ABSTRACT
Background: Antiepileptic drugs are increasingly used in the treatment of pain syndromes. This study evaluates efficacy and safety of lamotrigine in comparison with carbamazepine (CBZ) in trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients. Methods: A total of 50 previously and newly diagnosed patients of TN were administered with lamotrigine (LTG) in comparison to CBZ. The final titration in dose for LTG was 400 mg/day and 1200 mg/day for CBZ. Clinical assessment (pain relief) was done before and after 15, 30, and 60 days of drug administration by visual analog scale and verbal rating scale. Side effects were recorded during study in both groups. Results: Of 25 patients in Group I who received CBZ, 16 patients (64%) experienced complete pain relief, while in Group II (LTG), 21 patients experienced complete pain relief. LTG was generally well tolerated except one patient was withdrawn due to skin rashes. CBZ was associated with mild hematological and central nervous system side effects. Conclusion: LTG is as effective and safe treatment for the management of TN as compared to CBZ.
ABSTRACT
Insomnia is a functionally debilitating condition characterized by repeated difficulty with sleep initiation, maintenance, or quality of sleep despite adequate opportunity. If left untreated, it can lead to increased risk of depression, poor memory, reduced concentration, poor work performance, and poor general health. Although gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) ergic system remains the primary target for current insomnia treatments, still over-the-counter (OTC) drugs with a different mechanism of action are in use for insomnia. OTC drugs target only one of the parallel arousing systems and may improve mild insomnia for a short period. They are not likely to improve symptoms over long-term and thus are not the ideal agents. Studies evaluating the efficacy and outcomes of sedative hypnotic drugs beyond 1 year are limited. Currently, there are no Food and Drug Administration approved pharmacotherapies for insomnia in the pediatric population. Increased understanding of complex neuronal networks involved in sleep and wake has led to the development of new drugs for insomnia that target a diverse range of receptors. Potential agents under investigations are targeting mechanisms and pathways including histamine (H1) receptor, melatonin, and orexin receptors. This review describes the pharmacotherapy of insomnia and the drugs under development for the treatment of insomnia.
ABSTRACT
Background: To evaluate efficacy and safety of ampucare, a polyherbal product, in patients with bedsore. Methods: One hundred patients, either sex, more than 18 years of age, with bedsore were divided in to two groups of 50 each. Group-I- Served as control- povidone iodine solution was applied locally on the bedsore, once daily. Group- II- Treatment group- ampucare lotion was applied locally, once daily. Primary end point was time to wound healing and secondary end point included reduction in wound surface area at day-7 and at treatment completion. Percent patients cured, improved, or treatment failure were noted. Depth of wound, % healing and adverse effects were recorded. Results: Application of ampucare in patients with bedsore resulted in rapid healing as compared to control group. Reduction in wound surface area was significant (p<0.01) in group-II. Maximum gain in thickness of granular tissue was observed in this group. In treatment group 68% patients showed excellent response as compared to 60 % in control group. Ampucare was well tolerated. Conclusions: Ampucare treatment markedly accelerates wound healing in patients with bedsore.
ABSTRACT
Background: The present study was planned to evaluate the preventive effects of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) on STZ induced diabetic neuropathy Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic neuropathy in rats was monitored by measuring blood sugar levels, body weight, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and nociception. Forty rats were divided into 4 groups of 10 each. Group 1: control (vehicle), Group 2: STZ (50 mg/kg, i.v., single injection), Group 3: Gamma linolenic acid (50 mg/ kg, p.o., daily + STZ), Group 4: STZ + Insulin (4 units/kg, s.c., bid). Similar protocol was used for other parameters also. Results: Gamma linolenic acid pretreatment failed to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic rats but prevented deterioration of motor nerve conduction velocity as compared to STZ diabetic rats. A significant weight gain was observed in STZ diabetic rats pretreated with GLA as compared to rats received STZ alone. Hyperalgesia induced by STZ was antagonized by GLA Conclusions: Thus gamma linolenic acid prevents the development of neuropathic changes induced by STZ in rats.
ABSTRACT
Background: To assess the effect of oral iron supplementation on quality of life (QOL) in anemic patients with heart failure (HF) and to compare QOL with HF patients without iron treatment. Methods: Sixty anemic patients (Hb 8-11g/dl) with HF (NYHA-class II and III) with LVEF<40% were divided in to 2 groups of 30 each. Group I- received ferrous sulfate 100mg bid x 90 days + standard treatment for HF. Group II- anemic patients received standard treatment for HF only. Primary end point- QOL was measured by MLWHF questionnaire. Secondary end points are Borg scale for dyspnoea and fatigue and exercise tolerance/ capacity in the form of 6 min. walk distance, haematological parameters, efficacy and safety assessment. Results: There was significant improvement in QOL in iron treated patients as compared to group II (control). Exercise tolerance /capacity, Borg scale for fatigue and dyspnoea showed improvement in patients received iron for 90 days. Haematological parameters were improved gradually with less incidence of fatigue and pallor. Orally administered ferrous sulfate was well tolerated with mild side effects. Conclusions: Oral iron supplementation in anemic patients with heart failure improves quality of life/ physical functioning in these patients.