Biomedical subjects

Lynne M Bang

Publications and source records attributed to Lynne M Bang.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Spotlight on oxcarbazepine in epilepsy.

Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal, Timox) is structurally related to carbamazepine and has anticonvulsant activity. Studies suggest that the anticonvulsant activity of oxcarbazepine is mediated via the blocking of neuronal ion channels. In patients aged <18 years, the efficacy of oxcarbazepine monotherapy was similar to that of phenytoin in children with partial onset or generalised tonic-clonic seizures in a 48-week trial. Additional supporting findings demonstrated that 43-71% of patients with partial onset, generalised or undetermined epilepsy were seizure free after oxcarbazepine monotherapy (mean dosage 27.7-50 mg/kg/day; duration 1-5 years). In contrast, one small nonblind trial showed more patients treated with oxcarbazepine monotherapy than with carbamazepine monotherapy had recurrent seizures during 16 months of therapy (although the conclusions that can be drawn from this trial are limited). As adjunctive therapy, oxcarbazepine was significantly better than placebo at reducing seizure frequency in children and adolescents with refractory partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation: the median percentage change in partial onset seizure frequency was 35% versus 9%, respectively, during 16 weeks of therapy. In noncomparative trials of adjunctive oxcarbazepine (mean dosage of 34.5-56.7 mg/kg/day), 7-11% of patients with partial onset or generalised seizures were seizure free during treatment, and 20-54% had seizure reductions of > or =50%. Oxcarbazepine was generally well tolerated during monotherapy and adjunctive therapy; 2.5% and 10% of patients withdrew from well controlled trials of oxcarbazepine monotherapy and adjunctive therapy. Oxcarbazepine monotherapy was better tolerated than phenytoin and events observed in oxcarbazepine-treated patients were transient. Oxcarbazepine metabolism is largely unaffected by induction of the cytochrome (CYP) P450 system. However, oxcarbazepine can inhibit CYP2C19 and induce CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, thereby interfering with the metabolism of other drugs (e.g. phenytoin). In addition, oxcarbazepine decreases plasma levels of oral contraceptives and alternative contraceptive methods should be used. In conclusion, oxcarbazepine (as both monotherapy and adjunctive therapy) has shown efficacy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in children with epilepsy. Nevertheless, the generally favorable tolerability profile and relatively low potential for drug interactions of oxcarbazepine make it a valuable option in the treatment of childhood epilepsy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Paroxetine controlled release.

A controlled-release (CR) formulation of the SSRI paroxetine has been developed. This CR formulation delays the release of paroxetine until the tablet has passed through the stomach; the drug is then released over 4-5 hours. In well designed placebo-controlled trials in patients with major depressive disorder (including a study in the elderly), social anxiety disorder or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), paroxetine CR was consistently superior to placebo with regards to primary endpoints (i.e. mean Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression total score [major depressive disorder], Liebowitz social anxiety scale total score and Clinical Global Impressions-Global Improvement score [social anxiety disorder] and Visual Analogue Scale-Mood score [PMDD]). The duration of treatment was 12 weeks or, in PMDD, over three menstrual cycles (intermittent or continuous administration). Paroxetine CR also demonstrated efficacy in three well designed studies in patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Paroxetine CR was generally well tolerated in clinical trials, with an adverse-event profile typical of SSRIs, although recipients of paroxetine CR experienced significantly less nausea than recipients of immediate-release paroxetine in the first week of treatment.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Ropinirole: for the treatment of restless legs syndrome.

Ropinirole is a non-ergoline dopamine agonist that exhibits a high affinity for D(2) and D(3) receptors but little or no affinity for D(1)-like and non-dopaminergic receptors. Symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) [measured using the International Restless Legs scale and Clinical Global Impression-Global Improvement Scale scores] significantly improved with ropinirole compared with placebo in large, randomised, double-blind trials. Ropinirole reduced periodic leg movements and improved sleep efficiency relative to baseline and placebo in several trials (two of which were randomised, double-blind and relatively large) in patients with RLS. Ropinirole was generally well tolerated in patients with RLS; adverse events were generally mild to moderate in nature and consistent with those expected of dopamine agonists. Few patients receiving ropinirole withdrew from therapy because of adverse events, the most predominant of which were nausea and headache.

