Lexapro: A Well Tolerated Antidepressant

June 30th, 2011 Posted in Antidepressants
Jun, 30 2011
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Lexapro (Escitalopram) is an antidepressant introduced by Lundbeck based on one of their earlier drugs known as citalopram and marketed as Celexa. Lexapro is an antidepressant of the class SSRI. Lexapro is the second most popular antidepressant in the United States. It is noted for its great tolerabilility, that many people use the drug with very few side effects. However, Lexapro, like other SSRI antidepressants, can totally kill libido and result in massive weight gain.

There was a great deal of controversy surrounding Lexapro’s release, as the drug is very similar to Lundbeck’s previous antidepressant Celexa, and the release of Lexapro coincided with the expiry of Celexa’s patent. Lundbeck claims that Lexapro is better than Celexa, and that it is better tolerated by patients, but it seems that the drugs are very similar in how they act and the side effects that they cause. Lexapro, chemically, is a stripped down Celexa. Lundbeck retained the active portions of Celexa while removing the inaction portions. This resulted in a different chemical composition, but the two drugs are very similar in their pharmacological effects. In fact, if you had an allergic reaction to Celexa, you should not take Lexapro, as it is likely that you will have an allergic reaction to Lexapro as well.

Most users of Lexapro report typical SSRI side effects, such as headache, insomnia, dry mouth, and nausea, most of which are reported when users first start taking the drug and subside within a month. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Lexapro has a large incidence of causing weight gain in its users, and the majority of users will experience a reduced libido. If side effects persist for longer a month, or are too bothersome for you to keep taking Lexapro, you should talk to a doctor to see about switching to another antidepressant. Suddenly stopping your use of Lexapro can result in severe withdrawal symptoms associated with SSRI antidepressants. Lexapro is particularly known for being well tolerated and thus does not often cause severe withdrawal that other SSRI antidepresants can, but the risk still exists. Some people report feelings of worthlessness or inability to sleep when trying to come off of Lexapro. Other symptoms include sensitivity to bright lights and loud sounds, sweating, hot flashes or chills, or inability to concentrate. Although these severe withdrawal symptoms only affect a small portion of Lexapro users, you should talk to your doctor if you are concerned about them. Your doctor can help prevent withdrawal symptoms by gradually stepping down your dosage of Lexapro.

Lexapro is a safe and well tolerated SSRI antidepressant that is very popular in the United States. Although some users will experience side effects or severe withdrawal, the incidence of these are lower than with other SSRI antidepressants, and so Lexapro is a good choice for those wanting a safe and effective choice for combating their clinical depression. Keep in mind that Lexapro is very similar to Celexa (citalopram) and if you experienced difficulty taking Celexa you most likely will not find success with Lexapro. In addition, generic citalopram (Celexa) is available, while generic escitalopram (Lexapro) is not available, meaning that citalopram can be purchased for less than escitalopram. If finances are a concern, you may wish to consider using citalopram instead of escitalopram.

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Using Aspirin For The Prevention Of A Heart Attack

June 21st, 2011 Posted in Other
Jun, 21 2011
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People who have experienced a heart attach should take aspirin in order to help prevent another attack from occurring according to the American Heart Association. Studies have concluded that aspirin can help to prevent a heart attach and it’s also effective for people who have been determined by their doctor to have a high risk of having an attack. Before you begin aspirin therapy you should consult with your physician.

Effectiveness of Aspirin

Aspirin is effective at preventing a person from having a heart attach by preventing clots from forming that can block the flow of blood to the heart. People who have already had an attack can usually be helped by using an aspirin therapy program and people who have not had an attack but are at high risk due to diabetes, high cholesterol and other factors can get some protection with an aspirin therapy program. However taking aspirin on a daily basis can thin out your blood and can produce side effects such as bleeding.

