Aspirin And Salicylates Drug - How does Aspirin And Salicylates Works?

Type of Drug:

Aspirin pain reliever, fever reducer and anti-inflammatory agent. ASA.

How the Drug Works:

Salicylates relieve pain by inhibiting pain perception by pain receptors and by inhibiting the formation of chemicals called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause pain receptors to be more sensitive to pain-producing stimuli.

They reduce fever by direct action on the heat regulating center of the brain (the body’s “thermostat”). This increases the removal of heat through increased sweating and dilation (widening) of blood skin.

Salicylates also help in preventing blood platelets from clumping together to form clots.

Uses:

To relieve mild to moderate pain.

To reduce fever.

To reduce inflammation, redness, swelling (eg, in arthritis).

• Aspirin: To reduce the risk of recurrent transient is chemic attacks (TIAs) or stroke in men.

To reduce risk of death or nonfatal heart attacks (myocardial infarction) in people with previous heart attack or unstable angina.

• Unlabeled Uses: Occasionally doctors may prescribe aspirin-like pain relievers for the possible protective effect against cataract formation and to prevent toxemia of pregnancy. It may also be of benefit in pregnant women with inadequate uteroplacental blood flow.

Precautions:

• Ears: Discontinue use if dizziness, ringing in the ears, or any hearing difficulty occurs. These symptoms are indications that salicylate blood level may be too high. Temporary hearing loss disappears gradually after the drug is stopped.

• Controlled release aspirin: Because of its relatively long onset of action, controlled-released aspirin is not recommended for fevers or short-term pain relief. It is not recommended in children younger than 12 or children with fever accompanied by dehydration.

• Aspirin intolerance: Symptoms (spasms in bronchioles, hives, swelling, inflammation of the nose) occur within 3 hours after ingestion. Aspirin intolerance is more common in patients with a history of asthma and nasal polyps.

• Foods collnlning salicylate may contribute to a reaction. Some foods with curry powder, paprika, licorice, Benedictine liqueur,

• Desensitization: Desensitizationhas been successful. It should be done in a hospital. it is generally maintained with 1 aspirin/day. Any NSA/D can maintain desensitization. However, if maintenance is interrupted, sensitivity will reappear (2 to 5 days).

• Pregnancy: Salicylates cross the placenta. Avoid use during pregnancy, especially the third trimester. Aspirin studies have shown a potential effect to the fetus. 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: Salicylates appear in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

• Children: Administration of aspirin to children (including teenagers) with fever-causing illnesses (eg, chickenpox, flu) has been associated with the development of Reye syndrome. Reye is a rare illness characterized by vomiting, lethargy, and belligerence that may progress to delirium and coma. Safety and effectiveness of magnesium salicylate or salsa­late in children have not been established.

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 saicylates. 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 salicylates.

Drugs affecting aspirin _

• Acetazolamide (eg, Diamox)
• Antacids (eg, Tums)
• Charcoal, activated contraceptives, oral (eg, Ortho­Novum)
• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) dichlorphenamide (Daranide )
• Methazolamide (eg, Neptazane)
• Nizatidine (eg, Axid)
• Ticlopidine (eg, Ticlid)
• Urinary acidifiers (eg, vitamin C)
• Urinary alkalinizers (eg, sodium bicarbonate)

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many salicylate user 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:

• Allergic Reactions: Difficulty breathing and inflammation in nose may occur in people with a history of nasal polyps or asthma.

• Digestive Tract: Stomach upset; nausea; vomiting; appetite loss; indigestion; heartburn; diarrhea; ulcers; GI bleeding.

• Nervous System: Dizziness; weakness; confusion; headache.

• Other: Ringing in the ears; difficulty hearing; thirst; sweating; liver problems; prolonged bleeding; abnormal blood counts; black or bloody stools; rapid breathing; iron deficiency anemia (chronic use); dim vision; rash; fever; hives.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• Do not stop taking or change the dose unless directed by your doctor.
• May cause stomach upset. Take with food or after meals.
• Do not crush or chew sustained-release preparations.
• Take with a full glass of water to reduce the risk of medication lodging in the throat.
• Patients allergic to tartrazine dye should avoid aspirin; use caution with asthma or nasal polyps.
• Avoid use during pregnancy.
• Avoid use in children with a fever-causing illness.
• Notify your doctor if ringing in ears or persistent stomach pain occurs.
• Do not use aspirin if it has a strong vinegar-like odor.
• Do not place or dissolve on an oral lesion (eg, canker sore, cold sore) or directly on an aching tooth. A serious local inflammatory reaction could occur.

Tagged under:acrocyanosis, Analgesics, ankles, aspirin and salicylates, bluish tinge, cause ulceration, extreme cold, extremities, fingers, hands and feet, sudden contraction, supply blood, sweaty waste products

Dipyridamole-aspirin Guidelines for Using Dipyridamole-aspirin - Uses and Benefits

Type of Drug:

Combination anti platelet agent.