Antiparkinson Agents↗

PubMed2004

Adalimumab: a review of its use in rheumatoid arthritis.

Adalimumab (Humira) is a recombinant, fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, thereby neutralizing the activity of the cytokine. Subcutaneous adalimumab has been investigated in well designed trials in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Patients receiving adalimumab 40mg every other week in combination with methotrexate (Anti-TNF Research Study Program of the Monoclonal Antibody Adalimumab [ARMADA] and DE019 trials) or standard antirheumatic therapy (Safety Trial of Adalimumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis [STAR] trial) for 24-52 weeks had significantly higher American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20, ACR50, and ACR70 response rates than patients receiving placebo plus methotrexate or standard antirheumatic therapy. In ARMADA, an ACR20 response was achieved in 25%, 52%, and 67% of adalimumab plus methotrexate recipients at weeks 1, 4, and 24, respectively. In ARMADA and DE019, improvements in the individual components of the ACR response were significantly greater with adalimumab 40mg every other week plus methotrexate than with placebo plus methotrexate. Monotherapy with adalimumab 40mg every other week was associated with significantly higher ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70 response rates than placebo, as well as significantly greater improvements in the individual components of the ACR response. ACR responses were sustained with adalimumab according to the results of extension studies in which patients received adalimumab in combination with methotrexate (up to 30 months) or as monotherapy (up to 5 years). In both concomitant therapy and monotherapy trials, adalimumab was associated with significantly greater improvements from baseline in health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) measures than placebo; adalimumab also retarded the radiographic progression of structural joint damage to a significant extent compared with placebo. Adalimumab was generally well tolerated as both concomitant therapy and monotherapy. In ARMADA, there were no significant differences between adalimumab and placebo (in combination with methotrexate) in the incidence of adverse events; however, in STAR, the incidence of injection site reactions, rash, and back pain was significantly higher with adalimumab than with placebo (in combination with standard antirheumatic therapy). No cases of tuberculosis were reported in either trial.In conclusion, subcutaneous adalimumab in combination with methotrexate or standard antirheumatic therapy, or as monotherapy, is effective in the treatment of adults with active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to DMARDs. Adalimumab has a rapid onset of action and sustained efficacy. The drug also retards the progression of structural joint damage, improves HR-QOL, and is generally well tolerated. Thus, adalimumab is a valuable new option for the treatment of DMARD-refractory adult rheumatoid arthritis.

Adalimumab↗

PubMed2004

Spotlight on omalizumab in allergic asthma.

