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Drug therapy reviews: tricyclic antidepressant and monoamine oxidase inhibitor combination therapy.

Combinations of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are discussed with regard to general toxicity, drug interactions, animal studies, clinical reports, efficacy of combination therapy and usage conditions. Although MAOI-TCA combinations are usually considered contraindicated, informed opinion has shifted to cautious recommendation for the combination. Only refractory patients in whom less hazardous treatment has failed should be considered for combination therapy. The preferred dosage regimen is administration of the MAOI t.i.d. during the day and the entire TCA dose at bedtime. Patients should be informed of the immediate need for medical advice should side effects occur. It is concluded that the simultaneous administration of these agents is potentially efficacious and safe is carefully monitored and controlled.

Animals

Herpes zoster: a combined therapy regimen.

A combined method of therapy for the routine management of herpes zoster in most all age groups is presented. The uniformly gratifying results of this treatment prompted this report. A total of 105 known cases of acute herpes zoster in which this regimen was employed during the past 15 years was analyzed in this study. Clinical observations before and after treatment are presented with discussion of clinical factors, treatment and conclusions.

Adult

Pricing Combination Therapies: A Systematic Review of Value Attribution, Cost-Sharing Mechanisms and Policy Frameworks.

BACKGROUND: Combination therapies are increasingly central to modern pharmacotherapy, particularly in oncology and other high-burden diseases. However, pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement systems remain largely designed for single-product-single-indication interventions. When multiple patented medicines are used together, especially when owned by different manufacturers, conventional pricing frameworks may struggle to align prices with the value of the combination while preserving incentives for innovation and timely patient access. OBJECTIVE: To identify, describe, and critically assess the methods, models, and policy frameworks proposed in the literature to establish prices for combination therapies, with particular attention to value attribution mechanisms, cost-sharing arrangements between manufacturers, and budget impact considerations. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and a pre-registered Open Science Framework protocol. Searches were performed in MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, EconLit, CRD databases, and grey literature sources for publications up to July 2025. Eligible studies analysed pricing approaches, economic models, reimbursement mechanisms, or policy frameworks relevant to combination therapies, including more recent multi-indication pricing literature. Given the heterogeneity of the literature, findings were synthesized using a structured narrative and thematic approach. RESULTS: Sixty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The literature was dominated by conceptual and policy analyses, with relatively few empirical or implementation-oriented studies. Value attribution emerged as the central methodological challenge in pricing combination therapies. Several complementary approaches were proposed to operationalise value attribution, including adaptations of indication- or pathway-based pricing, manufacturer cost-sharing arrangements, managed entry agreements, and outcome-based reimbursement mechanisms. Empirical evidence suggests that health systems continue to rely primarily on pragmatic and often partial solutions rather than fully specified pricing frameworks. A complementary review of the multi-indication pricing literature indicates that, although the two fields address different pricing problems, they share important methodological and institutional lessons that can inform the development of pricing frameworks for combination therapies. CONCLUSIONS: The literature provides a growing repertoire of conceptual approaches for pricing combination therapies but limited empirical evidence on implementation. Pricing frameworks should place value attribution at their core while combining complementary policy mechanisms adapted to national pricing and reimbursement systems. Lessons from multi-indication pricing provide a valuable foundation but require additional governance mechanisms to address value attribution, multi-manufacturer negotiation, and implementation challenges specific to combination therapies.

Journal Article

Colestipol, clofibrate, cholestyramine and combination therapy in the treatment of familial hyperbetalipoproteinaemia.

Fifty-seven patients, mean age 26 years, suffering from familial hyperbetalipoproteinaemia (Fredrickson type lla and llb), were treated on a low cholesterol, modified polyunsaturated fat diet for a period of 6-12 weeks prior to the introduction of drug therapy. No significant reduction in the serum levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or triglyceride was found. Fifty patients were then treated with colestipol for 6 weeks; total and LDL cholesterol decreased by 23%, but triglyceride levels were unaffected. During the following 6 weeks, placebo was administered, and total and LDL cholesterol returned to pretreatment levels. The patients were then randomly allocated into two groups of 16. The first group continued with clofibrate therapy, while the second group received cholestyramine. In the clofibrate group a reduction in total and LDL cholesterol of the order of 17% was noted, similar to cholestethat achieved in this group on colestipol. Triglyceride levels were 15% lower on clofibrate therapy than on colestipol. In the cholestyramine group, there was a 25% decrease in total and LDL cholesterol, compared with pretreatment levels. This reduction was similar to that found when colestipol was administered. Triglyceride values were significantly raised during cholestyramine therapy. Thirteen patients were then subjected to a 6-week period of combination therapy, either clofibrate or colestipol, or clofibrate and cholestyramine. Total and LDL cholesterol were reduced by 32% on combination therapy compared with 18% on colestipol and 23% on either clofibrate or cholestyramine alone. Furthermore, on combined therapy, triglyceride concentrations fell by 20% when compared with the levels found when colestipol, clofibrate or cholestyramine were administered on their own.

