Archive for September, 2007

Mevacor.

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

Mevacor is used, along with diet, to lower cholesterol levels in people with primary hypercholesterolemia (too much cholesterol in the bloodstream). High cholesterol levels foster the buildup of artery-clogging plaque, which can be especially dangerous when it collects in the vessels serving the muscles of the heart. Mevacor is prescribed to prevent this problem–called coronary heart disease–or to slow its advance if the arteries are already clogging up. 

 

Mevacor is usually prescribed only if diet, exercise, and weight-loss fail to bring your cholesterol levels under control. It’s important to remember that Mevacor is a supplement–not a substitute–for these other measures. To get the full benefit of the medication, you need to stick to the diet and exercise program prescribed by your doctor. 

How should you take Mevacor?Mevacor should be taken with meals.- If you miss a dose…Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.- Storage instructions…Protect Mevacor from light. Store at room temperature. Keep container tightly closed. 

What side effects may occur?Mevacor is generally well tolerated. Any side effects that have occurred have usually been mild and short-lived. If any side effects develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Mevacor. 

If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Mevacor or similar anticholesterol drugs, you should not take this medication. Make sure that your doctor is aware of any drug reactions that you have experienced. 

Unless you are directed to do so by your doctor, do not take this medication if you are being treated for liver disease.

Lipitor.

Tuesday, September 25th, 2007

Take Lipitor tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the Lipitor with a drink of water. Lipitor can be taken at anytime of the day with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.


Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.  

                                                                 

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon: dark yellow or brown urine; decreased urination, difficulty passing urine; fever; muscle pain, tenderness, cramps, or weakness; redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth; skin rash, itching; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.


Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): diarrhea; gas; headache; joint pain; nausea, vomiting; stomach upset or pain; tiredness.  Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need to have regular tests to make sure your liver is working properly.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you get any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever and tiredness.

 

Lipitor is only part of a total cholesterol-lowering program. Your physician or dietician can suggest a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet that will reduce your risk of getting heart and blood vessel disease. Avoid alcohol and smoking, and keep a proper exercise schedule.

If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking Lipitor.

Alchohol-containing beverages; amiodarone; antacids; birth control pills; bosentan; certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin and erythromycin; cimetidine; digoxin; diltiazem; grapefruit juice; medicines for fungal infections (examples: fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, voriconazole); herbal medicines such as Went Yeast (Cholestin®); medicines for treating HIV infections; medicines that suppress your immune response (cyclosporine); medicines to lower cholesterol or triglycerides (examples: clofibrate, colestipol, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, niacin); medicine used to stop early pregnancy (mifepristone, RU-486 or Mifeprex™); nefazodone; phenytoin; spironolactone; troglitazone; verapamil.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

Zithromax.

Friday, September 21st, 2007

AZITHROMYCIN (Zithromax®) is a macrolide antibiotic that interferes with the growth of bacterial cells. Azithromycin injection is used to treat certain respiratory conditions (e.g., pneumonia) or pelvic infections (e.g., pelvic inflammatory disease). Generic azithromycin injections are not yet available.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
kidney disease

liver disease

pneumonia

stomach problems (especially colitis)

other chronic illness

an unusual or allergic reaction to azithromycin, other macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), foods, dyes, or preservatives

breast-feeding

Azithromycin is for infusion into a vein and is administered by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines. 

 

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

dark yellow or brown urine

difficulty breathing

severe or watery diarrhea

skin rash, itching

irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain

vomiting
yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): 

diarrhea

dizziness, drowsiness

hearing loss

headache

increased sensitivity to the sun

nausea

stomach pain or cramps

tiredness
vaginal irritation, itching or discharge

Amaryl.

Thursday, September 20th, 2007

Amaryl (generic name: glimepiride) is an oral blood sugar-lowering drug in a class of medicines for controlling diabetes called sulfonylureas. Glimepiride is related to other sulfonylureas including glyburide (Micronase; Diabeta), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase) and tolazamide (Tolinase).Glimepiride is used in type II diabetes, the most common type of diabetes that is found in 90% of patients with diabetes. In type II diabetes, insulin usually is not necessary to control the blood sugar. Instead, diet and oral medications often are sufficient. Intolerance to sugar that results in elevated blood sugar is caused by reduced insulin secretion by the pancreas and resistance to insulin’s effects by the body’s cells. Glimepiride lowers the sugar level in the blood by stimulating insulin to be secreted from the pancreas into the blood. Insulin causes sugar to leave the blood and enter cells throughout the body. 