Omalizumab (Xolair) is a humanized monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of adolescent and adult patients with moderate to severe allergic asthma inadequately controlled with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). It selectively binds to circulating immunoglobulin E (IgE) and, thereby, prevents binding of IgE to mast cells and other effector cells. Without surface-bound IgE, these cells are unable to recognize allergens, thus preventing cellular activation by antigens and the subsequent allergic/asthmatic symptoms. Omalizumab decreases free serum IgE levels in a dose-dependent manner, reduces IgE receptor density on effector cells, and significantly improves airway inflammation parameters. Omalizumab is slowly absorbed after subcutaneous administration, and mean elimination half-life is 26 days, thus allowing infrequent administration of the drug. Omalizumab dosage is determined by bodyweight and pretreatment serum total IgE levels. Patients treated with subcutaneous omalizumab in clinical trials received a dosage that was approximately equal to 0.016 mg/kg/IgE (IU/mL) per 4 weeks. Thus, patients received 150 or 300 mg every 4 weeks, or 225, 300, or 375 mg every 2 weeks. In adults and adolescents (> or = 12 years of age) with moderate to severe allergic asthma, subcutaneous administration of omalizumab as add-on therapy with ICS improved the number of asthma exacerbations, rescue medication use, asthma symptom scores, and quality-of-life (QOL) scores compared with placebo during 28- and 32-week double-blind trials. In addition, concomitant ICS use was significantly decreased in patients receiving omalizumab, and in the two largest double-blind trials approximately 40% of omalizumab recipients completely withdrew from ICS therapy while maintaining effective asthma control. In general, results of extension studies showed that the beneficial effects of omalizumab were maintained over a total period of 52 weeks. Omalizumab was well tolerated as add-on therapy with ICS during treatment for up to 52 weeks. Common adverse events in clinical trials included injection site reaction, viral infection, upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, headache, and pharyngitis, although the incidence of adverse events with omalizumab was similar to that with placebo. In conclusion, omalizumab, as add-on therapy with ICS, is an effective and well tolerated agent for the treatment of moderate to severe allergic asthma in adolescents and adults. In addition to its symptomatic and QOL benefits, omalizumab therapy allows ICS dosage reduction or discontinuation of ICS in many patients. Comparisons of omalizumab with other asthma therapies have yet to be conducted; however, clinical efficacy and tolerability data indicate that omalizumab is a valuable option in the treatment of allergic asthma.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Omalizumab: a review of its use in the management of allergic asthma.

UNLABELLED: Omalizumab (Xolair) is a humanized monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of adolescent and adult patients with moderate to severe allergic asthma inadequately controlled with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). It selectively binds to circulating immunoglobulin E (IgE) and, thereby, prevents binding of IgE to mast cells and other effector cells. Without surface-bound IgE, these cells are unable to recognize allergens, thus preventing cellular activation by antigens and the subsequent allergic/asthmatic symptoms. Omalizumab decreases free serum IgE levels in a dose-dependent manner, reduces IgE receptor density on effector cells, and significantly improves airway inflammation parameters. Omalizumab is slowly absorbed after subcutaneous administration, and mean elimination half-life is 26 days, thus allowing infrequent administration of the drug. Omalizumab dosage is determined by bodyweight and pretreatment serum total IgE levels. Patients treated with subcutaneous omalizumab in clinical trials received a dosage that was approximately equal to 0.016 mg/kg/IgE (IU/mL) per 4 weeks. Thus, patients received 150 or 300 mg every 4 weeks, or 225, 300, or 375 mg every 2 weeks. In adults and adolescents (> or =12 years of age) with moderate to severe allergic asthma, subcutaneous administration of omalizumab as add-on therapy with ICS improved the number of asthma exacerbations, rescue medication use, asthma symptom scores, and quality-of-life (QOL) scores compared with placebo during 28- and 32-week double-blind trials. In addition, concomitant ICS use was significantly decreased in patients receiving omalizumab, and in the two largest double-blind trials approximately 40% of omalizumab recipients completely withdrew from ICS therapy while maintaining effective asthma control. In general, results of extension studies showed that the beneficial effects of omalizumab were maintained over a total period of 52 weeks. Omalizumab was well tolerated as add-on therapy with ICS during treatment for up to 52 weeks. Common adverse events in clinical trials included injection site reaction, viral infection, upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, headache, and pharyngitis, although the incidence of adverse events with omalizumab was similar to that with placebo. CONCLUSION: Omalizumab, as add-on therapy with ICS, is an effective and well tolerated agent for the treatment of moderate to severe allergic asthma in adolescents and adults. In addition to its symptomatic and QOL benefits, omalizumab therapy allows ICS dosage reduction or discontinuation of ICS in many patients. Comparisons of omalizumab with other asthma therapies have yet to be conducted; however, clinical efficacy and tolerability data indicate that omalizumab is a valuable option in the treatment of allergic asthma.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

PubMed2003

The effect of dilution on the rate of hydrogen peroxide production in honey and its implications for wound healing.

