Canadian Pharmacy » Archives for May 2006

What is Lotensin and how does it work?

Lotensin is used to treat high blood pressure, either alone or in combination with other medications. Belonging to the class of medications known as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, Lotensin works by decreasing certain chemicals that tighten blood vessels, therefore allowing blood to flow more smoothly.

What steps should you take before using Lotensin?

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), trandolapril (Mavik), or any other medications.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking.
• Be sure to mention any of the following: diuretics (‘water pills’), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), and potassium supplements. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have recently had severe diarrhea or vomiting and if you have or have ever had heart failure, kidney disease, lupus, scleroderma, or diabetes.
• Tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
  if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Lotensin.
• You should know that diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking enough fluids, and sweating a lot can cause a drop in blood pressure, which may cause lightheadedness and fainting.

What should you do if a dose is missed?

As soon as you remember take the missed dose. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Does Lotensin have any side effects?

Side effects may include:

• cough
• headache
• dizziness
• drowsiness

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

• Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Hoarseness
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Rash
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection

Always contact your doctor if side effects persist or worsen while taking Lotensin.

What is Boniva?

Boniva is used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause. In most women who take Boniva, bone loss may be reversed and bone mass may be increased. It may also help lower the chances of breaking bones (fractures).
In addition to taking Boniva, there are lifestyle changes you can make to help build bone density, such as adopting a regular exercise program and eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.

Why choose Boniva?

With the convenience of taking it only once– a– month, Boniva won’t interrupt your daily routine and activities. After discussing it with your doctor, simply pick a day of the month that is easy to remember.

How should Boniva be taken?

Always take Boniva as instructed by your doctor.

• Take it first thing in the morning.
• Wait at least 1 hour before eating or drinking anything except plain water.
• Swallow the tablet whole (do not chew or suck) with at least 1 cup of plain water.
• Do not take BONIVA with mineral water, sparkling water, coffee, tea, milk, or juice.
• Avoid taking any other oral medicine, including calcium, antacids, or vitamins.
• Avoid lying down for at least 60 minutes after taking BONIVA to help decrease the risk of stomach problems.

Who should not take Boniva?

You should not take Boniva if you have low blood calcium, can’t stand or sit for a least 1 hour, have poor kidney function and are allergic to Boniva or any ingredients found in Boniva.

What are the side effects?

Common side effects are:

• Diarrhea
• Pain in extremities
• Upset stomach

Boniva may cause serious problems in the stomach and the esophagus. These problems may include trouble swallowing, heartburn, and ulcers. You must take Boniva exactly as prescribed by your doctor to lower the chance of serious side effects.

Why is K-Dur prescribed?

Usually found in the foods you eat, potassium is essential for the proper functioning of your nerves, kidneys, heart, muscles, and digestive system. However, with certain diseases (e.g. kidney disease) and medications, especially diuretics, potassium is removed from the body. K-Dur is prescribed to replace potassium losses and prevent potassium deficiency.

What steps should you take before using K-Dur?

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to potassium or any other drugs.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril); diuretics (‘water pills’); and vitamins. Do not take potassium if you are taking amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium).
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, kidney, or Addison’s (adrenal gland) disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking potassium, call your doctor.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking potassium.

What should I avoid while taking K-Dur?

Do not use a salt substitute while taking K-dur without first talking to your doctor. Salt substitutes may contain potassium. You may get too much potassium and experience side effects if you use these products.

Are there any side effects with K-Dur?

Although side effects from potassium are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• Mental confusion
• Listlessness
• Tingling, prickling, burning, tight, or pulling sensation of arms, hands, legs, or feet
• Heaviness or weakness of legs
• Cold, pale, gray skin
• Stomach pain
• Unusual stomach bulging
• Black stools

How is K-Dur taken?

Take K-dur exactly as directed by your doctor. If the directions are confusing to speak with your pharmacist, doctor or nurse and they will explain them to you.

• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Take K-dur with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
• Mix the powder or liquid with at least 4 ounces (one-half cup) of water or juice. Mix it thoroughly and drink it immediately. Do not drink the liquid without diluting it first.
• Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release medicine slowly in the body. If you have problems swallowing, ask your doctor about other forms of potassium.
• Do not worry if you find a wax capsule in the stool. The capsule is formulated to be passed out in the stool, but the drug has been absorbed by the body.
• It is important to take K-dur regularly to get the most benefit.
• Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with K-dur to monitor progress and side effects.
• Store K-dur at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What is Mobic?

MOBIC is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can help relieve the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a disease that causes the breakdown of joint cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness. Researchers believe that heredity, obesity, injury, and repeated overuse of certain joints all contribute to the risk of developing the disease.
While osteoarthritis can affect any joint it commonly occurs in the hips, knees, and spine. Finger and toe joints can also be affected. Rarely affected are the wrists, elbows, shoulders, ankles, and jaw, except as a result of an injury.

