english.prescrire.org > Prescrire International > N°104 - December 2009

n°104

December 2009

Issue Contents
Editorial

Free  Putting temptation in their path

p.240
EU Commission's draft laws compromise patients' interests

Marketing Authorisations

Agomelatine (major depressive episodes in adults)(New Drug)

p.241-245
Adverse effects and no proven efficacy

From "publication bias" to disinformation

p.244

INN common stems: -ifene, -mifene and -oxifen(e)

p.245

INN common stems: -fovir

p.245

Romiplostim (thrombocytopenic purpura)(New Drug)

p.246
For selected patients, with close monitoring

Lasofoxifene (osteoporosis in postmenopausal women)(New Drug)

p.247
No better than raloxifene

Risperidone (new indication in Alzheimer's dementia)(New Indication)

p.248
A last resort, no better than haloperidol

Lamotrigine (absence seizures)(New Indication)

p.249
Try valproic acid first

Free  Pantoprazole (reflux symptoms)(New Status)

p.250
Better than H2 receptor agonists, not during pregnancy

Aripiprazole (in adolescent schizophrenia)(New Indication)

p.251
No comparison with standard neuroleptics

Glatiramer (multiple sclerosis)(A Second Look)

p.252
Still no proven benefit

Adverse Effects

Valproic acid: long-term effects on children exposed in utero

p.253-257
Valproic acid should be avoided during pregnancy

Carbamazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine and topiramate: uncertain risk of birth defects

p.254-255

Vitamin B6: peripheral neuropathy

p.257
Dependent on dose and duration

Palifermin: anaphylaxis, oedema and hyperpigmentation

p.257
Sucking ice is safer for preventing mucositis

Bisphosphonates: atypical fractures (continued)

p.257
Femur most often involved

Injectable amphotericin B: mix-ups between lipid and non-lipid formulations

p.258-260

Prescrire's advice: Preventing dosing errors due to confusion between injectable formulations of amphotericin B

p.259

Testosterone gel: children exposed through contact with adults

p.260
Virilisation cases were reported

Tacrolimus: confusion between products

p.260
Unnecessary line extension

Non-anaemic pregnant women should not take iron supplements

p.261-262
Harmful effects

Reviews

Treatment of multiple myeloma

p.263-266
2009 update

Pneumococcal vaccination

p.266
Effective in children under the age of 2 years

Complex regional pain syndrome type 1

p.267-271
Some treatments assessed versus placebo, limited efficacy

Bell's palsy

p.271
Corticosteroids effective

Antiplatelet drugs for patients at high cardiovascular risk

p.272-273
Aspirin generally remains the best choice

Pre-eclampsia

p.274
Aspirin beneficial

Childhood psoriasis

p.275
Often favourable outcome

Outlook

Gene therapy: concepts and methods

p.276-279
Few applications so far

The role of genes in disease: beware of simplistic interpretations!

p.279-282

A few methods for identifying the association between genes and diseases

p.281

Free  The 2010 "Prescrire Encounters" "For accessible quality healthcare" Brussels May 2010

p.284

Masthead

Free  Masthead

p.238

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