There is a risk of experiencing sever bleeding by taking too much aspirin. A study has concluded that using more than 100 mg of aspirin per day significantly increases the possibility of bleeding from your nose as well as severe problems such as bleeding in your brain also called a stroke. One study has shown that serious bleeding happens in just a little more that one percent of patients who have heart disease and are involved in aspirin therapy with dosages of around 80 mg of aspirin per day.

Baby Aspirin

However a serious bleeding condition happens to about five percent of people who have heart disease and are using 200 mg or more of aspirin on a daily basis in order to prevent a heart attach from occurring. When the study reviewed all the bleeding that occurred due to being involved in aspirin therapy, including simple bleeding, taking 100 to 200 mg a day of aspirin caused bleeding in eleven percent of the people. People who were taking baby aspirin showed a rate of slightly more than one percent for bleeding.

There is some disagreement in the medical community about the proper dosage of aspirin for people who are taking it to prevent a heart attach. However studies have shown that taking a baby aspirin can be effective and is safer than taking a higher dosage on a daily basis. There are some situations where a patient might begin taking a higher dosage and then decrease it as time goes by such as a patient who had stents placed in his arteries. Stints are very small flexible types of coils that are utilized to open up blocked arteries; however stints increase the possibility of acquiring blood clots.

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Topamax Lawsuits for your help

June 21st, 2011 Posted in Pain Killers
Jun, 21 2011
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If you are anticipating a family a few years later? Do you think pregnancy in some opportunity? In their normal plan, this is the incredibly significant fact to suit your needs. You might have heard about Topamax prescription quite a number instances. Topamax is used to regard concerns like migraine headaches or epilepsy. Recent research has shown that Topamax could cause intense side-effects if utilized whilst you are pregnant. The Topamax attorneys have already been endlessly comparing Topamax case suits and contains been said that teens conceived along with malformations such as cleft lip can be a objective of use of Topamax by young women in their maternity. Topamax class suits could be lodged for monetary claims for females who ve their little ones intuitive having Topamax hole lip region as a consequence of Topamax usage.

The edge end results caused on account of Topamax may additionally risk the kids to some possible threat of spoken anguish or flaws and malformations like anguish lip area, crevice penchant, vaginal faults as well as other begin faults. It s also reveled that there was information regarding the risk of Topamax being consumed during your pregnancy, however the produces was not ready to investigate the problems of Topamax.

Topamax, is additionally in general called topiramate, and is particularly a division of John & Johnson. Topamax medications had not only been approved for epilepsy and migraine headaches but additionally for aimed at bpd. Now, the analysis has revealed that Topamax might cause negative effects such as Topamax crack palate. Topamax law firms studying into your Topamax proceedings have also explained to that it is possible that producers had important information or probably knew about the danger of Topamax when you are pregnant but have did not disseminate that important information towards the people. If you signs had been supplied, thereafter Topamax unwanted side effects for young women progressing to conceive has been evaded. Selection prescriptions for migraine headache or epilepsy could have been utilized the women; and therefore evading the Topamax cleft tongue among the many infants.

Several Topamax attorneys are assessing the claims for those who are eligible receive the material benefits by means of Topamax proceedings. The Topamax grade performance lawsuits can be taken note of.

Just in case you want to know in detail this matter, or would like to know regardless if you are entitled to obtain state or otherwise, you could enroll in the no cost advise together with numerous Topamax class suits deals. Topamax law firms is also able to direct you towards eloquent about your concern and give you regarding this problem.

Also, based on the caution of FDA, ladies that are thinking of become pregnant or have conceived recently, and then is essential so that you can be aware that you should not require Topamax inside your gestation. You can use option healing. But Topamax utilization can be detrimental for your children and can cause critical malformations with them. If you women have already tried and true in such a case, Topamax court cases is usually lodged and you can statement your salaries by contrast.

Topamax lawyers will allow you to declare your reward and you could also explore for this info over Topamax case suits deals.

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Yeast infection symptoms, treatments, Diflucan

June 18th, 2011 Posted in Medications
Jun, 18 2011
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While probably not a hot topic for dinner table conversation, yeast infections are a very common problem that affects most women at some point. Experimenting between the numerous over the counter and prescription medications can be a daunting task, not to mention expensive.

