Drug Facts

How the Drug Works

Glucose does not normally appear in the urine, but when too much glucose builds up in the blood, the excess spills over from the kidney into the urine where it can be detected by specially designed plastic test strips and reagent tablets containing chemicals which detect glucose in urine. Color changes occur according to the amount of sugar present.

Regular monitoring of glucose levels aids in the control of diabetes. It will help determine medication, exercise and dietary needs and help decrease complications (eg, kidney and eye problems) and problems during pregnancy.

Ketones appear in the urine when the body breaks down body fats to use as a source of energy or food. This can occur in fasting individuals, out­of-control diabetics and individuals on starvation diets. Proteins in the urine may be an early sign of kidney disease.

Uses

To detect glucose in urine.

To aid diabetics in monitoring medication regimens, diet and exercise programs.

To help prevent the development of complications and problems during pregnancy.

Avoid contact with skin, mucous membranes or clothing. If contact occurs, flush the affected area with large amounts of water. If test strips, tape, or tablets are eaten or rubbed in the eyes, contact your doctor or local poison control center immediately. If eaten, do not induce vomiting; instead, drink large amounts of water or milk. If contact with the eyes occurs, flush with water for 15 minutes. Get prompt medical attention.

Specimen Collection and Handling: Collect fresh urine in a clean, dry container and test as soon as possible. (An alternate method is to pass the test strips directly through the urine stream). If testing cannot be done within an hour after collection, refrigerate. Let it return to room temperature before testing. Prolonged exposure of unpreserved urine to room temperature (59° to 86°F) may result in bacterial contamination and bacterial consumption of the glucose. Urine preservatives may also affect the accuracy of test results.

Storage and Handling: For bottled strips-Store at room temperature (59° to 86 F). Do not store the bottle in direct sunlight. Protect from light, heat, and moisture.

Keep unused test strips in the original bottle with the cap tightly closed. Always replace the cap immediately and tightly. A new bottle of test strips can be used for 6 months after first being opened. Always write the date you first opened the bottle on the bottle label. Do not use the product after the expiration date. Use of strips beyond the expiration date may yield inaccurate test results. Never transfer strips to another bottle. Do not remove drying agent from the bottle. The agent absorbs moisture and keeps the strips dry. Never put cotton or other materials in the bottle. If test areas are discolored or darkened, throw the strip away and use a strip from a new bottle.

For tablets - Tablets have prolonged stability in the unopened container if stored at room temperature between 59° and 86°F. Do not refrigerate. Do not store in direct sunlight. Once the bottle is opened, protect from moisture. Excessive moisture may cause a chemical reaction and a bottle explosion may occur. Use tablets on a regular basis and do not store for extended periods of time after the bottle is opened. Recap the bottle tightly immediately after removing a tablet. Tablets in foil must be used immediately upon opening. Protect tablets from light, heat and moisture. Do not open the bottle in a steamy bathroom. Moisture causes tablets to turn a deeper shade of blue. If tablets darken or if test results seem questionable or inconsistent with expected findings:

Confirm that product is within expiration date shown on label or foil. Check performance with a positive control. If proper result is not obtained, discard and retest with a fresh tablet.

Tablets: Sugars other than glucose will cause a positive test result. These sugars include: Lactose, fructose, galactose, and pentose.

Ketones: High levels of ketones may cause false positive test results for urine containing small amounts of glucose.

How The Drug Works

These drugs reduce intestinal movement, absorb fluid, reduce the severity of intestinal inflammation and modify intestinal bacteria.

Uses

To treat diarrhea and the cramps and pain that accompany it. Adequate controlled studies demonstrating the effectiveness of these antidiarrheal combinations are lacking.

Opium (tincture, powder, or paregoric) is used to reduce the intestinal activity, to relieve the urge to have a bowel movement without success and to relieve the pain associated with diarrhea.

Belladonna alkaloids are used to control hyperactivity and increased secretion in the digestive tract.

Activated attapulgite, kaolin and pectin are used for their absorbent actions to bind up and remove digestive tract irritants.

Bismuth salts have antacid and absorbent properties.

Pregnancy: Adequate studies have not been done in pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed and potential benefits to the mother outweigh the possible hazards to the fetus.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if opium appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: Not for use in children younger than 13 years of age.

Elderly: Use with caution in the elderly.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking of if you are planning to take any over-the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements with this drug. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed. CNS depressants interact with this drug.

Side Effects

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many ptients 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: blurred vision; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; hives, rash; itching; nausea; photophobia; rapid pulse; urinary retention; vomiting.

Guidelines for Use

• Follow individual product instructions.
• Do not use if diarrhea is accompanied by a fever or if blood or mucus is present in stool.
• If severe diarrhea, stomach pain/cramps, or bloody stools occur, contact your doctor immediately. This could be, a symptom of a serious side effect requiring immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without first consulting your doctor.
• If you are taking a prescription medicine, consult your doctor before taking these products
• Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing a baby.
• Drink clear fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Do not use agents that slow digestive tract motility for diarrhea associated with antibiotic caused colitis or in diarrhea caused by bacteria.
• Do not use these preparations for more than, 2 days, in the presence of high fever or in infants and children under 3, except under a doctors direction,
• Salicylate absorption may occur from bismuthsabsalicylate. Observe caution in patients with bleeding disorders or aspirin sensitivity and in children.
• Liquids - Shake well before using,
• Store at room temperature (68° to 77°F).

