Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Most people with epilepsy have a good prognosis and their seizures can be well controlled with the use of a single antiepileptic drug, but up to 30 % develop refractory epilepsy, especially those with partial seizures. In this review we summarise the current evidence regarding oxcarbazepine when used as an add-on treatment for drug-resistant partial epilepsy. ⋯ Oxcarbazepine has efficacy as an add-on treatment in patients with drug-resistant partial epilepsy, both in adults and children. However, trials reviewed were of relatively short duration, and provide no evidence about the long term effects of oxcarbazepine. Results cannot be extrapolated to monotherapy or to patients with other epilepsy types.
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Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder, affecting almost 0.5 to 1% of the population. Nearly 30% of patients with epilepsy are refractory to currently available drugs. Lamotrigine is one of the newer antiepileptic drugs and is the topic of this review. ⋯ Lamotrigine add-on therapy is effective in reducing the seizure frequency, in patients with drug-resistant partial epilepsy. Further trials are needed to assess the long term effects of lamotrigine, and to compare it with other add-on drugs.
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Misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin which has been used to induce labour. Oral use of the drug misoprostol may be convenient, but an overdose could cause uterine hyperstimulation and precipitate labour which may be life-threatening for both mother and fetus. ⋯ Oral misoprostol may be an effective method for labour induction. However, the data on safety are lacking. It is possible that clinically effective oral regimens may have an unacceptably high incidence of complications such as uterine hyperstimulation and possibly uterine rupture.
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Misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin which has been used to induce labour. Oral use of the drug misoprostol may be convenient, but an overdose could cause uterine hyperstimulation and precipitate labour which may be life-threatening for both mother and fetus. ⋯ Oral misoprostol may be an effective method for labour induction. However, the data on safety are lacking. It is possible that clinically effective oral regimens may have an unacceptably high incidence of complications such as uterine hyperstimulation and possibly uterine rupture.
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Severe narrowing (or stenosis) of the carotid artery is an important cause of stroke. Surgical removal of the atheromatous material from the inside of the carotid artery (endarterectomy) may reduce the risk of stroke, but carries a risk of operative complications. ⋯ Carotid endarterectomy reduced the risk of disabling stroke or death for patients with stenosis exceeding ECST-measured 70% or NASCET-measured 50%. This result is generalizable only to surgically-fit patients operated on by surgeons with low complication rates (less than 6%).