Methotrexate (MTX) can induce adverse drug reactions (ADRs) including severe haematotoxic events. This study analyses whether agranulocytosis is disproportionately reported in spontaneous reports involving MTX for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when use of metamizole, a non-opioid analgesic, which itself has been associated with agranulocytosis, is recorded additionally. Using the EudraVigilance database, we analyzed spontaneous re...

Rationale Cue-exposure therapy (CET) consists of exposing patients to the cause of their affliction in a controlled environment and after psychological preparation. Ever since it was conceived, it has been suggested as a treatment for different types of behavioural impairments, from anxiety disorders to substance abuse. In the field of addictive behaviour, many different findings have been shown regarding the effectiveness of...

Purpose Fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid used in cancer and non-cancer pain, is approved for various routes of administration. In Europe, fentanyl consumption increased substantially in the last decades but information on abuse, dependence and withdrawal associated with fentanyl is scarce, especially with respect to its different formulations. Methods We analysed case characteristics of spontaneous reports of suspect...

Purpose We studied the prevalence of medications of questionable benefit in the last 6 months of life among older nursing home residents with and without dementia in Germany. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on claims data from 67,328 deceased nursing home residents aged 65+ years who were admitted between 2010 and 2014. We analyzed prescription regimens of medications of questionable benefit in the 180–91-da...