How the Drug Works

Tests for occult blood screen for unseen blood cells in the stool itself or in the toilet water around the stool. Specially treated pads turn a different color in the presence of blood.

Occult blood in the stool (feces) may be an indication of a disease in the digestive or gastrointestinal tract such as hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, fissures, ulcers, polyps, colitis, or colorectal cancer (cancer in colon or rectal area).

Uses

To screen for early signs of digestive tract diseases, including ulcers, colitis, polyps, fissures, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and colorectal cancer.

Recommended for people older than 40 years of age and for those who have a personal or family history of lower intestinal disorders or colorectal cancers.

These tests do not replace regular physical and rectal examinations by your doctor. However, they may show the need for further examinations.

Diet: Eat a normal, well-balanced diet for 2 days before and throughout the testing period (eg, well-cooked poultry, raw beef, lamb), tuna fish, peanuts, high fiber foods such as bran cereal and popcorn, and plenty of raw or cooked lettuce, spinach, corn, prunes, grapes, plums, and apples.). Such a diet reduces the number of false positive results and at the same time the roughage helps to uncover “silent” lesions which may bleed only intermittently. Do not eat red or rare meat, horseradish, turnips, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, cantaloupe, melons, or large amounts of citrus fruits. Consult your doctor before altering or discontinuing a special diet.

Do not use until 3 days after menstrual bleeding has ceased, or while you have bleeding hemorrhoids or constipation. Do not use any rectal ointments, suppositories, or certain medications for 2 days prior to or during the test period. Contact your doctor before stopping any drug therapy.

Kits containing a positive control package: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, clothing, heat, or open flame. In case of an accidental spill or direct contact, wash the affected area with large amounts of water. If ingested, administer large amounts of water. Do not induce vomiting. Call the poison control center. Toilet cleaners, disinfectants, and deodorizers in the toilet bowl and tank can interfere with test results. Remove these items and flush repeatedly until water is clear.

Perform the test on 3 consecutive bowel movements. If the sequence is broken, continue the test until 3 bowel movements have been tested. Some digestive tract bleeding occurs intermittently. Checking 3 consecutive bowel movements will offer a better chance of finding lower intestinal bleeding.

Quality control tests or tests for toilet water quality may be required. Read individual test directions carefully. Specimen collection and preparation of slides, collection papers, and filter papers returned to doctor’s office:

1. Provide all information requested on outside of packet: Name, address, date, doctor, etc.
2. Collect sample from the toilet bowl.
3. Using the applicator provided, apply a thin smear to the slide or paper.
4. Close the cover. Place slide away from heat and light. 5. Mail or deliver to doctor’s office.

Specimen collection and preparation of f1ushable tissue and pads: Carefully drop tissue or pad into toilet bowl. Wait the required length of time, then read the results as directed.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any over­the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements while testing for occult blood. The following drugs and drug classes may interact with the test, leading to questionable results.

1. Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin)
2. Cancer chemotherapeutic drugs
3. Antimetabolites (eg, methocorticosteroids sone)
4. Aspirin dipyridamole (8g. Persantine)

Guidelines for Use

• Read the product instructions carefully prior to testing. Follow the directions on the package label exactly.
• A positive test indicates the presence of blood but does not necessarily mean that a serious condition exists. Discuss all positive test results with your doctor.
• False negative results (a false reading even though blood is actually present) can be caused by an improper sampling technique, ingestion of more than 250 mg a day of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), large amounts of citrus fruits, use of expired reagents or kits that have been improperly stored, or lesions not bleeding at the time of the test.
• False positive results (a positive reading even though no blood is actually present) can be caused by drugs causing gastrointestinal bleeding, red or rare meat, foods such as horseradish, turnips, broccoli, cauliflower, or melons (eg, cantaloupe), toilet bowl cleaners, and sources of nongastrointestinal bleeding such as nose bleeds, menstruation, and hematuria (blood in the urine).
• The best results are achieved when 3 consecutive stool specimens are tested.
• Follow special diet for 2 days prior to testing. Do not change diet or prescription medications without first discussing it with your doctor.
• Have all the materials you need on hand before beginning the test: Testing package, pencil or pen, timer (stopwatch or watch with a second hand), and a clean, dry container.
• For some tests, color vision may be needed to properly read the test results. Have someone else confirm results if in doubt.
• Hema Chek slide test Use a clean container or toilet paper to collect sample. Do not collect from the toilet bowl.
• Store slide tests at room temperature in a dry place. Protect from heat and light. Keep bottle tightly closed.
• Pad and tissue tests -Remove all toilet cleaners and disinfectants from the toilet bowl and tank. Flush several times.
• Flush the toilet after urinating. Then have bowel movement. Do not throw toilet paper in toilet following bowel movement.
• Protect from heat, sunlight, or fluorescent light. Store at room temperature (59° to 86°F). Do not store in the bathroom or in an area where there is a high humidity or moisture level. Do not store in the refrigerator or in an area where the temperature will exceed 86°F. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not use after expiration date on pouch.