Medication, Supplements Archives - Healthhype

Nasal Sprays – Steroid, Anthistamine, Saline, Decongestant

Dr. Greg — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:44:47 +0000

Drugs Available as Nasal Sprays A variety of drugs are used in the form of a nasal spray. It is also increasingly being explored as a route of administration for several other drugs. The currently available nasal sprays include Antihistamines Corticosteroids Topical decongestants Saline Others Antihistamine Nasal Sprays Azelastin and olopatadine are the only antihistamines that are available as nasal sprays. Antihistamine nasal sprays have been used to treat allergic rhinitis. Antihistamine nasal sprays are available only as prescription medicines, unlike several oral antihistamines which are available over-the-counter. The intranasal antihistamines, unlike oral antihistamines, have decongestant actions and are also useful in non-allergic forms of rhinitis. The intranasal spray does not significantly change the time taken for the onset of action of the drug compared to the oral formulation. Read more about antihistamine side effects. Corticosteroid Nasal Sprays Intranasal corticosteroids are the most effective treatment currently available for allergic rhinitis. It is considered as the treatment of choice for moderate to severe allergic rhinitis. Several corticosteroid nasal sprays are currently available which include : fluticasone triamcinolone flunisolide budesonide mometasone It is useful for seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and perennial rhinitis and relieves symptoms like nasal congestion, nasal discharge and [...]

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Dry Skin Moisturizer Functions, Types and Directions of Use

Dr. Chris — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:31:33 +0000

What is a moisturizer? The term moisturizer refers to an application that restores moisture. In terms of the skin, it is a means of remedying dryness. This mainly refers to dryness of the outermost layer of the superficial skin – the stratum corneum of the epidermis. It is the appearance of this outermost layer of the skin that is often used to determine skin health. A moisturizer may therefore be used to treat dryness of the skin that occurs for certain non-pathological reasons such as a dry climate. It can also be used to treat dryness of the skin that occurs with certain types of skin diseases. Moisturizers remain one of the most common topical applications to maintain skin health. It is argued that skin which cannot retain its natural moisture may therefore be unable to hold the moisture provided by these applications. However, regularly moisturizing even very dry skin does have benefits that outweigh not using a moisturizer at all. This should not detract from the fact that excessively dry skin (xerosis) or skin diseases with marked skin dryness has some underlying cause which needs to be identified, investigated and treated. Moisturizers therefore only offer short term relief for [...]

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Antifungal Medication – Drugs for Deep and Skin Fungal Infections

Dr. Chris — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:13:40 +0000

Types of Antifungals Antifungal drugs can be divided broadly into medications for systemic and superficial fungal infections. Systemic drugs are used for deeper lying infections which can only be reached by drugs traveling in the bloodstream. There is no specific site that is targeted but rather the distribution is essentially through the whole body. Drugs for systemic (deep) fungal infections include : Amphotericin B Flucytosine Azoles Echinocandins Drugs for superficial fungal infections include both oral and topical medication. These drugs are mainly developed for fungal infections of the skin and the tissue just underneath it (subcutaneous). Oral drugs are mainly in the form of tablets and capsules that are taken through the mouth, travel through the bloodstream and reach the skin to target these infections. Topical applications include creams, ointments, lotions and gels. Oral medications include drugs such as terbinafine and griseofulvin. Topical medications include nystatin, topical azoles, topical allylamines and other topical drugs. Systemic Antifungal Drugs Amphotericin B Amphotericin B is one of the antifungal medications with the broadest spectrum of action. It kills the fungi by altering the permeability of the fungal cell membrane by binding to ergosterol. Ergosterol is the predominant sterol in the fungal membrane. It [...]

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Drug Reaction Skin Rash and Medication Causing Skin Eruptions

Dr. Chris — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:12:17 +0000

Skin Rashes and Adverse Drug Reactions Skin rashes are one of the common drug-induced reactions which usually becomes evident within days or weeks of starting a medication. It is an adverse reaction to the presence of the chemicals in the drug. It can either be allergic or non-allergic. This meas that the drug triggers the immune system which then causes skin irritation (allergic) among other symptoms. At other times the skin rash is occurring through other mechanisms without eliciting abnormal immune activity (non-allergic). There are various types of skin rashes that may arise with using different medication. It is however not always possible to ascribe a certain skin rash with a specific drug. Instead an adverse drug reaction is considered as a possible cause of the skin rash when it starts shortly after commencing a certain medication or there is a history of adverse drug reactions to a specific medication or class of drugs. Reasons for Drug Reaction Skin Rashes The reasons why skin rashes may occur with using certain drugs can be discussed under drug allergies or non-allergic drug reactions. It may not always be possible to immediately identify the reason of a skin rash as a result of [...]

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Some Facts About Medical Marijuana (Cannabis)

Dr. Chris — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 23:50:50 +0000

It is still a highly contentious issue but medical marijuana is making in-roads in the United States as an accepted form of treatment for certain conditions. Many people still look upon marijuana with disdain but there may be more to this herb in medical terms than was previously thought. Ongoing research and the results of studies over the years has supported the use of medical marijuana in some instances, to the point that it is being legalized in the different American states at a much faster rate than was previously seen. Marijuana is the common name for the plant known as cannabis which can be ingested (taken orally) or inhaled. It is known by a number of other street names including weed, grass and pot. The reason why marijuana is illegal compared to other herbs is that it contains psychoactive compounds. These chemicals give a person a “high” and there is potential for addiction. Many people see marijuana as a “soft drug” compared to other illicit substances like cocaine and heroin. But others see it as a “gateway drug” that leads to use of more addictive street drugs. Plants are the source of most modern drugs that we know of today. [...]

