Drug Facts

Type of Drug

Digestive tract (gastrointestinal) stimulant.

How The Drug Works

These drugs stimulate the contractions/movements of the stomach and small intestine.

Uses

To treat symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis (eg, nausea, vomiting, heart burn, persistent fullness after meals and appetite loss).

To treat the nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. To treat gastroesophageal reflux (reflux of stomach contents into the throat).

Other Uses : Occasionally doctors may prescribe metoclopramide to improve breast milk secretion, to improve response to migraine medications, for nausea and vomiting, to treat anorexia nervosa, to treat gastric ulcers, for intestinal blockage after operations, diabetic cystoparesis (weak bladder), and bleeding from the esophagus.

Diabetics: Metoclopramide affects the movement of food from the stomach to the intestines and also the absorption of food. Insulin dose may need to be adjusted.

Pregnancy: Metoclopramide crosses the placenta. Studies in pregnant women have not shown a risk to the fetus. However, no drug should be used during pregnancy unless clearly needed.

Breastfeeding: Metoclopramide appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: Metoclopramide has been used in children. However, muscle spasms of the neck, face and jaw, and involuntary movement of the eyes have been reported more commonly in children.

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 metoclopramide. 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 metoclopramide.

1. Acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol)
2. Narcotic pain relievers
3. Alcohol (eg, codeine)
4. Anticholinergics (eg, atropine)
5. Butyrophenone (eg, Haldol)
6. Cimetidine (Tagamet)
7. Sedatives (eg, flurazepam)

Side Effects

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many metoclopramide 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; diarrhea.

Nervous System: Restlessness; drowsiness; fatigue; weakness; involuntary trembling, jerky movements; shaking muscle spasms; dizziness; anxiety; sleeplessness; headache; depression; hallucinations; facial grimacing; slurred speech; teeth grinding.

Other: Increased blood pressure; excessive or spontaneous flow of breast milk; stopping of menstrual period; nipple tenderness; breast enlargement in males; impotence in males; rash; asthma-like symptoms; impaired vision; uncontrolled urination or bowel movements; difficult breathing; decreased blood pressure; neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

Guidelines for Use

• May cause drowsiness. Use caution when driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness.
• Take 30 minutes before each meal.
• Notify your doctor if involuntary movement of the eyes, face or limbs occurs.

Type of Drug Antacid Combinations.

Uses
To treat upset stomach due to too much acid secretion (including heart burn, gastroesophageal reflux, acid indigestion and sour stomach).

To treat excess acid secretion associated with peptic ulcer, irritation of the stomach, irritation of the esophagus or hiatal hernia.

Other Uses: To prevent significant stress ulcer bleeding. To treat duodenal and gastric ulcers.

Guidelines for Use

• Chewable tablets - Chew before swallowing . Follow with a glass of water.
• If you are currently taking a prescription drug or other medications, do not take an antacid without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Magnesium-containing products may cause diarrhea; aluminum and calcium-containing products may cause constipation.
• Antacids reduce acidity for about 30 minutes when taken on an empty stomach and for about 3 hours when taken 1 hour after meals.
• Notify your doctor if “coffee-ground” vomiting or black, tar-like stools occur.
• Taking too much of these products can cause the stomach to secrete excess stomach acid. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the appropriate dose.
• Long-term use - Do not take for longer than 2 weeks for the relief of indigestion. If discomfort continues, consult your doctor.

Type of Drug

Anti-gas agents.

How the Drug Works

“Flatulence” refers to excessive amounts of air or gases in the stomch or intestines that result in abdominal discomfort (eg, pain, fullness, bloating). The air or gases are trapped in small bubbles. Simethico relieves discomfort due to flatulence by helping the formation of la gas bubbles which are easier to eliminate by belching or passing rectally.

Excessive air and gases that can accumulate in the stomach or intestines will bind to charcoal. As the charcoal is eliminated from the body, the air and gases are also eliminated, resulting in relief.

Other substances that bind to charcoal include certain poisons, drugs naturally occurring substances. By binding to charcoal, absorption of these substances into the bloodstream is reduced. This can be an advantage in the treatment of poisonings but a disadvantage when it interferes with the effects of a drug.

Uses

Charcoal: For relief of intestinal gas, diarrhea and intestinal distress associated with indigestion.

For prevention of itching associated with kidney dialysis treatment intestinal motility testing.

To treat certain poisonings and drug overdoses by decreasing absorption into the bloodstream and speeding up removal of the poisons drugs from the body.

Simethicone: To relieve abdominal discomfort due to excess air or gasses in the stomach, intestines or both. Conditions where antiflatulents my be helpful include: Surgery, peptic ulcer, air swallowing, spastic or irritable bowel, acid indigestion and diverticulitis.

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 charcoal. 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 charcoal.

1. Acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol)
2. Propoxyphene (eg, Darvon)
3. Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital)
4. Salicylates (eg, aspirin)
5. Carbamazepine (eg, Tegretol)
6. Sulfonamides (eg, sulfisoxazole)
7. Digitoxin (eg, Crystodigin)

Guidelines for Use

Charcoal:

• Take either 2 hours before or 1 hour after taking other oral drugs, because many drugs bind to charcoal in the stomach or intestines and never reach the bloodstream.
• Swallow 2 tablets whole after eating, as needed. Do not chew. Do not exceed 20 tablets per day.
• Stool will turn black. This is normal.

Simethicone:

• Take 1 to 2 tablets as needed after each meal and at bedtime. Do not exceed 4 tablets in 24 hours unless directed by your doctor.
• Gas-X - Do not exceed 6 tablets in 24 hours.
• Phazyme - Do not exceed 3 softgels per day.
• Swallow softgels whole with water.
• Drops - Shake well before using.
• Chewable tablets - Chew thoroughly before swallowing.
• Store at room temperature. Protect from moisture. Keep out of reach of children.

Type of Drug

Antibiotic; tetracycline.

How The Drug Works

Doxycycline reduced elevated collagenase activity in the gingival crevicular fluid of adult patients with periodontitis.

Uses

As an adjunct to tooth scaling and root planing to promote attachment level gain and to reduce pocket depth in patients with adult periodontitis.

Tooth Discoloration: Use of a tetracycline during tooth development (last half of pregnancy, infancy, and childhood up to 8 years of age) may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth (yellow-gray-brown). This is more common during long-term use but has been observed following repeated short-term courses. Enamel hypoplasia has also been repartee Do not use a tetracycline in this age group or in pregnant or nursing mothers unless the potential benefits outweigh the possible risks.

Superinfection: Use of broad spectrum antibiotics (especially prolonged crepeated therapy) may result in bacterial or fungal overgrowth. Such overgrowth may lead to a second infection. The tetracycline may need to be stopped and another antibiotic may need to be prescribed for the second infection.

Pseudotumor Cerebri: Tetracyclines have been associated with pseudotumor cerebri (benign intracranial hypertension). Early signs and symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. If these symptoms develop, stop the drug immediately and contact your doctor.

Cross Resistance: Antimicrobial activity of the tetracyclines is similar. Resstance to one tetracycline may mean resistance to most or all of the others.

Pregnancy: May cause harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Do not use during pregnancy. The risk of use in a pregnant woman clearly outweighs any possible benefit.

Breastfeeding: Tetracyclines are excreted in breast milk. Do not use while breastfeeding because of the potential for serious adverse effects in nursing infants.

Children: Tetracyclines should not be used in children under 8 years of age, unless other drugs are not likely to be effective or are not advised.

Lab tests may be required during long-term treatment with tetracyclines. Tests may include blood counts and liver and kidney function tests.

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 doxycycline. 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 tetracyclines:

1. Aluminum salts (eg, Aluminum Hydroxide)
2. Iron salts (eg, Ferrous Fumarate)
3. Anticoagulants (eg, Warfarin)
4. Magnesium salts (eg, Magnesium Hydroxide)
5. Barbiturates (eg, Phenobarbital)
6. Methoxyflurane (Penthrane)

Side Effects

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many doxycycline 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: Acid indigestion; appetite loss; vomiting; diarrhea; nausea; mouth sores; sore throat; toothache; tooth disorder; swollen gums.

Respiratory System: Bronchitis; cough; sinus congestion; sinus headache; runny nose.

Other: Backache; common cold; flu-like symptoms; headache; infection; injury; joint or muscle pain; menstrual cramps; vaginal candidiasis; pain; rash; hives; sensitivity to light; anemia.

Guidelines for Uses

• Dosage will be individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• Do not stop taking or change the dose unless directed by your doctor.
• Take 1 tablet 2 times daily at 12 hour intervals, preferably 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Therapy lasts for up to 9 months.
• 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 to do so 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.
• To prevent irritation or ulceration of the esophagus (food pipe), take with a full glass of water or other nondairy liquid. Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after a dose.
• Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Do not use in children under 8 years of age unless other drugs are not likely to be effective or are inadvisable. Use during tooth development may cause permanent discoloration and inadequate hardening of baby and permanent teeth.
• Avoid use of tetracyclines with antacids, laxatives, alcohol, dairy products (eg, milk, cheese), or iron-containing products. If any of these products must be taken, take at least 2 hours before or after tetracyclines.
• May cause photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight). Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and other sources of ultraviolet (UV) light (eg, tanning beds). Use sunscreens and wear protective clothing until tolerance is determined.
• Concurrent use of tetracyclines with oral contraceptives (eg, Grthonovum) may cause the oral contraceptives to be less effective. Discuss alternative contraceptive methods with your doctor.
• Notify your doctor if you experience skin redness, flushing, itching, or hives.
• Do not use outdated tetracyclines. Outdated tetracyclines may be toxic to the kidneys.
• Lab tests may be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Store at controlled room temperature (59° to 86°F).