E-DRUG: Contents of Prescrire International, October 2007
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[Prescrire = french for "precribe"; WB]
Prescrire International is the English language edition of the reference French journal la revue Prescrire. It contains comparative evaluation of new drug interventions, reviews of adverse effects, and papers on drug policy issues.
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Contents of Prescrire International, October 2007 Volume 16 N° 91
Editorial
. Winners and losers
Testosterone mongering
New Products
. Omalizumab (asthma) Too many unknowns for an anti-IgE
. Methotrexate (psoriatic arthritis) Approved at last
. Entecavir (chronic hepatitis B) A last resort
. Rituximab (rheumatoid arthritis) For a few patients with close monitoring
. Infliximab (psoriatic arthritis) Just another intravenous me-too drug
. Rituximab (lymphoma maintenance therapy) Inadequate follow-up
. Testosterone patch (hypoactive sexual desire disorder) Don't use to stimulate women's sexual desire
. Common stems - INNs - glitazone and -mab
. Adalimumab (ankylosing spondylitis) Just another TNF alpha antagonist
. Evra° (labelling change) Confirmed risks not emphasised in the SPC
. Infliximab (ulcerative colitis) Caution is needed due to long-term risks
. Copies and biosimilar products Deliberate lack of precision
Shortcuts _________
. Deferiprone
. Deferasirox
Adverse effects
. Cholinesterase inhibitors: tremor and exacerbations of Parkinson's disease
. Risk of confusion between plastic ampoules and other unit-dose containers
. Oseltamivir: neuropsychiatric disorders
. Zolpidem: sleep walking and automatic behaviours
. SSI° BCG vaccine: avoidable adverse effects
. Metoclopramide: extrapyramidal symptoms in children
. Rituximab: gastrointestinal perforation
. Tianeptine abuse: yet again!
. Aripiprazole: malignant syndrome
Reviews
. Female sexual dissatisfaction Hormone therapy inappropriate
. Ginkgo and Alzheimer's disease Little or no different from placebo
. Long-term asthma therapy Adapt steroid therapy to severity
Outlook
Editorial
. India: Novartis' failed action
Influence
. A strong U.S. and EU industry lobby weakened the REACH Regulation
. Safety "Risk management plans": hardly reassuring!
. Regulation Herbal medicinal products: towards European harmonisation
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