If you’re tired of the itching, discharge, and other unpleasant yeast infection symptoms, maybe it’s time you learned the facts about effective yeast infection treatments… the standard ones, the alternative ones, and a prescription drug called Diflucan.

What Is a Yeast Infection?

Before we discuss the benefits of Diflucan and its ability to eliminate a vaginal yeast infection, it’s important to understand what a yeast infection is. A fungus called Candida is the main culprit responsible for triggering a vaginal yeast infection in women.

Although it’s both normal and beneficial to have some of this yeast in our bodies, when Candida multiplies or spreads throughout the body it can result in a number of illnesses and conditions, including a yeast infection.

What Causes a Yeast Infection?

Many women are misinformed about what can actually cause or aggravate a yeast infection. Learning to recognize what triggers a yeast infection in your body is often the best defense. By avoiding certain actions and situations, you can greatly decrease your chances of contracting a vaginal yeast infection.

The following are some of the most common causes of a yeast infection.

Antibiotics – Taking prescription medications such as antibiotics for an extended period of time can cause a yeast infection. Sure antibiotics are helpful in treating many illnesses but the downside is that they also kill what are known as the good bacteria in our bodies. When the amount of good bacteria becomes limited, the yeast begins to multiply and the end result can be an annoying yeast infection.

Birth Control Pills – Many women of child bearing age take birth control pills. Although contraceptives are very convenient in preventing pregnancy, the estrogen in these medications may cause a vaginal yeast infection in some women. If you’re constantly battling a recurring yeast infection, try talking with your doctor about the different types of oral contraceptives available. Many brands of birth control pills today contain reduced amounts of estrogen which can eliminate or reduce the number of active yeast infections. If changing your medication doesn’t help, why not consider a different type of birth control.

Diet – An unhealthy diet can often trigger or aggravate an existing yeast infection. By eating well balanced meals and limiting your consumption of junk foods, you can improve your overall health and lessen the chance of an infection. Sugar should especially be avoided. In order for Candida to flourish in your system, it needs nourishment. Sugar and wheat products are known to cause an overgrowth of Candida in many women. Women who have diabetes are more susceptible to a vaginal yeast infection because of the amount of elevated blood glucose in the body.

Sexual Transmission – Unfortunately Candida can be transferred between partners during sexual contact. Yes, even men can have a yeast infection, although it’s not as common as in women. The yeast infection can be difficult to eliminate unless both partners are treated at the same time. To make matters worse, men frequently do not experience any of the common yeast infection symptoms, thus making it harder to diagnose. If either you or your partner suspects a possible yeast infection, following safe sex practices is recommended until the condition can be diagnosed and treated.

Allergic Reactions – Today there are a number of feminine hygiene products on the market from perfumes, to douches, to feminine deodorant sprays. While these products may help you feel fresh and clean, the chemicals they contain can cause an adverse reaction. In fact, many doctors will try to discourage women from douching because it can greatly reduce the amount of good bacteria necessary to fight Candida. Once the good bacteria are reduced, yeast infection symptoms may soon follow.

Abnormal Immune System – Lastly, people with a weakened or compromised immune system are more likely to experience a recurring yeast infection. If you have other health problems or are under a great deal of stress, you will need to treat those problems in order to overcome any yeast infection symptoms. Patients with HIV can have an extremely difficult time beating a yeast infection. For them, it’s best to first consult with a physician about the best method of treatment.

Three Ways to Treat a Yeast Infection

  • Traditional Yeast Infection Treatment

Although there are many over-the-counter remedies available that claim to cure yeast infections, it is best to seek a doctor’s opinion if this is your first encounter with the condition. A qualified physician will want to first diagnose the condition and then examine you for any underlying causes that may not be obvious. Traditional treatments for a vaginal yeast infection include: oral medications, suppositories, and creams.

