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
Adderall
July 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Brand Name
Adderall
Generic Ingredients
Dextroamphetamine Sulfate + Dextroamphetamine Saccharate + Amphetamine Aspartate + Amphetamine Sulfate
Other Brand Names Adderall XR
The information in this profile also applies to the following drugs:
Generic Ingredient.* Dextroamphetamine Sulfate RE Dexedrine Dextrostat
Generic Ingredient., Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate Vyvanse
Type of Drug
Central-nervous-system (CNS) stimulant.
Prescribed For
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (uncontrollable desire to sleep).
General Information
Amphetamines are stimulants that work on the brain’s feeding center. Adderall, which is a mixture of two forms of amphetamine, may be used as a short-term aid in weight reduction. It should not be taken for longer than a few months for this purpose.
Amphetamines may also be prescribed for childhood ADHD, a condition characterized by distractibility, short attention span, hyperactive behavior, emotional instability, and difficulty controlling impulses. They should be used only after a complete evaluation of the child has been done. Frequency and severity of symptoms and their appropriateness for the age of the child determine whether drug therapy is required. Many experts believe that amphetamines offer only a temporary solution because they do not permanently change behavioral patterns. Psychological, educational, and social measures must also be taken to ensure successful treatment in the long term.
Cautions and Warnings
Do not take Adderall if you are allergic or sensitive to any amphetamine or have heart disease, a heart defect, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, liver or kidney disease, tics or Tourette’s syndrome, seizures or abnormal brain wave tests, thyroid disease, glaucoma, or a history of drug abuse.
Amphetamines should be used with extreme caution because they are highly addictive and easily abused.
New or worsening thought patterns, bipolar illness, aggressive or hostile behavior, psychotic behavior, and new manic symptoms can develop during treatment with amphetamines.
Stimulants like amphetamines are not effective and may be dangerous for children whose symptoms are related to environmental factors or primary psychiatric conditions, including psychosis.
Stimulants can cause weight loss and stunted growth in children under age 10. Blurred vision and difficulty focusing can occur.
Possible Side Effects
✓ Common: heart palpitations, restlessness, overstimulation, dizziness, sleeplessness, increased blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, upper abdominal pain, and weight loss.
✓ Less common: euphoria (feeling “high”), hallucinations, muscle spasms and tremors, headache, dry mouth, unpleasant taste in the mouth, diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, rash, itching, changes in sex drive, and impotence.
✓ Rare: psychotic drug reactions. Contact your doctor if you experience any side effect not listed above.
Drug Interactions
• Combining an amphetamine and a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MA01) antidepressant may cause a severe increase in blood pressure as well as bleeding inside the skull. Wait at least 2 weeks after stopping an MAGI before taking an amphetamine.
• Amphetamines may reduce the effectiveness of high blood pressure medicines.
• Gastrointestinal and urinary acidifying agents such as methenamine reduce the effectiveness of amphetamines.
• Gastroinstestinal alkalizing agents, such as sodium bicarbonate, and urinary alkalizing agents (acetazolamide, some thiazides) may increase and prolong the effects of amphetamines.
• Antipsychotic medications such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol, and lithium carbonate inhibit the stimulatory effects of amphetamines and can cause amphetamine poisoning.
• Amphetamines may enhance the effects of tricyclic antidepressants, norepinephrine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and meperidine.
• Amphetamines may decrease the effectiveness of beta blockers.
• Amphetamines may counteract the sedative effect of antihistamines.
• Amphetamines can delay the absorption of ethosuximide into the bloodstream.
• Propoxyphene increases the CNS-stimulating effect of amphetamines. Fatal convulsions have occurred in propoxyphene overdose with amphetamines.
Food Interactions
These drugs may be taken without regard to food or meals.
Usual Dose
Dextroamphetamine and Adderall
ADHD
Child (age 6 and older): 5-40 mg once or twice a day.
Child (age 3-5): 2-5 mg a day. Dose may be increased weekly until maximum response is achieved.
Narcolepsy: 5-60 mg a day.