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10 Tips For Using Antibiotics Properly And Safely

Dr. Chris — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:51:28 +0000

Antibiotics are one of the potentially life-saving drugs that have revolutionized modern medicine. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria and some other parasites. Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, many people would die from bacterial infections that are considered minor these days. It is therefore not surprising that at least one or two types of antibiotics feature on the top 10 list of most prescribed drugs in the United States. But antibiotics can be ineffective, harmful and even deadly if it is not used properly. Selecting the right antibiotic Not all antibiotics are the same. There are different classes of antibiotics which are effective against different species of bacteria and other parasites. Therefore selecting the appropriate antibiotic for the infection that you have is essential. Failure to do so can mean that the bacterial infection is left untreated and it can worsen. You need to see a doctor who has the knowledge to assess your infection and choose the right type of antibiotic. Do not use ‘old’ antibiotics that you have from a previous infection. It may not be the right type for your current problem. Read the package insert carefully As with any drug, you should [...]

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How Heartburn (Acid Reflux) Medication Works?

Dr. Chris — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 22:19:41 +0000

Medication to relieve heartburn is some of the most commonly prescribed and purchased drugs. Some are available over-the-counter (OTC) while others can only be obtained with a prescription from a medical doctor. Heartburn is just a symptom. These drugs target the root cause of heartburn, which is acid reflux. While heartburn medication can vary in the way they work, they offer relief within minutes and even be used to prevent heartburn for several hours. Through one way or the other, these drugs counteracting the effects of acidic stomach contents in the esophagus. Heartburn medication are not anti-inflammatory drugs or painkillers (analgesics) that just numbs the sensation. Why does heartburn occur? Heartburn is one of the most common upper gastrointestinal symptom that people suffer with. For some people it is nothing more than mild discomfort felt in the chest area that occurs every now and then. But for others it can be distressing. It can affect a person’s appetite, hamper their ability to continue with their daily activities and is now known to be one of the common causes of sleep-related problems. It is also one of the symptoms that a large number of people opt to treat and manage on [...]

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Treatment and Cure for Diarrhea

Jan Modric — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:48:23 +0000

Treatment of Acute Diarrhea in ADULTS Acute diarrhea in most cases stops on its own in few days. If there is no fever or other debilitating symptom, you can continue with regular activities but avoid any excessive strain. Fluid Replacement An adult with a mild diarrhea can drink plain water or tea, a cup (250 ml) at the time, and repeatedly through the day to maintain more than 200 ml of translucent or bright yellow morning urine and more than 500 ml of daily (overall) urine. In severe diarrhea, drinks with sugar and salt, like Gatorade or Rehydralyte, are recommended since they provide faster rehydration. Combination of diluted fruit juice (1:1) with salt crackers or salt broth is also appropriate. Drinks to avoid: alcohol, caffeinated and carbonated drinks and, in prolonged diarrhea, milk; they may all aggravate diarrhea. Diarrhea Diet (Foods to Stop Diarrhea) There is no reason for rough changes in a diet during acute diarrhea. It is good to avoid fat-rich, sugar-rich, spicy food, and eat what you feel comfortable with. The old BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Apple sauce, Toast) is fine, but there is no need to stick just with this. Treatment of Acute Diarrhea in CHILDREN A small child with an acute infectious [...]

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Drugs Used for Parkinson’s Disease and Types of PD Medication

Dr. Chris — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 23:28:27 +0000

How do Parkinson’s drugs work? Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive condition of the nervous system where the brain hormone (neurotransmitter) known as dopamine is lower than normal. The treatment of Parkinson’s disease mainly revolves around an increase in the level of the neurotransmitter dopamine or its effects. Excess of acetylcholine levels, another neurotransmitter, is seen prominently in drug-induced Parkinson’s disease. Therefore drugs known as centrally acting anticholinergic agents (drugs that block the effects of acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter in brain) are used to manage this form of Parkinson’s disease. Types of Parkinson’s Drugs Drugs which increase brain dopamine levels are : Precursors of dopamine: levodopa Drugs inhibiting peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamine: benserazide and carbidopa Drugs acting as agonist for dopaminergic receptors: ropinirole, pramiprexole, bromocriptine, piribedil, rotigotine, pergolide, lisuride, and apomorphine. Drugs inhibiting metabolism of dopamine : – Mono Amine Oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors: selegeline and rasagiline – Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase (COMT) inhibitors: tolcapone and entacapone Facilitators of dopamine: amantadine Drugs which decrease brain cholinergic activity include : Centrally acting anticholinergic drugs: trihexyphenydyl, biperiden, procyclidine, promethazine and orphenadrine. Drugs to Increase Dopamine Levodopa : Dopamine Precursor How does it work? Levodopa is a dopamine precursor which is converted to dopamine [...]

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Weight Loss Drugs List of Names of Anti-Obesity Pills

Dr. Chris — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:10:54 +0000

Who should use weight loss pills? A multi-pronged approach to weight loss is often needed which should initially involve only calorie restricted diet and exercise. It is only when these measures fail to meet the desired target body weight that more aggressive measures like the use of weight loss drugs can be considered. The use of medication to lose weight is not indicated for every person. It should be considered in any individual who is not responding to lifestyle changes with : a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 27 with a high risk of developing obesity-related diseases a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 30 Individuals on medications for the treatment of obesity (weight loss drugs) should actively continue with the lifestyle modification measures aimed at weight loss. How do weight loss pills work? These drugs have an effect through various mechanisms which ultimately assist with weight loss. The most thoroughly explored approach is appetite suppression with medications acting through alteration of monoamine neurotransmitters or cannabinoid receptor systems in the central nervous system (brain). Another major approach is to reduce nutrient absorption from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is mainly the absorption of fats that are targeted. Increasing metabolism is also [...]

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