Safety considerations in the management of allergic diseases: focus on antihistamines

Abstract

Objective:

To conduct a systematic review of evidence supporting the safety profiles of frequently used oral H₁-antihistamines (AHs) for the treatment of patients with histamine-release related allergic diseases, e.g. allergic rhinitis and urticaria, and to compare them to the safety profiles of other medications, mostly topical corticosteroids and leukotriene antagonists (LTRA).     

Effects of statins on lipid profile in chronic kidney disease patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Objective:

The available data on statin effects in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are still conflicting. We investigated the impact of short- and long-term statin therapy on lipid profiles in CKD patients requiring or not requiring dialysis.     

Impact of rosiglitazone therapy on the lipid profile,glycemic control,and medication costs among type 2 diabetes patients

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the impact of rosiglitazone therapy on lipid profiles, glycemic control, and costs associated with cholesterol-lowering and diabetic medications among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in a standard practice setting.     

Efficacy and toxicity of capecitabine-based chemotherapy in patients with metastatic or advanced breast cancer: results from ten randomized trials

Abstract

Objective:

The efficacy and adverse effects of capecitabine-based chemotherapy versus other regimens reported in previous trials were discordant. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy and toxicity profiles of capecitabine-based chemotherapy versus capecitabine-free regimens in patients with metastatic and/or advanced breast cancer.     

Remission of major depressive disorder without adverse events: a comparison of escitalopram versus serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

Abstract

Objective:

An antidepressant’s tolerability, generally captured as the frequency and severity of adverse events (AEs), is often as important as its efficacy in determining treatment success. This study used a composite outcome – remission of major depressive disorder (MDD) without AEs?– to compare the benefit–risk profiles of escitalopram versus the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) duloxetine and venlafaxine extended release (XR).     

Predicting Pulmonary Pharmacokinetics from <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> Properties of Dry Powder Inhalers

Purpose

The ability of two semi-mechanistic simulation approaches to predict the systemic pharmacokinetics (PK) of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) delivered via dry powder inhalers (DPIs) was assessed for mometasone furoate, budesonide and fluticasone propionate.

Methods

Both approaches derived the total lung doses and the central to peripheral lung deposition ratios from clinically relevant cascade impactor studies, but differed in the way the pulmonary absorption rate was derived. In approach 1, the rate of in vivo drug dissolution/absorption was predicted for the included ICSs from in vitro aerodynamic particle size distribution and in vitro drug solubility estimates measured in an in vivo predictive dissolution medium. Approach 2 derived a first order absorption rate from the mean dissolution time (MDT), determined for the test formulations in an in vitro Transwell^® based dissolution system.

Results

Approach 1 suggested PK profiles which agreed well with the published pharmacokinetic profiles. Similarly, within approach 2, input parameters for the pulmonary absorption rate constant derived from dissolution rate experiments were able to reasonably predict the pharmacokinetic profiles published in literature.

Conclusion

Approach 1 utilizes more complex strategies for predicting the dissolution/absorption process without providing a significant advantage over approach 2 with regard to accuracy of in vivo predictions.

     

Management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in primary care: a European observational study

Abstract

Objective:

To describe the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in primary care, as part of the RANGE (Retrospective ANalysis of GERD) study.     

Work productivity loss in patients with dry eye disease: an online survey

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the impact of dry eye disease (DED) on productivity.     

Long-term clinical and economic outcomes associated with angiotensin II receptor blocker use in hypertensive patients

Abstract

Objective:

To examine clinical and economic outcomes associated with angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB).     

The intraocular pressure reducing effect of brinzolamide as adjunctive therapy to latanoprost

Abstract

Aim:

To determine the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect of brinzolamide when added to latanoprost.     

Complexities in the pharmacologic management of osteoarthritis pain

Abstract

Objective:

To discuss challenges in the pharmacologic management of osteoarthritis (OA) pain.     

Factors associated with warfarin discontinuation,including bleeding patterns,in atrial fibrillation patients

Abstract

Objective:

To determine risk factors for both warfarin discontinuation and bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).     

Subcutaneous specific immunotherapy for seasonal allergic rhinitis: a review of treatment practices in the US and Europe

Abstract

Background:

Subcutaneous specific immunotherapy (SCIT) is claimed to be successful both in the US and Europe, yet treatment methodology differs.     

Efficacy,safety, and pharmacokinetics of ambrisentan in Japanese adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of ambrisentan in Japanese adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).     

Relationship between background cancer pain,breakthrough pain,and analgesic treatment: a preliminary study for a better interpretation of epidemiological and clinical studies

Abstract

Background:

The different operational definitions of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) has generated unclear epidemiological data.     

Surgical resection of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) and changes in SEGA-related conditions: a US national claims database study

Abstract

Objectives:

To compare the prevalence rates of clinical conditions related to subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) before and after SEGA surgery among patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).     

The impact of treatment with hylan G-F 20 on progression to total hip arthroplasty in patients with symptomatic hip OA: a retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction:

There is scarce data available on intra-articular hyaluronan’s ability to modify the progression of osteoarthritis (OA).     

Effect of fesoterodine 4 mg on bladder diary and patient-reported outcomes during the first week of treatment in subjects with overactive bladder

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the onset of efficacy of fesoterodine 4?mg versus placebo in subjects with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms     

Further assessment of the clinically effective dose range of etoricoxib: a randomized,double-blinded,placebo-controlled trial in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective:

To further assess the clinically active dose range of etoricoxib, a COX-2 selective inhibitor, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).