How the Dipyridamole-aspirin Works:

Aspirin and dipyridamole work together to prevent blood clots from forming by preventing platelets from clumping together. Platelets are parts of the blood that aid in clot formation.

Uses of Dipyridamole/aspirin:

To reduce the risk of stroke in patients who have had transient ischemia of the brain (TIAs) or complete ischemic stroke because of blood clots.

Precautions:

Do not use in the following situations: allergy to dipyridamole, aspirin, NSAIDs, or any of their ingredients asthma, nasal polyps, and rhinitis syndrome viral infections with or without fever, in children or teenagers

Use with caution in the following situations: alcohol use kidney disease bleeding abnormalities liver disease coronary artery disease low blood pressure gastrointestinal bleeding or peptic ulcer disease ulcers

• Reye syndrome: There is a risk of Reye syndrome in children and teenagers when using aspirin in certain viral illnesses. Do not use in children or teenagers with viral infections with or without fever.

• Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only when clearly needed and potential benefits out­weigh the possible risks to the fetus. Avoid the combination in the third trimester of pregnancy because of the aspirin component.

• Breastfeeding: Dipyridamole and aspirin are excreted in breast milk.

Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

• Children: Safety and effectiveness have not been established. This product is not recommended in children and teenagers because of the aspirin component.

• Lab Test: lab tests may be required during treatment. Tests include liver and kidney function, blood counts, urine tests, and bleeding 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 this drug. Drug doses may need to be modified or a different drug pre­scribed. The following drugs and drug classes interact with this drug:

• ACE inhibitors (eg, captopril)
• Adenosine (Adenocard)
• Anticoagulants (eg ibuprofen)
• Ethotrexate (eg, Rheumatrex)
• Diuretics (eg, furosemide)

Side Effects of Dipyridamole-aspirin:

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:

• Nervous System: Headache; forgetfulness; convulsions; confusion; drowsiness; dizziness; fainting; weakness.

• Digestive Tract: Stomach pain; indigestion; heartburn; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; coffee-ground or bloody vomit; appetite loss; dark or bloody stools; rectal bleeding; stomach bleeding; hemorrhoids.

• Other: Unusual bleeding or bruising; nosebleed; anemia; joint, chest, muscle, or back pain; arthritis; rash; itching; hives; general body discomfort; coughing; upper respiratory tract infection; accidental injury; heart failure; abnormal tissue growth; fatigue.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• Do not stop taking or change the dose, unless instructed by your doctor.
• Swallow capsules whole. Do not crush or chew.
• Take with food if stomach upset occurs.
• Do not interchange with individual components of aspirin and dipyridamole.
• 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 instructed by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed or it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• Patients who consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day are at a higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding while taking aspirin.
• Do not use in children or teenagers with viral infections with or without fever because of the risk of Reye syndrome associated with use of aspirin in certain viral illnesses.
• Do not use other aspirin-containing products, unless instructed by your doctor.
• Notify your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs and symptoms of unusual bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding (eg, bloody vomit, dark tarry stools), or recurrent signs of stroke or TIA.
• Notify your doctor if you experience bothersome side effects such as headache, indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, or excessive bruising.
• Do not take aspirin if you have a known allergy to NSAIDs, asthma, rhinitis, or nasal polyps.
• Lab tests may be required to monitor treatment. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Store at room temperature (59 to 86°F) in a dry pl ace.

Tagged under:Antiplatelet Agents, aspirin works, blood clots, breastfeeding, consult your doctor, dipyridamole, drug interactions, fever in children, ischemic stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, nasal polyps, peptic ulcer disease, platelets, reye syndrome third trimester of pregnancy

Folic Acid Information - Drug Interactions, Uses and Benefits

Type of Drug:

Folate; folacin; pteroylglutamic acid.

How the Drug Works:

Folic acid stimulates the production of red and white blood cells and platelets (used in clotting). Folic acid acts on megalomaniac bone marrow to produce a normoblastic marrow.

Uses:

To treat anemia (low red blood cell count) caused by folic acid deficiency due to digestive disorders (eg, spruce), poor diet, pregnancy, infancy, or childhood. Folic acid is rarely taken alone.

Precautions:

Do not use in the following situations: Allergy to folic acid or any of its ingredients.

Use with caution in the following situations: alcoholism anemia due to vitamin B 12 deficiency epilepsy controlled with phenytoin, primidone, or phenobarbital non-folic acid deficiency anemia’s (eg, pernicious anemia)

Pregnancy: Folic acid is often prescribed during pregnancy and is safe when used as directed. Folic acid requirements are markedly increased during pregnancy, and deficiency will likely result in fetal damage.

Breastfeeding: Folic acid appears in breast milk. Usually, amounts present in breast milk are adequate to fulfill infant requirements, but the lactating mother may require folic acid supplementation. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

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 folic acid. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed.

• Alcohol hydantoins (eg, phenytoin)
• Antimetabolites (eg, methotrexate)
• Primidone (eg, Mysoline)
• Nitrofurantoin (eg, Furadantin)

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many folic acid 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: Difficulty breathing; itching; skin redness or rash; general body discomfort; flushing.

