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December, 2007 (Issue 64)   | |
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| Transdermal, transvaginal and intrauterine hormone delivery systems have made highly effective contraceptive products more convenient to use. New oral contraceptive options include regimens with fewer or shorter hormone-free intervals. | |
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| November, 2007 (Issue 63) | top |
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| The goals of drug therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are to reduce symptoms such as dyspnea, improve exercise tolerance and quality of life, and minimize complications of the disease such as acute exacerbations and cor pulmonale. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines developed by the World Health Organization and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute were updated in 2006. The American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society jointly developed guidelines for COPD in 2004. | |
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| October, 2007 (Issue 62) | |
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| Parkinson’s disease (PD) is caused primarily by progressive degeneration of dopamine-containing neurons in the substantia nigra. Dopamine itself cannot be used to treat PD because it does not cross the bloodbrain barrier. | |
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| September, 2007 (Issue 61) | top |
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| Many infections can be transmitted during sexual contact. The text and tables that follow are limited to management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) other than HIV, viral hepatitis and enteric infections. Guidelines are available from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with detailed recommendations for treatment of these diseases. | |
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| August, 2007 (Issue 60) | top |
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| Allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, anaphylaxis and asthma (reviewed in Treatment Guidelines 2005; 3:33 and not included here), are prevalent worldwide, especially in industrialized countries. Pharmacologic treatment of these disorders continues to improve in efficacy and safety. In addition to using drugs to prevent and control the symptoms of their allergic diseases, patients should also be instructed to avoid, if possible, specific allergens and/or environmental conditions that trigger or worsen their symptoms. | |
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| July, 2007 (Issue 59) | |
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| The drugs of choice for treatment of non-HIV viral infections with their dosages and cost are listed in Tables 1-6. Some of the indications and dosages recommended here have not been approved by the FDA. Vaccines used in the prevention of viral infections are discussed in the "Adult Immunization" issue of Treatment Guidelines. | |
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| June, 2007 (Issue 58) | top |
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| The drugs of choice for treatment of common cardiac arrhythmias are listed in Tables 1 and 2. Some drugs are recommended for indications that have not been approved by the FDA. | |
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| May, 2007 (Issue 57) | |
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| Information about empirical treatment of bacterial infections, emerging trends in antimicrobial resistance, new drugs and new data about older drugs continue to become available. Usual pathogens and empiric treatment for some common types of infections are summarized in the text and a table listing the drugs of choice and alternatives for each pathogen begins on page 40. The recommendations made here are based on the results of susceptibility studies, clinical trials and the opinions of Medical Letter consultants. | |
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| April, 2007 (Issue 56) | top |
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| Pain can be acute or chronic. Chronic pain has been broadly classified into two types: nociceptive and neuropathic. Nociceptive pain is generally treated with nonopioid analgesics and opioids. Antidepressants and anticonvulsants have been used to treat neuropathic pain. Combining two different types of analgesics may nprovide an additive analgesic effect without increasing adverse effects. | |
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| March, 2007 (Issue 55) | |
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 | Drugs for Tuberculosis p.15 |
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Superseded by Treatment Guidelines "Drugs for Tuberculosis" - Issue 86, October 2009
Even though the incidence continues to decline, tuberculosis (TB) is still a problem in the United States. Treatment of TB can be divided into treatment of latent infection and treatment of active disease. Atable listing the first-line drugs used for treatment of TB with their doses and adverse effects can be found on page 16. Other guidelines with more detailed management recommendations are available. | |
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| February, 2007 (Issue 54) | top |
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| Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, but cognitive loss is also associated with other neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or vascular dementia. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been defined as cognitive decline greater than expected for an individual’s age and educational level, but not interfering with activities of daily living; it may be a transitional state between the cognitive changes of normal aging and the earliest stages of dementia.1 In longitudinal studies, the rate of progression from MCI to clinically diagnosable AD is 10-15% per year. | |
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| January, 2007 (Issue 53) | |
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| Drugs for glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, bacterial and allergic conjunctivitis, and dry eyes are reviewed here. Ophthalmic drugs can have local and systemic adverse effects. In addition, for some elderly patients, the complexity of self-administering numerous ophthalmic drugs may be the limiting factor in their ability to care for themselves. | |
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