  • Alternative Methods for Yeast Infection Treatment

Many women may wish to use natural or alternative methods for yeast infection treatment. While some of these methods may provide relief, they can also be helpful in preventing additional occurrences after the first yeast infection has been successfully treated.

Some of the more common home remedies used for yeast infection treatment include: acidophilus tablets, cranberry juice, and homemade douches made with vinegar, garlic, plain yogurt, or potassium sorbate.

  • Rx Treatment for Yeast Infections: Diflucan

If you’ve tried the above treatments and are still troubled by stubborn yeast infection symptoms, it may be time to try Diflucan.

Diflucan is a prescription product that provides fast and effective relief for most yeast infections. Diflucan is available in a convenient tablet form and most patients usually only require a single dose. And many women prefer it to messy creams and suppositories.

Although Diflucan can be taken safely by most patients, you should inform your physician of any other prescriptions you are currently taking. In addition, Diflucan is not recommended for patients who suffer from serious health problems such as HIV, liver disease, or renal impairment. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should also not take Diflucan.

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Tamiflu – A New approved Flu Treatment and Prevention Medication

June 16th, 2011 Posted in Antiviral Drugs
Jun, 16 2011
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About Tamiflu

Tamiflu is approved for the treatment of the Influenza virus and also aids from futher spread with in the body, treating flu at its source. Its mechanism of action includes attacking the virus that causes the flu instead of simply masking the symptoms of the flu in adults and children over 1 year of age. It is also indicated as a prophylaxis against the flu.

Tamiflu facts include:

The trade name for Tamiflu is oseltamivir phosphate

Unlike other antiviral flu medications, such as Flumadine and Symmetrel, Tamiflu is effective against both type A and B strains of flu

The drug helps in the reduction of the duration of the flu symptoms by about 1.3 days

This medication is a neuraminidase inhibitor

There is no generic version of Tamiflu available on the market and neither is it available through the NHS.

How does Tamiflu work?

Tamiflu, an antiviral drug, is used in the treatment and prophylaxis of both Influenza virus A and B. A neuraminidase inhibitor, Tamiflu acts as a transition-state analogue inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase, which helps in the prevention of new viruses emerging from infected cells. Tamiflu is the only neuraminidase inhibitor that has been proven to fight against Bird Flu.

Tamiflu was the first commercially developed, orally active neuraminidase inhibitor. Considered a pro-drug, Tamiflu is hydrolysed hepatically to active metabolite, the free carboxylate of oseltamivir.

Tamiflu is indicated for treatment and prevention in people at least one year of age and above. Reports are that Tamiflu may have an adverse effect on infants under the age of one.

Tamiflu Dosages

Tamiflu tablets are available as 75mg capsules and as a 12mg/ml tutti-frutti flavored oral suspension for children who are too young to swallow the pills. Tamiflu can be taken either with or without food. But, there are reduced chances of upset stomach if Tamiflu is taken with a light snack, milk, or a meal. In addition, this drug does not treat other flu-like viral infections, such as the stomach flu, colds, or RSV.

Tamiflu treatment should be started with the first appearance of the flu symptoms or soon after exposure to the flu. If one has the flu then Tamiflu must be taken twice a day for five days. But, if you want to take Tamiflu as a preventive medication against the flu, Tamiflu must be taken once a day for ten days. Tamiflu can be taken for up to six weeks. Do not take two doses at a time to make up for a missed dose.

Tamiflu precautions

Safety and effectiveness of Tamiflu have not been determined in people with chronic heart or lung disease, kidney failure, or in people with other underlying medical conditions. In addition:

Efficacy for Tamiflu has not been established in the treatment of flu-like illnesses caused by any virus other than influenza A and B (e.g., stomach flu, common cold, or other respiratory illnesses not caused by influenza).

Tamiflu is not known to work in other kinds of infections that appear like influenza or occur along with influenza, and need different types of treatment.

Taking Tamiflu should not affect an individual’s decision to have an annual influenza vaccination.

The safety and efficacy of repeated courses of Tamiflu treatment have not been established.

