Nonprescription Therapies Research Articles

Therapy for Menopausal Symptoms During and After Treatment for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common newly diagnosed cancer in women. Life-time risk in the US is 1 in 8 (13.2%), in the UK it is 1 in 9 and in Australia it affects 1 in 11 women, of whom approximately 27% will be premenopausal at the time of their diagnosis. Many of these women will experience a sudden menopause as a result of chemotherapy, endocrine therapy or surgical interventions. For these women, the onset of menopausal symptoms is often sudden and severe. The management of such symptoms remains controversial. Women experiencing menopausal symptoms after breast cancer should be encouraged to avoid identifiable triggers for their symptoms and to consider lifestyle modification as a means of controlling those symptoms. When such measures fail, non-hormonal treatments may also be considered. These include clonidine, gabapentin and some antidepressants. Randomised trials have shown a significant difference in the symptom relief associated with various selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and selective serotonin and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) reuptake inhibitors compared with placebo. Many women elect to use non-prescription complementary therapies to alleviate their menopausal symptoms. Systematic reviews of phytoestrogens have, however, failed to demonstrate significant relief of menopausal symptoms. More than 20 clinical trials have been conducted examining the relationship between postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer recurrence. The majority of these have been observational and have shown no increased risk of recurrence. However, the largest randomised trial that has thus far been conducted was recently halted because of a reported increase in the risk of recurrence amongst users of hormone replacement therapy. Tibolone, a selective tissue estrogen activity regulator, is a compound that exerts clinical effects both by receptor-mediated actions and tissue selective enzyme inhibition, and has been shown in preclinical studies to have different effects to estrogen on the breast. Although tibolone may prove safer than estrogen for long-term use in breast cancer survivors, the results of a large randomised trial are awaited to confirm this.The decision on how best to manage menopausal symptoms must thus be made on an individual basis and after thorough discussion and evaluation of the risks and benefits of each potential intervention.

National Survey of Pharmacists About Coronary Heart Disease, Hypercholesterolemia, Nonprescription Statin Therapy, and Pharmacists’ Services

To determine the beliefs and attitudes of pharmacists about the significance of high blood cholesterol, coronary heart disease (CHD), nonprescription statin therapy for patients at moderate risk for CHD, and their role in support of cholesterol-lowering treatments in patients. Cross-sectional survey. Nationwide sample of licensed pharmacists in ambulatory practice in the United States drawn randomly from databases of the American Pharmacists Association. 104 independent pharmacists and 169 chain pharmacists. Web-based survey. Respondents' indication of strong agreement with questionnaire statements (selecting 8, 9, or 10 on a 10-point scale). The survey found that 75% and 61% of pharmacists believed strongly that CHD and high blood cholesterol levels, respectively, are significant health problems facing Americans, and 60% believed that not enough is currently being done to reduce this risk. Pharmacists indicated that they very regularly advised patients about prescription and nonprescription treatments (75%) and encouraged adherence to them (78%); a smaller but substantial proportion regularly monitored patient response to prescription (33%) and nonprescription therapies (15%) and provided point-of-care cholesterol testing (7%). The survey also revealed that the majority of pharmacists (68%) would support consumers interested in purchasing a nonprescription statin product and 82% believed such a product would be more effective than currently available cholesterol-lowering dietary supplements. Pharmacists were concerned that patients pursuing nonprescription statins might discontinue their prescription cholesterol-lowering medications (79%), experience adverse effects (79%), and not be able to self-manage their use of a nonprescription statin product (78%). Community pharmacist members of APhA believe that CHD and cholesterol are important problems facing many people, routinely provide services that support patients who wish to self-administer nonprescription therapies, and would be interested in supporting consumers who wish to carry out therapy with a nonprescription statin.

Nonestrogen Treatment Modalities for Vasomotor Symptoms Associated with Menopause

To systematically review the literature regarding the efficacy and safety of nonestrogen treatments for menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms not due to cancer or chemotherapy. Pertinent literature and clinical studies were identified by searching MEDLINE (1966-February 2004) and EMBASE (1959-February 2004) using the key search terms vasomotor symptoms, hot flashes, and menopause. Bibliographies of relevant articles were reviewed for additional references. English-language articles reporting efficacy and safety of nonestrogen treatment modalities for perimenopausal and postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms were evaluated. All articles identified from the data sources were evaluated, and all information deemed relevant was included. Emphasis was placed on randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, as these provide the best efficacy and safety data. Studies evaluating treatment of vasomotor symptoms from other causes, such as cancer or chemotherapy, were excluded. Prescription medications reviewed for efficacy and safety in postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms include clonidine hydrochloride, danazol, gabapentin, methyldopa, mirtazapine, progestins, propranolol hydrochloride, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and venlafaxine. Nonprescription therapies reviewed include black cohosh, dong quai, evening primrose oil, physical activity, phytoestrogens, and red clover. According to this systematic literature review, postmenopausal vasomotor treatments that have been shown to be safe and effective in short-term use include black cohosh, exercise, gabapentin, medroxyprogesterone acetate, SSRIs (ie, paroxetine hydrochloride), and soy protein. Initial, small reports are suggestive for efficacy in menopausal vasomotor symptoms with megestrol acetate and venlafaxine.

