensions of chronic constipation and the role played in its treatment by laxatives in general and by polyethylene glycol 3350 (MiraLAX * ) in particular. * MiraLAX is a registered trade name of Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc., Memphis, TN, USA, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. ⋯ Polyethylene glycol 3350, an osmotic laxative available over the counter, has been shown to be safe and effective in treating chronic constipation in children and adults, including the elderly, across multiple clinical trials, with a safety profile comparable to that of placebo. Polyethylene glycol 3350 received a grade A recommendation for improving stool frequency and consistency from the American College of Gastroenterology Task Force on Chronic Constipation.
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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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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.