Posts Tagged ‘medications’
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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Posted in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) | No Comments »
Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease Drugs Oral Anticoagulants
These are medications that dissolve blood clots; for example, warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).
How do these drugs work?
These medications dissolve blood clots present in blood vessels.
What are the benefits?
Blood clots that form in the blood vessels can block blood flow to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke. By dissolving blood clots, anticoagulants can lower the risk for heart attack and stroke.
Potential side effects
Painful, purple toes; rash; hair loss; bloating; diarrhea; jaundice; bleeding gums; bruising; nosebleeds; heavy menstrual bleeding; cuts that bleed too long; hematuria—bleeding from the urinary tract.
Major cautions
Bleeding and gangrene (death of tissue) of the skin. Bleeding can also occur in any organ or tissue.
Known drug interactions (more…)
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Tags: bleeding, blood, clots, doctor, drugs, foods, heart, medications, medicine, medicines, thyroid, vessels, Vitamins
Posted in Atherosclerosis, CAD (Coronary Artery Disease) | Comments Off
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, July 23rd, 2010
Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease Drugs: Antiplatelets
Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Ticlopidine (Ticlid)
Salicylates: aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, Acuprin, Alka-Seltzer, Ascriptin A/D, Bayer, Bufferin, Easprin, Ecotrin, Empirin, Zorprin, aspirin gum (Aspergum)
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
These medications work by preventing platelets from sticking together to form blood clots. These drugs are often used in people with a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Reduction in heart attack and stroke and blood clots that can cause these cardiovascular conditions.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
- Diarrhea
- Itchy rash
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
The most common side effects of aspirin involve the digestive system (ulcerations, abdominal burning, pain, cramping, nausea, gastritis, and even serious gastrointestinal bleeding and liver toxicity) and ringing in the ears. Rash, kidney impairment, vertigo, and light-headedness can also occur. Aspirin should be avoided by patients with peptic ulcer disease or kidney disease. Aspirin can increase blood uric acid levels and should be avoided in patients with hyperuricemia (high blood uric acid levels) and gout. Talk with your doctor about discontinuing aspirin therapy before surgery due to its bloodthinning properties. (more…)
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Posted in Atherosclerosis, CAD (Coronary Artery Disease) | Comments Off
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
Posted in Anxiety | Comments Off
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
Anxiety Drugs Beta-Blockers
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- Atenolol (Tenormin)
- Nadolol (Corgard)
- Pindolol (Visken)
- Propranolol (Inderal)
- Timolol oral (Blocadren)
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
Beta-blockers are a class of drugs commonly used for cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, and heart arrhythmias. They reduce the force and rate of the heartbeat and decrease muscular tone in blood vessels. They inhibit beta-adrenergic receptors located throughout the body so that stressors such as adrenaline and noradrenaline cannot activate these receptors. This prevents symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, tremors, and other anxiety symptoms.
They often are prescribed for individuals with social phobias and to reduce performance anxiety in musicians and professional speakers.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Reduction in anxiety symptoms.
(more…)
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Tags: Anxiety, blood, coenzyme, congestive, drugs, heart, medications, symptoms
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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 8th, 2010
Natural Alternatives to Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Aloe Vera
This plant has soothing and healing effects on the lining of the digestive tract. Herbalists throughout history traditionally have recommended aloe vera for the treatment of stomach acidity.
DOSAGE
Take 600 mg of the capsule form, or 2 tablespoons of the liquid form, or 2 teaspoons of the powder form in water 20 minutes before each meal three times daily. Make sure you are using aloe with the bitter latex portion removed; aloe products containing this substance are used as a laxative. Unless identified as a product for constipation, most internally consumed aloe products have the bitter latex portion removed or substantially removed.
SAFETY (more…)
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Posted in Antacid, Natural alternatives, Reflux | Comments Off
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
