Anti-inflammatory agents

Antimalaria drugs could be an effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease

Two antimalarials were found to activate a receptor in the brain that is involved in protecting neurons that are lost in Parkinson’s disease.…

Clinical Pharmacist’s monthly news round-up: the top 10 in the past month

What has been happening in the world of pharmacy? Here’s our pick of must-read news from the past month.…

Study highlights intracranial bleeding risk when antidepressants are taken with NSAIDs

Concomitant use of antidepressants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is associated with an increased risk of intracranial haemorrhage, confirms new research.…

Scotland brings in medicine card to avoid kidney injury after dehydration

Pocket-sized patient information cards that warn patients to temporarily stop taking specific medicines if they have a dehydrating illness are being introduced across Scotland.…

Trauma to joints can increase risk of psoriatic arthritis

Patients with psoriasis who experience trauma to the joints or bones are up to 50% more likely to go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, finds new research.…

Biological agents can reduce work absenteeism in patients with rheumatic disease

Patients with rheumatic disease who are treated with biological drugs miss fewer days of work and are more productive than patients treated with non-biological agents, reveals a meta-analysis. …

Rheumatoid arthritis patients should be offered intensive treatment when first diagnosed

Evidence to support intensive treatment with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs when patients are first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis has been presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology.…

Painkiller use is more closely linked to homicide than antipsychotics or antidepressants

There is a closer association between use of painkillers and homicide than there is between the use of antipsychotics or antidepressants and killing someone, research shows.…

Oral steroids provide a modest boost to function for patients with sciatica

A trial has found giving patients a tapered 15-day course of oral steroids can provide a modest improvement in function.…

Aspirin users see slower progression of emphysema

Regular aspirin use may slow the progression of subclinical emphysema through effects on platelet activation or inflammation, say researchers.…