Posts Tagged ‘interactions’
Sunday, August 29th, 2010
Nonstimulants Drugs for Treatment Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The only currently existing, approved nonstimulant ADHD medication is atomoxetine (Strattera).
HOW DOES THIS DRUG WORK?
Strattera is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, which essentially means it increases the activity of the brain chemical (or neurotransmitter) norepinephrine. More norepinehrine is thought to increase attention and control hyperactivity and impulsivity in ADHD.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The effectiveness of Strattera in the treatment of ADHD was established in four studies of pediatric patients ages 6 to 18. Compared with placebo, Strattera proved to be superior with respect to reducing impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and inattention. The effectiveness of Strattera for long-term use (for more than nine weeks) in child and adolescent patients has not been thoroughly evaluated.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Common side effects are loss of appetite, drowsiness, headache, stomachache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, difficulty sleeping, sexual dysfunction, agitation, irritability, and difficulty urinating.
MAJOR CAUTIONS (more…)
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Tags: albuterol, alcohol, blood, depression, effects, heart, interactions, liver, medications, pregnant, pressure, strattera, symptoms
Posted in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
Atherosclerosis and CAD Drugs Nitrates
- Isosorbide dinitrate, sublingual and chewable (Isordil, Sorbitrate)
- Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, Ismo, Isotrate ER,Monoket)
- Nitroglycerin ER (Nitroglyn)
- Nitroglycerin ointment (Nitro-Bid ointment, Nitrol)
- Nitroglycerin skin patches (Deponit, Minitran, Nitro-Dur, Nitrodisc,
- Transderm-Nitro)
- Nitroglycerin spray (Nitrolingual)
How do these drugs work?
This class of medications dilates the veins returning blood to the heart as well as the heart arteries, increasing oxygenation of the heart cells.
What are the benefits?
Quick relief of heart pain (angina)
Potential side effects
- Constant throbbing headache
- Flushing of the head and neck
- Increased heart rate or heart palpitations
- Nausea, vomiting
Major cautions
Drop in blood pressure, causing dizziness and weakness
Known drug interactions (more…)
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Tags: Atherosclerosis, blood, drugs, effects, heart, interactions, medications, nitroglycerin, pressure
Posted in Atherosclerosis, CAD (Coronary Artery Disease) | Comments Off
Friday, June 11th, 2010
Anxiety Drugs Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
This group of antidepressants has been used since the 1950s. They increase the brain’s level of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine. They do this by inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase that breaks down norepinephrine. Thus the amount of norepinephrine in the brain is increased.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
This class of drug can relieve depression as well as panic disorder and social phobias.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
- Blurred vision or change in vision
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Difficulty sleeping
- Drowsiness or dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Increased appetite; weight increase
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight
- Muscle aches or pains, trembling
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sexual dysfunction
- Swelling of the feet or legs
- Tiredness or weakness
MAJOR CAUTIONS
MAOIs can impair the ability to break down tyramine, an amino acid found in aged cheese, wines, most nuts, chocolate, and some other foods. Like norepinephrine, tyramine can elevate blood pressure. MAOIs are not as commonly prescribed as other antidepressants. Other possible side effects are:
- Agitation, excitability, restlessness, or nervousness
- Chest pain
- Confusion or changes in mental state
- Convulsions or seizures (uncommon)
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty passing urine
- Enlarged pupils, sensitivity of the eyes to light
- Fever, clammy skin, increased sweating
- Headache or increased blood pressure
- Light-headedness or fainting spells
- Muscle or neck stiffness or spasm
- Slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Sore throat and fever
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
KNOWN DRUG INTERACTIONS
MAOIs can interact with over-the-counter cold and cough medications to cause dangerously high blood pressure.
