Biomedical subjects

A Lorizio

Publications and source records attributed to A Lorizio.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1993

[Abrupt shift to zolpidem, a new imidazopyridine hypnotic, in insomniac patients previously treated with benzodiazepine hypnotics].

Zolpidem is a new imidazopyridine hypnotic with a pharmacological profile substantially different from benzodiazepines. In this observational multicenter study the possibility of shifting to zolpidem (10 mg at N1, 15 or 20 after N1) insomniac patients previously taking (for at least 15 days and not longer than 3 months) standard posology of triazolam (0.125-0.25 mg), lorazepam (1 mg) or lormetazepam (1 mg) was assessed. For ethical reasons the patients were mandatorily to be insomniacs despite their taking hypnotics or not tolerating them. Patients enrolled were 299 of whom 276 evaluable (139 males and 136 females; mean age 48.67 +/- 14.64, range 18-83). Study duration was 7 nights with visits at N0 (baseline), N1 (after 1st night), N3 (after 3rd night) and N7 (final evaluation); on each visit the Saint Mary Hospital Sleep Questionnaire and the benzodiazepine withdrawal symptom's rating scale were administered; moreover, after N7, investigators were asked a judgement of feasibility of such a shift. In 229 (83.5%) out of 274 patients such a shift to zolpidem was considered successfully (no occurrence of symptoms and/or signs of previously taken hypnotic withdrawal); in the remaining 45 patients, just 17 (6.2%) seemed to be real unsuccessful cases (reactions mild and transient, anyhow). In conclusion abrupt shift to zolpidem appeared to be largely feasible in the patients studied.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Moclobemide compared with second-generation antidepressants in elderly people.

Two multicentre studies are described here; the first compared moclobemide with mianserin and the second with maprotiline, both in elderly patients with a DSM-III diagnosis of major depressive episode. In the first study, 80 eligible patients were randomized to either moclobemide 300-500 mg or mianserin 75-125 mg per day for 4 weeks. Mean reduction in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) score was 52% in both groups. The overall assessment of efficacy was good or very good for 60% of the patients, and tolerance was considered good or very good for 85% of the patients in both groups; no significant differences between the 2 treatments were seen. The second study comprised 39 hospitalized patients randomized to either moclobemide 150-300 mg daily or maprotiline 75-150 mg daily for 6 weeks. At the end of treatment, HRSD scores declined 85% in both groups compared with baseline. The overall assessment of efficacy was over 90% good or very good in both groups. Tolerance was rated good or very good for 80% of moclobemide and 75% of maprotiline patients; none of these results differed significantly between the groups, indicating that moclobemide is as effective in elderly patients as the 2 second-generation antidepressants. In view of the safety of moclobemide, it should be considered first-line therapy for depression in elderly people.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

Madopar HBS and the decompensated phase of Parkinson disease.

The most important current problem in the treatment of Parkinson disease in the so-called L-dopa long-term-treatment syndrome. We present here the results of our experience with Madopar HBS in the treatment of two groups of patients suffering from L-dopa long-term treatment syndrome. In the first study we replaced the standard Madopar with Madopar HBS. In the second study, after identifying the most disabling "off" periods, we added Madopar HBS to the previous treatment in such a way as to control these "off" phases. Our study suggests that Madopar HBS is useful in reducing typical fluctuation phenomena in the majority of patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Treatment of parkinsonian conditions with a controlled-release form of levodopa--preliminary study.

Results obtained in 22 patients with Parkinson's disease in whom treatment with standard Madopar was replaced by Madopar HBS, a CR formulation of the same product, are presented. All the patients presented with dyskinesia and akinesia phenomena related in part to the L-dopa treatment and in part to the disease itself. In 20 patients replacement of the standard agent by HBS led to a distinct improvement in the clinical condition and a significant reduction of the 'on-off' phenomenon. However, with the new formulation the dosage had to be increased by 86% on average as compared with standard Madopar. In 6 of the 22 patients treatment with the HBS formulation has continued for over 6 months and is still giving very good results.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

The effectiveness of oral midazolam as a hypnotic compared with lorazepam.

A double-blind closed sequential scheme study was carried out in 82 patients with insomnia to compare the hypnotic effectiveness of 15 mg midazolam and 1 mg lorazepam. Pairs of randomized patients were treated on one and the same night with midazolam or lorazepam, respectively. Eight parameters were recorded for each member of the pair. The time taken to fall asleep, the duration of sleep and the overall assessment of response showed that midazolam was significantly superior to lorazepam: the number of awakenings and evaluation by the patient verged on statistical significance. Both drugs were equal for the quality of sleep, dreams and the patient's condition on awakening. No side-effects were observed in any of the patients.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1974