Cochrane

Allopurinol is a drug used to primarily to treat conditions arising from excess uric acid, such as gout. It is unclear that allopurinol is effective in treating chronic prostatitis. Only one small randomized trial of 54 men was included in this review. Based on the results of this trial, which used non-valid ways to measure symptom improvements, allopurinol ...

Wrist fractures (breaks) are very common, especially in women with osteoporosis. Bone fragments may need to be put back into place. Anaesthesia is used to prevent pain during treatment and several methods are in common use. General anaesthesia involves a loss of consciousness. Regional anaesthesia involves an injection (either into a vein or into tissue ...

Shortness of breath is the main complaint of persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This symptom worsens during an exacerbation or 'flare' of COPD. Trials comparing ipratropium bromide versus beta-agonists showed no significant difference in short-term or long-term effects (24 hours) on ease of breathing. Side effects of these drugs ...

Beta-blockers reduce mortality in patients with hypertension, heart failure and coronary arterial disease. Traditionally they have not been given to patients with reversible airway disease (asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with a reversible obstructive component), for fear of adverse respiratory effects. This review of randomized controlled ...

The cervical cap and the diaphragm are small, rubber devices that women put in their vagina (birth canal) and place over their cervix. Both devices block sperm and help prevent pregnancy. Also, both hold a chemical that kills sperm. Birth control with these methods can be stopped at any time and can be used without involving the partner. The cervical ...

Some asthma sufferers rely on oral corticosteroids to control their disease. Corticosteroids help reduce the inflammation of the airways associated with asthma. Long-term use of these drugs has serious side effects, so other ways to reduce the need for corticosteroids are sometimes tried. Dapsone does have anti-inflammatory properties, and may have ...

Patients with hip fracture may develop blood clots (thrombosis) in their legs. Some of these blood clots may travel to the lungs and cause a blockage (embolism), which can be fatal. Various drugs and physical devices are sometimes used to try and prevent these complications. This review of randomised trials found that both heparins and mechanical pumping ...

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN or Lyell's disease) is a rare life-threatening skin condition. It is probably an immune response triggered by some drugs or infection, which is more likely to happen in people with suppressed immunity. TEN causes extensive blistering and shedding of skin, similar to burns. Drugs used include oral steroids, thalidomide, ...

Plain language summary pending.

The spermicide nonoxynol-9 does not prevent women becoming infected with sexually transmitted infections, and when used very frequently has been shown to cause open genital sores (which may theoretically increase the chance of acquiring sexually transmitted HIV infection).