Clopidogrel bioavailability: absence of influence of food or antacids.

Two open, randomized, crossover bioavailability studies were carried out to assess the influence of concurrent antacid medication and food on the bioavailability of clopidogrel. A fed/fasting study was conducted in 12 elderly male subjects. Each subject took a single 75 mg dose of clopidogrel on two occasions-in the morning after an overnight fast, either during a standardized breakfast, or with breakfast delayed by 4 hours after dosing.

[Ovulation inhibition with medrogestone administered on the 4th through the 24th day of the cycle].

Medrogestone (M) is a derivative of 17 methylprogesterone (P) used for P insufficiency at oral doses of 5 to 15 mg/day (D). We studied the ability of M to inhibit cyclic pituitary-ovarian activity when given at a dose of 10 mg/d from D4 to D24. Ten healthy Caucasian females, aged from 21 to 33, volunteered for an open 2 consecutive cycle study (cycle 1 = control, cycle 2 = M).

Administration of RU 486 for 8 days in normal volunteers: antiglucocorticoid effect with no evidence of peripheral cortisol deprivation.

New therapeutic indications based on the antiprogesterone action of RU 486 (Mifepristone) are emerging which require long term administration and raise the question of its safety because of the antiglucocorticoid action of the drug. A trial was designed to assess the antiglucocorticoid effect of RU 486, possible manifestations of peripheral cortisol deprivation, and the adrenocortical and corticotroph reserves. Ten normal male volunteers (aged 21-29 yr) were given RU 486 (200 mg/day) or placebo between 0800-0900 h for 8 consecutive days in a randomized, double blind, cross-over design, with a 1-month interval between the two periods.

Comparison of finasteride (Proscar) and Serenoa repens (Permixon) in the inhibition of 5-alpha reductase in healthy male volunteers.

A total of 32 healthy male volunteers (age range 20-30 years) were enrolled in a 1-week open, randomized, placebo-controlled study comparing finasteride (Proscar), a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, with Permixon, the plant extract of Serenoa repens. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of single and multiple doses of the drugs on the inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase as assessed by serum dihydrotestosterone level determination. Following baseline measurements on day 1, the subjects were randomized to finasteride 5 mg once a day (n = 10), Permixon 80 mg x 2 twice a day (n = 11), or to placebo once a day (n = 11) for 7 days.

Readability - where has it gone?

For the sake of innovation, new typographic devices and styles were introduced in recent years to printed materials that go contrary to the fundamentals of eye physiology and do violence to well-tested and established reading habits. If this trend continues, the saying "Johnny can't read" may have to be modified to "John, at age 50, does not want to read, he rather listens to a tape."