Archive for May, 2009
One of the female sex hormones produced by theovaries. It is used in hormone replacement therapy,
mainly for the local relief of wasting or inflammation of the vagina,
shrinkage or itching of the vulva (external genitals), or pain on
intercourse, in menopausal and postmenopausal women. Oestriol is
available as tablets or a cream on prescription only.
Proprietary preparations: Ortho-Gynest (pessaries or cream); Ovestin
(tablets or cream); HORMONIN (combined with oestradiol
oestrone
Drugs that cause softening and swelling of the cells at the surface of the skin, so that the outer layer of
the skin peels off or can easily be removed. Keratolytics are used to remove thickened and horny patches of
skin or scaly areas produced by eczema or psoriasis. They are also used in the treatment of acne, warts,
and corns, Keratolytics include salicylic acid, benzoic acid, benzoyl peroxide, coal tar, tar, resorcinol,
and sulphur. Caustics are drugs that are applied to the skin to destroy tissue. Used for treating warts and
corns, they include silver nitrate, podophyllum, podophyllotoxin, formaldehyde, and glutaraldehyde.
One of the most widely used and effective cytotoxic drugs. A cytotoxic antibiotic, doxorubicin is administered intravenously for the treatment of acute leukaemias, lymphomas, and a variety of solid tumours and is instilled directly into the bladder to treat bladder cancer. It is also used to treat AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma (a tumour of blood vessels in the skin), for which it is available as a lipid formulation for infusion; the lipid enhances its uptake by the tumour cells. Doxorubicin is a prescription only medicine.
Side effects:
include moderate to severe nausea and vomiting, bone marrow suppression, hair loss,
and inflammation of the mouth. High doses can have adverse effects on the heart. Leakage from the infusion tube can damage the surrounding tissue. Read the rest of this entry »
An H2-receptor antagonist used in the treatment of duodenal or gastric ulcers, ulcers caused by use of NSAIDs, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, and for the prevention of ulcer recurrence.
It is available as capsules or an injection on prescription only. Packs containing no more than two weeks’ supply of capsules, for the treatment and prevention of indigestion and heartburn in those over 16 years old, can be obtained from pharmacies without a prescription.
Side effects: include anaemia, sweating, itching, hepatitis, and jaundice.
Precautions: nizatidine should be used with caution by people with liver or kidney disease and by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Proprietary preparations: Axid; Zinga.
An antimuscarinic drug that has pronounced skeletal muscle relaxant properties. It is used for the treatment
of Parkinson’s disease and the reversal of drug-induced extrapyramidal reactions and also for the short-term relief of muscle spasm.
A prescription only medicine, it is available as tablets, a solution, or an elixir for oral use and as a solution for injection.
Side effects: include dry mouth, gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness, and blurred vision; less common side effects are difficulty in urinating, slow heart rate, nervousness, euphoria, and insomnia. In high doses and in susceptible individuals, mental confusion, excitement, and psychiatric disturbances can occur.
A proprietary combination of dexamethasone (a corticosteroid), framycetin sulphate (an aminoglycoside antibiotic), and gramicidin (an antibiotic), used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the eyes when infection is present or is likely to occur. It is also used to treat infections of the outer ear. Sofradex is available, on prescription only, as eye drops or ointment or ear drops.
Precautions: long-term use of Sofradex should be avoided in infants.
A proprietary combination of iodine, menthol, methyl salicylate, turpentine oil, and camphor, used as a
rubefacient for the relief of mild muscular aches and pains, chilblains, sprains, and bruises.
It is freely available over the counter.
An anticonvulsant drug used as an adjunct in the treatment of partial epilepsy. It is available as tablets on prescription only.
Side effects: include somnolence, dizziness, shaky movements, fatigue, headache, nausea and vomiting, rhinitis, weight gain, and nervousness.
Precautions: dosages should be reduced gradually when stopping medication. The dosage may need to be reduced in the elderly.
Women who are planning to become pregnant, or who are already pregnant, should seek specialist advice. Gabapentin is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding.
Interactions with other drugs:
Anatacids: reduce the absorption of gabapentm.
Proprietary preparation: Neurontin.
A proprietary combination of sodium acid phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium bicarbonate,
used as a phosphate supplement, it is also occasionally used to reduce high plasma calcium concentrations that result from overproduction of parathyroid hormone by the parathyroid gland or occur with certain cancers. Phosphate-Sandoz is available as effervescent tablets and can be obtained without a prescription, but only from pharmacies.
Side effects and precautions: When used to reduce plasma calcium, this medicine may bind to calcium to form calcium phosphate in the tissues, leading to kidney impairment and the formation of kidney stones
An intermediate-acting barbiturate used for the short-term treatment of severe insomnia in patients who are already taking barbiturates. A controlled drug, it is available as tablets.
Proprietary preparation: Soneryl.