Drugs Blog

In this day and age, being overweight and out of shape is far worse than being cursed. With waifs like Kate Moss and Kangana Ranaut sashay down the catwalk, it’s natural that you involuntarily hold your breath. But more often than not, the indrawn breath is not out of amazement at the beauty of the clothes or the models. It is an attempt to hide those extra layers of fat hanging loose on your abdominal area.

Being overweight is not only a deterrent to looking good, it may also lead to several health problems. It has been proved that the incidence of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes is more common in people who are overweight. If you belong to this category of people, here are some weight loss tips which may help you shed those rolls of fat quickly and easily.

• Water, water everywhere: Drink as many as eight tall glasses of water in a day. Begin your day with two glasses of water on an empty stomach. This is one of the quickest means of losing weight, claim dietitians and nutritionists.

• Breakfast like a king: Eat a healthy and organic breakfast. This morning meal should, in fact, be the largest and most filling. Low fat cereals, fruits such as apples and bananas, plain yoghurt, honey, smoked salmon for the non vegetarians, vegetables such as carrots and tomatoes, are the best food item on the breakfast menu.

• Walk the talk: It’s not enough to want to lose weight. You have to work towards a goal. Go for a walk. Better yet, go for a times hour long walk. Walk uninterrupted for one full hour. It need not be power walking.

• Dinner like a pauper: Eat your last meal for the day frugally. Also eat at least 4 hours before you turn in for the night. This will not only help your weight loss plans but will also give you a sound night’s sleep.

• Overeating: One of the main causes of weight gain is uncontrolled eating. You may overeat because of a variety of reasons-boredom, depression, hunger, to keep your mouth busy. Whatever the reason, try not to overeat. Listen to your stomach. When you feel you’ve had enough, get up and leave the dining table, however delicious the food may be. Keep yourselves busy to stop munching injudiciously.

• Regular Physical Exercise: Regular exercising and eating right will go a long way in keeping your weight in check. The important thing is that you have to lose weight.

Type of Drug:Aspirin pain reliever (analgesic); fever reducer (antipyretic); anti-inflammatory agent.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as advised.
• May cause stomach upset. Take with food or after meals.
• Take with a full glass of water (8 oz) to reduce the risk of medication sticking in the throat.
• Do not use for pain for more than 10 days or for fever for more than 3 days unless directed by your health care provider.
• Patients allergic to tartrazine dye (FD&C Yellow No.5) should avoid aspirin.
• Use with caution if you have asthma or nasal polyps.
• Consult your health care provider if pain or fever persists or gets worse, if new symptoms occur, or if redness or swelling is present. These could be signs of a serious condition.
• Discontinue use and notify your doctor if you experience ringing in ears or persistent stomach pain.
• limit alcohol intake while taking these products.
• Do not use aspirin if it has a strong vinegar-like odor.
• Avoid use during pregnancy unless advised by your health care provider.
• Avoid use in children with fever-causing illness.
• Store at room temperature (59° to 86°F). Protect from moisture.

Type of Drug:Synthetic hormone closely related to the natural hormone somatostatin (growth hormone inhibitor).

How the Octreotide Acetate Works:

Octreotide reduces blood levels of a variety of hormones (eg, growth hormone) and chemical messengers (eg, gastrin).

Uses of the Octreotide Acetate

To reduce the blood levels of growth hormone and IGF-I in patients with acromegaly who have had inadequate response to or cannot be treated with surgical resection, pituitary irradiation and bromocriptine mesylate at maximally tolerated doses. The goal is to achieve normalization of growth hormone and IGF-I levels.

To treat symptoms of patients with metastatic carcinoid tumors where it suppresses or inhibits severe diarrhea and flushing episodes.

Treatment of the profuse watery diarrhea associated with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) tumors.

Unlabeled Uses: Occasionally doctors may prescribe this medicine to reduce output from gastrointestinal or pancreatic sores; treat variceal bleeding, diarrheal states associated with a variety of conditions, irritable bowel syndrome, dumping syndrome, enteric fistula, pancreatitis, pan creatic surgery, glucagonoma, insulinoma, gastrinoma (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome), intestinal obstruction, local radiotherapy, thyrotropin and TSH-secreting tumors; for chronic pain management, antineoplastic (anti-cancer) therapy or to decrease insulin requirements in diabetes mellitus.

Precautions:

Do not use in the following situations: Sensitivity to any component of this medicine.

