Fewer Side Effects (fewer + side_effects)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Effectiveness and fabrication of mouthguards

DENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2009
Yoshinobu Maeda
The purpose of this literature review was to clarify differences in opinions with supporting evidence on these issues and find the best guidelines for promoting usage and providing mouthguards with better protective capability and fewer side effects such as difficulty in breathing and speaking. [source]


Intrathecal baclofen use in adults with cerebral palsy

DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 2009
LINDA E KRACH MD
Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is an effective treatment for both spasticity and dystonia in people with cerebral palsy (CP). Its use is becoming increasingly common. ITB is typically associated with fewer side effects than the oral form of the product, but there are risks related to the hardware needed for intrathecal delivery. Much of what has been reported in the literature about ITB is based on experience with children or groups of children and adults; few reports exclusively address its use in adults with CP. These reports indicate that muscle tone is consistently reduced, but there is some variability in functional outcomes. Few well-controlled studies have been done. Controversies remain concerning ITB, including whether a trial is needed before pump implantation, proper catheter tip placement, and programming options, as well as whether it contributes to the development or progression of scoliosis. These and other unanswered questions should be addressed in a systematic way. [source]


Comparison of unfractioned and low molecular weight heparin for prophylaxis of coagulopathies in 52 horses with colic: a randomised double-blind clinical trial

EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 5 2003
K. FEIGE
Summary Reasons for performing study: Unfractioned heparin (UFH) is widely used for prophylaxis of coagulation disorders, especially in colic-affected horses. However, it is accompanied by certain side effects. Objectives: To compare the efficacy and side effects of unfractioned and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in horses with colic. Methods: The study was carried out as a randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. Fifty-two horses with colic were treated subcutaneously with either UFH (heparin calcium, 150 iu/kg bwt initially, followed by 125 iu/kg bwt q. 12 h for 3 days and then 100 iu/kg bwt q. 12 h) or LMWH (dalteparin, 50 iu/kg bwt q. 24 h). All horses underwent daily physical examination including assessment of jugular veins, local reaction to heparin injections, haematological evaluation and coagulation profiles over up to 9 days. Results: The type of heparin used did not affect the general behaviour and condition. There were significantly more jugular vein changes in horses treated with UFH. Packed cell volume decreased significantly within the first few days of UFH treatment, but did not change significantly in horses treated with LMWH. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and thrombin time (TT) were prolonged in horses treated with UFH but not in those treated with LMWH. Conclusions: It was concluded that, in comparison to UFH, LMWH has markedly fewer side effects in horses. Potential relevance: Therefore, LMWH is recommended for prophylaxis of coagulation disorders in colic patients. [source]


The potent bile acid sequestrant colesevelam is not effective in cholestatic pruritus: Results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial,,

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Edith M. M. Kuiper
Colesevelam is an anion-exchange resin with a 7-fold higher bile acid,binding capacity and fewer side effects than cholestyramine, the current first-line treatment option for cholestatic pruritus. The aim of this trial was to compare the effects of colesevelam and a placebo in patients with cholestatic pruritus. In a randomized, double-blind, investigator-initiated, multicenter trial, patients with cholestatic pruritus, both treatment-naive and previously treated, received 1875 mg of colesevelam or an identical placebo twice daily for 3 weeks. The effect on pruritus was assessed with daily visual analogue scales, quality-of-life scores, and evaluations of cutaneous scratch lesions. The predefined primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with at least a 40% reduction in pruritus visual analogue scale scores. Thirty-eight patients were included, and 35 were evaluable: 17 took colesevelam, 18 took the placebo, 22 were female, 8 were treatment-naive, 14 had primary biliary cirrhosis, and 14 had primary sclerosing cholangitis. The mean serum bile acid levels were comparable between the groups before treatment (P = 0.74), but they were significantly different after treatment (P = 0.01) in favor of patients treated with colesevelam. Thirty-six percent of patients in the colesevelam group reached the primary endpoint versus 35% in the placebo group (P = 1.0). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to pruritus scores, quality-of-life scores, and severity of cutaneous scratch lesions. Mild side effects occurred in one colesevelam-treated patient and four placebo-treated patients. Conclusion: Although colesevelam significantly decreased serum bile acid levels, this trial was unable to demonstrate that it was more effective than a placebo in alleviating the severity of pruritus of cholestasis. (HEPATOLOGY 2010) [source]


Evaluating the effectiveness of a deep-vein thrombosis prophylaxis protocol in orthopaedics and traumatology

JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 4 2009
Koray Unay MD
Abstract Rationale, aims and objectives, To evaluate the effectiveness of the deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis protocol for adult patients in a general orthopaedics and traumatology clinic. Method, We followed the DVT prophylaxis protocol in 1326 (776 female, 550 male) of 2114 adult patients admitted to the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology in Goztepe Research and Training Hospital. They were followed for symptomatic DVT and possible complications of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) therapy. A Doppler ultrasonography (US) was performed when DVT was suspected. The medical information treatment protocols of DVT patients were recorded. Results, Doppler US was performed in 58 patients with suspected DVT. Six of these patients were diagnosed with DVT. The side effects of LMWH were upper gastrointestinal bleeding (0.5%), widespread ecchymosis of the extremities (1.9%) and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (0.16%). Conclusion, Symptomatic DVT occurrences were similar to those in medical literature; however, there were fewer side effects of LMWH than reported in literature. [source]


Contribution of ROCK in contraction of trabecular meshwork: Proposed mechanism for regulating aqueous outflow in monkey and human eyes

JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 4 2005
Emi Nakajima
Abstract Aqueous outflow in the conventional outflow pathway is regulated by the contraction and relaxation of the ciliary muscle (CM) and the trabecular meshwork (TM). Rho-associated coiled coil-forming protein kinase (ROCK) is thought to regulate actomyosin-based contractility in many types of cells by phosphorylation of ROCK substrates. In animal models, ROCK inhibitor Y-39983 relaxed CM and TM and decreased intraocular pressure (IOP). Thus, ROCK is implicated in the regulation of aqueous outflow and IOP. However, the site of action of ROCK in monkey and man is unknown. In the present communication, RT-PCR analysis of monkey tissues showed higher levels of mRNAs for ROCK and ROCK substrates in TM compared to CM. Human TM also showed higher levels of mRNAs for ROCK and ROCK substrates compared to CM. Differences between TM and CM in human were not as high as in monkey. ROCK inhibitor Y-39983 led to a dose-dependent relaxation of carbachol-induced, contracted TM from monkey. In contrast, Y-39983 was only slightly effective in relaxing CM. Our results suggested that TM was one of the major sites for regulating IOP by ROCK. ROCK inhibitor Y-39983 might be a candidate drug for lowering IOP by increasing conventional outflow and producing fewer side effects on accommodation and miosis. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 94:701,708, 2005 [source]


Balneo-Phototherapy: A New Holistic Approach To Treating Psoriasis

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 6 2003
Colleen Mikula ANP-C
Purpose To present and describe a new holistic therapy for the treatment of psoriasis and demonstrate its outcomes through a case study presentation. Data Sources Selected scientific literature and patient case study. Conclusion Balneo-phototherapy, though new to the United States, has effective, safe outcomes as a new holistic treatment for psoriasis. Implications for Practice Nurse practitioners (NPs) and patients have an additional choice in psoriasis treatment that provides efficacious outcomes with fewer side effects compared to current therapies. [source]


Discoidin domain receptor 2 mediates the collagen II-dependent release of interleukin-6 in primary human chondrocytes,

THE JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Andreas R Klatt
Abstract We deciphered constituent parts of a signal transduction cascade that is initiated by collagen II and results in the release of various pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), in primary human chondrocytes. This cascade represents a feed-forward mechanism whereby cartilage matrix degradation is exacerbated by the mutually inducing effect of released collagen II fragments and pro-inflammatory cytokines. We previously proposed discoidin domain receptor 2 as a central mediator in this event. Since this cascade plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, our study further investigates the hypothesis that discoidin domain receptor 2 is a candidate receptor for collagen II, and that transcription factor NF,B, lipid kinase PI3K, and the MAP kinases are constituent parts of this very signal transduction cascade. To accomplish this, we selectively knocked down the molecules of interest in primary human chondrocytes, induced the specified cascade by incubating primary human chondrocytes with collagen II, and observed the outcome, specifically the changes in interleukin-6 release. Knockdown was performed by siRNA-mediated gene silencing in the case of discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) or by using specific inhibitors for the remainder of the molecules. Results indicated that discoidin domain receptor 2 mediates the collagen II-dependent release of interleukin-6 in primary human chondrocytes and that MAP kinases p38, JNK and ERK, as well as transcription factor NF,B, are integral components of intracellular collagen II signalling. Given the detrimental role of these molecules in osteoarthritis, our findings provide new targets for more specific therapeutics, which may have fewer side effects than those currently applied. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Efficacy and Safety of Tadalafil 20 mg on Demand vs.

