Drug Facts

Type of Drug:

Agent for treating acute gout attacks and preventing or delaying a recurrence of symptoms.

How the Colchicine Product Works:

Gout is a hereditary form of arthritis characterized by increased blood levels of uric acid. Colchicine decreases the inflammatory response to uric acid crystals that occurs in gout. However, it does not lower uric acid levels and thus does not treat the underlying cause of gout. Colchicine relieves pain but it is not an analgesic. Its suppressive effect helps reduce the incidence of gout attacks.

Uses of The Colchicine:

Colchicine:

To relieve pain of acute gout attacks. Works most effectively if administered early in the attack.

To prevent or delay acute attacks of gout (prophylaxis).

Probenecid and colchicine combination:

For the treatment of chronic gouty arthritis when complicated by frequent, recurrent acute attacks of gout.

Unlabeled Uses: Occasionally doctors may prescribe colchicine for treatment of certain types of cirrhosis, familial Mediterranean fever, primary amyloidosis, Behcet’s disease, pseudogout, skin manifestations of scleroderma, refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and chronic progressive multiple sclerosis.

Precautions:

• Pregnancy: Colchicine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking it, notify the woman of the potential hazared to the fetus.
• Breastfeeding: It is not known if colchicine appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.
• Children: Safety and effectiveness for use in children have not been established. Do not use the probenecid and colchicine combination in children younger than 2 years of age.
• Elderly: Administer colchicine with great caution to elderly and debilitated patients, especially those with kidney, digestive tract, or heart disease. Reduce dosage if weakness, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea appears.
• Lab Tests: Lab tests may be required during treatment with colchicine. Tests may include blood counts and uric acid levels.

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 colchicine or the probenecid and colchicine combination. 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 colchicine.

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many colchicine 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:

Colchicine: Vomiting; nausea; diarrhea; stomach pain; muscle weakness; hair loss; sore throat; unusual bleeding or bruising; tingling in hands or feet; abnormal blood counts; bone marrow depression; rash; agranulocytosis; decreased blood platelets; red or purple spots under the skin; a plastic anemia.

Probenecid and colchicine combination: Headache; dizziness; hepatic necrosis; vomiting; nausea; appetite loss; sore gums; nephrotic syndrome; uric acid stones with or without blood in the urine; renal colic; rib and vertebra pain; frequent urination; precipitation of acute gouty arthritis; allergic reaction; fever; rash; hives; itching; aplastic anemia; decreased white blood counts; hemolytic anemia; anemia; skin inflammation; hair loss; flushing; diarrhea; stomach pain; muscle weakness; sore throat; unusual bleeding or bruising; tingling in hands or feet; agranulocytosis; red or purple spots under the skin; abnormal blood counts; bone marrow depression.

Type of Drug:

Antidepressant; mood-elevating agent.

How the Drug Works:

Citalopram blocks the uptake of a chemical found in the brain (serotonin) which increases the activity of this chemical, resulting in improved mood.

Uses:

To treat depression.

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: Citalopram appears in breast milk. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the risks to the infant of citalopram exposure (eg, excessive drowsiness, decreased feeding, weight loss) and the importance of the drug to the mother. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Elderly: Older individuals may be more sensitive to the effects of citalopram than younger individuals. The recommended dose for most elderly patients is 20 mg/day with titration to 40 mg/day only for nonresponding patients.

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor if you are taking or are planning to take any over-the­counter or prescription medications while taking citalopram. 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 citalopram: alcohol

• Carbamazepine (eg, Tegretol)
• Cimetidine (eg, Tagamet)
• CNS drugs (eg, antidepressants)
• Imipramine (eg, Tofranil)
• Lithium (eg, Lithobid)

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many citalopram 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; dry mouth; vomiting; diarrhea; indigestion; stomach pain; gas; increased salivation; appetite changes.

Nervous System: Dizziness; sleeplessness; drowsiness; agitation; tremor; fatigue; weakness; anxiety; impaired concentration; amnesia; apathy; worsening of depression; suicide attempt; confusion; headache.

Circulatory System: Decreased heart rate; fast heartbeat; postural (standing) low blood pressure; low blood pressure.

Respiratory System: Upper respiratory tract infection; runny nose; sinus infection; coughing.

Urinary and Reproductive Tract: Painful menstruation; absence of menstruation; excessive urination; ejaculation disorder; decreased sex drive; impotence.