Use with caution in the following situations: diabetes kidney disease

Pregnancy: Studies in pregnant women or in animals have been judged not to show a risk to the fetus. However, no drug should be used during pregnancy unless clearly needed.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if octreotide appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before begin breastfeeding.

Elderly: Lower doses may be necessary

Lab tests may be required to monitor therapy. Lab tests may include blood tests and thyroid function tests.

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or if you are planning to take any over-the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements while taking this medicine. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed. The following drugs and drug classes may interact with this medicine.

Side Effects of Octreotide Acetate:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many patients experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Digestive Tract: Diarrhea; loose stools; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting; gas; bloating; constipation.

Nervous System: Headache; dizziness; tiredness; weakness; depression. Circulatory System: Slow or irregular heart rate.

Skin: Injection site pain or bruising; swelling; itching; hair loss; bruising; flushing.

Other: Gallbladder problems, especially stones or biliary sludge; back or joint pain; cold or flu symptoms; visual problems; blurred vision; frequent urination; urinary tract infection; changes in blood sugar levels; under active thyroid; goiter.

Guidelines for Use:

• Use exactly as prescribed.
• Follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider. Use proper technique; inject deep under the skin, not into muscle. Rotate injection sites.
• If a dose is missed, inject it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose in order to “catch up” (unless advised to do so by your doctor). If more than one dose is missed or it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• Diabetics - Insulin requirements may increase or decrease. Be prepared to monitor blood sugar more often.
• May cause dizziness. Use caution when driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination or physical dexterity.
• Lab tests may be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Visually inspect solution for particles or discoloration before use.
• Ampules - Open just prior to administration. Discard any unused portion.
• Vials - Discard any unused portion within 14 days of first use.
• Store at room temperature (70 to 86°F) away from light, for up to 14 days. For prolonged storage, store in the refrigerator (36 to 46°F) away from light. Solution may be warmed to room temperature naturally. Do not warm artificially.

Type of Drug:

Anticonvulsants; drug to treat epilepsy and seizures.

How the Drug Works:

To control absence act on central nervous system to decrease the frequency of seizures.

Uses:

To control absence (petit mal) seizures that do not respond to other anti seizure medications.

Precautions:

Photosensitivity, sensitivity to sunlight, may occur. Therefore, use caution and take protective measures (eg, sunscreens, protective clothing) against exposure to ultraviolet light or sunlight until tolerance is determined.

Pregnancy: Reports suggest an association between use of anticonvulsant drugs by women with epilepsy and an increased number of birth defects in children born to these women. Other factors (eg, genetics or the epileptic condition) may also contribute to the higher incidence of birth defects. Most mothers receiving anticonvulsant medication deliver normal infants. Do not discontinue anticonvulsant drugs used to prevent major seizures. This could result in the occurrence of seizures and oxygen deficiency in body tissues and an increased risk to both the mother and the unborn child. In cases where seizures do not pose a serious threat, your doctor may recommend discontinuation of anticonvulsant’s prior to and during pregnancy. It is not known whether even minor seizures constitute some risk to the developing embryo or fetus. Reports suggest that mother’s use of anticonvulsant drugs, particularly illiterates, is associated with a blood clotting defect in the new bone that may cause a bleeding problem within 24 hours of birth. It has been suggested that vitamin K he given to the mother prior to and during deliver, and to the infant , immediately after birth.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if oxazolidinediones appear in breast milk.

Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: Safety and effectiveness in children under 16 years of age have not been established.

Lab Tests: Lab tests may be required during treatment with oxazolidinediones. Be sure to keep appointments. Tests may include blood counts, liver and kidney function tests, eye exams and urinalysis.

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many oxazolidinedione users experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Digestive Tract: Nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain; appetite loss; gastric distress.

Nervous System: Drowsiness; dizziness; headache; personality changes’, irritability; fatigue; sleeplessness; muscle weakness.

Skin: Rash; unusual bleeding or bruising; yellowing of eyes or skin; hair loss; itching; peeling skin.

Other: Vision changes, double vision; sore throat; fever; muscle weakness (especially eyes, eyelids, face, lips, tongue, throat or neck); sensitivity to sunlight; fatigue; abnormal lab tests (see Precautions); weight loss; hiccoughs; blood pressure changes; protein in urine; day blindness; bleeding gums; nosebleeds; vaginal bleeding; blood disorder; decreased blood platelets; anemia; bleeding.

