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At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Folic acid 5 or 15 mg/d similarly reduces plasma homocysteine in patients with moderate-advanced chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND: Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease with a remarkable prevalence in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Low doses of folic acid (FA) with or without vitamin B6 and B12 has been shown to effectively reduce plasma homocysteine (Hcy). The aim of this study was to compare the short-term effects of two different oral doses of FA (5 vs 15 mg/d) on plasma Hcy levels in subjects suffering from moderate-severe CRF. METHODS: A double-blind, double-dummy, comparative, two-stage randomised study was performed. Seventeen patients aged 45-71 years, with glomerular filtration rates between 15.4-50 mL/min 1.73/m2 were randomly assigned to receive FA 5 mg/d (FA-5, n: 8) or FA 15 mg/d (FA-15, n: 9) for 30 days. At the end of this 30-day double-blind period, all the participants were placed on FA 5 mg/d (open period), for 5 additional months. Both groups were also supplemented with vitamins B1, B6 and B12 throughout the trial. Blood samples were drawn at 0, 15, 30, 90 and 180 days to assess Hcy, complete blood count (CBC) and sequential multichannel analysis (SMA). Chest X-ray and a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) were also performed. RESULTS: Plasma Hcy (mean +/- SEM) decreased from 27.9 +/- 1.4 (baseline) to 15.1 +/- 0.6, 13.3 +/- 0.9, 14.1 +/- 0.5 and 13.8 +/- 0.5 micromol/L (FA-5) and from 28.8 +/- 2.7 to 15.6 +/- 1.2, 14.4 +/- 1.3, 13.0 +/- 0.7 and 13.1 +/- 0.6 micromol/L (FA-15) at days 15, 30, 90 and 180, respectively. (P < 0.01 from day 15 to 180 vs baseline for both groups with no differences between them). Renal function remained stable throughout the entire period of the study in all but one patient in whom it deteriorated to pre-end stage disease. No adverse cardiovascular events developed during the trial. CONCLUSION: Both folic acid doses induced a significant and similar decrease in plasma Hcy in subjects with moderate-severe chronic renal failure. The possible dose-related effect of this approach in reducing the risk of accelerated sclerotic vascular disease and cardiovascular events in this especially vulnerable population should be a matter of further investigation.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

The role of neutrophils in peritoneal adhesion formation.

The most common cause of intraperitoneal adhesions is previous abdominal surgery. Postoperative adhesion formation results from a fibroproliferative inflammatory reaction that begins with an influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) into the peritoneal cavity. Adherence of the PMNs to the endothelial cells (EC) is necessary for PMN migration into the tissue in response to a stimulus. Several receptor-counterreceptor pairs of ligands such as CD11/CD18 on the PMN and ICAM-1 (CD54) on EC have been identified. Monoclonal antibody against CD11/CD18 (R15.7) inhibits PMN adherence and migration and consequently protects against PMN-induced tissue injuries. We therefore studied the effect of preventing PMN-EC adherence, using anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody, on postoperative adhesion formation in rabbits. Group 1 was a control receiving physiologic saline, and group 2 received anti-CD18 antibody (R15.7, 2 mg/kg). The treatment was administered iv at the end of surgery and repeated on the first and second postoperative days. Peritoneal adhesions were induced at laparotomy by repairing two peritoneal defects, by oversewing the defect (model 1), and by resuturing the removed parietal peritoneum in its place as an ischemic graft (model 2). Adhesions were evaluated blindly at 10 days after operation by measuring the percentage of the suture line covered with adhesions (model 1) or by a scoring system (model 2). All control animals developed intraperitoneal adhesions and the percentage of the suture line covered with adhesions was 25 +/- 5.9% (mean +/- SEM) and the mean score in model 2 was 0.9 +/- 0.2. Anti-CD18 antibody, R15.7, increased the degree of postoperative adhesion formation in both models, but the results were significant only in model 2. Also, anti-CD18 antibody significantly decreased peritoneal neutrophils from 11.1 x 10(7) +/- 1.8 x 10(7) to 2.2 x 10(7) +/- 0.4 x 10(7) (P < 0.001) on the first postoperative day. It is concluded that inhibition of PMN-EC adherence does influence the postoperative adhesion formation. These results might suggest that PMNs have a role in modulating postoperative adhesion formation.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Clinical and physiological assessment of chlorazepate, diazepam and placebo in anxious neurotics.

