Omalizumab in severe allergic asthma inadequately controlled with standard therapy: a randomized trial.

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting β(2)-agonists (LABAs) are recommended in patients with asthma that is not well-controlled; however, many patients continue to have inadequately controlled asthma despite this therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of omalizumab in patients with inadequately controlled severe asthma who are receiving high-dose ICS and LABAs, with or without additional controller therapy.

Design: Prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Efficacy and safety of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol HFA 134A MDI in patients with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma.

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of fluticasone propionate (FP) (44 microg)/salmeterol (21 microg) delivered as two inhalations twice daily via a single hydrofluoroalkane (HFA 134a) metered dose inhaler (MDI) (FSC) with that of placebo HFA 134a (PLA), fluticasone propionate 44 microg chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) alone and salmeterol 21 microg CFC alone (S) in patients (n=360) with persistent asthma previously treated with beta2-agonists (short- or long-acting) or inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). After 12 weeks of treatment, patients treated with FSC had a significantly greater increase (p < or = 0.006) in mean FEV1 AUC(bl) compared with PLA, FP, or S.

The health-related quality of life effects of once-daily cetirizine HCl syrup in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) can adversely impact children's physical, psychological, and social functioning and well-being, that is, their health-related quality of life (HRQL). This study assessed HRQL in children 6 to 11 years treated with cetirizine HCl syrup, while concurrently assessing symptomatic relief and safety. In an open-label, non-comparative study, 544 children from 124 centers in the United States were instructed to take cetirizine HCl syrup (10 cc of 1 mg/mL) each evening for 4 weeks.

Allergic reactions to natural rubber latex at home, to rubber products, and to cross-reacting foods.

The prevalence of clinical sensitivity to natural rubber latex (NRL) has increased dramatically in the last 15 years. In the health care setting this has been associated with the increased use of latex gloves. It does not, however, explain the observation that IgE antibodies to NRL are detected in equal rates in both health care workers and the general population, with the numerous reactions occurring in homes and in health care settings in non-health care workers.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of cevimeline in Sjögren's syndrome patients with xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 2 dosages of cevimeline for the treatment of xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sicca in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Methods: A 12-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was performed. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either placebo, 15 mg of cevimeline 3 times daily, or 30 mg of cevimeline 3 times daily.