amylobarbitone <amobarbital> An intermediate-acting *barbiturate. Amylobarbitone and its sodium salt, amylobarbitone sodium, are used for the short-term treatment of severe insomnia in people who are already taking barbiturates; amylobarbitone sodium is also given by injection to treat status epilepticus (repeated epileptic seizures). Amylobarbitone is available as tablets, its sodium salt as capsules or an injection (only for use in specialist epilepsy centres); both are ^controlled drugs.
Askit (Roche Products) A proprietary combination of * aspirin and *aloxiprin (analgesics and antipyretics) and * caffeine (a stimulant), used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain (including headache, neuralgia, toothache, and period pains) and fever and to relieve the symptoms of influenza and colds. It is freely available *over the counter in the form of capsules or powders.
Precautions: Askit should not be given to children, except on medical advice.
Alglucerase – An enzyme preparation used to replace an enzyme deficiency that gives rise to Gaucher’s disease, an inherited disorder in which lipids accumulate in the bone marrow, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and other tissues. Alglucerase is available as a form for intravenous infusion on * prescription only; its use is restricted to specialists. Side effects: include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, pain and irritation at the injection site, and possibly allergic reactions.
Precautions: alglucerase should not be given to people with certain types of cancer and should be used with caution in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Proprietary preparation: Ceredase.
Aclacin (Medac) ACLARUBICIN.
aclarublcin A *cytotoxic antibiotic that is similar to *doxorubicin. It is
given intravenously for the treatment of leukaemias that are
resistant to standard therapy. Aclarubicin is available as an injection on
prescription only.
Precautions: aclarubicin should not be given to pregnant women and
should be used with caution in people with impaired liver or kidney
function.
Proprietary preparation: Axlacin.
acne (acne vulgaris) A common inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands. These grease-producing glands in the skin are under *androgen control, but the cause of acne is unknown. It involves the face, back, and chest and is characterized by the presence of blackheads with papules, pustules, and – in more severe cases – cysts and scars. Mild to moderate acne usually responds to topical therapy with *benzoyl peroxide, *azelaic acid, antibiotics (such as Mindamycin or *erythromycin), or retinoids; other topical treatments include *nicotinamide. More refractory conditions require treatment with long-term oral antibiotics (such as *oxytetracycline or *tetracycline hydrochloride) or (for treating women only) *Dianette (cyproterone and ethinyloestradiol
An antidepressant drug of the SSRI group. It is used for the treatment of depressive illness, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bulimia nervosa. Fluoxetine is available as capsules or liquid on prescription only.
Interactions with other drugs:
Antiepileptics: the plasma concentrations of carbamazepine and phenytoin are increased by fluoxetine.
Antipsychotics: plasma concentrations of clozapine, haloperidol, and sertindole are increased by fluoxetine. Selegiline: there is an increased risk of hypertension and adverse effects on the central nervous system.
Terfenadine: there is an increased risk of arrhythmias and fluoxetine should not be taken with terfenadine.
Proprietary preparation: Prozac.
An ACE inhibitor used as an adjunct to diuretics for the treatment of he art failure. It is also taken after myocardial infarction (heart attack) to reduce recurrence and is used to treat all grades of hypertension. Available as tablets on prescription only, it is usually taken once a day.
Proprietary preparations: Carace; Zestril; CARACE PLUS (combined with hydrochlorothiazide); ZESTORETIC (combined with hydrochlorothiazide).
An alpha blocker used to treat all grades of hypertension and to relieve the obstruction of urine flow that can occur in men with an enlarged prostate gland. It is available as tablets on prescription only.
Precautions: people with heart failure should be treated appropriately before taking indoramin. Indoramin should be used with caution in people with liver or kidney disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, or depression.
Proprietary preparations: Baratol; Doralese.
A drug that opposes the action of opioids (such as heroin) and is used to help maintain a drug-free habit in
people who were formerly dependent on opioids, Naltrexone is usually started after the individual has abstained from taking opioid drugs for at least 7-10 days. It is available as tablets on prescription only.
Side effects: include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anxiety, nervousness, difficulties in sleeping, headache, reduced energy, and joint and muscle pain. Less frequently there may be mood changes and decreased potency.
Precautions: naltrexone should not be taken by people who are still dependent on opioids or by those with severe liver disease.
Proprietary preparation: Nalorex.
A proton pump inhibitor used for the treatment of reflux oesophagitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers (including those associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and the use of NSAIDs), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and other kinds of acid-peptic disease. It is available as capsules or a suspension on prescription only.
Side effects: include headache, dizziness, fatigue, malaise, diarrhoea, constipation, sore throat, rashes, and muscle aches.
Interactions with other drugs:
Antifungal drugs: the absorption of ketoconazole and itraconazole may be reduced by lansoprazole. Oral contraceptives: their metabolism may be accelerated (and therefore their effects reduced) by lansoprazole. Phenytoin: lansoprazole should be used with caution in people taking phenytoin.
Warfarin: lansoprazole should be used with caution in people taking warfarin.
Proprietary preparation: Zoton.
An angiotensin inhibitor used in the treatment of hypertension. It is available as tablets on prescription only.
Side effects: include headache, dizziness, and muscle and bone pain.
Precautions: irbesartan should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It should be used with caution by people with kidney disease, severe liver disease, heart failure, and some types of heart
disease.
Proprietary preparation: Aprovel.