A 28-day double-blind assessment of chlorazepate dipotassium, diazepam and placebo was done on 30 outpatient neurotics with a primary symptom of anxiety. Acute, sub-acute and more chronic effects of the drug were assessed after 3 hours, 14 days and 28 days of drug administration. A battery of psychiatric ratings as well as physiological and psychophysiological assessments were done at each period. The psychometric assessments showed a trend for diazepam to be the most anxiolytic of the three drugs, followed by chlorazepate and then placebo. These measurements did not reach uniform statistically significant differences. Psychological measurements demonstrated the same trends, but some of these reached statistically significant levels. These parameters also indicate a slightly different mode of action of the two drugs at equimolecular doses. Diazepam would depress baseline and stimulation arousal, whereas chlorazepate would decrease baseline CNS arousal, but facilitate CNS response upon stimulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Low-dose mirtazapine: a new option in the treatment of antipsychotic-induced akathisia. A randomized, double-blind, placebo- and propranolol-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary evidence indicates a beneficial effect of serotonin 2A (5-HT(2A)) receptor antagonists in antipsychotic-induced akathisia (AIA). We investigated the antiakathisia effect, safety, and tolerability of low-dose mirtazapine, an agent with marked 5-HT(2A) antagonism. METHODS: In a 7-day double-blind trial, 90 antipsychotic-treated patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for AIA were randomly assigned to mirtazapine (n = 30; 15 mg), propranolol (n = 30; 80 mg), or placebo (n = 30). Primary outcome measures were between-group differences in Barnes Akathisia Scale (BAS) global scores and in the proportion of responders (reduction of > or = 2 points on BAS). Analysis was by intention to treat. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (26.6%) who were assigned treatment did not complete the study (7 mirtazapine, 8 propranolol, 9 placebo), due to lack of response (n = 19) and adverse events (n = 5). Both mirtazapine and propranolol significantly reduced AIA severity (BAS: -34% mirtazapine and -29% propranolol vs. placebo -11%; p = .012 and p = .023, respectively). Thirteen (43.3%) mirtazapine and 9 (30.0%) propranolol-treated patients versus 2 (6.7%) placebo-treated patients responded (the corresponding odds ratios 10.7 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.1-53.3] and 6.0 [95% CI, 1.1-30.7]). Five (16.7%) of 30 propranolol-treated patients and none in the mirtazapine and placebo groups (p = .0195 for both) prematurely discontinued the study due to clinically significant hypotension or bradycardia. CONCLUSIONS: The comparable efficacy and better tolerability of low-dose mirtazapine versus propranolol, the current first-line treatment for AIA, position mirtazapine as a favorable candidate for the treatment of acute AIA and may improve current therapeutic practices.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of alternate-day furosemide therapy in infants with chronic bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

To test the hypothesis that alternate-day administration of furosemide will result in a sustained improvement in pulmonary function without causing alterations in electrolyte or mineral homeostasis, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 11 hospitalized, oxygen-dependent, spontaneously breathing infants with chronic bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Infants were randomly selected to receive either furosemide, 4 mg/kg in two divided doses on alternate days orally, or placebo for 8 days, followed by crossover to the alternate-therapy for an additional 8-day period. The two study periods were separated by a 48-hour washout period. Dynamic compliance, total pulmonary resistance, the concentration of electrolytes in serum, and the concentrations of calcium and creatinine in urine were measured on nontreatment days. Alternate-day furosemide therapy increased dynamic lung compliance by 76 +/- 112% and decreased total pulmonary resistance by 20 +/- 39%, compared with placebo (both variables p = 0.032). Alternate-day furosemide therapy did not result in increased urine output, electrolyte abnormalities, or increased urinary calcium excretion. We conclude that this simplified treatment regimen may be useful in the management of infants with chronic bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The results support our previous speculation that furosemide improves pulmonary function by mechanisms unrelated to its diuretic properties.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in the electroretinogram of Campbell rats with the development of hereditary retinal degeneration].

