Category: Nervous System

Snippets from ‘best practice’ July 2010 Dextropropoxyphene: finding alternatives Donepezil to be funded on pharmaceutical schedule
Correspondence from ‘best practice’ December 2009 Letters from our readers: Oxycodone often initiated in secondary care
Oxycodone: place in therapy from ‘best practice’ November 2009 Oxycodone is a strong opiod and is a second line option (after Morphine) for use at step three on the WHO analgesic ladder. It is not a substitute for Codeine
Prescribing issues associated with anticonvulsant medications for epilepsy from ‘best practice’ November 2009 The goal of successful pharmacological treatment in epilepsy is the complete control of seizures, however for some people this may not be achievable without intolerable adverse effects. All anticonvulsant medications are associated with adverse effects which in rare circumstances can be potentially life-threatening. Special issues apply for women of child bearing potential taking anticonvulsant medications.
Acute low back pain from ‘best practice’ June 2009 Acute low back pain is common and most patients will fully recover within three months. Serious causes are rare and can be excluded with careful history and examination. It is not necessary, and often not possible, to make an exact diagnosis and radiological investigations are usually not required in the absence of red flags.
Five-minute back examination with neurological assessment from ‘best practice’ June 2009 Instructions and illustrations for performing a quick examination on a patient presenting with acute low back pain and neurological symptoms.
Management of non-specific back pain and lumbar radicular pain from ‘best practice’ June 2009 Key aspects of management include reassurance, education and encouraging the patient to remain active – adequate analgesia is important to facilitate this. Patients should be reviewed regularly to ensure that pain is resolving.
Correspondence from ‘best practice’ December 2008 Dose titration in neuropathic pain
WHO Analgesic Ladder: Methadone - safe and effective use for chronic pain from ‘best practice’ December 2008 Methadone is a strong opioid that may be suitable for people whose pain is uncontrolled with, or who are unable to tolerate, morphine. Methadone is a complex drug that requires careful dosing and monitoring.
WHO Analgesic Ladder: which opioid to use at step two? from ‘best practice’ December 2008 There are several different opioid options that can be considered at step two of the WHO analgesic ladder for chronic pain. Choice of drug, after contraindicated drugs are excluded, comes down to a balance between possible adverse effects and the desired analgesic effect.