Medical answers

Archive for May, 2009

A steroid hormone secreted by the ovaries and placenta and also in small amounts by the adrenal glands and the testes. It is responsible for preparing the lining of the uterus (endometrium) for pregnancy. If fertilization occurs progesterone maintains the pregnancy and inhibits the further release of eggs from the ovaries. Read the rest of this entry »

A synthetic progestogen. Combined with oestrogens it is used in oral contraceptives, and as an adjunct
to oestrogens it is used as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It can be used alone as a progestogen-only contraceptive pill and - but only for a limited period - to delay menstruation, to treat heavy or painful periods, or to relieve premenstrual tension. Norethisterone is also used as a depot contraceptive, which is given by intramuscular injection and lasts for up to eight weeks. It is also used to treat certain cancers. Norethisterone is available, on prescription only, as tablets, skin patches, or as a solution for injection. Read the rest of this entry »

A sympathomimetic drug that constricts blood vessels. It is widely used as a nasal Mecongestant and is an ingredient in many cough and cold preparations. Phenylephrine can be administered by injection or infusion to increase blood pressure and is sometimes used for this purpose in emergencies until blood or plasma transfusions can be given. Read the rest of this entry »

A benzodiazepine used for the treatment of all forms of epilepsy. It is available, on prescription only, as tablets for oral use and as a form for injection or infusion for treating status epilepticus.
Intravenous infusion of donazepam may be hazardous and should only be performed in specialist centres where intensive care facilities are available. Read the rest of this entry »

A sympathomimetic drug that constricts blood vessels. It is incorporated into a number of oral preparations
for treating colds and coughs, hay fever, and asthma, in which it acts as a decongestant on the nose and upper airways. It is usually freely available without a prescription but some preparations may be bought only from a pharmacy, depending on the other ingredients. Read the rest of this entry »

A short-acting drug that is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia.
It acts in the same way as benzodiazepines, but takes a shorter time to act and has little or no hangover effect. Zopiclone is available as tablets on prescription only. Read the rest of this entry »

A skeletal muscle relaxant used to relieve muscle spasm, especially when due to trauma or disease of the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, meningitis, or cerebral palsy. Dosages should be increased slowly to avoid side effects. It is available, on * prescription only, as tablets or a sugar-free liquid. Read the rest of this entry »

An alpha blocker that produces peripheral vasodilatation. It is used to treat hypertension, congestive heart failure, and Raynaud’s syndrome (poor circulation in the hands and feet). It is also used as an adjunct in the treatment of the symptoms of urinary obstruction due to an enlarged prostate gland. Read the rest of this entry »

A class II calcium antagonist used for the prevention of angina and the treatment of hypertension. It is also used to treat Raynaud’s phenomenon (pallor and numbness of the fingers). A prescription only medicine, it is available as capsules or tablets, some of which are modified-release formulations.
Precautions: nifedipine should not be used to treat unstable angina and should not be given to patients who have had a heart attack in the previous month. Read the rest of this entry »

A weak opioid that is usually used for the relief of mild to moderate pain and is an ingredient in many analgesic medications.
It is also used as a cough suppressant, being included in many cough medicines. Codeine slows down the movements of the intestines, causing constipation, and is therefore used as an antidiarrhoeal drug. Codeine hydrochloride and codeine phosphate are available as tablets, a linctus, or a solution for injection. At lower dosages codeine is available without a prescription, but only from pharmacies; at higher dosages and as a form for injection it is available on prescription only. Read the rest of this entry »