Review of data casts doubt on use of paracetamol for back pain and osteoarthritis A meta-analysis published in The BMJ casts doubt on the use of paracetamol in spinal pain and osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.…
Neuropsychiatric review offers reassurance for smokers who quit using varenicline A meta-analysis of the smoking cessation drug varenicline has shown it is associated with an increased risk of sleep disorders and insomnia, but no evidence of an increased risk of suicide.…
Greater risk of death by antipsychotics in dementia patients, research suggests The risk of death caused by use of antipsychotic drugs in people with dementia is greater than previously thought, and increases in line with dose, research suggests.…
Energy restriction could tackle drug-resistant epilepsy Shutting down a metabolic pathway that fuels misfiring neurons can suppress seizures in mice, find researchers who predict a fresh approach to developing antiepileptic drugs.…
Obtaining consent from patients is not always straightforward How do you obtain consent when the patient is unable to give it?…
Paediatric antipsychotic prescribing guidelines are not adhered to, study suggests Best practice guidelines for treating children and adolescents with antipsychotics are only followed around half of the time, according to research published in Pediatrics.…
Paroxetine improves symptoms of heart failure in mice The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine inhibits G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2, an enzyme that hastens the onset of heart failure.…
Reformulated OxyContin reduces abuse but many addicts have switched to heroin Reformulation of OxyContin into an abuse-deterrent formula has reduced its illicit use but has caused people to switch to other opioid drugs, a US study finds.…
Scientists use crowdfunding to boost LSD researchScientists have turned to crowdfunding to support an imaging study showing the effects of LSD on the brain, the first to be conducted in the UK.…
Pre-anaesthesia sedation may do more harm than good Researchers have called into question the practice of sedating patients before they are anaesthetised for surgery, finding no benefit in terms of patient experience.…