Tamiflu is not indicated for treatment or prevention of the flu in patients less than 1 year of age.

Tamiflu side effects

Vomiting, abdominal pain, epistaxis (nosebleeds), ear disorders, conjunctivitis (pinkeye) and nausea are the most common side effects of Tamiflu. Tamiflu side effects are mostly mild to moderate and are generally presented within the first two days of taking the medication. Sometimes, taking the medication on a full stomach may prevent these side effects.

Severe rash is another side effect of Tamiflu and the medication must be stopped in case this happens.

With Tamiflu, some people are at an increased risk of seizures, confusion, delirium, hallucinations, abnormal behavior, convulsions, and encephalitis.

In order to prevent side effects, it is also essential to tell your healthcare professional about receiving nasally administered influenza virus vaccine during the past two weeks.

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Zyrtec-The Best Cure for Allergies

June 10th, 2011 Posted in Other
Jun, 10 2011
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In today’s world where everything is polluted, anybody could face allergy because the outer body parts are affected majorly. Eyes and nose are the body parts which are majorly exposed to the pollution and dust thus they lead to allergy. Zyrtec is majorly used to treat symptoms of allergies like sneezing, runny nose, itching, rashes etc. Zyrtec basically works as an antihistamine by jamming the actions of naturally occurring chemical histamine in the body.

Zyrtec Usage:
*Zyrtec is brought in practice as an antihistamine which restricts the actions of the naturally produced acids in the body. Zyrtec has relatively lesser side effects than other antihistamines available. So that’s a good reason to buy Zyrtec
*Zyrtec is generally used to treat allergic ailments such as sneezing, runny nose, itching, tearing and redness of eyes, and hives.
*Apart from the above uses, Zyrtec can also be used for some other purposes.

Zyrtec Storage:
You can store Zyrtec at room temperature. However, you should ensure that the storing place is free from moisture and cool.

Zyrtec Side Effects:
* If you experience any allergic reaction like difficulty in breathing, choking of throad, swollen lips, tongue discontinue taking Zyrtec and visit nearest doctor.
* If you experience any other side effects which are less serious don’t stop use of Zyrtec. However you must consult your doctor if you develop symptoms like drowsiness, dizziness, and headache or mouth dryness.
* There are no proven results to verify that Zyrtec passes into breast milk and it can affect the nursing baby. You must talk to your doctor before taking Zyrtec, if you are breast feeding your baby.
Your doctor may recommend you lesser dose of Zyrtec if you are above 60 year old. Aged people are more likely to experience side effects of Zyrtec.
Zyrtec might cause drowsiness. If you experience this side effect, avoid driving, operating machinery and any other hazardous activities.
You must tell your doctor that you buy Zyrtec, before your doctor prescribes you other medicines. Do not use other allergy medicines or cough; Cold medicine without discussing doctor, if you are taking Zyrtec.

Zyrtec Interaction:
If you are taking any of the following medicines, you must inform your doctor regarding this before using Zyrtec. You may require dose modification and close supervision, if you are taking these medicines.
* Antidepressants
* Sedatives
* Medicines for treating anxiety like diazepam.
* Pain killers
* Muscle relaxants
Avoid taking any other allergy or antihistamine medications without consulting your doctor.

Zyrtec Availability: Zyrtec is also known asCetirizine hydrochloride. It is available in 5 and 10 mg pills, as well as a 5 mg/5 ml banana-grape flavor syrup. The syrup may contain sugar but this is alcohol and dye free. If you want to buy Zyrtec then you can go to any of the pharmacy store and access the medicine easily. You can order Zyrtec online depends on your convenience.Zyrtec would be available on all the leading online medicine stores. Zyrtec is one of the best possible medications available in the market today

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Zanaflex

June 7th, 2011 Posted in Pain Killers
Jun, 07 2011
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Zanaflex is a muscle relaxant is used to help relax certain muscles in your body. It relieves the spasms and increased muscle tone caused by medical problems such as multiple sclerosis or spinal injury. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How Taken

