Overactive bladder drugs and constipation: a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

Background: Anticholinergic drugs are commonly prescribed for symptomatic treatment of overactive bladder (OAB). While recent meta-analyses have characterized the prevalence of dry mouth among patients utilizing OAB medications, prevalence of constipation has not been systematically reviewed.

Aims: To provide an effect measure for constipation associated with anticholinergic OAB drugs versus placebo.

First renin inhibitor, aliskiren, for the treatment of hypertension.

Aim Of The Review: To systematically analyze the efficacy and safety of aliskiren for the treatment of hypertension in comparison to placebo, other monotherapy, and various combination therapies.

Method: A PubMed database (1966-June 2008) search was conducted with aliskiren as a search term with limits of humans, written in English, and in title only. Phase III pivotal clinical studies retrieved by PubMed database and resources such as printed labeling, approval letter, pharmacology reviews, and medical reviews posted in Drug@FDA website were evaluated with regard to study design and outcomes of efficacy and safety.