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 8 2010
Tadalafil 5 mg Once-a-Day in the Treatment of Post-Radiotherapy Erectile Dysfunction in Prostate Cancer Men: A Randomized Phase II Trial
ABSTRACT Introduction., The role of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in the treatment of post-radiotherapy erectile dysfunction (ED) has not been extensively investigated. Aim., To compare the efficacy and safety of on-demand 20-mg tadalafil (arm A) with the newly released tadalafil 5-mg once-a-day dosing (arm B) in patients with ED following radiotherapy for prostate cancer (PC). Methods., Randomized study to receive on-demand 20-mg or once-a-day 5-mg tadalafil for 12 weeks. Main Outcome Measures., Changes in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) domain scores and Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) question 2 and 3 positive response rates. Results., Fifty-two out of 86 screened patients were randomized. Forty-four patients were evaluable for efficacy. A significant improvement in all domains of the IIEF was observed in both arms (P = 0.0001) with mean erectile function domain scores values of 25 and 27.1 for the 20-mg and 5-mg tadalafil, respectively (P = 0.19). SEP 2 and 3 positive response rates increased from 0% in both arms at baseline to 81% and 70% in the 20-mg arm and 90% and 73% in the 5-mg arm, respectively, at the end of treatment (P = 0.27). End of treatment global efficacy question positive answers were 86% in the 20-mg arm and 95% in the 5-mg arm (P = 0.27). Higher treatment compliance was shown in arm B (100%) as compared with arm A (86%). There was a nonstatistically significant trend toward fewer side effects in favor of the 5-mg daily dose arm. Conclusions., In the study population, both tadalafil formulations generated significantly high response rates according to the outcome measures and were well tolerated. The once-a-day 5-mg dosing showed higher compliance and marginally reduced side effects, thus making it an attractive alternative to on-demand therapy for ED in post-radiotherapy PC patients. Ricardi U, Gontero P, Ciammella P, Badellino S, Valentino F, Munoz F, Guarneri A, Rondi N, Moretto F, Filippi AR, Ragona R, and Tizzani A. Efficacy and safety of tadalafil 20 mg on demand vs. tadalafil 5 mg once-a-day in the treatment of post-radiotherapy erectile dysfunction in prostate cancer men: A randomized phase II trial. J Sex Med 2010;7:2851,2859. [source]


Experience with a Novel Efalizumab-Based Immunosuppressive Regimen to Facilitate Single Donor Islet Cell Transplantation

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 9 2010
N. A. Turgeon
Islet transplantation is an experimental therapy for selected patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). It remains limited by immunosuppressive drug toxicity, progressive loss of insulin independence, allosensitization and the need for multiple islet donors. We describe our experience with an efalizumab-based immunosuppressive regimen as compared to the prevailing standard regimen, the Edmonton protocol. Twelve patients with T1DM received islet transplants: eight were treated with the Edmonton protocol; four were treated with daclizumab induction, a 6-month course of tacrolimus, and maintenance with efalizumab and mycophenolate mofetil. The primary endpoint was insulin independence after one islet infusion. Only two Edmonton protocol treated patients achieved the primary endpoint; six required islets from multiple donors, and all experienced leukopenia, mouth ulcers, anemia, diarrhea and hypertransaminasemia. Four became allosensitized. All patients treated with the efalizumab-based regimen achieved insulin independence with normal hemoglobin A1c after a single islet cell infusion and remained insulin independent while on efalizumab. These patients experienced significantly fewer side effects and none became allosensitized. Trial continuation was terminated by withdrawal of efalizumab from the market. These data suggest that this efalizumab-based regimen prevents islet rejection, is well tolerated, and allows for single donor islet transplantation. [source]


Effects of the Non-Competitive NMDA Receptor Antagonist Memantine on the Volitional Consumption of Ethanol by Alcohol-Preferring Rats

BASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2010
Gloria E. Malpass
This study examined the effects of memantine, a low-affinity, open channel NMDA antagonist, on volitional consumption of ethanol by alcohol-preferring rats and potential locomotor, sedative and hypothermic effects. Volitional consumption of ethanol in a 24-hr two-choice paradigm was determined for male Myers' high-ethanol-preferring (mHEP) rats. Effects of memantine (0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, i.p., b.i.d. [twice daily] for 3 days) or vehicle on volitional consumption of ethanol, proportion of ethanol to total fluids consumed, total fluid intake and consumption of food were observed. Potential sedating and locomotor effects of memantine (10.0 mg/kg, i.p., b.i.d.) were determined using an elevated plus maze and an Auto-Track Opto-Varimex activity monitoring system. Rectal temperature was measured to determine if memantine (10.0 mg/kg, i.p.) produces a hypothermic effect. The results indicate that memantine dose-dependently decreased the amount of ethanol and proportion of ethanol to total fluids consumed daily, reaching 48% and 24%, respectively, at the highest dose. These effects did not appear to be anti-caloric. Memantine (10.0 mg/kg) partially reversed both the sedation and the reductions in locomotor activity induced by ethanol. This dose did, however, produce a small, partially reversible hypothermic effect. In conclusion, memantine may decrease ethanol consumption with fewer side effects than other NMDA receptor antagonists, such as phencyclidine (PCP), MK 801 and ketamine. [source]