We studied the dependence of amplitudes of a- and b-waves of electroretinogram on intensity of light stimulus in Campbell rats with inherited retinal degeneration. On 20-th-29-th day after birth the amplitude of these waves in Campbell rats is smaller than in Wistar rats. On 30-th-40-th day response significantly decreases, down to complete disappearance of reaction. Weak response appears only to stimulus with the maximal luminance. According to decrease of amplitude of the a- and b-waves of the ERG, Campbell rats are practically blind at 40th day of postnatal life. The analysis of the form of whole ERG curve using the Fourier transformation allowed us to establish, that in Campbell rats on 20-th day after birth the amplitude of the first and second harmonics grows with increasing of stimulus luminance. At 30-th day the amplitude of the second harmonic in Campbell rats is much smaller than in Wistar rats and does not vary with increasing of stimulus luminance.

Aging↗
PubMed1991

A double-blind randomised controlled trial of droxicam versus indomethacin in rheumatoid arthritis.

This double-blind randomized controlled trial compares the efficacy of droxicam (20mg/day) and that of indomethacin (100mg/day) administered to 20 patients (7 men, 13 women; aged 54.7 +/- 13.2 years) with active classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis during 9 weeks, after a 7-day single-blind run-in paracetamol (1,500mg/day) period. Evaluations were carried out at weeks 0 (washout), 1,2,4,6 and 9. After 9 weeks of treatment, both drugs showed a statistically significant improvement of joint pain intensity, articular index (number of swollen or painful joints and degree of involvement), duration of morning stiffness, functional capacity, and level of fatigue. Inter-treatment differences at all study intervals were not observed. Grip strength improved only in indomethacin-treated patients. Withdrawals due to lack of therapeutic efficacy did not occur. Side effects occurred in four patients from each group. One patient in the indomethacin group withdrew at the week 1 due to epigastric pain and heartburn. In conclusion, droxicam (20mg/day) seems to be as effective as indomethacin (100mg/day) in the alleviation of symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Sustained antihypertensive activity of telmisartan compared with valsartan.

BACKGROUND: Early morning blood pressure (BP) surge and 24 h mean BP are linked to target-organ damage and cardiovascular events. Antihypertensive agents should sustain BP control, particularly in the last 6 h of the dosing interval or if dosing is missed. The efficacies of the long half-life telmisartan compared with shorter half-life valsartan in the last 6 h of the dosing interval following active treatment and during 24 h after a missed dose were compared. METHODS: In two identically designed multinational, randomized, double-blind, forced-titration studies, hypertensive patients (seated diastolic blood pressure (DBP), 95-109 mm Hg, 24 h mean ambulatory DBP, > or = 85 mm Hg) received once-daily telmisartan (40- 80 mg) or valsartan (80-160 mg) for a total of 8 weeks; uptitration occurred after 2 weeks low-dose treatment. After 4 weeks high-dose treatment, patients were given either 1 days double-blind active therapy or placebo (that is, missed dose). Following a further 2 weeks active treatment, a cross-over was performed: patients who had previously received 1 days placebo received active therapy and vice versa. At baseline and after the two active or missed doses, 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring was performed. Data from the studies were pooled, as prospectively planned and analyzed using the intent-to-treat population. RESULTS: After active therapy, last 6 h mean DBP was reduced by 7.6+/-7.9 mm Hg with telmisartan (n=447) compared with 5.8+/-7.8 mm Hg with valsartan (n=430) (P=0.0044). Last 6 h mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was reduced by 11.1 mm Hg with telmisartan compared with 9.1 mm Hg with valsartan (P=0.0066). After a missed dose, 24 h mean DBP was reduced by 7.2+/-6.5 mm Hg with telmisartan (n=437) compared with 5.5+/-6.2 mm Hg with valsartan (n=431) (P=0.0004). The reduction in 24 h mean SBP after a missed dose was 10.7 mm Hg with telmisartan and 8.7 mm Hg with valsartan (P=0.0024). Absence of treatment-by-study interaction indicated that pooling of studies was appropriate. All 24 hourly mean reductions in DBP and SBP were greater for telmisartan than valsartan. Both treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Due to its longer half-life, telmisartan offers more sustained BP control, especially at the end of the dosing period and provides sustained efficacy in poorly compliant patients in the event of a missed dose with a statistical superiority compared with valsartan.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Double-blind randomized controlled trial of baclofen vs. clonidine in the treatment of opiates withdrawal.

