Double-blind comparison of loratadine (SCH 29851), astemizole, and placebo in hay fever with special regard to onset of action.

In this double-blind study, 65 patients with hay fever were treated for 14 days with either loratadine 10 mg once daily, astemizole 10 mg once daily, or placebo. On the third day of treatment loratadine was statistically superior to placebo, but astemizole and placebo showed no significant differences according to the ratings for symptomatology, efficacy, and individual symptoms. Adverse effects were minimal and did not differ between the three groups.

Epidural pain treatment in the northern Netherlands. Organizational and treatment aspects.

During the past six years opiates administered in the vicinity of the medulla spinalis (intrathecally or extradurally) were shown to be successful tools in the treatment of both acute and chronic pain (1, 6). Continuous installation and long-term treatment have become possible by insertion of a permanent catheter into the epidural space. In cases where conventional analgesic therapy has remained ineffective or given rise to serious side-effects this method of analgesia should be preferred to control protracted painful conditions, most typically in cancer patients.