Axillary disease recurrence after sentinel lymph node dissection for breast carcinoma

CANCER, Issue 9 2005
Karen K. Swenson M.S., R.N.
Abstract BACKGROUND Surgical recommendation for early-stage breast carcinoma includes removal of the primary breast tumor and evaluation of the axillary lymph nodes on the ipsilateral side. Sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) is increasingly being used to evaluate axillary lymph nodes in clinically lymph node negative patients as an alternative to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Results from SLND are highly predictive of metastatic involvement in the axilla, and are associated with fewer side effects. However, the greatest concern with SLND alone is the potential for a higher rate of axillary lymph node recurrence. The purpose of the current study was to review data collected on 700 consecutive patients with early-stage breast carcinoma who underwent SLND without concomitant ALND. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted using the oncology registry at Park Nicollet Health Services (Minneapolis, MN). Consecutive breast carcinoma cases with SLND only for axillary surgery, from January 28, 1999 to December 31, 2003, were included in the study. During this period, 700 patients with breast carcinoma were identified who had SLND alone. Fifty-two patients were excluded from the analysis because they had ductal carcinoma in situ. RESULTS With a median follow-up of 33 months (range, 2-73 mos), axillary lymph node recurrence occurred in 4 of 647 (0.62%) patients overall. In these 4 patients, the axillary lymph node recurrences were isolated to the axillary lymph nodes and amenable to surgery. CONCLUSIONS Data from the current study showed that axillary lymph node recurrence after SLND occurred very infrequently in early-stage breast carcinoma, and these results were comparable to other studies. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society. [source]


GR Ligands: Can We Improve the Established Drugs?

CHEMMEDCHEM, Issue 8 2006
Hartmut Rehwinkel Dr.
Glucocorticoids (GCs) represent the most effective therapy for acute and chronic inflammatory disorders, yet they can elicit severe side effects. New classes of GC receptor ligands appear to have all of the benefits and fewer side effects and have prompted new research into an old drug target. Compound,A (shown) is the latest addition to this exciting development. [source]


Stereoselective effects of (R)- and (S)-carvedilol in humans

CHIRALITY, Issue 7 2001
Kurt Stoschitzky
Abstract Carvedilol is currently used as the racemic mixture, (R,S)-carvedilol, consisting of equal amounts of (R)-carvedilol, an alpha-blocker, and (S)-carvedilol, an alpha- and beta-blocker, which have never been tested in their optically pure forms in human subjects. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in 12 healthy male volunteers. Subjects received single oral doses of 25 mg (R,S)-carvedilol, 12.5 mg (R)-carvedilol, 12.5 mg (S)-carvedilol, and placebo at 8 AM as well as at 8 PM. Exercise was performed at 11 AM, and heart rate and blood pressure were measured at rest and after 10 min of exercise. Urine was collected between 10 AM and 6 PM, as well as between 10 PM and 6 AM, and the amounts of urinary 6-hydroxy-melatonin sulfate (aMT6s) were determined by RIA. Compared to placebo, (R)-carvedilol increased heart rate during exercise (+4%, P < 0.05) and recovery (+10%, P < 0.05); (S)-carvedilol decreased heart rate during exercise (,14%, P < 0.05) and recovery (,6%, P < 0.05), and systolic blood pressure during exercise (,12%, P < 0.05); (R,S)-carvedilol decreased heart rate during exercise (,11%, P < 0.05), and systolic blood pressure at rest (,7%, P < 0.05) and during exercise (,10%, P < 0.05). None of the agents had any significant effect on the release of aMT6s. Our results indicate that only (S)-carvedilol causes beta-blockade, whereas (R)-carvedilol appears to increase sympathetic tone, presumably as a physiological reaction to the decrease of blood pressure caused by alpha-blockade. None of the drugs had any influence on melatonin release. The weak clinical net effect of beta-blockade of (R,S)-carvedilol at rest might be one reason why this drug causes fewer side effects than other beta-blockers, such as a reduction of nocturnal melatonin release. Chirality 13:342,346, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]