One hundred and twenty-three patients with mild to moderate depressive illness were entered into a double-blind between-patient study of viloxazine hydrochloride (150 mg/day, expressed as base) and imipramine hydrochloride (75 mg/day, expressed as salt) by nine general practitioners. Sixty-two took viloxazine and sixty-one took imipramine. Both drugs produced a statistically highly significant improvement in both the depressive and anxiety symptoms over the period of the study, an effect being seen as early as the seventh day of treatment. Viloxazine produced fewer side-effects than imipramine, in particular significantly less drowsiness and dry mouth. The only side-effect seen with viloxazine was an upper gastro-intestinal disturbance with nausea and occasional vomiting, but this was transient. It is concluded that viloxazine hydrochloride is an effective anti-depressant in mild to moderate cases of depression in general practice and has the advantage of fewer side-effects than imipramine. The absence of sedation with viloxazine is of particular value in the treatment of ambulant patients.

A double-blind controlled comparative clinical trial of Org GB 94 and imipramine was conducted in general practice. Fifty-five patients were treated with Org GB 94 (60 mg daily) and fifty-four with imipramine (150 mg daily). In the doses employed both agents were equally effective in relieving depression over a four week treatment period. Tolerance of the two agents was similar. Although no statistically significant differences emerged, with regard to both therapeutic effect and some side-effects a trend in favour of Org GB 94 was apparent.

Twenty-nine patients with acute gout were treated with piroxicam (40 mg daily for 5 days) in a multicentre general practitioner study. Pain relief was noticeable within 4 hours of the first dose and thereafter proceeded steadily, together with the early relief of other symptoms associated with acute gout. The prompt relief of symptoms was accompanied by a fall in serum uric acid. Piroxicam was well tolerated, eight experiencing side-effects that were mainly mild and gastro-intestinal in nature. The drug seems to be highly effective and safe in the treatment of acute gout.

Forty-eight mild to moderate depressives were treated by six genera practitioners with a chemically novel anti-depressant, ‘Vivalan’ (viloxazine hydrochloride, ICI 58 834). Twenty-five patients took 150 mg/day in three divided doses, and twenty-three took 200 mg/day in two divided doses, each for twenty-one days. The severity of both the depressive symptoms and the anxiety symptoms showed a statistically highly significant reduction over the duration of the study. There was no difference between the efficacy of the two dose levels. Viloxazine was generally well tolerated and there was no difference between the two dose levels as far as side-effects or withdrawals were concerned. The usual sedative and anti-cholinergic side-effects of the tricyclic anti-depressants were virtually absent. The only side-effect seen was a transient upper gastro-intestinal disturbance. It was commoner at the high dose but not significantly so. It is concluded that viloxazine hydrochloride appears to be an effective anti-depressant in this type of patient and produces little or no sedative or anti-cholinergic side-effects. Either 150 mg/day or 200 mg/day would seem a reasonable dose to use in general practice.

Benorylate, an esterification product of paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid is indicated in the treatment of rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis, other painful conditions and febrile states. In animals benorylate’ has been shown to be of low toxicity and only has teratogenic activity at high doses. Gastric effects are less severe than occur with aspirin. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic effects have been demonstrated in animal models. Benorylate is well absorbed and metabolised to paracetamol and aspirin producing higher steady state levels than that with paracetamol alone. In man the half life is about one hour. Clinically, benorylate has been shown to be comparable with aspirin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis and other painful conditions. It shows better gastric tolerance than aspirin and is less likely to produce gastro-intestinal bleeding. A prolonged anti-pyretic effect has been demonstrated.