Zanaflex comes as a tablet to take it orally. It usually is taken two or three times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Zanaflex exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Warnings/Precautions

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, have kidney disease, have low blood pressure or you are on medication to treat high blood pressure; or you are taking birth control pills. You may not be able to take Zanaflex, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Zanaflex is in the FDA pregnancy C. This means that it is not known whether Zanaflex will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether Zanaflex passes into breast milk. Do not take Zanaflex without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
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Missed Dose

If you take several doses per day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose when it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects from Zanaflex can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: dizziness, upset stomach, vomiting, tingling sensation in the arms, legs, hands, and feet, dry mouth, increased muscle spasms. If you experience either of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: yellowing of the skin or eyes, unexplained flu-like symptoms.

Storage

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a Zanaflex overdose are not well known but include unconsciousness and irregular breathing.

More Information

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Zanaflex may cause drowsiness and dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. Dizziness is most likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall. Use caution with alcohol, other muscle relaxants, sleep or anxiety medicines, and pain medicines. These drugs may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Zanaflex. Do not take any other medicine during treatment with Zanaflex without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.

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Basic Information about Actonel

June 4th, 2011 Posted in Drugs
Jun, 04 2011
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Bisphosphonates includes Actonel. It helps in formation of bones and reduces the breakdown of bones. Actonel reduces loss of bones and simultaneously increases bone mass and help to prevent bone fractures. Actonel helps to prevent and treat Osteoporosis, in both men and women. Actonel Is also used to prevent Paget disease of bone. Actonel can also be used for many other purposes, which are not stated above.

Patient should know all important information about Actonel before its consumption. Patient should not take Actonel, if cannot sit or stand for minimum of 30 minutes. Actonel can also cause some serious problem in Esophagus. Patient consuming this medicine has to stay upright for minimum 30 minutes after immediate consumption.

Patient should take this medicine in morning, before 30 minutes of eating or drinking any thing. Patient should take this medicine with full glass of plain water. Patient should not lie down for minimum 30 minutes after taking Actonel. Patient should not take any other medicine for 30 minutes after consumption of Actonel.

Patients taking similar medicines other than Actonel have loss bones in the jaw; this is known as Osteonecrosis of the jaw. Patient suffering from Osteonecrosis may found pain in jaw. At the same time, the patient might have issues like swelling, gum infection, numbness, loose teeth etc. Actonel should be taken with proper diet and regular work-outs. On the other hand, you should plan to have more calcium & vitamins, during the period of treatment.

Patient should discuss all the important information with family physician before taking Actonel. Patient should not take Actonel, if he/she is having following diseases:

* low blood calcium
* vitamin D deficiency
* kidney disease
* esophagus

As a patient, if you have any of these above diseases then you need adjustment in the dosage or special tests for safety purpose during consumption of Actonel.

Patient during pregnancy period should not consume Actonel, as it is harmful to unborn baby. Patient consuming Actonel can be harmful to nursing baby as well.

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The Memory Pill for Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

June 4th, 2011 Posted in Other
Jun, 04 2011
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Researchers at Harvard University are testing the Memory Pill featured on 60 Minutes November 26, 2006. Their hypothesis: propranolol neutralizes the emotional pain of traumatic memories, even those laid down many years ago. This would relieve the immense emotional burdens of millions who suffer the consequences of combat trauma, traumatic accidents, illnesses, or abuse in childhood or as adults.

Propranolol (trade name, Inderal), a beta-blocker, is a familiar medication used for high blood pressure, angina, heart diseases, tremor and a variety of nervous symptoms. Its major effects slow the heartbeat and reduce blood pressure. It works by counteracting adrenalin. It also apparently counters the adrenalin effect on memory in the brain, which seems to take the sting out of fearful memories.

