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Alternative Drugs (alternative + drug)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

Folic acid efficacy as an alternative drug added to sodium valproate in the treatment of acute phase of mania in bipolar disorder: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2009
A. H. Behzadi
Objective:, The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of adding folic acid to sodium valproate in the acute phase of mania. Method:, Following a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 88 clinically manic patients with diagnosis of type I bipolar disorder (BID) were divided randomly into two groups (case and control). The case group was treated with folic acid and sodium valproate and the control group with sodium valproate and placebo. The severity of mania was assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) at the beginning and end of the first, second and third weeks of the study. Results:, The case group's mean manic YMRS measurements (SD) before the initiation of therapy and in the first, second and third weeks of treatment were 34.0 ± 7.7, 26.7 ± 2.1, 18.1 ± 2.1 and 7.1 ± 0.9 respectively. The control group's measurements were 34.7 ± 3.8, 27.3 ± 2.3, 20.7 ± 2.5 and 10.1 ± 1.1. There was a statistically significant difference in YMRS scaling results between the case and control groups after 3 weeks of treatment (7.1 ± 0.9 vs. 10.1 ± 1.1, P = 0.005). Conclusion:, Based on our findings, folic acid seems to be an effective adjuvant to sodium valproate in the treatment of the acute phase of mania in patients with bipolar disorder. [source]

Diabetes, oxidative stress, and antioxidants: A review

JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2003
A. C. Maritim
Abstract Increasing evidence in both experimental and clinical studies suggests that oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of both types of diabetes mellitus. Free radicals are formed disproportionately in diabetes by glucose oxidation, nonenzymatic glycation of proteins, and the subsequent oxidative degradation of glycated proteins. Abnormally high levels of free radicals and the simultaneous decline of antioxidant defense mechanisms can lead to damage of cellular organelles and enzymes, increased lipid peroxidation, and development of insulin resistance. These consequences of oxidative stress can promote the development of complications of diabetes mellitus. Changes in oxidative stress biomarkers, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione levels, vitamins, lipid peroxidation, nitrite concentration, nonenzymatic glycosylated proteins, and hyperglycemia in diabetes, and their consequences, are discussed in this review. In vivo studies of the effects of various conventional and alternative drugs on these biomarkers are surveyed. There is a need to continue to explore the relationship between free radicals, diabetes, and its complications, and to elucidate the mechanisms by which increased oxidative stress accelerates the development of diabetic complications, in an effort to expand treatment options. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 17:24,38, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.10058 [source]

Use of postmenopausal hormone therapy since the Women's Health Initiative findings,

PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 12 2005
Judith Parsells Kelly MS
Abstract Purpose To assess how use of postmenopausal hormone therapy (PHT) has changed since the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial was halted early due to an excess risk of stroke and other adverse outcomes. To estimate whether use of alternative drugs to treat menopausal symptoms (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], soy) has increased. Methods Women were interviewed in the Slone Survey, a random-digit-dial (RDD) survey of current medication use in a representative national sample. Information was obtained on PHT including dose, route, and reason for use, and on use of alternative drugs to treat menopausal symptoms. There were 3853 women aged ,50 years, interviewed from 1/2001 to 6/2004. Results The average weekly prevalence of PHT declined 57%, from 28% in the first half of 2002 to 12% in the first half of 2004. Use declined for conjugated estrogens (CE) and for other estrogens, taken either alone or with progestin. The decrease exceeded 50% in most strata of age, race, education, and region. The proportion of PHT users taking 0.3 mg CE did not change. Comparing prevalence in 2004 with prevalence in 2002, there was no material increase in use of black cohosh (2.0% in 2004) or soy (2.0%) and use of SSRIs was somewhat lower (8.9%). Conclusions These population-based usage data demonstrate a large decline in PHT use among women of postmenopausal age. The proportion of CE users taking lower doses has not increased. On a population basis, millions fewer women are using PHT in 2004 than before the WHI results were published, but there has been no appreciable increase in use of alternative therapies for menopausal symptoms over the same period. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Safety of meloxicam to critically endangered Gyps vultures and other scavenging birds in India

ANIMAL CONSERVATION, Issue 2 2007
D. Swarup
Abstract Widespread veterinary use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac is responsible for the population collapse of three species of Gyps vulture in south Asia; these species are now critically endangered. Vultures die when they consume carcasses of livestock that contain lethal residues of diclofenac. National and international conservation organizations have urgently recommended that diclofenac be banned and replaced with alternative drugs that are relatively safe to Gyps vultures and other scavenging birds. We tested the safety of the NSAID meloxicam on the oriental white-backed vulture, long-billed vulture and a range of other scavenging birds in India (Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus, cattle egret Bubulcus ibis, house crow Corvus splendens, large-billed crow Corvus machrorhynchos and common mynah Acridotheres tristis). Meloxicam was administered by oral intubation [at 0.5 and 2.0 mg kg,1 vulture body weight (bw)], or through feeding with muscle or liver tissue (at 0.3 to 2.1 mg kg,1 vulture bw) from meloxicam-treated buffalo Bubalus bubalis. We estimate that 2.0 mg kg,1 bw is the maximum likely exposure in the wild. All 31 Gyps vultures and the 20 other scavenging birds given meloxicam survived. Feeding behaviour remained normal and there were no significant differences between the treated and control groups in body mass, or the blood haematology and biochemistry parameters monitored, including those known to be affected by diclofenac (uric acid levels and alanine transferase activity). Meloxicam is used to treat a wide range of livestock ailments and is licensed and manufactured in India. We recommend that meloxicam be introduced as rapidly as possible across the Indian sub-continent as an alternative to diclofenac. [source]