Amaryl is an oral medication used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes when diet and exercise alone fail to control abnormally high levels of blood sugar. Like other diabetes drugs classified as sulfonylureas, Amaryl lowers blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. Amaryl is often prescribed along with the insulin-boosting drug Glucophage. It may also be used in conjunction with insulin and other diabetes drugs.

Always remember that Amaryl is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet and exercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise plan may diminish the results of Amaryl and can lead to serious complications such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Remember, too, that Amaryl is not an oral form of insulin, and cannot be used in place of insulin.Do not take more or less of this medication than directed by your doctor. Amaryl should be taken with breakfast or the first main meal. If you miss a dose… Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

 
Storage instructions.. Amaryl should be stored at room temperature in a well-closed container.
 

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Amaryl.Less common side effects may include:
Anemia and other blood disorders, blurred vision, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, itching, liver problems and jaundice, muscle weakness, nausea, sensitivity to light, skin rash and eruptions, stomach and intestinal pain, vomiting.

Amaryl, like all oral antidiabetics, can result in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The risk of hypoglycemia can be increased by missed meals, alcohol, fever, injury, infection, surgery, excessive exercise, and the addition of other medications such as Glucophage or insulin. To avoid hypoglycemia, closely follow the dietary and exercise regimen suggested by your doctor.Symptoms of mild low blood sugar may include:
Blurred vision, cold sweats, dizziness, fast heartbeat, fatigue, headache, hunger, light-headedness, nausea, nervousness.

Symptoms of more severe low blood sugar may include:
Coma, disorientation, pale skin, seizures, shallow breathing.

Imitrex.

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

This medication is used to treat migraine headache attacks once they occur. It is not effective in preventing migraines. This medication is not to be used for other types of headaches.

 
One dose is taken by mouth at the first signs of a migraine attack. If you must take a second dose, do so exactly as instructed by your doctor. Do not take more than 200mg in a 24 hour period. Tablets are to be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew them.

 
This medication may initially cause flushing, dizziness, weakness, nausea, drowsiness, stiffness, or feelings of tingling, heat, fatigue. If any of these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

 
Tell your doctor if you have: heart disease, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, allergies (especially drug allergies). There have been rare reports of those with sulfa drug allergies having allergic reactions to sumatriptan. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Since this medication may cause drowsiness, use caution operating machinery or engaging in activities requiring alertness and avoid alcohol because it may increase drowsiness/dizziness effects. The manufacturer does not recommend use of sumatriptan in the elderly, because they may be more sensitive to its side effects. Sumatriptan should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This medication is excreted into breast milk. The effects on nursing infants are unknown at this time. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

 
Tell your doctor of all over-the-counter and prescription medication you take, especially of: ergotamine- containing medication, all headache drugs, MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine). Do not take MAO inhibitors with sumatriptan or use sumatriptan within 2 weeks of stopping use of MAO inhibitors. Do not take any ergotamine-containing medication and sumatriptan within 24 hours of each other. Also, report the use of all antidepressants or any medications used for weight control. If you are unsure about the types of medications you take, ask your care provider or pharmacist. It is recommended to avoid consumption of alcohol while taking this medication. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

 
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include tremor, chest pain, slowed breathing, and seizures.

Viagra.

Monday, September 17th, 2007

Viagra is used to treat impotence in men. Viagra increases the body’s ability to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual stimulation. Viagra does not protect you from getting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

  

Viagra comes as a tablet to take it orally. It should be taken as needed about 1 hour before sexual activity. However, Viagra can be taken anytime from 4 hours to 30 minutes before sexual activity. Viagra should not be taken more than once a day. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

  

Before taking Viagra, tell your doctor if you have had a heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening irregular heartbeats within the last six months; have a history of heart failure; have coronary artery disease; have angina; have high or low blood pressure; have liver problems; have kidney problems; have ever had blood problems, including sickle cell anemia or leukemia; have a bleeding disorder; have a stomach ulcer; have retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye); have a physical deformity of the penis such as Peyronie’s disease; have a condition that could lead to prolonged and painful erections, such as a tumor of the bone marrow, sickle cell anemia, or leukemia; or are taking another medicine to treat impotence. You may not be able to take Viagra, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Although Viagra is not indicated for use by women, it is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that Viagra is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Women should not take Viagra. It is not known whether Viagra passes into breast milk. If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Viagra. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

  

Viagra is used as needed, so you are not likely to miss a dose.

