Comparative study of olopatadine hydrochloride 0.1% and emedastine difumarate 0.05% comparing their clinical efficacy and adverse effects in allergic conjunctivitis

To assess the efficacy and adverse effects of 0.1% Olopatadine hydrochloride [OHC] and compare them to 0.05% Emedastine difumarate [ED] in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. Prospective and comparative study. The study was conducted at Islam Teaching Hospital, Islam Medical College, Sialkot from February 2013 to June 2014. 74 adult patients including 35 male patients aged 21- 47 years [Average 32.39] and 39 females aged 20 - 42 years [Average 31.8] some with a history of systemic allergic manifestation [e.g. asthma,dermatitis, or bronchitis] along with sign and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis were enrolled in the study. At the time of induction, manifestations of allergic conjunctivitis [mucous discharge, itching, conjunctival congestion,chemosis, and watering] were present. Patients were allocate at random to either of the 2 groups, A and B. The patients in the Group A, [n = 36] received OHC and those in the Group B [n = 38] were treated with ED. The dose in Group A was one drop in both the eyes 12 hourly. Group B received one drop in both the eyes 6 hourly. The study was started on the first patient visit, when after the diagnosis; the drug was administered. Patients from both the groups were re-evaluated half an hour, forty eight hours, seven and fourteen days later. Efficacy and side effects in both the groups were assessed. The severity of signs and symptoms were assigned a score from 0 - 3. The results were analysed using independent sample T test. At the start of the study, cumulative score of the patient's sign and symptoms was calculated, with a mean value of 7.31 for group A and 7.38 for group B. There was no significant statistical disparity between the groups [p= 0.88]. The cumulative scores at the end of study on day fourteen were 0.72 for group A and 1.0 for group B. This was also statistically not significant [p = 0.15] but Olopatadine was noted to be more effective. The side effects of both the medicines were similarly assessed with cumulative scores calculated at each follow up. In group A, there were minimal side effects with mean cumulative score on the final visit was 0.25 in group A and0.54 in Group B, with statistically significant [p = 0.015] difference. Olopatadine was discovered to have better efficacy [not statistically significant] and less adverse effects [statistically significant] than Emedastine

Lithium induced histological alteration in testes of albino rats and theiramelioration with vitamin E

Objective: To evaluate the lithium induced histological alteration in testes of albino rats and their amelioration by Vitamin E

Study Design: Experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at department of Anatomy, Baqai Medical University, Karachi from July 2010 to August 2010

Materials and Methods: The rats were assigned into three experimental groups [eight rats/group]: control group, lithium group and lithium plus vitamin E treated group. Lithium [50 mg/kg/day] and vitamin E [50mg/kg/day] were given intraperitoneally for 21 days. At the end of experiment, rats were sacrificed and testes removed and processed for routine H and E. Slides were studied for histological examination under light microscope

Results: Lithium treated rats showed decreased body and testicular weights, spermatogenic cells such as primary and secondary spermatocytes and spermatids were decreased, very little spermatozoa were seen in lumen of seminiferous tubules, significant increase in tubular count observed while tubular diameter, germinal epithelial thickness, number and size of nuclei of leydig cells were highly significantly reduced. In lithium plus vitamin E treated group, body and testicular weight, primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids were restored near to control. Tubular lumen also showed many spermatozoa. Tubular diameter, germinal epithelial thickness, numberand size of nuclei of leydig cells were also returned tocontrol

Conclusion: Our study conclude that lithium causes detrimental effect on testicular morphology through oxidative stress and vitamin E provided protection through its antioxidative property

role of verapamil in long-term management of opioid dependence

To determine the effectiveness of calcium channel blocker, verapamil in long-term management of patients with chronic dependence on opioids. Patients were admitted for 10 days in hospital. No treatment was given during first three days of admission after abrupt termination of opioid to observe the acute opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms. Then the verapamil was given orally to each patient in a dose 40 mg twice daily from day 4 to day 10 of admission. Then patients were discharged on the same treatment and advised to attend OPD weekly for further 12 weeks. The treatment was continued till the 8[th] week and then the dose of verapamil was gradually tapered off during next two weeks that is weeks 9 and 10. During last two weeks that is week 11 and 12 patients were assessed without given any treatment. The intensity of signs and symptoms were recorded by using objective opiate withdrawal scale and modified subjective opiate withdrawal scale respectively. The physiological parameters were also recorded throughout the study. Urine analysis for opioids was done on day 1 and day 10 of admission and then on 4[th], 8[th] and 12[th] weeks of follow up. Verapamil significantly decreased the intensity of signs and symptoms of protracted opioid withdrawal from day 4 to week 12. There were no undesirable variations in physiological parameters. Urine analysis for opioids was positive on day 1 while zero on day 10, weeks 4, 8 and 12. Verapamil significantly decreased the intensity of signs and symptoms of protracted opioid withdrawal during long-term management of opioid dependence

Comparing the effects of verapamil and moxonidine in treatment of acute opioid abstinence syndrome

To compare the effectiveness of calcium channel blocker, verapamil and alpha two agonist, moxonidine in treatment of acute opioid withdrawal syndrome in patients with chronic dependence on opioids. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 had 27 patients, treated with verapamil 40 mg BID. Group 2 had 19 patients, treated with moxonidine 0.2 mg OD. All Patients were admitted for 10 days in hospital. Placebo was given during first three days of admission after abrupt termination of opioid to observed the acute opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms. Then the treatment was given to each patient daily from day 4 to day 10 of admission. The intensity of signs and symptoms were recorded by using objective opiate withdrawal scale and modified subjective opiate withdrawal scale respectively. The physiological parameters were also recorded daily throughout the patients stay in hospital. Urine analysis for opioids was done on day I and day 10 of admission. Verapamil and moxonidine both significantly decreased the intensity of signs and symptoms of acute opioid withdrawal from day 4 to day 10 of admission without any significant side effect but verapamil was found to be more efficacious than moxonidine. There was no undesirable variation in physiological parameters. Urine analysis for opioids was positive on day 1 while zero on day 10. Verapamil was found to be more effective than moxonidine for the treatment of acute opioid abstinence syndrome in indoor patients