Other: Rash; itching; increased sweating; fever; abnormal skin sensations (eg, burning, prickling, tingling); joint or muscle pain; yawning; weight changes; taste pereception changes.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• Do not stop taking or change the dose unless directed by your doctor.
• Usual adult starting dose is 20 mg/day as a single dose. If necessary, dose may be increased to 40 mg/day after at least 1 week.
• Take once daily, in the morning or evening, with or without food.
• For most elderly patients and patients with liver disease, 20 mg/day is the recommended dose, with titration to 40 mg/day only for non responding patients.
• If a dose is missed, inhale it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless directed by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed or if it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, con­tact your doctor or pharmacist.
• Contact your doctor if you experience suicidal thoughts, sexual problems, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, restlessness, irritability, confusion, or excessive urination.
• Citalopram should not be used in combination with an MAOI, or within 14 days of discontinuing treatment with an MAOI. At least 14 days should be allowed after stopping citalopram before starting an MAOI.
• May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution while driving or per­forming other tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity.
• Avoid alcohol while taking citalopram.
• Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• Improvement in depression may be noticed in 1 to 4 weeks. Continue to take citalopram as directed even though your depression has improved.
• Contact your doctor if adverse reactions persist and become bother­some.
• Store at controlled room temperature (59° to 86 F).

Diet pills that have hit the marker are getting really popular these days. As they are very effective in reducing the weight more and more people are opting for them. The best feature of these diet pills is that they do not require you to perform those strenuous workouts, exercises or does not cut down on those sumptuous meals. Simple intake of these pills can help you reduce your weight very easily and in a very short span of time. Also, these pills not only help in losing weight but they also provide the body with requisite nutrients that are essential for growth and other bodily functions.

The diet pills can be availed very easily in the market. in fact, they can found easily online as well where there are many very good reputed companies selling them. There is a very huge range of these pills that is available and thus they can be availed as per your very own choice, needs and requirements. As there are so many kinds of diet pills online, it may get little tough to realize which is the best pill. So, it is better you read the review of various pills and then decide upon which one will work the best for you and is apt for your body and personality type.

When you avail theses pills, it is crucial that you must check the authenticity of the service providers. In case of online service providers of the diet pills, ensure that they are duly licensed and provide with quality products.

Losing weight is not an easy task and thus it requires great deal of hard work and determination. Brisk walks, regimented diet schedules, exercises, gyms and work outs are simply indispensable for losing weight effectively. There are times though when it gets simply impossible to extract time from the heavy schedule and use it to keep in shape. For such scenarios when a person wants to reduce weight and yet is incapable of, despite of sincere efforts, it is a quite disappointing point. It is basically for such people that weight loss pills have come to existence.

If you are slightly over weight and wish to lose some of those extra kilos without much grinding then beyond doubt, weight loss pills are the best option for you. These weight loss pills can be very easily availed online and in the markets as well. They are beneficial as they aid in losing weight very easily and effectively and that too without much grounding efforts. These pills can be found in various varieties online and so it may get a little difficult to choose the best one for you. In such a case when you are confused regarding which of the pills will work the wonders for you it is always advisable that you go through the various reviews of different weight loss pills. All reputed and authentic web sites provide you with these pills reviews so that your decision making process is simplified and thus give you an insight regarding the best pill.

One of the most popular weight loss pills is Acai Pure whose review can also be found on the web sites very easily. The Acai Pure is considered under the top 5 Acai Berry products as it has rich extracts of the berry. It has been tested to be absolutely safe and natural for consumption purposes and has no side effects as well. It has been known now as per many clinical studies that Acai Pure helps in reducing over 8- 25 lbs per month and causes no negative symptoms.

How The Drug Works

The exact mechanism of action of the 5-aminosalicyclic acid (5-ASA) agents is unknown. They appear to work topically, reducing inflammation of the colon by preventing the production of substances involved in the inflammatory process.

Uses

Balsalazide Disodium: To treat mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon or rectum).

Mesalamine: To treat mild to moderate inflammation of the colon or rectum (eg, ulcerative colitis) and to reduce chances of reoccurance (delayed-release tablets).

To treat active mild to moderate distal ulcerative colitis, proctosigmoiditis, or proctitis (rectal suppositories and suspension).

Olsalazine Sodium: To reduce the chances that ulcerative colitis will reoccur in patients who cannot take sulfasalazine.

Intolerance: Mesalamine can cause an intolerance syndrome characterized by cramping, acute stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, head­ache, and rash. Prompt withdrawal is required. Consult your doctor.

Worsening of Symptoms: Worsening of symptoms of colitis (thought to have been caused by mesalamine or sulfasalazine) has occurred.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use during pregnancy only if clearly needed and the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the possible hazards to the fetus.

Breastfeeding: Oral mesalamine appears in breast milk. It is not known if rectal mesalamine, balsalazide, or olsalazine appear in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Sulfites: Some of these products contain sulfite preservatives that can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals. Check package label when available or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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 5-ASA. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed. Thiopurines (eg, mercaptopurine) and anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) interact with olsalazine.