  

Like all medicines, Viagra can cause some side effects. These effects are usually mild to moderate and usually don’t last longer than a few hours. Some of these side effects are more likely to occur with higher doses. The most common side effects of Viagra are headache, flushing of the face, and upset stomach. Less common side effects that may occur are temporary changes in color vision (such as trouble telling the difference between blue and green objects or having a blue color tinge to them), eyes being more sensitive to light, or blurred vision. In rare instances, men have reported an erection that lasts many hours. You should call a doctor immediately if you ever have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours. If not treated right away, permanent damage to your penis could occur. Heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeats, and death have been reported rarely in men taking Viagra. Most, but not all, of these men had heart problems before taking this medicine. It is not possible to determine whether these events were directly related to Viagra.

  

Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a Viagra overdose are not known, but are likely to include chest pain, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, and swelling of the ankles or legs.

  

If you take any medicines that contain nitrates either regularly or as needed you should never take Viagra. If you take Viagra with any nitrate medicine or recreational drug containing nitrates, your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an unsafe level. You could get dizzy, faint, or even have a heart attack or stroke. Nitrates are found in many prescription medicines that are used to treat angina. Viagra is only for patients with erectile dysfunction. Viagra is not for newborns, children, or women. Do not let anyone else take your Viagra. Viagra must be used only under a doctor’s supervision.

Ultram.

Friday, September 14th, 2007

Ultram is a prescription pain medication for the management of moderate to moderately severe pain.

 Ultram affects chemicals and receptors in the body that are associated with pain. It is thought to work in two ways: first, it acts directly on parts of the brain and spinal cord to reduce the amount of pain; second, it reduces the size of the pain signal passed from one nerve to another.

 Ultram can be habit-forming. Therefore, it is not recommended for patients with a history of drug dependence or patients who are using opioids chronically.

 Ultram should not be used by people with a history of allergies to any opioid medications (such as Tylenol with Codeine).

 Ultram has not been established as safe for use by pregnant women. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while using Ultram, discuss your options with your doctor first.

 Some medications can interact with Ultram in potentially dangerous ways. Before taking Ultram, tell your doctor about any other drugs you are using, especially tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, and opioid pain medicines.

 Possible side effects from using Ultram include constipation, nausea, dizziness, headache, somnolence, and vomiting. These should go away with use; talk to your doctor if they don’t. More serious side effects are also possible, though rare.

Levitra.

Thursday, September 13th, 2007

Levitra (vardenafil) is an oral drug used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. Taking a pill of Levitra around 60 minutes before sexual intercourse helps the ED patient in attaining and maintaining erection when he is stimulated sexually. Levitra does not cause automatic erections and is not a replacement for sexual stimulation or a treatment for decreased libido. Levitra can be taken as often as once a day.   Levitra works by relaxing the smooth muscles of the penis and enabling more blood to flow into it; most erectile function problems are caused by various factors that limit blood flow to the penis. Some medical conditions may interact with Levitra. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:        

If you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement.                     

If you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances.

If you have a history of heart problems (e.g., cardiomyopathy), congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeat, blood pressure problems, cancer of the blood (e.g., leukemia, myeloma), bleeding disorders, kidney or liver problems, eye problems, or if you have ever had severe vision loss.                      

If you have a deformed penis or conditions that may cause a prolonged erection (e.g., sickle cell anemia).  Some medicines may interact with Levitra. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Alpha-blockers (e.g., prazosin), delavirdine, HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir), imidazoles (e.g., itraconazole), ketolides (e.g., telithromycin), macrolides (e.g., erythromycin), or quinolones (e.g., moxifloxacin) because the risk of side effects, such as low blood pressure, a prolonged erection, or irregular heartbeat, may be increased.


Certain antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone, quinidine), nitrates (e.g., isosorbide), or nitroglycerin because the risk of side effects, such as irregular heartbeat and severe low blood pressure, may be increased.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Levitra may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Use Levitra as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Levitra may be taken with or without food.
Take Levitra by mouth about 1 hour before sexual activity.
Do not take Levitra more often than once daily as needed. If you miss a dose of Levitra, take it as soon as you remember. Continue to take it as directed by your doctor.

