Prescrire international
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Prescrire international · Sep 2015
Aflibercept (Eylea) and diabetic macular oedema. A first-choice VEGF inhibitor in case of marked visual loss.
Overall, VEGF inhibitors administered by intravitreal injection have a similar harm-benefit balance. However, a publicly funded trial has shown that aflibercept is more effective than ranibizumab and bevacizumab in patients with marked loss of visual acuity.
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Prescrire international · Jun 2015
How INNs are created. Making drug names safer by contributing to INN selection.
The international nonproprietary names (INNs) of drugs proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) are released for public consultation. These consultations provide an opportunity to identify any risks associated with INNs that could lead to confusion. Prescrire has submitted numerous comments since it began participating in the WHO's public consultations on proposed INNs in 2007. ⋯ The lack of an identifiable common stem in certain INNs, sometimes perceived as an obstacle to INN comprehensibility, is a consequence of the procedure for assigning INNs, because the INN programme wants to ensure that new common stems are not created prematurely. Critical analysis of proposed INNs during WHO public consultations offers an insight into the challenges involved in devising common stems. This analysis is useful for improving the quality and safety of INNs.
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Prescrire international · Jun 2015
Dabigatran (Pradaxa): deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Warfarin remains the standard drug.
Not more effective than warfarin in three "non-inferiority" trials. Less bleeding but more acute coronary events with dabigatran, and still no antidote.