Side Effects

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many 5-ASA 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: Diarrhea; constipation; frequent stools; indigestion; heart­burn; bloating; gas; stomach pain or cramps; nausea; vomiting; belching; worsening of colitis; appetitie loss; rectal bleeding; mouth inflammation.

Nervous System: Dizziness; headache; tiredness; weakness; disorientation; sleeplessness; fatigue; drowsiness; depression; vertigo (feeling of whirling motion); Lightheadedness.

Other: Sweating; chills; hair loss; fever; flu-like symptoms; cough; muscle pain, cramps, or tension; general pain; painful urination; fever; leg, back, chest, joint, or rectal pain; hemorrhoids; sore throat; edema (fluid retention); general body discomfort; dry mouth; sore throat; congestion; runny nose; sinus inflammation; upper respiratory infection; painful menstruation; eye inflammation; hives; rash; itching; acne; increased bowel swelling; urinary tract infection.

Type of Drug

Digestive enzymes.

How The Drug Works

Pancreatic enzymes (lipase, protease, and amylase) help digest and absorb the fats, proteins, and carbohydrates (starches and sugars) from food. Lipase accelerates the breakdown of fat, protease accelerates the breakdown of protein, and amylase accelerates the breakdown of starch.

Uses

To replace pancreatic enzymes in patients who do not produce normal amounts (eg, patients with cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, removal of the pancreas, obstruction of the pancreatic duct, and pancreatic insufficiency).

To treat excess fat in a bowel movement due to malabsorption syndrome or stomach bypass surgery.

To test pancreatic function.

Powder: Do not inhale or spill powder on skin because it may irritate skin or mucous membranes. Inhalation can precipitate an allergic reaction, coughing spell, bronchospasm, nasal irritation, watery eyes, or asthma attack. If it is necessary to open the capsules, wear a mask and gloves.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed and potential benefits outweigh the possible hazards to the fetus.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if these drugs are excreted in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Lab tests may be required during treatment. Tests include stool fat content monitoring, blood albumin levels, and blood-clotting tests.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any over ­ the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements with these drugs. Drug doses may need to be modified or a different drug prescribed. The following drugs and drug classes interact with these drugs:

1. Calcium carbonate (eg, Tums) folic acid
2. Iron supplements (eg, Feosol)
3. Magnesium hydroxide (eg, Milk of Magnesia)

Side Effects

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: Nausea; stomach cramps; diarrhea; constipation; vomiting; stomach pain or burning; belching; gas; intestinal obstruction; anal irritation; stool abnormalities (eg, greasy stool); bloating; loose stools; diarrhea.

Other: Skin irritation.

Guidelines for Use

• Consult your doctor and product labeling for individual dosing instructions. Do not exceed the recommended dosage.
• Do not change the dose or stop taking unless advised to do so by your doctor.
• Take with meals and snacks. Do not take on an empty stomach.
• Do not inhale or spill powder on skin. Inhaling may cause an allergic reaction, coughing spell, bronchospasm, nasal irritation, or asthma attack.
• Do not crush or chew coated tablets or capsules. If an intact capsule cannot be swallowed whole, it may be opened and the contents taken with a small amount of food that does not require Chewing and has a pH less than 5.5 (eg, applesauce, apricot, banana, and sweet potato baby foods, gelatin snacks). Do not mix with dairy products. Consume immediately after mixing. Wear a mask and gloves while handling.open capsules containing powder.
• Drink a full glass of water or juice with medicine to insure swallwing.
• Avoid using antacids or supplements containing calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide while taking digestive enzymes. Antacids may negate the beneficial effect of the enzymes.
• Maintain an adequate fluid intake (at least 64 oz per day) while taking this medicine.
• May interfere with the absorption of folic acid. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during treatment with this medicine should take folic acid supplements.
• Do not change brands without consulting with your pharmacist or doctor.
• Stop taking and notify your doctor if you experience allergy symptoms (eg, rash, wheezing, shortness of breath), bloody diarrhea, or stomach pain with ongoing diarrhea and poor weight gain.
• Vegetarians or patients with allergies to pork can use Hi-Vegi-Lip tablets, which are of vegetable origin.
• Lab tests may be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Store at room temperature below 77⁰F in a cool, dry place.

Type of Drug:

Combination hormone products.

Uses of Estrogen Combination:

Estrogen and androgen combinations: To treat moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause (feeling of warmth in the face, neck, or chest or sudden intense episodes of heat and sweating throughout the body) in patients who have not improved with treatment of estrogens alone. To treat vulvar and vaginal atrophy associated with menopause.