Kamagra.

Wednesday, September 12th, 2007

This medicine is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor used to treat sexual function problems such as impotence or erectile dysfunction. In combination with sexual stimulation, this medicine works by helping the blood flow into the penis to achieve and maintain an erection. This medicine is not intended for use in women or children. This medicine will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases including HIV infection. Use “safe sex” practices such as latex condoms. Do not take his medicine if you are also taking or using nitroglycerin, (e.g., tablet, patch, or ointment dose forms) or other nitrates (e.g., isosorbide), nitroprusside (or any “nitric oxide donor” medicine), or recreational drugs called “poppers” containing amyl or butyl nitrate because very serious interactions may occur. If you are not sure whether a certain medicine is a nitrate, contact your doctor or pharmacist. If you are currently using any of these medicines, tell your doctor or pharmacist before using sildenafil.

 Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking other medicines for impotence, azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), cimetidine, erythromycin, mibefradil, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), high blood pressure medicines, or delavirdine. If you are taking an HIV protease inhibitor (e.g., ritonavir, saquinavir), do not take more than a 25 mg dose of sildenafil in a 48-hour period. If you are taking more than a 25 mg dose of sildenafil and are also taking an alpha-blocker medicine (e.g., doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin) for various conditions (e.g., enlarged prostate), separate the time between taking these medicines by more than 4 hours. See How To Use section for drug-food interaction information.

 Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including penis conditions (e.g., angulation, fibrosis/scarring, Peyronie’s disease), history of painful/prolonged erection (priapism), sickle cell anemia, blood system cancers (e.g., leukemia or myeloma), eye problems (e.g., retina diseases like retinitis pigmentosa), kidney or liver disease, bleeding disorders, active stomach ulcers, heart problems (e.g., recent heart attack or serious arrhythmia within past 6 months, heart failure, coronary artery disease with unstable angina, aortic stenosis, idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis), recent stroke within past 6 months, very high or low blood pressure, or allergies. Take this medicine by mouth as needed between four hours and one-half hour before sexual activity (about 1 hour before is most effective); or take as directed by your doctor. Do not take this medicine more often than once daily as needed. A high fat meal may delay the time of onset of this medicine.

 Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruin juice while being treated with this medicine unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Your dosage is based on your medical condition, your response to therapy, and other medicines you are taking (see also Before Using section).

 Store this medicine at room temperature 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted.

Adalat.

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

 Adalat is used to treat angina due to coronary heart disease. Adalat is also used to treat hypertension. Note that Adalat should not be used for the relief of sudden attacks of angina.

  Adalat contains the active substance nifedipine. This medication belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers which inhibit the movement of calcium into cells within the heart and vessels, without changing the levels of calcium in the blood. Calcium is an important component for contraction of muscle cells within the body. Adalat acts specifically on cells within blood vessels to stop them from contracting, in order to dilate blood vessels. This lowers the tension in the walls causing a lowering in blood pressure. This is the main mechanism that Adalat treats hypertension.

 In addition, Adalat dilates blood vessels supplying the heart so the heart muscle gets more oxygen. Dilation of all peripheral vessels also reduces the load on the heart to pump against the resistant vessels. (Think of how much harder you would have to pump to water through a tight hose compared to a wider one!) This is how it is thought to relieve angina. Remember that this is a disease caused by insufficient oxygen reaching the heart muscle to meet its demands.

  Adalat comes as pink-grey coloured round tablets that should be swallowed whole with water. They can be taken with or without food. Two doses are currenly available namely Adalat 10 and Adalat 20, containing 10mg and 20 mg of the active component nifedipine, respectively. Your doctor will decide the appropriate dose of Adalat for your condition but the usual dosage is 10-20mg twice daily. These doses should be taken 12 hours apart (that is one dose early in the morning and the next prior to going to bed). If necessary your doctor may increase your dose to 40 mg twice daily. The maximum dose of 80 mg (daily) should not be exceeded. You should always take Adalat as prescribed by your doctor.

 If you are taking other blood pressure lowering medications or if you have liver dysfunction, a lower dose of Adalat may be prescribed. In these cases your response will be closely monitored. You should continue taking Adalat for as long as your doctor recommends. Do not cease Adalat suddenly because you may experience adverse effects. If the medication needs to be ceased your doctor will tell you how to titrate your doses down slowly.