english.prescrire.org > Prescrire International > N°105 - February 2010

n°105

February 2010

Issue Contents
Editorial

Free  Enough is enough!

p.4
France's Health Authority must withdraw risky guidelines

Marketing Authorisations

Atomoxetine (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)(New Drug)

p.5-8
No better than methylphenidate

Nicotinic acid + laropiprant (lipid disorders)(New Drug)

p.9-11
Adding laropiprant adds adverse effects

Dapoxetine (premature ejaculation)(New Drug)

p.12-14
Not worth the risk

INN common stem: -oxetine

p.14

Eltrombopag (Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura)(New Drug)

p.15
Romiplostim is a better option

Fentanyl sublingual tablets (breakthrough pain)(New Formulation)

p.16
No advantage

Adverse Effects

Free  Benfluorex: increasing reports of valve disorders

p.17
News update: benfluorex withdrawn from the French market

Renal failure caused by drugs

p.18-21
Often predictable and preventable

Drug-induced cancer

p.21
Pharmacovigilance databases

Fentanyl patches: preventable overdose

p.22-25

Prescrire's advice

p.23
Preventing overdose with fentanyl transdermal patches

NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, and isotretinoin: still too many pregnant women exposed French surveys

p.25

Cetirizine and loratadine: minimal risk of QT prolongation

p.26-28
Caution in some circumstances

Nasal corticosteroids: risk of systemic adverse effects

p.28
Lowest effective doses should be determined

Paediatric drug administration: frequent errors

p.28
Teach parents to use the INN, not the brand name

Free  Drug-induced memory disorders

p.29
Transient and reversible

Free  Carbimazole: cases of birth defects

p.29
Propylthiouracil a safer option during pregnancy

Reviews

Rheumatoid arthritis: choice of antirheumatic treatment

p.30-34
Methotrexate first

Preventing blindness due to diabetic retinopathy

p.35-38
Control glycaemia and blood pressure, and monitor the eyes

Diagnosis of fibrosis and cirrhosis

p.38-42
Liver biopsy is not always necessary

Outlook

Free  More clarity needed in funding of patient groups

p.43
Credibility is at stake

Free  Evaluation of treatment risks

p.44-45
Taking clinical data, pharmacology and patient characteristics into account

Free  Phase I trials

p.46
End the secrecy

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

p.48

Masthead

Free  Masthead

p.2

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