People taking propranolol regularly for the usual reasons don’t notice any change in their response to fearful memories but the laboratory subjects go through certain steps that produce a special experience. They tell and write out the story of their traumatic experience from beginning to end and they note the intensity of their feelings. They agreed to do this when they enrolled in the study so they are prepared to endure the reactivated emotion. With a net of wires attached to their bodies to measure physiological changes they tell the story and write it out in full detail.
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This is the catch. In all likelihood, none of these subjects ever told their stories in detail from beginning to end to anyone before. That includes their therapists, even many specialized trauma therapists, because the usual phobia the victims feel for their traumatic memories stops them in their tracks. The therapists usually assume that the emotion evoked by recounting the trauma story would be too much for the patient to endure and so kindly interrupt the distressing story to protect the patient. Such protectiveness can go on for years, finally to just settle for substitute coping strategies rather than processing of trauma memories.

In the lab subjects experience a structured containment for their phobic anxiety and the calming effect of the propranolol counteracts their trauma phobia. The medication thus makes it possible to construct a narrative of the trauma that allows the memory to finally come to closure and be experienced as fully past-tense and over with.

This is not the only way to do it. The proper use of hypnosis can construct the narrative. Art therapy can do it by drawing the story as a series of scenes with a beginning, middle, and end. So-called “parts work” can do it by dialogue and negotiation with inner dissociated parts of the self that continue to experience the traumatic memory as unfinished and always present. Even so, there are individuals who would benefit from medication effects that render the traumatic memories less vehement.

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Off-Label Use of Cytotec

June 1st, 2011 Posted in Other
Jun, 01 2011
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The rate of labor induction has reached an all-time high in the United States, with estimates climbing as high as 33.7 percent of all pregnancies. Inductions may be performed in cases where continuing a pregnancy presents clear health and safety risks to a mother or her fetus.

There are many approaches physicians may take to ripen the cervix and induce labor. One medication that has become popular in recent years for cervical ripening is Cytotec. Typically a pill is broken in half or quarters, and one of the pieces is inserted into the cervix every few hours until the cervix is ready for labor.

Incomplete information
The problem with this is that many women are not given complete information about the medication before they consent to its use. Labor induction is an off-label use of Cytotec. This means that it was developed, researched and approved for another purpose.

The manufacturer’s label for Cytotec only permits it to be used to prevent stomach ulcers in patients who take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin on a long-term basis. When a physician uses a drug off-label, he is determining the safety and efficacy himself as opposed to relying on a large, thorough scientific investigation.

A few investigations have been undertaken that compare Cytotec to other medications that are actually approved for the purpose of cervical ripening and labor induction. These studies have demonstrated that although Cytotec appears to be equally effective as the other medications, there are some serious risks. Although women who have been given Cytotec may sometimes progress more quickly than those who have been given some of the other approved medications, they are also more likely to experience certain complications.

Cytotec causes hyperstimulation of the uterus, which can lead to complications including fetal distress, amniotic embolism, uterine rupture, fetal death and postpartum hemorrhage. The risk of uterine rupture is further increased in mothers who have previously had a cesarean delivery.

Manufacturer warnings
Searle, the manufacturer of Cytotec was so concerned about this off-label use that it issued a letter to physicians in August 2000. The letter acknowledged these complications and urged physicians to follow their approved prescribing instructions.

Searle also stated that it “has not conducted research concerning the use of Cytotec for cervical ripening prior to termination of pregnancy or for induction of labor, nor does Searle intend to study or support these uses.”

Get the facts
Before you consent to the use of any medication, make sure you know the facts. You should know:

*what all the possible treatment options are

*what the medication is, how it works and how much you will be given

*how long it takes to work and how long its effects will last

*what purpose the FDA approved the medication for

*what side effects the medication is expected to have on you and your baby

*what complications have been documented to occur with the use of the medication

*how much more often the complications occur with this medication as opposed to other medications or no medications at all

If you are ever uncertain, ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you the manufacturer’s prescribing information.

This article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as medical advice or as a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be interpreted as recommendation for treatment. If you have questions or concerns regarding your physical or mental health or the health of your child, please seek assistance from a qualified health care provider before using any health information.

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