BACKGROUND: A variety of detoxification methods have been utilized for the treatment of opiate withdrawal syndrome, of which alpha-adrenergic agonists have attracted considerable attention over the last two decades. However, accumulating evidence in rats shows the efficacy of the GABAB receptor agonist, baclofen, in reducing alcohol intake and self-administration of cocaine. OBJECTIVE: To examine the ability of baclofen, in the management of opiate withdrawal. METHOD: A total of 62 opiate addicts randomly assigned to treatment with baclofen or clonidine during a 14-day, double-blind clinical trial. All patients met the DSM IV criteria for opioid dependence. Maximum daily doses were 40 mg for baclofen and 0.8 mg for clonidine given three times a day in divided doses. The severity of the opiate withdrawal syndrome was measured on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 14 using the Short Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS). RESULTS: Baclofen and clonidine were equally effective in treating the physical symptoms of withdrawal syndromes. However, baclofen showed a significant superiority over clonidine in the management of mental symptoms. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that baclofen might be a novel therapeutic agent for opiate withdrawal syndrome. However, a larger study to confirm our results is warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

A double-blind, randomised, crossover comparison of granisetron and ondansetron in 5-day fractionated chemotherapy: assessment of efficacy, safety and patient preference. The Granisetron Study Group.

We report the first double-blind, randomised, crossover study comparing granisetron and ondansetron as antiemetics in cancer chemotherapy. Patients receiving two cycles of identical chemotherapy fractionated over 5 days were given either granisetron (3 mg/day) or ondansetron (24 mg/day) on each day of chemotherapy, using a double-dummy technique to preserve study blindness. Patients then crossed over to the other therapy. 309 patients (237 male) completed the crossover: 260 received cisplatin (mean dose 19.2 mg/m2/day) and 49 received ifosfamide (mean dose 1415 mg/m2/day). Primary efficacy variables were prospectively defined as complete response (no vomiting and mild or absent nausea) over 5 days, and patient preference. Both agents achieved good control of emetic symptoms with 5-day complete response rates of 44.0% on granisetron and 39.8% on ondansetron [95% confidence interval (CI) for odds ratio 0.8, 1.9]. Complete response rates were very similar in patients receiving either cisplatin (40.8% granisetron, 37.6% ondansetron) or ifosfamide (61.2% granisetron, 51.0% ondansetron). There was a statistically significant difference in patient preference in favour of granisetron, 105 patients preferred granisetron, 79 preferred ondansetron, 121 had no preference (P = 0.048: 95% CI for odds ratio 1.00, 1.84). Single daily doses of granisetron (3 mg/day) appeared similarly effective and well tolerated to three daily doses of ondansetron (8 mg three times daily) in prevention of emesis induced by 5-day fractionated chemotherapy, however, significantly more patients preferred granisetron.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Challenge confirmation of late-onset reactions to extensively hydrolyzed formulas in infants with multiple food protein intolerance.

BACKGROUND: Many infants with cow's milk protein intolerance have adverse reactions to soy, casein and whey hydrolysate formula and to other foods. The recent development of Neocate, a hypoallergenic, nutritionally complete infant formula composed of individual amino acids and other nutrients, has enabled these infants to be stabilized. OBJECTIVE: We observed the effect of food challenges in infants with reported hypersensitivity to hypoallergenic formulas. METHODS: Eighteen infants (median age, 7 1/2 months) were given Neocate formula for 2 months and then underwent a 7-day double-blind placebo-controlled challenge with the formula previously best tolerated. RESULTS: In 12 of the 18 infants irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or eczema flares developed during the formula challenge. In two patients symptoms developed immediately, but in the remainder adverse reactions evolved within 7 days (range, 4 to 7 days). Adverse reactions were to soy formula (six patients), whey hydrolysate (two), and casein hydrolysate (four). When infants were 12 months of age, parents reported adverse reactions after the ingestion of other low allergen foods (median, six; from a panel of 10 such foods). CONCLUSION: A group of infants with late-onset adverse reactions to soy, extensively hydrolyzed casein, and whey formulas and to other foods has been identified. Neocate formula proved to be an effective substitute formula for these patients.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1994

A dose-ranging study of the efficacy and safety of azelastine nasal spray in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis with an acute model.

