Medical answers

Dapasone - Uses, Precautions, Overdose, Side Effects

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:25:52 +0000

Drug Uses
Dapasone is used to treat leprosy and other skin conditions. This medication can also be used to treat malaria and pneumonia as well as certain types of arthritis and inflammatory conditions.
How Taken
Dapasone should be taken as directed by your doctor. Tablets in 2mg twice daily are usually prescribed and should be continued to prevent reoccurrences.
Warnings/Precautions
Tell your doctor if you have any pre-existing conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorder, and gloucose-6-phosphate, dehydrogenate deficiency or any allergies.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed does and resume your normal schedule.
Possible Side Effects
Stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting or headache may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. Tell your doctor if these effects persist or become bothersome. If you develop tingling of the hands or feet, dizziness, muscle weakness, blurred visions, ringing in the ears or incoordination, fever, sore throat or rapid heart beat, seek medical attention.
Storage
Store in a tightly sealed container and keep away from heat and direct light.
Overdose
There are no known cases of overdose reported.
More Information
Dapasone should be taken with food or milk if upsetting to the stomach. Take this drug as prescribed and for as long as indicated to prevent the return of symptoms. Consult your doctor as to recommendations while pregnant.

Cleocin - Drug Uses, Precautions, Missed Dose, Side Effects

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:07:57 +0000

Drug Uses
Cleocin is prescribed orally and by injection to treat serious bacterial infections. Topically, it is used to treat acne and vaginal infections by inhibiting the synthesis of protein in bacteria.
How Taken
Oral forms of Cleocin are taken in 150mg to 300mg four times a day.
Warnings and Precautions
Take the oral forms with food to minimize stomach upset. Take the capsule with a glass of water. Avoid alcohol and before having surgery with a general anesthetic, tell the doctor or dentists in charge that you are taking the drug.
Missed Dose
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosage schedule.
Side Effects
Severe stomach or abdominal pains and cramps, severe diarrhea, fever, sore throat, skin rash, itching and redness and unusual bleeding or bruising are considered serious side effects and warrant medical attention immediately. Less serious side effects include mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dry, peeling or flaky skin.
Storage
Store in tightly sealed container and keep away from heat, moisture and direct light.
Overdose
There are no known overdoses of Cleocin.
More Information
Tell your doctor if you are taking any diarrhea medicine containing kaopectate. If you have a history of kidney, liver or intestinal disease, consult your doctor.

Combipres - Drug Uses, Precautions, Possible Side Effects

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:04:35 +0000

Drug Uses
Combipres is used to regulate the activity of the central nervous system in order to relax and widen the blood vessels.
How Taken
In tablet form, Combipres should be taken 0.1mg twice per day. Your doctor may increase this to 0.3mg two times per day. Most patients achieve adequate blood pressure control with 1mg or less per day. Maximum daily dose is 2.4mg.
Warnings/Precautions
If you are over the age of 60, side effects may be more likely and sever in older patients. Do not drive or engage in hazardous work until you determine how the drug will affect you as dizziness and drowsiness can occur.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless the time for your next scheduled dose is within the next two hours. In that case, skip the dose and resume your regular dosage schedule. Do not double the next dose. If you miss more than one day’s dosing, notify your doctor immediately.
Possible Side Effects
Serious side effects are less likely when taking Combipres as prescribed. Dry mouth, reduced saliva, drowsiness, dizziness and constipation are common side effects, as are itching and skin irritation.
Storage
Store in tightly sealed container and keep away from heat, moisture and direct light.
Overdose
Low blood pressure, slow heart beat, difficulty breathing, sever dizziness, confusion and weakness or fainting are all signs of an overdose. Seek medical attention immediately.
More Information
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following: heart or blood vessel disease, skin disease, kidney disease, mental depression or systemic lupus erythematosus.

