Betamethasone dipropionate spray 0.05% alleviates troublesome symptoms of plaque psoriasis.

Patients consider pruritus and scaling to be the most bothersome symptoms of psoriasis. Psoriatic plaques on the knees and elbows are widely considered difficult to treat because of the thicker stratum corneum, which reduces skin hydration and topical absorption. Betamethasone dipropionate (BD) spray 0.

Bioavailability, Pharmacokinetics, and Transepidermal Water Loss of Short Contact Tazarotene Lotion 0.1% Versus Tazarotene (Tazorac) Cream 0.1.

Two clinical studies were conducted to 1) assess the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of tazarotene and tazarotenic acid in DFD-03 lotion (a 1-minute, short-contact formulation for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris) and tazarotene cream 0.1% and 2) to evaluate transepidermal water loss (TEWL) with DFD-03 lotion, tazarotene gel (0.1%), or vehicle.

Effect of a New Head Lice Treatment, Abametapir Lotion, 0.74%, on Louse Eggs: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study.

Few head lice treatments have demonstrated effectiveness against louse eggs. Abametapir, a metalloproteinase inhibitor, is able to target metalloproteinases critical to egg hatching and louse development. In this double-blind, phase 2 study, 50 subjects aged ≥3 years with active head lice infestation were randomized to receive a single treatment of abametapir lotion, 0.

Clinical studies evaluating abametapir lotion, 0.74%, for the treatment of head louse infestation.

Background: There is a need for better control of head louse infestations. Abametapir is an inhibitor of metalloproteinases critical for louse survival and egg development. The efficacy of abametapir lotion, 0.

Efficacy, Safety, and Potency of Betamethasone Dipropionate Spray 0.05%: A Treatment for Adults with Mild-to-moderate Plaque Psoriasis.

A spray formulation of betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% (BD spray 0.05%; Sernivo™ [betamethasone dipropionate] Spray 0.

DFD-01 Reduces Transepidermal Water Loss and Improves Skin Hydration and Flexibility.

Introduction: In plaque psoriasis, the benefit of topical steroids is well established. The vehicle formulation of topical steroids may also provide benefit in addition to the effects of the steroid itself. DFD-01 (betamethasone dipropionate spray, 0.

A multicenter, open-label, long-term safety and tolerability study of DFN-02, an intranasal spray of sumatriptan 10 mg plus permeation enhancer DDM, for the acute treatment of episodic migraine.

Background: DFN-02 is a novel intranasal spray formulation composed of sumatriptan 10 mg and a permeation-enhancing excipient comprised of 0.2% 1-O-n-Dodecyl-β-D-Maltopyranoside (DDM). This composition of DFN-02 allows sumatriptan to be rapidly absorbed into the systemic circulation and exhibit pharmacokinetics comparable to subcutaneously administered sumatriptan.

A randomized, blinded, multicenter trial of a gentamicin vancomycin gel (DFA-02) in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Background: SI is a significant medical problem. DFA-02 is an investigational bioresorbable modified release gel consisting of both gentamicin (16.8 mg/mL) and vancomycin (18.

A Randomized Trial Comparing the Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of DFN-02, an Intranasal Sumatriptan Spray Containing a Permeation Enhancer, With Intranasal and Subcutaneous Sumatriptan in Healthy Adults.

Objective/background: Intranasal sumatriptan (Imitrex ) may be an alternative for patients who refuse injections and cannot tolerate oral agents, but due to low bioavailability and slow absorption, the clinical utility of the currently marketed formulation is limited, highlighting an unmet need for an effective non-oral migraine medication with a rapid onset of action. To overcome the slow absorption profile associated with intranasal administration, we evaluated the impact of 1-O-n-Dodecyl-β-D-Maltopyranoside (DDM, Intravail A-3™), a permeation enhancer, on sumatriptan's pharmacokinetic profile by comparing the pharmacokinetic characteristics of two commercial sumatriptan products, 4 mg subcutaneous and 6 mg subcutaneous in healthy adults, with DFN-02 - a novel intranasal agent comprised of sumatriptan 10 mg plus 0.20% DDM.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic dose escalation study of a gentamicin vancomycin gel in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

Background: Despite numerous interventions promulgated by the Surgical Care Improve Project (SCIP) and other organizations, surgical site infection (SSI) continues to be a significant medical problem. DFA-02 is a novel bioresorbable modified-release gel consisting of both gentamicin (16.8 mg/mL) and vancomycin (18.

Safety and pharmacokinetics of single and multiple intravenous bolus doses of diclofenac sodium compared with oral diclofenac potassium 50 mg: A randomized, parallel-group, single-center study in healthy subjects.

In a randomized, parallel-group, single-center study in 42 healthy adults, the safety and pharmacokinetic parameters of an intravenous formulation of 18.75 and 37.5 mg diclofenac sodium (DFP-08) following single- and multiple-dose bolus administration were compared with diclofenac potassium 50 mg oral tablets.

The impact of fetal fibronectin testing for women with symptoms of preterm labour in routine clinical practice within a New Zealand population.