What causes the pain associated with osteoarthritis?

With healthy joints, the cartilage covers the end of each bone providing a cushion. The start of an unhealthy joint begins when the cartilage becomes damaged and loses its elasticity. Over time the cartilage continues to wear out by injury and repeated use. Eventually, the bones rub together as the cartilage disappears, creating pain and discomfort when the joint is put to action.

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Although the early symptoms of osteoarthritis are often minor, they can be severely disabling in the advanced stages of the disease. Symptoms are usually at their worst after the joints have been overused or have remained inactive for a long period of time.
The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis are:

• Joint stiffness and pain
• Increased symptoms during cold, damp weather
• Cracking or grating noises caused by movement in affected joints
• Backache
• Limited movement and stiffness in affected joints

Who should not take Mobic?

Mobic is not for everyone. You should not take Mobic if you have had an allergic reaction to meloxicam, aspirin or other NSAIDs. It should not be taken if you have asthma. Women who are pregnant should talk with their doctor before taking Mobic. Tell your doctor if you have advanced kidney disease or any symptoms suggesting liver problems.

What are the side effects of Mobic?

The most common side effects are found to be:

• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Headache
• Flu-like symptoms

If side effects persist or worsen while taking MOBIC, always contact your doctor.

In the April 20 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, a research team reported on “prehypertension”, the condition of being in danger of developing hypertension (high blood pressure).
First identified in 2003, prehypertension, is defined as blood pressure readings from 120/80 to 139/89 . While this risk of being at risk of HPB can be modified with diet and daily exercise, the NEJM reports that it can also be treated with Atacand.

To a growing number of doctors and healthcare providers, the very idea of treating the risk of a risk is wrong. Some are calling the event “disease-mongering”, defined as the corporate-sponsored creation or exaggeration of illnesses for the sole purpose of selling more drugs. Prehypertension “is a classic case of a risk factor being turned into the disease,” says Dr. Steven Woloshin of the Veterans Affair Outcomes Group in White River Junction, Vt. “If you make a cut-off for blood pressure that’s close to the normal range, then just about everyone can be diagnosed.”

Disease–mongering, according to critics, is on the rise. It all starts when a drug is developed for some once–rare condition. This leads to heavily promoted disease–awareness campaigns, which in turn trigger increasing numbers of diagnoses and prescriptions. The list of suspects may include restless legs syndrome, social anxiety disorder, erectile dysfunction, and more. “Of course, some people have these diseases very seriously,” says Dr. Robert L. Klitzman, a psychiatrist and bioethicist at Columbia University. “The problem is that mild cases are being made to seem more serious than they are.”
The other problem is that occurrences of everyday life, such as sadness, shyness, forgetfulness, and the occasional upset stomach, are being made into medical conditions. Social anxiety disorder (severe shyness) was a rarely seen condition until GlaxoSmithKline PLCs Paxil was approved to treat it. Glaxo’s disease-awareness campaign in the late 1990s was quickly followed by rising numbers of social anxiety disorder.

“Drug companies are playing off the desire we all have to get rid of things that bother us,” says Klitzman. Patients seeking a quick fix for conditions that might be treated better through lifestyle changes, need to know this could mean taking a pill every day for years. A proposition that is both risky and expensive.
“We realize that not every medicine is for every person,” says a spokeswoman for Glaxo, which develops drugs for restless legs syndrome, social anxiety disorder, and other diagnoses that are under criticism. “The labels contain important information about whether it’s appropriate, and we’re confident that doctors consulting with patients will assess their health–care issues and the risks and rewards and make an appropriate decision.”

Critics aren’t convinced, seeing that many doctors get their information about disease treatment from the pharmaceutical industry. Drug companies often fund research for diseases that then get published in medical journals. They also frequently subsidize continuing medical education classes for doctors.
Dr. Woloshin from Veterans Affairs recognizes that some people are helped by Paxil (severe shyness), Requip (restless legs syndrome), and Viagra (erectile dysfunction). However, he worries that overtreatment drains the money for crucial research into more serious illnesses. “None of these companies is coming up with a cure for TB,” he notes.

How does Aricept help with Alzheimer’s?

Aricept prevents Acetylcholine (a chemical in the brain that is important for learning and memory) from being destroyed. This may help brain cells to function better and keep memory longer. It can also help maintain everyday activities like eating, dressing, and handling money and mail.
Aricept also improves behavior problems such as:

• Delusions – believing things are real when they are not
• Apathy – loss of interest in usual activities
• Wandering – walking or roaming about, often at night

What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is an illness that makes it difficult for people to remember, think, and use language. It can make them act strange or seem moody. After a while, people with Alzheimer’s have a hard time with everyday things like using the phone, cooking, or handling money.
Unfortunately, many people think that early symptoms of Alzheimer’s are signs of normal aging. So Alzheimer’s often goes undiagnosed and untreated in the disease’s early stages.
Alzheimer’s is more common in older adults and it affects all races. Prevention or cure has yet to be found. But, with medications like Aricept, symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s can be treated.