Tenormin - side effects, drug interactions, dosages

admin — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:50:35 +0000

Drug Uses
Tenormin is used to treat patients with high blood pressure with or without concurrent angina. Also used to prevent or control irregular heartbeat.
How Taken
Adults should take 50 to 100mg per day. This dose may be adjusted by your doctor to two tablets per day. Smaller doses may be necessary for those patients who are elderly or with impaired kidney function.
Warnings/Precautions
Adverse reactions may occur in older patients. Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you determine how this medication will affect you. Avoid alcohol while taking Tenormin.
Missed Dose
Take missed dose as soon as you remember you missed a dose. However, if it is near the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosage schedule. Do not double the next dose.
Possible Side Effects
Menatl depression, shortness of breath, wheezing, slow heartbeat (less than 50 beats per minute) chest pain or tightness swelling of ankles, feet, lower legs and faintness are serious side effects. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking the medication and consult your doctor right away.
Storage
Store in a tightly sealed container away from heat and direct light.
Overdose
Symptoms of an overdose include breathing difficulties, slow heartbeat, sluggishness and an extremely low blood pressure. Seek medical treatment immediately.
More Information
Suddenly stopping this drug may cause blood pressure to rise to dangerous levels possibly triggering an angina or heart attack in patients with advanced heart disease. Consult with your doctor if you are taking amphetamines, oral antidiabetic agents, asthma medications, calcium channel blockers, allergy shots, insulin, MAO inhibitors, reserpine or other beta blockers.

Zerit (Stavudine) - drug uses, missed dose, side effects, precautions

admin — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:27:24 +0000

Drug Uses
Zerit is used to treat HIV infection.
How Taken
Adults and teens weighting 132 pounds or more should take 40mg twice per day. Doses of 20mg two times per day are sometimes used in patients with advanced HIV disease or mild peripheral neuropathy. Zerit is usually given in combination with other antiretroviral medications.
Precautions
Adverse reactions may be more likely and more severe in older patients. Do not drive or engage in hazardous work until you determine how the drug will affect you. Avoid alcohol and tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is close to time for your next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the dose and resume your regular dosage schedule. Do not double the next dose.
Side Effects
Burning, tingling, pain or numbness in hands or feet. Also fever, muscle aches, joint pain, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain and unusual fatigue are serious side effects and should be reported to your doctor immediately.
Storage
Store in tightly sealed container and keep away from heat, moisture and direct light.
Overdose
No cases reported.
More Information
Caution is advised when taking Zerit. Consult your doctor if you have pancreatitis or peripheral neuropathy. Use of Zerit may cause complication in patients with kidneys or liver disease.

Persantine: Drug Uses, Possible Side Effects, Warnings and Precautions

admin — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:18:01 +0000

Drug Uses
Persantine (Dipyridamole) is used to prevent blood clot formations following heart valve replacement surgery.
How Taken
Take Persantine as prescribed with a glass full of water and on an empty stomach. If stomach upset does occur then you should take with food.
Warnings/Precautions
Do not take any non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, Aspirin or Advil during coarse of treatment on Persantine. Caution should be used if driving or around machinery due to the drowsiness effect this medication may cause.
Missed Dose
Take missed dose of Persantine as soon as remembered. If it is close to your next scheduled dosage then skip the missed dosage. Never take double dosages of this medicine it could be very dangerous to you.
Possible Side Effects
Vomiting, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, rash, headache or stomachs upset are possible side effects of Persantine.
Storage
Persantine should be kept room temperature far from heat or moisture.
Overdose
If an overdose is suspected of Persantine call for emergency medical care immediately.
More Information
If you suffer from abnormal low blood pressure this medication must be used with caution. If you are pregnant consult with your physician before taking Persantine.

Pyrazinamide information: drug uses, recommended dosages, side effects

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:59:42 +0000

Pyrazinamide Uses
Pyrazinamide is used to treat tuberculosis. When used in combination with other medications, Pyrazinamide can clear a TB infection completely.
How Taken
Adults should follow their doctor’s order as each patient will need to be dosed individually. Do not stop taking Pyrazinamide without your doctor’s permission.
Warnings/Precautions
Patients who take Pyrazinamide should notify their doctor if they have a history of Gout or if they have a history of liver disease as Pyrazinamide may cause a negative outcome when taken in combination with medications used to treat these illnesses.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose.
Possible Side Effects
Patients taking Pyrazinamide may experience certain side effects. These include itching, skin rash, pain or swelling in large and small joints, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or weakness or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
Storage
Store in a tightly sealed container and keep away from heat, moisture and direct light.
Overdose
No known cases reported.
More Information
If your symptoms do not improve within two to four weeks, notify your doctor. Keep appointments to monitor certain liver functions while taking Pyrazinamide as this medicine can cause false test results for those patients who suffer from diabetes. Check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

Accolate (Zafirlukast): drug uses, side effects, storage, precautions

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:20:21 +0000

Drug Uses
Accolate is used in the treatment and prevention of asthma long term in children and patients five years and older.
How Taken
Accolate needs to be taken every day at the exact same time. This medication should be taken an hour to two hours after you have eaten on empty stomach.
Precautions
An asthma attack cannot be stopped by Accolate once it is started. If your liver function lab tests show signs of liver damage you should never take this medication again.
Missed Dose
Doses should not be missed. Take as soon as dosage is remembered if not close to the next dosage scheduled.
Side Effects
Nausea and diarrhea are minor side effects that may happen. More severe effects include joint pain, appetite loss, skin yellowing, and breathing difficulty you should contact your physician immediately if any of these appear.
Storage
Accolate needs to be kept between 68-77 degree F temperatures and away from moisture and heat.
Overdose
Call your local poison control or emergency room as soon as possible if an overdose is suspected.
More Information
Your physician should be told if you are taking blood thinners, anticoagulants or Theophyllines before you use this medication as adverse reactions could occur.

Prednisone: drug uses, side effects, drug interactions, warnings

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:15:58 +0000

Prednisone Uses
Prednisone is used in treatment of many conditions like arthritis, severe asthma, severe psoriasis, Lupus, Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis.
How Taken
Take Prednisone as directed by your physician exactly with a glass full of water. If upset stomach occurs it can be taken with milk to lessen upset stomach.
Warnings
In case of emergency keep a medical identification bracelet or card with you to notify others you are taking Prednisone. If you have a serious viral, fungal or bacterial infection this medication should not be taken without consulting your physician.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Prednisone when it is remembered.
Possible Side Effects
Vomiting, insomnia, weakness of muscles, painful joints, diabetes control problems and hunger or thirst increase are all possible side effects of Prednisone.
Storage
Keep Prednisone room temperature far from heat or moisture.
Overdose
If an overdose of Prednisone is suspected call for emergency medical care immediately.
More Information
Other prescription or non prescription medications, including any herbal supplements should be avoided while taking this medication until you have consulted your physician.

Procardia - Uses, Precautions, Missed Dose

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:14:30 +0000

Procardia Uses
Procardia is used in treatment to lower high blood pressure (hypertension) and chest pain (angina).
How Taken
Procardia should be taken as prescribed with glass full of water on an empty stomach.
Procardia Precautions
Grapefruit or grapefruit juice should not be consumed with Procardia; there could be complications with this interaction. Tell your physician if you are breast feeding or pregnant immediately before taking this drug. List all other medications you are taking before you take Procardia.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Procardia when remembered, unless it is close to the next scheduled dosage then skip the missed dosage. Never take a double dosage of this drug.
Possible Side Effects
Tiredness, insomnia, headache, fatigue, nausea, flushing, constipation and urination increase are all possible side effects of Procardia.
Storage
Procardia should be stored room temperature far from heat or moisture.
Procardia overdose
If an overdose is suspected on Procardia call for immediate emergency medical treatment.
More Information
Use alcohol cautiously when taking Procardia medication, it may lower your blood pressure and increase drowsiness or dizziness effects of this medication.