Short-term comparative study of topical 2% carteolol with and without benzalkonium chloride in healthy volunteers.

Aim: A crossover, randomised double blind study was undertaken in 30 healthy volunteers, in order to compare the tolerance of 2% carteolol with and without preservative in short term use.

Methods: Complete ophthalmic examinations were performed before and 30, 60, and 180 minutes after instillation of one drop of the solution, and after 3 days of preservative treatment. After a 5 day washout, the same examinations were done with the second drug.

Influence of the behaviour pattern on the nocebo response of healthy volunteers.

The occurrence of a nocebo effect after placebo administration to healthy volunteers in a Phase I trial was analysed according to their type of personality (Bortner Rating Scale). More subjects with a behaviour pattern A (competitive and aggressive) (50%) described subjective side effects of the placebo than type B subjects (17%, P = 0.03).

Placebo effect in cardiovascular clinical pharmacology.

A placebo is a pharmacologically inactive substance that can have a therapeutic effect if administered to a patient who believes that he or she is receiving an effective treatment. It is generally admitted that the placebo effect decreases blood pressure in 20% to 30%, when evaluated by casual sphygmomanometer or ambulatory systems. In order to evaluate the occurrence of a placebo effect in cardiovascular pharmacology, we analysed two studies.