OBJECTIVE: Honey is an effective antiseptic wound dressing, mainly the result of the antibacterial activity of hydrogen peroxide that is produced in honey by the enzyme glucose oxidase. Because the rate of production of hydrogen peroxide is known to vary disproportionately when honey is diluted, and dilution of honey dressings will vary according to the amount of wound exudate, it is important to know more about the production of hydrogen peroxide at different concentrations of honey. DESIGN: The rates of hydrogen peroxide production by honey with respect to honey dilution were measured in eight different samples of honey from six different floral sources. SETTINGS: Honey Research Unit, Waikato University, Hamilton, New Zealand. MAIN RESULTS: The maximum levels of accumulated hydrogen peroxide occurred in honey solutions diluted to concentrations between 30% and 50% (v/v) with at least 50% of the maximum levels occurring at 15-67% (v/v). This is equivalent to a 10 cm x 10 cm dressing containing 20 mL of honey becoming diluted with 10 to 113 mL of wound exudate. Maximum levels of hydrogen peroxide reached in the diluted honeys were in the range of 1-2 mmol/L. CONCLUSION: Significant antibacterial activity can be maintained easily when using honey as a wound dressing, even on a heavily exuding wound. Concentrations of hydrogen peroxide generated are very low in comparison to those typically applied to a wound, thus, cytotoxic damage by hydrogen peroxide is very low.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗

PubMed2003

Transdermal oxybutynin: for overactive bladder.

Oxybutynin binds to the M(3) muscarinic receptors on the detrusor muscle of the bladder, preventing acetylcholinergic activation and relaxing the muscle. The transdermal system delivers oxybutynin over a 3- to 4-day period after application to intact skin. Peak plasma concentrations of oxybutynin and the major active metabolite, N-desethyloxybutynin, are reached 24 - 48 hours after a single application and therapeutic concentrations are maintained throughout the dosage interval. In a large, randomised, double-blind trial, transdermal oxybutynin 3.9 mg/day significantly decreased the median number of incontinence episodes per week compared with placebo (-19 vs -15, p = 0.0165) in patients with overactive bladder. In addition, the micturition frequency was reduced and average voided volume was increased by transdermal oxybutynin treatment. Significant reductions in incontinence episodes following transdermal oxybutynin treatment were also observed in two further studies and the clinical efficacy was similar to that of oral tolterodine or oral oxybutynin. Transdermal oxybutynin was well tolerated in clinical trials. Application site reactions were the most common adverse effect; however, the majority were mild to moderate in severity. Adverse events associated with anticholinergic drugs (e.g. dry mouth) were less frequently reported in patients treated with transdermal oxybutynin than in those receiving orally administered oxybutynin or tolterodine.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed2003

Pravastatin: a review of its use in elderly patients.

UNLABELLED: Pravastatin (Pravachol) is a competitive, reversible HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor that lowers serum cholesterol levels by inhibiting de novo cholesterol synthesis and has antiatherogenic effects that appear to be partially independent of its lipid-lowering effects. Pravastatin 10-40 mg/day produced significant reductions (vs baseline or placebo) in serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in elderly patients (aged >or=60 or >or= 65 years) with hypercholesterolaemia or normal cholesterol levels. Serum triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels also improved in some studies, but not in others. Coadministration of cholestyramine, another lipid-lowering agent, further enhanced the lipid-lowering effects of pravastatin in elderly patients. Data from the large, long-term (3-6 years) PROspective Study Of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER), Cholesterol And Recurrent Events trial (CARE) and Long term Intervention with Pravastatin in Ischaemic Disease (LIPID) trials demonstrated that pravastatin 40 mg/day reduces coronary events in elderly patients with hypercholesterolaemia or normal cholesterol levels, with or at high risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD). In these trials, the incidence of death from CHD or the combined endpoint of death from CHD or nonfatal myocardial infarction was significantly lower in pravastatin than in placebo recipients. Pravastatin is well tolerated in the elderly, and adverse effects considered related to therapy are minimal. The most commonly occurring adverse events included gastrointestinal events, renal or genital system events, respiratory disorders, headaches and musculoskeletal pain. CONCLUSION: Pravastatin effectively lowers serum TC and LDL-C levels and, as demonstrated in major clinical outcome trials, reduces coronary events in elderly patients with hypercholesterolaemia or normal cholesterol levels. Pravastatin is well tolerated and as such should be considered a first-line agents for primary or secondary prevention in older individuals with evident CHD or multiple risk factors for CHD.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Emtricitabine: an antiretroviral agent for HIV infection.

