Jul
16
Aggrenox
July 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Brand Name
Aggrenox
Generic Ingredients
Dipyridamole + Aspirin
Type of Drug Antiplatelet.
Prescribed For
Prevention of recurrent stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)— “mini-stroke.”
General Information
Stroke is often the result of a clot blocking flow in a blood vessel supplying the brain. Aggrenox helps prevent blood clot formation by reducing the “stickiness” of platelets, blood cells that stick together to form the beginnings of all clots. In one study, Aggrenox reduced the risk of stroke by over 30% compared to placebo in people who had recently had a stroke or TIA.
Cautions and Warnings
Do not use this drug if you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients or any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). People who have asthma, nasal polyps, or chronic runny nose, are likely to be sensitive to aspirin.
The aspirin in Aggrenox can cause Reye’s syndrome, a severe reaction (vomiting, lethargy, and belligerence, and possibly worsening to coma) in children under age 16.
People with a history of stomach ulcers or stomach problems should avoid Aggrenox.
People who have angina or have had a recent heart attack should be very cautious about taking this drug. It may worsen chest pain.
People with low blood pressure, liver disease, or kidney failure should be cautious about taking this drug.
People taking Aggrenox may bleed for longer amounts of time. Those with bleeding disorders should avoid Aggrenox.
Possible Side Effects
✓ Most common: headache, upset stomach, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
✓ Common: pain, tiredness, and vomiting.
✓ Less common: convulsions, rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, hemorrhoids, back pain, accidental injuries, stomach bleeding, feeling unwell, weakness, fainting, memory loss, arthritis, joint or muscle pain, coughing, and respiratory infection.
✓ Rare: Rare side effects can occur in almost any part of the body. Contact your doctor if you experience any side effect not listed above.
Drug Interactions
• Avoid alcohol. People who take 3 or more drinks a day while using any aspirin-containing product are more likely to develop stomach ulcers or bleeding.
• Aspirin may reduce the blood-pressure-lowering effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor drugs, beta blockers, and diuretics.
• Combining aspirin and acetazolamide or an NSAID can cause kidney problems.
• Aspirin can increase the blood-thinning effects of anticoagulant (blood-thinning) drugs such as warfarin. Avoid this combination.
• Aspirin can increase the effects of oral antidiabetes drugs, possibly leading to low blood sugar.
• Aspirin counteracts the uric-acid-eliminating effects of probenecid and sulfinpyrazone.
• Aspirin can increase the toxic effects of anticonvulsant drugs and methotrexate.
• Dipyridamole increases the level of adenosine in the blood and may increase cardiovascular-related side effects. The adenosine dosage may need to be adjusted when these two drugs are combined.
• Dipyridamole may interfere with cholinesterase inhibitors used to treat myasthenia gravis.
Food Interactions
Aggrenox is best taken on an empty stomach but may be taken with food if it upsets your stomach.
Usual Dose
Adult: 1 capsule (200 mg of sustained-release dipyridamole and 25 mg of aspirin) morning and evening.
Child: not recommended.
Overdosage
Symptoms include a sensation of warmth, flushing, sweating, restlessness, weakness, dizziness, low blood pressure, and rapid heartbeat. Take the victim to a hospital emergency room. ALWAYS bring the prescription bottle or container.
Special Information
Call your doctor if you experience blood in your stool, persistent diarrhea, or abdominal or stomach pain.
Avoid alcohol while taking this drug.
In people taking Aggrenox, minor cuts may take longer than normal to stop bleeding.
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you forgot and continue with your regular schedule.
Swallow Aggrenox tablets whole; do not crush or chew them.
Special Populations
Pregnancy/Breast-feeding: Pregnant women should avoid Aggrenox because of its aspirin content. Aspirin can cause bleeding problems in mother and fetus and result in a low-birth-weight infant. When this drug is considered crucial by your doctor, its potential benefits must be carefully weighed against its risks.
Both ingredients in Aggrenox pass into breast milk. Nursing mothers who must take this drug should use infant formula.
Seniors: Seniors may need a reduced dose of Aggrenox.
Jul
16
Acamprosate
July 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Acamprosate (ah-CAM-pro-sate)
Brand Name Cameral
Type of Drug
Synthetic neurochemical similar to the amino acid homotaurine.
Prescribed For Alcoholism.
General Information
Acamprosate is used to help alcoholic patients stay alcohol-free after they have stopped drinking. Unlike other drugs used to help people stay away from alcohol, it does not cause people to have a physical reaction to alcohol. Acamprosate restores the balance between two chemical systems in the brain, glutamate and GAGA, that are known to become unbalanced in alcoholics, but its exact action is not known. It may reduce alcohol craving. Acamprosate should be part of a program that includes counseling and support, and it should be started as soon as possible after alcohol withdrawal and continued even if the patient starts drinking again. This medication has not been proven to help patients if they are still drinking when they start treatment. Acamprosate has not been studied in patients who abuse other substances together with alcohol. Tolerance or addiction has not developed with acamprosate. It passes out of the body through the kidneys.
Cautions and Warnings
Do not take acamprosate if you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients or if you have severe kidney disease. People with moderate kidney disease require a lower dosage of acamprosate.
Acamprosate does not eliminate or ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
People taking acamprosate may become depressed or have suicidal thoughts.
Acamprosate can affect your judgment, thinking, or coordination. Do not drive or operate dangerous machinery if you are taking this medicine.
Possible Side Effects
Almost 2 of every 3 people who take this medicine will experience a drug side effect.
♦ Most common: diarrhea.
✓ Common: headache, weakness, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.
✓ Less common: pain, accidental injuries, nausea, stomach gas, dizziness, dry mouth, tingling in the hands or feet, itching, sweating, chest pain, loss of appetite, weight gain or loss, impotence, abnormal vision, rash, vomiting, and constipation.
♦ Rare: heart or kidney failure, psoriasis, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, and urinary tract infections. Rare side effects can occur in almost any part of the body. Contact your doctor if you experience any side effect not listed above.
Drug Interactions
• Mixing acamprosate with naltrexone can increase the levels of both drugs in the blood, but no dose adjustments are needed.
Food Interactions
Acamprosate may be taken without regard to food or meals.
Usual Dose
Adult: two 333-mg tablets 3 times a day. Child: not recommended.
Overdosage
The only symptom associated with acamprosate overdose has been diarrhea. Overdose victims should be taken to a hospital emergency room for observation and treatment. ALWAYS bring the prescription bottle or container.
Special Information
Call your doctor if you are breast-feeding, pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant while taking this medicine.
Take care while driving a car or performing complex tasks.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as possible. If you do not remember until it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you forgot and continue with your regular schedule. Call your doctor if you forget to take 2 or more doses in a row. Do not take a double dose.
Acamprosate must be part of an ongoing treatment program. Do not stop taking it on your own, even if you start drinking again.
Special Populations
Pregnancy/Breast-feeding: Acamprosate can damage animal fetuses in doses that are approximately equal to those taken by people on this medicine. Women of childbearing age should use an effective contraceptive while taking this drug. The potential benefits of acamprosate must be weighed against its risks if your doctor considers it a crucial treatment during your pregnancy.
Acamprosate passes into breast milk. Nursing mothers who must take this drug should use infant formula.
Seniors: Dosage reduction may be needed in seniors because of a general decline in kidney function due to age.