Why is it better to start treatment early?

People with Alzheimer’s who start treatment early with Aricept may keep higher memory and thinking skills longer. Also, treatment may help people keep doing their daily tasks and stay in the community longer.

Can Aricept be taken with other medications?

Of course, many people take more than one medication. So it is always a good idea to check with your doctor about taking other medicines with Aricept. These may include:

• Prescriptions
• Vitamins
• Aspirin
• Cold and allergy medicines
• Home remedies
• Dietary supplements
• Herbal remedies
• Other over-the-counter treatments

How do I know if Aricept is working?

Although Aricept may not work the same for each person, studies have shown that things like memory, thinking, and behavior may:

• Improve
• Get better in small ways or remain the same
• Gets worse over time, but slower than expected
• Continue to get worse, as expected

If symptoms stay the same – or get worse over time but slower than expected – it can still mean Aricept is working.

What are the side effects of Aricept?

Aricept is generally well tolerated but may not be for everyone. For some people side effects may include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Restless sleep
• Muscle cramps
• Lack of appetite

If side effects persist or worsen while taking Aricept, please contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Ditropan XL works to help control the symptoms of an overactive bladder. It has been clinically proven to help 24 hours a day and has been shown to reduce sudden urges, frequent trips to the washroom, and wetting incidents.
Ditropan XL is meant to be taken just once a day, at the same time of day. Available in 5mg and 10mg, the tablet must be swallowed whole with the aid of liquids, and must not be chewed, divided, or crushed. Relief can occur as early as 2 weeks. However, individual results may vary, with some patients taking as long as 6 to 8 weeks to experience results.

What is an overactive bladder?

Approximately 33 million men and women are affected by an overactive bladder. OAB is a treatable medical condition caused by involuntary bladder muscle spasms. When the involuntary spasms happen the brain sends a message to the body that the bladder is full – even though it may not be. You then experience a sudden, powerful urge to go and you may not be able to wait or make it to the washroom in time.
If you have an overactive bladder you may experience these symptoms:

• Urinating 8 or more times in a 24-hour period
• Urinating 2 or more times a night
• Sudden urges to urinate
• An urgent need to urinate followed by leakage or wetting incidents

Does an overactive bladder come with old age?

No. Overactive bladder is not a normal part of aging and doesn’t have to be accepted as a part of life. Once diagnosed, treatment with medications like Ditropan XL has been proven to be highly effective. If you suspect that you have OAB don’t wait to talk with your doctor.

Who should not take Ditropan XL?

Do not take Ditropan XL if you have a certain type of stomach, urinary or glaucoma problem. It should not be taken if you currently take medication for a gastrointestinal disorder or have had a gastrointestinal blockage. Speak with your doctor first to see if Ditropan XL is the right medication for you.

What are some common side effects of Ditropan XL?

While generally well-tolerated, Ditropan XL does have side effects.

The more common side effects you may experience are:

• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

If side effects persist or worsen while taking Ditropan XL, be sure to contact your doctor.

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6 Myths Your Parents Told you: Were they right?

8 Ways to Prevent Arthritis

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Sanctura

As working Americans and their parents grow older and live longer, more adult children will take on caregiving responsibilities. But are they prepared for the role?

No, say Americans in a recent survey by Opinion Research Corporation. People surveyed said they are not prepared to handle health insurance matters for an adult family member or assist with medications. They worry about selling the home of a loved one, moving the person to assisted living centers, and setting up wills and trusts. Only a third of Americans say they have talked with family members and friends about providing care to them in the future.

Research links the stress of caregiving with an increased risk of depression and anxiety disorders, diminished immune responses, slower wound healing, and a greater incidence of hospitalizations –that’s among the caregivers.

“Today, an estimated 46 million Americans are providing uncompensated care for an adult family member or loved one who is chronically ill or disabled, often sacrificing career advancement, personal pleasures, and their own health and well-being out of a combined sense of love and duty,” said US Surgeon General Richard Carmona. “Family caregivers are an essential component of the health care system and should be considered as such.”

Dr. Carmona helped launch The Caregiver Initiative, a national campaign designed to call attention to the vital role that family caregivers now play, to help them maintain their own health and well-being while they care for others, and to prepare all Americans to better recognize and accept the responsibilities of caregiving that may well affect them personally as our society ages.
The Caregiver Initiative features an online resource and virtual community designed specifically for caregivers at www.strengthforcaring.com.