BACKGROUND: Oral azelastine, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory respiratory investigational drug has demonstrated activity in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma with a good safety profile. METHODS: Azelastine nasal spray was compared with sustained-release oral chlorpheniramine maleate and placebo for efficacy and safety in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis in a double-dummy, two-center, 2-day, double-blind, randomized, dose-ranging, parallel-groups, onset and duration of action study. Two hundred sixty-four subjects reported to an outdoor park on Saturday morning during the height of the fall pollen season and remained there for 8 hours that day and the next to ensure maximal exposure to seasonal aeroallergens. Symptom diary cards were collected hourly Saturday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM (baseline period). Subjects who had sufficient symptoms were randomized into five groups and received medication at 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM on Saturday and at 10:00 AM on Sunday: azelastine 0.1% (1 spray [0.12 mg] per nostril every 12 hours, 2 sprays per nostril every every 12 hours, or 2 sprays per nostril once daily), Chlor-Trimeton Repetabs (12 mg twice daily), or placebo (twice daily). Diary cards were completed hourly (11:00 AM to 4:00 PM) and at 6:00, 8:00, and 10:00 PM on Saturday and again hourly on Sunday (from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) to evaluate rhinitis symptoms and adverse events. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-nine subjects completed the study. The groups that received 2 sprays of azelastine per nostril once and twice daily and the chlorpheniramine group had statistically significantly more improvement in total rhinitis symptoms than the placebo group without serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports a once to twice daily dosing regimen for 2 sprays of 0.1% azelastine in the acute treatment of allergic rhinitis with onset of action within 2 to 3 hours.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1996

Twenty-four-hour antihypertensive efficacy of felodipine 10 mg extended-release: the Italian inter-university study.

We assessed the 24-h antihypertensive efficacy of an extended-release (ER) 10-mg formulation of the dihydropyridine felodipine in mild-to-moderate essential hypertension [World Health Organization (WHO) stage I-II]. Thirty patients, 23 men and 7 women, aged 37-70 years (mean 53 +/- 9 years) participated in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study of felodipine 10 mg ER versus placebo. An ambulatory daytime diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >90 mm Hg at the end of a 4-week run-in period was necessary to enter the 10-week treatment phase. Twenty-nine patients completed the treatment phase. Twenty-two underwent a 2-day single-blind placebo follow-up to assess residual drug effects. All patients underwent ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) by Spacelabs 90207 recorders. Recorders were programmed to make automatic BP and heart rate (HR) measurements every 15 min throughout the 24 h. Felodipine 10 mg ER significantly (p < 0.01) reduced ambulatory systolic BP (SBP) and DBP values throughout the 24-h, day (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) and night (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) periods, but not influencing average ambulatory HR values. Trough-to-peak (T/P) ratios, calculated on the average ambulatory BP values measured in the 7-9 a.m. 2-h interval of the second day of ABPM (before the new drug administration: trough) and in the 10 a.m. to 12 noon 2-h interval of the first day of ABPM (peak BP-lowering effect), were 0.71 and 0.58 for SBP and DBP, respectively. Individual T/P calculations, after post hoc selection of nonresponders, gave superimposable results, the consistency of which was judged on mean, median, and confidence intervals (CI). However, the wide variability of the individual T/P ratios suggests that this method cannot be the only means to evaluate the duration of action of an antihypertensive drug by ABPM. The long-acting BP-lowering drug effect was clearly shown by the ABPM performed in the follow-up when SBP and DBP average values of the 24-h, day, and night periods were still reduced. Felodipine 10 mg ER effectively reduced BP in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension, showing prolonged duration of its antihypertensive action beyond the time of the next dose.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Arterial embolization of an arteriovenous fistula with hemobilia after blind liver puncture].

Five days after percutaneous liver biopsy we observed in a 42-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis severe hemobilia requiring transfusions of packed red cells. By means of super-selective arterial embolization, using gelfoam, the bleeding source, an av-fistula, was successfully occluded. Iatrogenic hemobilia, although seen after percutaneous liver biopsy only in app. 0.005% of the cases, is today the most important cause of biliary bleeding, mainly as a complication (app. 3% of the cases) of the widespread use of interventional procedures of the biliary tree (e.g. PTCD). Therapeutically arterial embolization should be considered first if possible.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Ranitidine therapy of duodenal ulcer: comparison of once-a-day and twice-a-day administration. A Swiss multicenter double-blind study].