Weight Control: 5-30 mg a day in divided doses 30-60 minutes before meals; alternately, a single, long-acting dose may be taken in the morning.
Adderall XR
Adults: 20 mg a day.
Child (age 13-17): 10-20 mg every morning. Child (age 6-12): 10-30 mg every morning. Child (under age 6): not recommended.
Lisdexamfetamine
Child (age 6-12): 30 mg every morning. Daily dose may be increased up to 70 mg.
Child (under age 6): not recommended.
Overdosage
Symptoms include tremors, muscle spasms, restlessness, exaggerated reflexes, rapid breathing, dry mouth, constipation, hallucinations, confusion, panic, and overaggressive behavior. These may be followed by depression, exhaustion, abnormal heart rhythms, blood pressure changes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, and coma. Take the victim to a hospital emergency room immediately. ALWAYS bring the prescription bottle or container.
Special Information
Amphetamines should be used very cautiously and only when considered absolutely necessary.
When taken for weight control, this drug should be used only when other methods have failed, and will gradually lose its effectiveness as the body starts breaking it down faster. Do NOT increase your dosage when this occurs. The drug must be discontinued.
Amphetamines are addictive and commonly abused. If you feel you have developed a tolerance or dependence to Adderall, contact your doctor. Do not increase your dosage without your doctor’s approval.
Amphetamines may impair your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery. Use with caution. To prevent this drug from interfering with sleep, take it at least 6-8 hours before bedtime.
Do not crush or chew the sustained-release form.
If you forget your once-daily dose, skip it and go -back to your regular schedule the next day. If you take the drug 2-3 times a day and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is within 3 hours of your next dose, skip the one you forgot and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose.
Special Populations
Pregnancy/Breast-feeding: Use of amphetamines during the early stages of pregnancy may cause birth defects. Amphetamines also increase the risk of premature delivery and low-birth-weight infants and may cause drug withdrawal symptoms in newborns. When this drug is considered crucial by your doctor, its potential benefits must be carefully weighed against its risks.
Amphetamines pass into breast milk. Nursing mothers who must take them should use infant formula.
Seniors: Seniors are more sensitive to this drug’s effects.
Jul
16
Acitretin
July 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Generic Name
Acitretin (ah-sih-TREH-tin)
Brand Name
Soriatane
Type of Drug Antipsoriatic.
Prescribed For
Severe psoriasis; also prescribed for a variety of other skin conditions.
General Information
Acitretin is related to vitamin A and prescription drugs such as etretinate and isotretinoin. Acitretin is produced when etretinate is broken down in the body and its effects are very similar to etretinate. The way that acitretin works is not known. Its full benefit is not likely to be seen until you have taken it for 2 or 3 months. Your doctor is urged to use this medication only in cases of severe psoriasis that have not responded to other treatments because of the risks associated with acitretin.
Cautions and Warnings
Do not take acitretin if you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients. Women who take acitretin must not be pregnant during treatment or for 3 years after the completion of treatment. It is not known if acitretin taken by men before conception is also a risk to the fetus.
A small number of people taking this drug have developed liver damage including jaundice (symptoms include yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes). Acitretin has also been associated with hepatitis. People with kidney failure have much less acitretin in their blood than people with normal kidneys. Caution is advised for people with liver or kidney damage.
Cholesterol levels rise in 25-560/6 of people taking acitretin. Very large increases in triglycerides may be responsible for the few cases of pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation) that have been reported. Your doctor should measure your blood fat levels before you start taking acitretin and monitor them weekly or biweekly until your response to the medication has been determined. People with diabetes, who are obese, or who have a history of these conditions are at increased risk for high cholesterol levels as are people who drink alcohol excessively.
Drugs similar to acitretin have been associated with pseudo-tumor cerebri (increased pressure in the brain). Symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri include visual disturbances, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Report these or any unusual symptoms to your doctor at once.
People taking acitretin who had spine or bone—including knee or ankle—problems before starting the drug may find that their problems worsen while on the drug.
People with diabetes may find it more difficult to control their blood sugar while on acitretin.
Possible Side Effects
✓ Most common: hair loss or change in texture, peeling skin, and inflammation of the lips.
✓ Common: dry eyes, chills or stiffness, dry skin, fingernail problems, itching, rash, tingling in the hands or feet, increased sensory awareness, loss of some sections of skin, sticky skin, and runny nose.
✓ Less common: drying and thickening of eye tissue; eye irritation; eyebrow or eye lash loss; changes in appetite; swelling; fatigue; hot flashes; flushing; sinus irritation; headache; pain; earache; insomnia; depression; Bell’s palsy; crusting of the eyelids; blurred vision; conjunctivitis (pinkeye); double vision; itchy eyes or eyelids; cataracts; swelling inside the eye; unusual sensitivity to bright light; dry mouth; nausea; stomach pain; diarrhea; bleeding gums; joint; back; and muscle pain; and worsening of existing spinal problems.
✓ 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
• People combining acitretin and glyburide (an antidiabetic) may have unusually low blood-sugar levels. Your doctor may have to adjust your diabetic treatment program while you are taking acitretin.
• Combining acitretin with methotrexate increases the risk of liver damage.
• Acitretin reduces the effectiveness of low-progestin oral contraceptives (the “mini-pill”). If you are taking one of these contraceptives, switch to another type of birth control and use at least one other contraceptive method for at least 3 years after treatment is completed.
• Combining alcohol with acitretin produces acitretin’s parent compound, etretinate. Etretinate stays in the body much longer than acitretin and may therefore affect the fetus for an even longer period of time than might acitretin. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
• Do not take a vitamin A supplement that has more than the standard minimum daily requirement (1000 mcg). Excess vitamin A plus acitretin exposes you to possible vitamin A toxicity.
• Combining acitretin with tetracyclines may increase the risk of severe pressure on the brain.
• Notify your doctor if you are taking etretinate, isotretinoin, oral or topical tretinoin, or cyclosporine.
Food Interactions
Acitretin is best absorbed when taken with food or meals. Usual Dose
Adult: 25-50 mg a day with your main meal. Dosage may increase after 4 weeks to 25-75 mg a day. Dosage must be individualized to your specific needs.
Child: not recommended.
Overdosage
Symptoms of acitretin overdose include vomiting, headache, and vertigo. Call your local hospital emergency room or local poison control center for more information. ALWAYS bring the prescription bottle or container.
Special Information
Contact your doctor at once if you become pregnant while taking acitretin or in the 3 years following treatment. The risk of birth defects persists as long as the drug is in your body. In one case,
small amounts of etretinate were found in blood plasma and fatty tissue more than 5 years after treatment.
Some people have experienced decreased night vision while taking acitretin. Be careful when driving at night.
Report visual disturbances, headache, nausea, vomiting, or anything unusual to your doctor at once.
Do not drink any alcoholic beverages during acitretin treatment and for at least 2 months after treatment has been completed. Avoid excess vitamin A (see “Drug Interactions”).
Some birth control methods, including low-dose progestin contraceptives and tuba) ligation may fail while taking this drug. Use at least one additional form of contraception while taking acitretin to avoid pregnancy.
You may have problems tolerating contact lenses while you are taking acitretin.
Do not donate blood while taking acitretin or for 3 years afterwards because your blood might be given to a pregnant woman.
Avoid exposure to excessive sunlight or to sunlamps because of unusual sensitivity caused by acitretin.
If you forget to take a dose of acitretin, take it with food 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. Do not take a double dose.
A worsening of psoriasis may initially occur with treatment, and the full benefit of acitretin may not be seen for 2-3 months.
Special Populations
Pregnancy/Breast-feeding: Acitretin causes birth detects and may damage the fetus. Women who take acitretin must be sure they are not pregnant before starting therapy by using reliable contraception for at least 1 month before starting the drug and taking a pregnancy test within 1 week of starting treatment. Women must use 2 reliable contraceptive methods during treatment and for 3 years following the completion of treatment.
Acitretin may pass into breast milk. Nursing mothers who must take this drug should use infant formula.
Seniors: Seniors have twice as much acitretin in their blood as do younger adults but may take acitretin without special precaution.