Cochrane

Convicted drink drivers are sometimes offered the choice of a standard punishment, or for an alcohol ignition interlock to be fitted to their car for a fixed period. To operate a vehicle equipped with an interlock, the driver must first give a breath specimen. If the breath alcohol concentration of the specimen is too high, the vehicle will not start. ...

We undertook this review with an aim to summarise randomised experimental research findings concerning the effects of amphetamines on people with schizophrenia. Most of the potentially relevant data were unusable hence it is impossible to draw firm conclusions. The findings of one small short study suggested that amphetamines may cause a reduction of ...

Advanced (metastatic) breast cancer is cancer that has spread beyond the breast. Treatment for metastatic disease usually involves some type of chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs) to try to reduce the cancer. Chemotherapy drugs can either be given as a single agent or in combination with other chemotherapy drugs. This is done according to a plan or a course ...

Not enough evidence to say if misoprostol administered under the tongue or in the cheek is safe for induction of labour. Sometimes labour is started artificially (induction) because of concerns for the well-being of either the baby or the mother. A drug called misoprostol has previously been used either by being put in the mother's vagina or by being ...

People with advanced kidney disease may be treated with peritoneal dialysis where a catheter is permanently inserted into the peritoneum (lining around abdominal contents) through the abdominal wall and sterile fluid is drained in and out a few times each day. The most common serious complication is infection of the peritoneum - peritonitis. This may ...

Akathisia is recognised as one of the most common and distressing of the early-onset adverse effects of neuroleptic drugs. This movement disorder is characterised by a subjective report of inner restlessness, mental unease or dysphoria, which can be intense. This review highlights the limited evidence available to support the use of central action beta-blockers ...

When people's kidneys fail (end-stage kidney disease), they need either a transplant or dialysis to keep performing the kidney's functions. Dialysis can involve either regular visits to hospital for time on an artificial kidney machine (haemodialysis), or home dialysis. Home dialysis (CAPD - continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis) is a 'do it yourself' ...

No guidance is available on the best approach to disclosing to parents newborn carrier status inadvertently identified by routine newborn blood spot screening. Newborn screening programs may inadvertently identify infants who are unaffected by serious in-born errors such as sickle cell disorders or cystic fibrosis, but who are genetic carriers. This ...

Not enough evidence to suggest that stopping an epidural late in labour lowers the risk of instrumental delivery or other unwanted outcomes. Epidurals are used for pain relief in labour, but they increase the risk of instrumental delivery (vacuum/forceps). Stopping epidurals early aims to allow women to feel the pushing urge and so reduce the chance ...

Primary biliary cirrhosis is an uncommon, chronic liver disease of unknown etiology. D-penicillamine, a cupruretic drug, has been tested in randomised clinical trials and is used to treat patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. After combining results from seven trials, D-penicillamine did not appear to improve survival of patients. D-penicillamine ...