Precautions:

Estrogen and progestin combinations: To treat moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause (feeling of warmth in the face, neck, or chest or sudden intense episodes of heat and sweating throughout the body) in patients who have not improved with treatment of estrogens alone.

To treat vulvar and vaginal atrophy associated with menopause (fuehrer excluded).

To prevent osteoporosis (Comb-Patch excluded).

To treat low estrogen conditions caused by diseases such as hypochondrias or primary ovarian failure.

Unlabeled Uses: There is no adequate evidence that estrogens are effective for nervous symptoms or depression that might occur during menopause; they should not be used to treat these conditions.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• Do not change the dose or stop taking, unless directed by your doctor.
• Carefully read the patient package insert available with your medicine.
• Fluid retention may aggravate asthma, epilepsy, migraine, heart disease or kidney disease. Use with caution in these conditions.
• Brand interchange - Do not change from one brand of these drugs to another without consulting your pharmacist or doctor. Products manufactured by different companies may not be equally effective.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised 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.
• Store as directed by package labeling.

If you are an expectant mother in your last trimester of pregnancy and if you are taking anti-depressant drugs to tranquil your turmoil, then you are at risk! Yes, the newest theory and research about anti-depressant drugs reveals that they lead to certain abnormality in the new born. Your most awaited baby is at the risk of developing PPHN, that is, persistent pulmonary hypertension of new born. This abnormality needs to be treated in neonatal intensive care unit and still the mortality rate is 10-20%.

To raise a fight against the pharmaceutical companies that do not give this warning on their anti-depressant medicines, a certain section of lawyers are struggling hard. They have even urged FDA to give this warning to respective companies. No doubt it is a welcome step in the interest of numerous would-be new born infants. The Paxil Attorneys California are ahead in this struggle by condemning the use of Paxil, an anti-depressant drug. They are also urging the parents of children suffering from PPHN to come forward and lodge a complaint through them, so that it gives moral strength to their activity.

For more details about the condition of PPHN and related anti-depressant drugs, you can contact your physician and get adequate knowledge. Also it will be better if you visit the website www.Pphlawyers.com so that all your queries get appropriate answers from experts and you can decide what step to take. After all, it is the question of your beloved new born child. You want very much hassle free entry of your child into this world. Then why not opt for the ways that will make it happen? Let’s start a struggle today!

For those unfortunate lots who are struggling with some or the other addiction in their lives, life is hell. Many of them want to start a new life but lack the proper direction as to how and where to begin. No doubt, for addiction treatment, major thing that is required is a total change in physical, mental and spiritual environment of the patient. Well, no need to get disappointed, because such a center is there to help you, The Ambrosia Substance Abuse Treatment Center.

For those who have engulfed themselves in the vicious circle of drug abuse and alcoholism, a critical care by experts is required that is available here since twenty years. Giving individual attention to each patient and cater his every need including his emotional well-being is done very well. Drug rehab is not a child’s play. It requires immensely scrutinized therapy with a multifaceted approach.

The treatment also includes training family members in order to create a nurturing environment for the patient wherever he goes. Along with the actual patient, his family and friends also suffer from a kind of Substance Abuse. Yes, they try to manipulate their own behaviors according to the addicted person and this may cause certain unwanted changes in family set up. No wonder the rehab treatment here in the center incorporates all the family members along with the patient. Whether it is alcohol, marijuana, heroin or cocaine, the substance abuse leads to disaster and ruined family life. Timely management by expert hands may help one save his life as well as of those around him!

With tremendous increase in the drug and alcohol addiction cases, it became quite essential to provide emergent and appropriate drug rehab facilities to save lives and even to decrease the continuing trend of indulging into drug treatment. Cliffside Malibu has thus, caters to erase this jeopardising healing process. It has both the land and offline aspects related to this profession, evidently revealing its commitment and fervour in it. Cliffside is one of those drug rehab centres, which have been established on account of their flawless years in restoring the health of people by bestowing them with patient friendly alcohol and addiction treatment. With its far reaching alcohol treatment and rehab, this centre has increased its capacity in dealing with life threatening addictions.

The testimonials which have been published on the site disclose the success rates of this centre and the reveal the enduring support of the patients. Some of the categories of addiction treatment are exclusive treatment, luxury treatment, effective treatment and residential treatment.

On the online forefront, the site of Cliff side Malibu is not created to earn money but to provide the needed aid to the troubled patients. It provides with emergent calling facility. Thus, it’s very easy to contact with the entire managing team of this site, within seconds. A situation, which is hardly possible in real life rehab centres with are literally jam packed with patients. The simplified easy to read content, the easily downloaded pages understand the seriousness of the problems of the patients.