Aims: To perform a comparative analysis of antenatal management received according to the results of cervico-vaginal fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing, and to review preterm delivery rates and fFN predictive values within a New Zealand population of women presenting with threatened preterm labour.

Methods: Case note review of all fFN tests performed at Middlemore Hospital, South Auckland from August 2003 to March 2005 (n = 199). Data collected included risk factors for preterm delivery, signs and symptoms at presentation, antenatal management received after fFN test and outcome and delivery details.

Effect of atilmotin on gastrointestinal transit in healthy subjects: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

We studied effects of i.v. atilmotin (BAX-ACC-1638, a novel motilin agonist, circulating t(1/2) < 10 min) on gastrointestinal transit in humans using a randomized, parallel-group, dose-response double-blind study of i.

Esmolol in acute ischemic syndromes.

Background: beta-Blockers have been shown to reduce both morbidity and mortality rates in patients with acute coronary syndromes. However, because of potential side effects, their use is limited in patients who might benefit the most from such therapy. It was thought that the use of an ultra-short-acting intravenous beta-blocker might produce similar results with fewer complications in those patients with relative contraindications to beta-blocker therapy.

IGIV in neurology--evidence and recommendations.

Objective: To summarize the evidence for neurologic uses of immunoglobulin, intravenous (IGIV) in light of present-day clinical usage. This summary guided the development of practice recommendations for the effective and efficient use of IGIV in Neurology.

Methods: MEDLINE was searched to identify pertinent English-language review articles and original reports (n = 231) on the use of IGIV in neurology (excluding editorials, letters, and comments) published before March 1998.

Cerivastatin, a New Potent Synthetic HMG Co-A Reductase Inhibitor: Effect of 0.2 mg Daily in Subjects With Primary Hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND: Reduction of serum cholesterol, most notably low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is associated with reductions in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Statins have been shown to effectively reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol via inhibition of the hydroxymethyl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. Cerivastatin is the most potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor currently under study in the United States.

The efficacy and safety of once-daily nifedipine administered without food: the coat-core formulation compared with the gastrointestinal therapeutic system formulation in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. Nifedipine Study Group.

A parallel-group, randomized, double-blind, forced-titration, multicenter study was done to compare the efficacy and safety of once-daily nifedipine coat-core (NIF CC) and once-daily nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (NIF GITS) dosed in the fasting state in patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension. Both formulations have been shown to effectively and safely lower blood pressure in placebo-controlled trials. After a 4-week placebo run-in period, 228 patients were randomized to 4 weeks of treatment with either NIF CC 30 mg daily or NIF GITS 30 mg daily.

The efficacy and safety of once-daily nifedipine: the coat-core formulation compared with the gastrointestinal therapeutic system formulation in patients with mild-to-moderate diastolic hypertension. Nifedipine Study Group.

The efficacy and safety of two sustained-release formulations of nifedipine, the coat-core system (NIF CC) and the gastrointestinal therapeutic system (NIF GITS), were examined in 228 patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension in this 16-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study. The coadministration of food affects the nifedipine pharmacokinetics with differing magnitudes for the two formulations. To evaluate drug safety under the most rigorous circumstances, all medication was given with food.

Patient and parental attitudes toward genetic screening and its implications at an adult cystic fibrosis centre.

General population screening for cystic fibrosis carrier status in the United Kingdom would detect 72% of at-risk couples. Proper counselling would allow these couples to make informed reproductive choices, including the possibility of prenatal diagnosis and the termination of an affected pregnancy. However, children with cystic fibrosis born in this decade, given optimum treatment, now have an average life expectancy of 40 years, and there is no unanimity of opinion on how, where, when, or even if, screening should be offered.

The effect of amlodipine on ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Certain high-risk populations, such as diabetics and blacks, have sustained elevation in blood pressure and heart rate throughout the day and night, with blunting of the usual diurnal variability pattern. This may contribute to their higher incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (blacks) and cardiovascular complications (diabetics). Hypertensives who maintain a diurnal pattern of blood pressure variation still exhibit higher daytime and nocturnal blood pressure levels than normotensives.

Pentoxifylline in the treatment of vascular impotence--case reports.

Vascular impotence is a common medical problem for which available therapies are limited. Three impotent patients observed in the authors' practice who were receiving pentoxifylline for treatment of claudication of the lower extremities spontaneously reported improved sexual function. A controlled trial of pentoxifylline for vascular impotence may be warranted.

Effect of amlodipine on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Sixteen hypertensive patients (diastolic blood pressure of 95-114 mm Hg) were randomized to receive 5 mg of amlodipine daily or placebo, double blind, for 4 weeks. Antihypertensive efficacy was assessed using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring at baseline and following double-blind therapy in conjunction with sphygmomanometric measurement at 2-week intervals. Laboratory tests, ECG, and adverse effects were recorded to assess tolerability.

Nitrendipine in severe hypertension. Satellite symposium on calcium antagonists.

We report the results of a multicenter trial in which nitrendipine, alone or in combination with a diuretic, a beta-blocker, or both, was administered to 114 patients with severe hypertension (greater than or equal to 115 mm Hg). Nitrendipine was titrated in doses of 5 to 30 mg b.i.