In higher doses (15 mg/day), additional possible side effects include: Los, of appetite; nausea; stomach bloating or swelling; gas; bitter or bad taste, altered sleep patterns; difficulty in concentrating; irritability; over ­activity; excitement; depression; confusion; impaired judgment; decreased vitamin 8 12 levels (in patients receiving prolonged therapy).

Guidelines for Use:

• Take only when recommended by your doctor .
• Treatment of Anemia - Usual therapeutic (treatment) dose for anemia: Up to 1 mg daily. Usual maintenance dose once amenia has been corrected: Infants: 0.1 mg/day. Children under 4 years of age: Up to 0.3 mg/day. Adults and children over 4 years of age: 0.4 mg/day. Pregnant and breastfeeding women: 0.8 mg/day.
• In the presence of alcoholism, hemolytic anemia, anticonvulsant therapy, or chronic infection, the maintenance dose may need to be increased.
• Except during pregnancy and lactation, folic acid should not be given in doses greater than 0.4 mg/day until pernicious anemia has been ruled out.
• Oral administration is preferred. Intramuscular, intravenous, and subcutaneous routes may be used if the disease is severe, or if oral absorption is impaired.
• Store at room temperature (59 to 86°F). Protect from light and moisture.

Tagged under:Blood Modifiers, consult your doctor, drug interactions, folic acid deficiency, folic acid deficiency anemia, folic acid supplementation, furadantin, nitrofurantoin, pernicious anemia, phenobarbital, prescription medications, primidone, Uncategorized, vitamin b 12 vitamin b 12 deficiency

Vitamin B - Type of Drug - Some Interactions occurring with Vitamin B

Type of Drug:

Water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin that can be stored by the body. Vitamin 8′2 includes cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin.

How the Vitamin B Works:

Vitamin 8′2 is needed for normal growth and reproduction of red blood cells, muscle and nerve tissue. It is usually adequately provided by the diet.

Uses of Vitamin B :

To treat diagnosed vitamin 8′2 deficiency that may be due to pernicious anemia, inadequate diet, digestion disorders (sprue), trauma, surgery, cancer or infections.

Vitamin B requirements may increase during pregnancy, in vegetarians, after blood loss, during illnesses involving the liver and kidneys, in hemolytic anemia and in thyrotoxicosis.

Unlabeled Uses: Occasionally doctors may prescribe hydroxocobalamin for cyanide poisoning associated with sodium nitroprusside.

Precautions:

Do not use in the following situations: allergy to cobalt allergy to vitamin 8′2 or any component of the formulation

Use with caution in the following situations: bone marrow suppressant drugs iron deficiency (eg, chloramphenicol) Leber disease folic acid deficiency polycythemia vera infection uremia

Eye problems: Use of vitamin 8′2 may worsen Leber disease, a rare hereditary eye condition.

Single deficiency (vitamin 8′2 alone) is rare. Expect multiple vitamin deficiency in finny dietary deficiency.

Pregnancy: Adequate studies have not been done in pregnant women. However ,B12 is an essential vitamin and needs me increased during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding: Vitamin B 12 appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding .

Lab tests may be necessary to determine progress of therapy.

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 while taking this drug. 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 this drug:

• Alcohol (excessive intake)
• Aminosalicylic acid (Paser)
• Chloramphenicol (eg, Chloromy-cetin)

Side Effects of Vitamin B:

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:

Inject able vitamin B : Discomfort following injection; pain at injection site; blood clots in arms or legs; breathing difficulties; congestive heart failure; anaphylactic shock; death.

Skin: Rash; itching; hives; bruising.

Other: Fever; vision difficulties; feeling of swelling of the entire body; mild diarrhea; abnormal blood counts.

Guidelines for Use:

• Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) ­ Adult males: 2 mcg Adult females: 2 mcg Pregnant women: 2.2 mcg Breastfeeding women: 2.6 mcg Infants and children: 0.3 to 2 mcg Doses larger than the RDA are used to treat vitamin B 12 deficiency.
• A well-balanced diet is necessary. Correct poor eating habits. Strict vegetarian diets containing no animal products (including milk products and eggs) do not supply vitamin B 12 . Vegetarians should take vitamin B 12 supplements regularly.
• Common sources of vitamin 8 12 - Meat, liver.
• Initially, vitamin B 12 may be given daily.
• In some cases, vitamin B 12 must be continued indefinitely to prevent the return of anemia and to prevent damage to the central nervous system.
• Although oral dosing of vitamin B 12 is convenient, injections may be required.
• Folic acid is sometimes taken with vitamin B 12 but is not a substitute for it. In pernicious anemia, folic acid may effectively return the blood profile to normal while nerve damage due to vitamin B 12 deficiency progresses.

Tagged under:Blood Modifiers, dietary supplements, polycythemia vera, prescription medications, sodium nitroprusside, vitamin b 12 water soluble vitamin