Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are significant and independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Antihypertensive therapy reduces cerebrovascular and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with hypertension. Tight blood pressure (BP) control [target diastolic BP (DBP)...

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with substantial costs to both the individual and society; costs increase as disease severity worsens. Current thinking is that disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy should be started as soon as possible after the diagnosis of rheumatoid...

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. The worldwide prevalence of asthma has increased in recent decades. There is an approximately 20-fold variation (range 1.6% to 36.8%) in the prevalence of childhood asthma throughout the world. The highest prevalence rates are in the UK,...

Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels resulting from an insulin deficiency (type 1 diabetes mellitus) or a combination of insulin deficiency and insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes mellitus). The chronic hyperglycemia associated with diabetes...

According to the WHO, approximately 350 million people have chronic hepatitis B. Individuals with chronic hepatitis B have a highly variable and unpredictable clinical course and are at risk for developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Lamivudine is the only oral antiviral agent...

Abciximab is a monoclonal antibody fragment that inhibits platelet aggregation through antagonism of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. The drug is used in conjunction with heparin and aspirin to prevent ischaemic complications associated with percutaneous coronary revascularisation in patients with...

Drotrecogin alfa (activated) [Xigris(R)] {DAA}, the recombinant form of human activated protein C, is approved as an adjunctive therapy for patients with severe sepsis (sepsis associated with =1 organ system failure [OSF]). In the international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled...

Rizatriptan (Maxalt(R); Maxalt-MLT(R); Maxalt-Melt(R)) is an oral serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist (triptan) used in the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. Rizatriptan 5mg and 10mg are effective in relieving the symptoms of migraine and the 10mg dose provided faster...

_ Donepezil is a specific acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that can improve symptoms in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease; cognitive function is maintained above baseline levels for up to 1 year and normal decline of cognitive function is slowed. The ability of the patient to...

Cefotaxime is a parenterally administered third generation cephalosporin with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. After more than a decade of use, cefotaxime continues to play an important role in the treatment of patients with serious infections, particularly those caused by...