Placebo News and Research

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Treating nighttime heartburn improves sleep and boosts quality of life

The first major multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial addressing therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) related sleep disorders is published in the September issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology.

1 Sep 2005

Contraceptive pill controls severe premenstrual disorder

According to a new study, a low dose oral contraceptive works as a treatment for the most severe form of premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

1 Sep 2005

Call for guidelines on the use of homeopathic remedies

The Lancet is calling on the Department of Health and the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to urgently consider developing guidelines on the use of homeopathic remedies.

1 Sep 2005

Low dose oral contraceptive effective in controlling premenstrual disorder

A new study led by researchers at Yale School of Medicine shows for the first time that a low dose oral contraceptive with a unique progestin and dosing regimen is effective in treating symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), the most severe form of premenstrual syndrome.

31 Aug 2005

Danish scientists have identified which head and neck cancer patients will benefit from additional drug treatment during radiotherapy

Tumours that have low concentrations of oxygen (hypoxia) are resistant to radiotherapy. A drug called nimorazole (a hypoxia radiosensitiser) can improve the outcome of radiotherapy for patients with these types of tumours. However, at the moment there is no way to identify people with tumours that lack oxygen, who need this additional drug treatment, from those that only need radiotherapy.

30 Aug 2005

Genetic makeup may detemine likely success of quit smoking therapies

A study by researchers at the Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center (TTURC) of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine indicates that a smoker's genetic make-up may affect whether they quit or not while using either bupropion (Zyban) or nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) such as the nicotine patch or nasal spray.

30 Aug 2005

Depressant benzodiazepine especially effective at treating seizure in alcohol withdrawal syndrome patients

Tranquilizers work better than placebos at treating the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome but they may not work better than other drugs, according to a new review of recent studies.

29 Aug 2005

Leading medical journal says homeopathy no better than dummy drugs

Leading medical journal The Lancet has rubbished homeopathy and says it is no more value than dummy drugs.

29 Aug 2005

Brain can be tricked into thinking the pain has gone

A new U.S. study has found that it is possible that by just thinking that a medicine will relieve pain is enough to prompt the brain to release its own natural painkillers, and soothe painful sensations.

24 Aug 2005

FDA Approves Aceon to reduce risk of cardiovascular mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Solvay Pharmaceuticals and CV Therapeutics have announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Aceon (perindopril erbumine) Tablets for the treatment of patients with stable coronary artery disease to reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality or non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI).

24 Aug 2005

First direct evidence that endorphins play a role in the phenomenon known as the placebo effect

Just thinking that a medicine will relieve pain is enough to prompt the brain to release its own natural painkillers, and soothe painful sensations, a new University of Michigan study finds.

23 Aug 2005

Benefits of MAO-B inhibitors are small but may be worthwhile in some patients with early Parkinson's disease

A class of drugs known as MAO-B inhibitors may be effective in improving motor symptoms in people with early Parkinson's disease and may delay the need for treatment with other drugs, according to a new systematic review of current evidence.

23 Aug 2005

Patients with primary biliary cirrhosis who are treated with methotrexate have an increased risk of death

In five randomized controlled trials involving 457 people, the authors report that for patients treated with methotrexate, as a single therapy or in combination with other drug treatment, pooled data showed a tendency toward an increased risk of death or liver transplantation. The brand names for methotrexate are Rheumatrex and Trexall.

23 Aug 2005

Dietary supplement chitosan shows some promise in treating obesity

The dietary supplement chitosan shows some promise in treating overweight and obesity but has not been shown conclusively to be an effective weight loss aid, according to a new systematic review of current evidence.

23 Aug 2005

Drug company disputes claim of new study on antidepressant Paxil

Drug company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is disputing claims that its antidepressant Paxil was linked to an increased suicide risk in adults.

23 Aug 2005

Antidepressant drug should have suicide warning for adults as well as children

According to a Norwegian study, adults taking the antidepressant drug paroxetine are at a higher risk of attempting to commit suicide than those not taking medication.

22 Aug 2005

Paroxetine linked to higher rate of suicide

Adult patients taking the antidepressant drug paroxetine are at higher risk of attempting to commit suicide than those not taking medication.

22 Aug 2005

Adalimumab and methotrexate is about five times more effective than methotrexate alone for rheumatoid arthritis

For people with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis, combined treatment with the new "biologic" drug adalimumab and methotrexate is about five times more effective than methotrexate alone, according to a new systematic review of studies.

15 Aug 2005

Combined gene therapy eliminates glioblastoma multiforme in lab studies

Despite aggressive treatment, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) - the most common and deadly of brain cancers - usually claims the lives of its victims within six to 12 months of diagnosis. Because GBM is so aggressive, the disease has been the target of a number of laboratory and clinical studies investigating the effectiveness of gene therapy to deliver novel therapies to the brain.

15 Aug 2005

Roflumilast could become a new therapeutic strategy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

An anti-inflammatory drug called roflumilast could become a new therapeutic strategy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), conclude the results of a randomised trial in this week’s issue of The Lancet.

11 Aug 2005

Placebo News and Research

Treating nighttime heartburn improves sleep and boosts quality of life

Contraceptive pill controls severe premenstrual disorder

Call for guidelines on the use of homeopathic remedies

Low dose oral contraceptive effective in controlling premenstrual disorder

Danish scientists have identified which head and neck cancer patients will benefit from additional drug treatment during radiotherapy

Genetic makeup may detemine likely success of quit smoking therapies

Depressant benzodiazepine especially effective at treating seizure in alcohol withdrawal syndrome patients

Leading medical journal says homeopathy no better than dummy drugs

Brain can be tricked into thinking the pain has gone

FDA Approves Aceon to reduce risk of cardiovascular mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease

First direct evidence that endorphins play a role in the phenomenon known as the placebo effect

Benefits of MAO-B inhibitors are small but may be worthwhile in some patients with early Parkinson's disease

Patients with primary biliary cirrhosis who are treated with methotrexate have an increased risk of death

Dietary supplement chitosan shows some promise in treating obesity

Drug company disputes claim of new study on antidepressant Paxil

Antidepressant drug should have suicide warning for adults as well as children

Paroxetine linked to higher rate of suicide

Adalimumab and methotrexate is about five times more effective than methotrexate alone for rheumatoid arthritis

Combined gene therapy eliminates glioblastoma multiforme in lab studies

Roflumilast could become a new therapeutic strategy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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