Adolescent

Efficacy and safety of Ruxolitinib-based combination therapy in the patients with Myelofibrosis (MF): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Myelofibrosis (MF) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm. Although Ruxolitinib, a JAK1/2 inhibitor, remains the cornerstone of MF treatment, it does not reverse disease progression, and resistance frequently emerges. These limitations have prompted investigation into combination therapies targeting pathways beyond the JAK-STAT axis. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ruxolitinib-based combination therapies in patients with MF. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of databases for studies published through August 1, 2025. Thirteen distinct Ruxolitinib-based combination regimens were included. Primary efficacy endpoints were ≥35% spleen volume reduction at 24 weeks (SVR35) and ≥50% reduction in total symptom score (TSS50). Safety endpoints focused on the incidence of grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia and anemia. Subgroup analyses were performed based on prior JAK inhibitor exposure and therapeutic mechanism of action. RESULTS: A total of 19 studies comprising 1,088 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Among JAK inhibitor-naïve patients, the combination of Ruxolitinib with Selinexor demonstrated the highest efficacy (SVR35: 92%; TSS50: 78%), followed by Ruxolitinib plus BMS-986158 (SVR35: 90%). For patients with prior JAK inhibitor exposure, Ruxolitinib plus Siremadlin (SVR35: 45%) showed notable activity. CONCLUSION: For JAK inhibitor-naïve patients, Ruxolitinib-based combination regimens demonstrated satisfactory clinical responses and the potential for meaningful disease control. For patients with prior JAK inhibitor exposure, the addition of combination therapy drugs may further enhance the efficacy. Personalized treatment selection remains essential, as therapeutic efficacy is significantly influenced by prior JAK inhibitor exposure.

Humans

Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis. Combined therapy with vancomycin and rifampin.

Two children with persistent bacteremia and endocarditis due to Staphylococcus aureus failed to respond to vancomycin therapy, even though serum levels greatly exceeded the inhibitory concentrations. The Staphylococcus from one patient was resistant to methicillin; the other patient had a penicillin hypersensitivity. There was a wide disparity between the minimum inhibitory and the minimum bactericidal concentrations of vancomycin. Striking clinical and laboratory evidence of improvement was demonstrated with the addition of rifampin therapy.

Blood

Combination therapy of advanced head and neck cancer: induction of remissions with diamminedichloroplatinum (II), bleomycin and radiation therapy.

Patients with unresectable, previously untreated head and neck cancer were given cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (DDP), 3 mg/kg, with mannitol diuresis (day 1), followed by a continuous infusion of bleomycin, 0.25 mg/kg/day, days 3 through 10, after an initial loading dose of 0.25 mg/kg by rapid IV injection on day 3. The DDP was repeated on day 22, following which radiotherapy was delivered using standard doses, fractionations and portals. Patients were evaluated for response on day 22 and again at the conclusion of radiotherapy. Of 21 patients evaluable at day 22, there were four CR and 11 PR (greater than 50% reduction of all measureable disease), for a major response rate of 71%. Of five MR, four showed 30-60% reduction at the primary site. Of 16 who have finished the radiation phase of treatment, there are six CR, five PR and one MR with durations four to eight months. Toxicity in 33 patients included vomiting (33), alopecia (33), WBC less than 3000 (five), platelets less than 100,000 (one), dose-limiting mucositis during bleomycin (six) and peak serum creatinine greater than 2 (five), with one fatality. The regimen thus appears promising as initial therapy for the previously untreated patient. The same chemotherapy has produced much less encouraging results in prviously treated patients.

Adult

Improved survival in young children with acute granulocytic leukemia treated with combination therapy using cyclophosphamide, oncovin, cytosine arabinoside, and prednisone.

Seven of 17 children (41%) under 5 years of age with acute granulocytic leukemia (AGL) treated with either cytosine arabinoside-cytoxan (CA-CYT) or Mini-COAP (CA-CYT with vincristine sulfate [VCR] and prednisone) have been in continuous complete remission 4 years or more. CA and CYT were each given in the dosage of 120 mg/m2 intravenously, daily in 3 divided doses, for 4 days. Induction consisted of two courses given at intervals of 2 weeks; during maintenance the courses were repeated at intervals of 4 weeks. In the Mini-COAP regimen, standard 28-day VCR-prednisone therapy was superimposed on CA-CYT induction and 4-day VCR-prednisone pulses were superimposed on CA-CYT maintenance. Transient moderate to severe myelosuppression was frequent; other manifestations of toxicity were mild. Administration of drugs at home was feasible in many instances. Mini-COAP was proved to be an effective therapeutic regimen for young children with AGL and should be considered as initial therapy.

Adolescent

Combined therapy with tetrabenazine and pimozide in Huntington's chorea: pilot study.

Current medication for Huntingtons chorea is based on compounds which affect the activity of acetylcholine and dopamine in the basal ganglia and is unsatisfactory. This report describes a small clinical trial of dopamine antagonists, tetrabenazine (Nitoman) and pimozide (Orap). Improvement was early and striking but was not maintained over the trial period of 83 weeks.

Adult