Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Puech

Publications and source records attributed to A Puech.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Lack of sleep-inducing properties of propranolol (80 mg) in chronic insomniacs previously treated by common hypnotic medications.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, propranolol 80 mg did not show any hypnotic properties and even increased the insomnia in a sample of 37 patients previously treated chronically with hypnotic medication (mostly benzodiazepines). This worsening of the insomnia is consistent with the observations of sleep disturbance at the beginning of treatment with beta-blocking drugs. This lack of efficacy suggests that the anti-stress or anxiolytic properties of propranolol do not apply to the rebound insomnia seen when stopping treatment with hypnotic drugs.

Adult↗

[Drug combinations in the treatment of depression].

Four types of combination therapy may be used in the treatment of depression: anxiolytics and antidepressants, neuroleptics and antidepressants, co-administration of two or more antidepressants, association of antidepressants with drugs correcting antidepressant-induced side-effects. First, the pros and cons of these combinations are described as they appear in daily practice. In the second part, the theoretical reasons for supporting or contraindicating such combinations are discussed in the light of pharmacological data. The value of recent molecules such as nomifensin, viloxazin, amineptin and mianserin which interact with a minimum number of neurotransmitters is stressed.

Antidepressive Agents↗

[Antibacterial therapy in surgery of the inner and middle ear. A study of co-trimoxazole penetration into the perilymph (author's transl)].

Studies of the type presented here have rarely been undertaken and should be useful in surgery and pathology of the inner and middle ear. Samples of perilymph were collected during stapedectomy in patients with otosclerosis. In view of the very small volume of perilymph obtainable from each patient's vestibule (2 to 4 microliter), the only assay method that could be used to measure drug levels was thin layer chromatography on silica gel. Despite pooling of the perilymphs of 5 patients, trimethoprim (TMP) levels could not be measured but the authors were able to demonstrate that sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) does penetrate into the perilymph. Since the TMP-SMZ combination (co-trimoxazole) is active against the pathogens usually encountered in middle ear fluids, it is concluded that the drug could be of benefit in the treatment of middle and inner ear infections or after surgical operations on this area.

Adult↗

Diflunisal versus placebo for treatment of pain in general practice.

The efficacy and safety of diflunisal versus placebo in the treatment of pain were compared in a multicenter, double-blind study of 1,037 patients treated for seven days by general practitioners. A statistically significant (P less than 0.001) difference in favor of diflunisal was seen using four evaLuation criteria. The incidence of side effects was generally low with both treatments; nevertheless, the number of patients suffering at least one side effect was greater after diflunisal than after placebo (P less than 0.05). A comparison of the profile of responders to diflunisal and to placebo showed no particular pattern.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