FOOD OR SUPPLEMENT INTERACTIONS
- Aspartame
- Ephedra
- Scotch broom
- St. John’s wort
- Tyramine-containing foods
NUTRIENT DEPLETION/IMBALANCE
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Tags: blood, difficulty, fever, foods, interactions, muscle, pressure, tyramine
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Friday, June 4th, 2010
Anxiety Drugs Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine
- Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
SNRIs work mainly by increasing the amounts of two neurotransmitters in the brain, serotonin and norepinephrine. This improves alertness, energy, mood, and motivation.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
These drugs can be effective for severe and chronic cases of depression.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
- Abdominal (stomach) pain or tenderness
- Itching
- Rash
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Increased sweating or flushing
- Loss of appetite, loss of weight
- Loss of sexual desire, erectile, or orgasm dysfunction
- Nausea
- Weakness or tiredness
- Weight gain or weight loss
MAJOR CAUTIONS (more…)
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Tags: Anxiety, blood, drugs, interactions, medications, serotonin, sleep, weight
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Sunday, May 23rd, 2010
Anxiety Drugs Benzodiazepines
- Alprazolam Extended-Release (Xanax XR)
- Alprazolam oral solution (Alprazolam Intensol)
- Alprazolam tablets (Niravam, Xanax)
- Chlordiazepoxide (Libritabs, Librium)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- Clorazepate (Tranxene, Tranxene T, Tranxene-SD)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Oxazepam (Serax)
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter known as gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA). They bind to GABA receptors, which slows down the activity of nerve cells. This causes an inhibitory and relaxant effect.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
These drugs provide rapid relief for those with anxiety. (more…)
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Saturday, May 1st, 2010
Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Foam Barriers
Aluminum hydroxide gel, magnesium trisilicate, and alginate (Gaviscon)
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
Foam barriers are tablets composed of an antacid and a foaming agent. Foam barriers provide a unique form of treatment for GERD. As the tablet disintegrates and reaches the stomach, it turns into foam that floats on top of the liquid contents of the stomach. The foam forms a physical barrier to the reflux of liquid.At the same time, the antacid bound to the foam neutralizes acid that comes in contact with the foam. The tablets are best taken after meals (when the stomach is distended) and when you are lying down, both times when reflux is more likely to occur.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Foam barriers are not often used as the first or only treatment for GERD. Rather, they are added to other drugs for GERD when the other drugs are not adequately effective in relieving symptoms.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Weakness
- Headache
MAJOR CAUTIONS
Since this medication contains aluminum and magnesium, consult with your doctor first before using it if you have kidney disease. Also, those on a sodium-restricted diet should not take Gaviscon without consulting with their doctor first.
KNOWN DRUG INTERACTIONS (more…)
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Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Pro-motility Drugs
Metoclopramide (Reglan)
HOW DOES THIS DRUG WORK?
Metoclopramide (Reglan) is one in the class of pro-motility drugs approved for GERD. It works by mildly increasing the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter, which strengthens contractions of the esophagus and speeds up emptying of the stomach. All these actions are thought to reduce reflux. It is most effective when taken 30 minutes before meals.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
This drug reduces symptoms of GERD. It is not very effective for treating the symptoms of GERD, however, and is usually prescribed as an addition to other GERD medications or for those who do not respond to common GERD medications.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Restlessness
- Involuntary movements of the eyes/face/limbs
- Muscle spasms
- Trembling of the hands
- Personality changes such as depression or thoughts of suicide
- High fever
- Sweating
- Muscle stiffness
- Confusion
- Unusually fast heartbeat
MAJOR CAUTIONS (more…)
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Posted in Antacid, Reflux | Comments Off
Saturday, April 24th, 2010
Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Proton Pump Inhibitors
Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
Omeprazole (Prilosec)
Pantoprazole (Protonix)
Rabeprazole (Aciphex)
Esomeprazole (Nexium)
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) block the secretion of acid into the stomach by the acid-secreting cells with a different mechanism than H2 blockers. More specifically, PPIs inhibit the proton pump of the parietal cells (the stomach’s acid-producing cells). The proton pump secretes hydrogen ions into the stomach lining for the production of hydrochloric acid, making it an ideal target for inhibiting acid secretion.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
PPIs suppress stomach acid production more completely and for a longer period of time than H2 blockers. PPIs alleviate heartburn and can protect the esophagus from the damaging effects of stomach acid. They are commonly used when H2 blockers are not effective enough or for those individuals with evidence of esophageal damage (ulcers, erosions, strictures, or Barrett’s esophagus). They also are used in combination with antibiotics for treating Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that together with acid causes ulcers of the stomach and duodenum.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
The most common side effects of PPIs are headache, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, and rash. (more…)
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Tags: absorption, blood, concentration, drugs, esophagus, interactions, micrograms, omeprazole, pneumonia, stomach, Vitamins
Posted in Antacid, Reflux | Comments Off
Thursday, April 15th, 2010
Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Antacids
- Aluminum and magnesium hydroxide (Maalox,Mylanta)
- Aluminum carbonate gel (Basajel)
- Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel, AlternaGEL)
- Calcium carbonate (Tums, Titralac, Calcium-Rich Rolaids)
- Magnesium hydroxide (Phillips’Milk of Magnesia)
- Sodium bicarbonate
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
Antacids may be aluminum-, magnesium-, or calcium-based salts that temporarily neutralize stomach acid. They are usually taken within one hour after meals.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Users can achieve short-term relief of heartburn with relatively safe medications. (more…)
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Tags: aluminum, antacids, calcium, carbonate, drugs, hydroxide, interactions, magnesium, medications, sodium
Posted in Reflux | Comments Off