In a Swiss multicenter double-blind trial ranitidine was given in doses of 300 mg nocte and 150 mg b.d. for the treatment of duodenal ulcer. Ninety-seven patients with endoscopically proven ulcer were treated for four, and in cases of non-healing for eight, weeks. Cumulative healing rates with 300 mg and 2 X 150 mg were 77% and 78% after four weeks and 90% and 94% after eight weeks respectively. 60 and 65% of the patients were asymptomatic after four weeks. Smoking did not adversely affect healing. Thus, ranitidine in a dose of 300 mg nocte is as effective as ranitidine in a dose of 150 mg b.d. in the treatment of duodenal ulcer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Double-blind evaluation of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation in advanced Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To examine objectively the clinical effects of subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in advanced PD. METHODS: Our initial seven consecutive patients with medication-refractory motor fluctuations and levodopa-induced dyskinesias undergoing chronic STN DBS underwent a standardized preoperative evaluation followed by a 2-day double-blind evaluation of efficacy 6 to 12 months after electrode implantation. Diaries documenting motor fluctuations and dyskinesias were also completed preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: In the medication-off state, turning the stimulators on resulted in improvement in mean total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor score by 58% including the following improvements in composite scores: akinesia 57%, rigidity 52%, tremor 82%, and gait and postural stability 49%. Additionally, the medication-off state improved 17% without stimulation, possibly as a result of electrode insertion alone or carry-over of chronic stimulation. In the medication-on, stimulation-on state, all major features of parkinsonism improved and total UPDRS motor score improved 41% compared with before surgery. Activities of daily living were improved while off medication 30%, and levodopa-induced dyskinesias were reduced 83% while total drug dosage was decreased 40%. With chronic stimulation, patients reported that the percentage of time spent in the "on" state (without dyskinesias) increased from 26% to 52% and "off" time decreased from 30% to 6%. Operative complications including cognitive worsening were not uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: STN DBS is a promising new surgical option for the treatment of advanced PD. The marked clinical benefits obtained in these severely disabled patients outweighed the adverse effects.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

Dose frequency in the treatment of asthmatics with inhaled topical steroid.

Twenty-nine patients treated with beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) because of asthma were tapered off BDP stepwise at 3 weeks intervals in a single blind manner. Every day the patients recorded morning and evening peak expiratory flow, symptom scores for night and day and their consumption of medicine. Evening peak flow was the most sensitive variable to detect a deterioration in the asthmatic condition. In 7 patients no significant change in asthma symptoms occurred. The remaining 22 patients then participated in a randomized double-blind trial comparing their daily dose of BDP given as 4 divided doses or as 2 doses. No significant difference was found between these two regimens.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Short-term efficacy of oral verapamil in rest angina. A double-blind placebo controlled trial in CCU patients.

To determine the efficacy and safety of oral verapamil in patients with rest angina admitted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), a double-blind placebo-controlled trial was undertaken. Of the 65 patients with rest angina screened for the study, 15 met the inclusion criteria (at least two episodes of chest pain associated with ST-T segment changes per 24 hours) during single-blind placebo phase (Day 1). Patients were then randomized to receive either placebo or verapamil (80 mg every 6 hours) on Day 2. Protocol was designed such that those who did not respond to the placebo (nonresponders) received verapamil, 80 mg every 6 hours, whereas verapamil nonresponders received increased doses (120 mg every 6 hours) on Day 3. Those who did respond (responders) continued to receive their medication. Similar action was taken on Day 4, depending on chest pain frequency and clinical evaluation. The study drug was unblinded on Day 4. At the end of the four-day period, 13 patients were receiving verapamil (nine patients, 80 mg every 6 hours, and four patients, 120 mg every 6 hours) and all but one were responders. One patient received placebo all through the period of the study and was also considered to be a responder. In the remaining one patient evidence of myocardial necrosis developed after he received a single dose of verapamil (80 mg on Day 2). Except for the prolongation of PR interval in two patients while taking verapamil, no side effects from verapamil therapy were observed. These data demonstrate the efficacy of oral verapamil in reducing episodes of myocardial ischemia in the majority of all patients with rest angina.

Administration, Oral↗