Guidelines for Use:

• If stomach upset occurs, take with food.
• Do not change the dose or stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
• Keep scheduled appointments with your doctor, and carry Medic Alert identification listing your medical condition (epilepsy) and medication.
• May cause drowsiness or blurred vision. Use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness.
• Notify your doctor if any of the following should occur: Visual disturbances, excessive drowsiness or dizziness, sore throat, fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, pregnancy, body discomfort or nosebleed.
• Withdraw drug gradually unless serious adverse effects dictate otherwise.
• May cause sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.
• Use sunscreens and wear protective clothing until tolerance is determined.
• Store capsules below 77°F. Store tablets in refrigerator and keep cotillion er tightly closed. Store solution below B6°F.

How the Drug Works:

Parkinsonism is a neurological disease with a variety of origins characterized by tremor, rigidity, and disorders of posture and equilibrium. The onset is slow and progressive with symptoms advancing over months to years.

The group of drugs known as “anticholinergic agents” can reduce the frequency and severity of the symptoms of parkinsonism by restoring the chemical imbalance that causes Parkinson disease. The effectiveness of anticholinergics for parkinsonism is not dependent on the origin of the symptoms. These agents are typically used for milder cases of parkinsonism.

Uses:

To reduce the frequency and severity of the symptoms of parkinsonism and to control drug-induced parkinsonism-like disorders. Used alone or with other anti parkinson agents. Anticholineric agents do not cure the causes of these symptoms.

Precautions:

Pregnancy: Adequate studies have not been done in pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed and potential benefits outweigh the possible hazards to the fetus.

Breastfeeding: Anticholinergic agents appear in breast milk and may reduce milk production. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: Do not use benztropine in children younger than 3 years old. Safety and effectiveness in older children have not been established.

Elderly: Geriatric patients, particularly over 60, frequently develop increased sensitivity to anticholinergic drugs and require strict dosage monitoring. Use with caution. Mental confusion and disorientation, agitation, hallucinations and psychotic-like symptoms may develop. Administer carefully to elderly patients with hardening of the arteries because side effects may be more severe.

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or if you are planning to take any over-the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements with anticholinergic agents. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed. The following drugs and drug classes interact with anticholinergic agents.

• Antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine)
• Chlorpromazine (eg, horazine)
• Digoxin (eg, anoxin)
• Haloperidol (eg, haldol)
• Levodopa (eg, larodopa)
• Narcotic pain relievers (eg, percodan)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline)

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many anticholinergic users experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Possible Side Effects Specific to Ethopropazine: Seizures; brain wave changes, blood disorders; hormone disorders; yellow discoloration of skin and eyes (jaundice); and hallucinations.

Digestive Tract: Nausea; vomiting; stomach pain; constipation.

Nervous System: Disorientation; confusion; memory loss; hallucinations; lightheadedness; dizziness; weakness; agitation; nervousness; paranoia; delusions; delirium; excessive elation; excitement; depression.

Circulatory System: Rapid heart rate; pounding of chest (palpitations); low blood pressure; lightheadedness and dizziness upon rising quickly from a lying position.

Skin: Rash; flushing; decreased sweating; hives.

Eyes or Ocular: Blurred vision; double vision; widened pupils; visual disturbances; glaucoma.

Other: Difficulty urinating; painful urination; muscle weakness; cramping; dry mouth; fever; numbness of fingers; difficulty achieving or maintaining erection; blood disorders (orphenadrine citrate); swollen glands.

Guidelines for Use:

• May cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Use caution when driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness.
• Avoid alcohol and other drugs that cause drowsiness when using anticholinergic agents.
• Stomach upset may occur. Take with food.
• Sucking on hard candy, drinking fluids, or maintaining good dental hygiene can relieve the dry mouth that can result from taking any of the anticholinergic agents.
• Difficult urination and constipation can occur. Use “stool softeners” if necessary. Notify your doctor if either difficult urination or constipation persist.
• Notify your doctor if a rapid heartbeat, pounding sensation in chest, confusion, eye pain, or rash occurs.
• Anticholinergic agents can reduce the ability to sweat, an important function by which overheating is prevented. Avoid excess sun or exercise which may cause excessive sweating.
• Elderly patients may be highly sensitive to anticholinergic drugs. Use with caution. See Precautions.

Content in the table above is given per serving of capsule, tablet, or teaspoon (5 milliliters). Products containing the greatest amount of Vitamin B 1 are listed first.

Type of Drug:

Vitamin combinations.

Uses:

Dietary supplement

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage will be individualized.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose, unless advised to do so by your doctor.
• Most people on regular diets do not need vitamin supplements.
• Sotre at controlled room temperature (59 degree to 86 degree F). Protect from moisture.

Doses: