Thursday, March 26, 2009

Sibutramine




Sibutramine (trade name Meridia in the U.S. and Canada, Reductil in Europe and most other countries), usually as sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate, is an orally administered agent for the treatment of obesity, as an appetite suppressant. It is a centrally-acting serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor structurally related to amphetamines,[1] although its mechanism of action is distinct.[2]
Sibutramine is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories. It is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States, despite having an extremely low-potential for abuse(due to the lack of dopamine effects).


Frequently encountered side effects are: dry mouth, paradoxically increased appetite, nausea, strange taste in the mouth, upset stomach, constipation, trouble sleeping, dizziness, drowsiness, menstrual cramps/pain, headache, flushing, or joint/muscle pain.
Sibutramine can substantially increase blood pressure and pulse in some patients. Therefore all patients treated with sibutramine should have regular monitoring of blood pressure and pulse.
The following side effects are infrequent but serious and require immediate medical attention: cardiac arrhythmias, paresthesia, mental/mood changes (e.g., excitement, restlessness, confusion, depression, rare thoughts of suicide).
Symptoms that require urgent medical attention are seizures, problems urinating, abnormal bruising or bleeding, melena, hematemesis, jaundice, fever and rigors, chest pain, hemiplegia, abnormal vision, dyspnea and edema.
Currently, no case of pulmonary hypertension has been noted, although related compounds (such as Fen-Phen) have shown this rare but clinically significant problem.

Metronidazole




Metronidazole (INN) (pronounced /mɛtrəˈnaɪdəzoʊl/) is a nitroimidazole anti-infective medication used mainly in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible organisms, particularly anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. It is marketed by Pfizer under the trade name Flagyl in the US, while Sanofi-Aventis markets metronidazole globally under the same tradename, Flagyl, and also by various generic manufacturers, who sell it at a lower price.
Metronidazole is also used as a gel preparation in the treatment of the dermatological conditions such as rosacea (Rozex and MetroGel by Galderma) and fungating tumours (Anabact, Cambridge Healthcare Supplies).




Latest paper studying Metronidazole found "Metronidazole therapy before 32 weeks was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth", possibly as a result of "changes in the vaginal flora... seen with vaginal clindamycin or oral metronidazole therapy." [4]
Metronidazole has also been used in women to prevent preterm birth associated with bacterial vaginosis, amongst other risk factors including the presence of cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin (fFN). A randomised controlled trial demonstrated that metronidazole was ineffective in preventing preterm delivery in high-risk pregnant women and, conversely, the incidence of preterm delivery was actually higher in women treated with metronidazole.[5]
Lamont has argued that Metronidazole is not the right antibiotic to administer in these circumstances and was often administered too late to be of use. Clindamycin administered early in the second trimester to women who test positive for bacterial vaginosis seems to be more effective.[6]

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Gaviscon


Gaviscon is a non-prescription medication for the treatment of heartburn and GERD/(also known as GORD) (acid reflux). It is produced and distributed in the UK by Reckitt Benckiser and by GlaxoSmithKline in the US and Canada.
Gaviscon is taken to treat heartburn, similar to other antacids. Gaviscon is based on a mixture of the buffering agents and neutralizers calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, the laxative magnesium carbonate and the gelling agents alginic acid and aluminium hydroxide. When taken by mouth the combination of the alginic acid and bicarbonate creates a barrier which prevents stomach acid from refluxing back up into the esophagus.
If reflux occurs, this protective barrier is the first to contact the esophageal mucosa, in lieu of gastric contents.
The Gaviscon infant variant for infants (≥ 1 years) and young children contains only the gelling agents sodium alginate and magnesium alginate. It is used to help stabilize the stomach contents and reduce reflux and regurgitation, but is not an antacid.

Lactulose


Lactulose (IPA: ˈlæktjʊləʊz) is a synthetic sugar used in the treatment of constipation[1] and hepatic encephalopathy, a complication of liver disease. It is a disaccharide (double-sugar) formed from one molecule each of the simple sugars (monosaccharides) fructose and galactose. The commercial syrup used for treatment of constipation is dyed yellow-orange. It is produced commercially by isomerization of lactose.

In the treatment of chronic constipation[2], the metabolites of lactulose draw water into the bowel, causing a cathartic effect through osmotic action. Unlike other laxatives that are recommended for temporary relief, lactulose can be taken daily for decades. [1] It is safe for people of all ages, except for those in a very small percentage of the population that are galactose intolerant. Dosage may have to be adjusted over time to produce the desired effect.

Phloroglucinol

Phloroglucinol is the organic compound that is used in the synthesis. This molecule exists in two forms, or tautomers, 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene, which has phenol-like, and 1,3,5--cyclohexanetrione, which has ketone-like character. These two tautomers are in equilibrium. Phloroglucinol is a useful intermediate because it is polyfunctional.
From water, phloroglucinol crystallizes as the dihydrate, which has a melting point of 116-117 °C, but the anhydrous form melts much higher, at 218-220 °C. It does not boil intact, but it does sublime.

Meclizine


Meclizine (proposed INN is meclozine) is an antihistamine considered to be an antiemetic.[1] It is sold under the brand names of Bonine, Bonamine, Antivert and Postafen and is most commonly used to inhibit nausea and vomiting. Emesafene is a combination of meclizine (1/3rd) and pyridoxine (2/3rd). An alternative to dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), meclizine is considered to be equally effective, but with reduced side effects. Note that in Canada, Antivert (no longer available) was a combination of meclizine and nicotinic acid.
Meclizine is a first-generation antihistamine of the piperazine class. It differs from the protoype of this class, cyclizine, primarily in having a 12-hour duration of action.[citation needed] Meclizine is less anticholinergic than many other antihistamines and other agents used for their anti-emetic and anti-pruritic effects.[citation needed]Along with the aforementioned efficacy against nausea and itching, meclizine also shares the anxiolytic, analgesic-sparing (potentiating), sedative, and other effects of its chemical relatives cyclizine and hydroxyzine to varying extents.[citation needed] Related to this is the reported ability of meclizine to potentiate the anti-spasmodic, anti-diarrhoeal, and other effects of diphenoxylate, loperamide, and difenoxin.[citation needed]

Domperidone


Domperidone (trade names Motilium, Motillium, Motinorm and Costi) is an antidopaminergic drug, developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica, and used orally, rectally or intravenously, generally to suppress nausea and vomiting. It has also been used to stimulate lactation.

Domperidone is used, together with metoclopramide, cyclizine, and 5HT3 receptor antagonists (such as granisetron) in the treatment of nausea and vomiting.
Domperidone has also been found effective in the treatment of gastroparesis,[2] a stomach motility condition, and for paediatric Gastroesophageal reflux (infant vomiting).

There is some evidence that domperidone has antiemetic activity.[7]
Domperidone is a first choice anti-emetic in most countries,[citation needed] together with metoclopramide. It is however not approved for prescription in the US. Although it has never been officially approved for use in the United States, domperidone is sometimes purchased from pharmacies in other countries for this purpose.