The sleep apnoea syndromes: alternative therapies

Weight-loss recommendation, no alcohol and no sedatives are the first therapeutic approaches for patients with the obstructive sleep apne syndrome. However, further steps are often necessary. If there is a postural component in mild cases sleeping on the side can help. Recent developments are a range of operations that increase the size of the pharynx. There is a good relief in snoring but the reduction in apnea rate is less successful. Oral appliances are are indicated for primary snoring or mild obstructive sleep apnea. The are no data that support the use of drugs as a therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. Different nonprescription therapies are available (internal and external nasal dilators, nasal and oral lubricants, dietary supplements, magnetic pillows and matresses) but their usefulness for the treatment has not been demonstrated. The treatment of choice for sleep-related obstructive breathing disorders is nCPAP.

Nonprescription treatments of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea: an evaluation of products with limited scientific evidence.

To evaluate the level of evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of nonprescription therapies used to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, and form a consensus statement based on available data. Members of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's Clinical Practice Review Committee. A search of PubMed database using MeSH terms snore, apnea, and obstructive sleep apnea in August, 2002, including only articles published in English between 1990 and 2002 and of the World Wide Web, using Google search engine and the key words snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Letters were sent to manufacturers of lubricant oral and nasal products requesting copies of scientific studies to support their claims. Given the paucity and quality of scientific literature regarding the nonpharmacologic treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, members of the Clinical Practice Review Committee had insufficient information to develop standards of practice recommendations. Nevertheless, substantial publicity regarding such treatments is available to the general public. Very limited data are available to support a beneficial effect of these devices on snoring and minimal evidence is available to support their use in treating obstructive sleep apnea. Studies are limited by small numbers of participants and, in some instances, inadequate design, lack of statistical analysis, and sparse use of objective measurements. Many studies do not evaluate product safety, especially over extended use. Physicians may find this information useful in counseling their patients.

Alternatives for women through menopause

Today, 42% of Americans use alternative nonprescription therapies to treat medical conditions; 46% of nonprescription alternative use for principal medical conditions is done without consulting either a medical doctor or a nonphysician practitioner of alternative therapy. Many nontraditional alternatives are used to treat the hot flashes and somatic complaints of menopause, for which options such as hormone replacement therapy and other prescription and over-the-counter drugs are also available. To date, no one agent treats all menopausal symptoms as effectively as estrogen. Selective estrogen-receptor modulators can help prevent osteoporosis but do not relieve menopausal symptoms. However, some women are unwilling or unable to take hormone replacement therapy, and some decide to discontinue therapy. Evidence supporting the use of some nonprescription alternatives for conditions related to menopause is limited. Patients need to be aware of the potential for drug interactions when these alternative therapies are used concomitantly with prescription drugs. The current evidence to support use of hormone replacement therapy, selective estrogen-receptor modulators, and nontraditional alternatives is reviewed here. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185:S47-56.)

Caring for the woman with migraine headaches

About 16% of American women experience migraine headaches. These debilitating headaches cause lost time from family, social activities, and work. Although migraines are thought to be a result of shifting menstrual and perimenopausal hormones, a physiologic connection has not been well established. This article approaches premenstrual and perimenopausal migraine headaches from a chronic disease perspective, focusing on self-care and the use of prescription and nonprescription therapies. Implications for practice and future research also are discussed.

Caring for the Woman with Migraine Headaches

Approximately 16% of American women experience migraine headaches. These debilitating headaches cause lost time from family, social activities, and work. Although migraines are thought to be a result of shifting menstrual and perimenopausal hormones, a physiologic connection has not been well established. Despite the lack of certainty regarding migraine cause, several theories have been postulated and a significant amount of literature has been published addressing the management of premenstrual migraines. Fewer articles have been published regarding the management of perimenopausal migraines, which are treated somewhat differently. This article approaches both premenstrual and perimenopausal migraine headaches from a chronic disease perspective, focusing on self-care and the use of prescription and nonprescription therapies. Implications for practice and future research are also discussed.

Use of nonprescription medications by patients with congestive heart failure.

To define the utilization pattern of nonprescription therapies in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and to compare this pattern with that of an age- and gender-matched control group without any self-reported heart conditions. Survey questionnaire completed by participants at home. Ambulatory CHF clinic in a tertiary care hospital. Patients attending the clinic between July 1995 and May 1996 who agreed to participate. Control subjects were age- and gender-matched participants identified and approached by participating patients. Nonprescription therapies used at least once weekly. Completed questionnaires were received from 180 (75%) of the 239 patients who agreed to participate and from 133 controls. Mean age of responding patients was 69 years (63% men). Controls were younger, with a mean age of 64 years (63% men). The most commonly used nonprescription medication categories for both patients and controls, with no significant intergroup differences, were vitamins and minerals (59% patients, 50% controls), pain relievers (48% and 43%, respectively), herbal or health food products (38% and 38%), antacids (26% and 28%), and laxatives (24% and 21%). Significantly fewer patients than controls used cough and cold products (9% vs. 17%; p < 0.05), specifically oral decongestants (0.6% vs. 5%; p < 0.01), and more patients than controls used nutritional supplements (17% vs. 4%; p < 0.01). Overall, use of nonprescription therapies by our CHF clinic patients is similar to that of an age- and gender-matched population without a self-reported heart condition. The differences in medication use observed between patients and controls included cough and cold products that might be harmful. This likely reflects appropriate caution with which CHF patients approach nonprescription therapies.

The development and use of nonprescription behavior therapies.

The development and use of nonprescription behavior therapies.

The development and use of nonprescription behavior therapies.

The development and use of nonprescription behavior therapies.