Emtricitabine, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is phosphorylated by cellular enzymes to emtricitabine 5'-triphosphate which, in turn, inhibits the activity of HIV-1 (HIV) reverse transcriptase by competing with the endogenous substrate. Incorporation of the triphosphate into the viral DNA causes chain termination, thereby inhibiting viral replication. In adult patients infected with HIV, combination therapy including emtricitabine 200 mg once daily was as effective as triple therapy including lamivudine 150 mg twice daily and significantly more effective than stavudine (at standard dosages) or protease inhibitor-based therapy at achieving and/or maintaining durable suppression of HIV levels after 24-48 weeks of therapy. In addition, 85% of emtricitabine recipients maintained virological success (<400 copies/mL) during 96 weeks of therapy. Triple therapy including emtricitabine 6 mg/kg once daily decreased (to <400 copies/mL) or maintained durable suppression of HIV RNA levels in approximate, equals 90% of children and adolescents (aged 13 months to 17 years) after 16-24 weeks of therapy. Emtricitabine-based therapy was generally well tolerated; most adverse events being mild to moderate in intensity. Emtricitabine-based regimens were as well tolerated as those with lamivudine, and better tolerated than those with stavudine.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

PubMed2003

Lercanidipine : a review of its efficacy in the management of hypertension.

UNLABELLED: Lercanidipine (Zanidip) is a vasoselective dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist that causes systemic vasodilation by blocking the influx of calcium ions through L-type calcium channels in cell membranes. It is a highly lipophilic drug that exhibits a slower onset and longer duration of action than other calcium channel antagonists. Furthermore, lercanidipine may have antiatherogenic activity unrelated to its antihypertensive effect. In two large, nonblind, noncomparative studies involving approximately 16 000 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension, systolic blood pressure (BP) [SBP] and diastolic BP (DBP) were significantly reduced after 12 weeks' treatment with lercanidipine 10-20 mg/day. Furthermore, in the largest study, 64% of patients were responders (DBP <90 mm Hg) after 12 weeks of treatment and an additional 32% had their BP normalised (BP <140/90 mm Hg). In comparative trials, lercanidipine 10-20 mg/day was as effective as nifedipine slow release (SR) 20-40 mg twice daily, amlodipine 10 mg/day, felodipine 10-20 mg/day, nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) 30-60 mg once daily or verapamil SR 240 mg/day at reducing SBP and DBP in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension after 2-16 weeks of therapy. In addition, 4 weeks of lercanidipine therapy (10 mg/day) was as effective as captopril 25mg twice daily, atenolol 50 mg/day or hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg/day. Lercanidipine 5-30 mg/day effectively decreased BP in elderly patients (aged >60 years) with mild-to-moderate hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension to the same extent as amlodipine 5-10 mg/day, nifedipine GITS 30-60 mg/day or lacidipine 2-4 mg/day after 24-26 weeks of therapy. In addition, a limited number of studies suggest that lercanidipine may have antihypertensive efficacy in patients with severe or resistant hypertension, in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and in postmenopausal women with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension. Lercanidipine is well tolerated, with most treatment-emergent events related to vasodilation. Common adverse events included headache, flushing and peripheral oedema. Importantly, the incidence of vasodilatory oedema was significantly lower in patients receiving lercanidipine than in those receiving some other calcium channel antagonists. CONCLUSION: Once-daily lercanidipine is an effective and well tolerated antihypertensive agent in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.

Calcium Channel Blockers↗