Chinese BL VS LS BL Cream

Which one is the fake?

Image by the author
 
Chinese BL cream is a popular topical medication not only recognized for its anti-itch relief but also for its skin whitening effect. While, this product can be bought in ordinary stores, groceries and selected pharmacies, Chinese BL (with the Chinese characters) is not approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Authority (FDA).

Contrary to this, there are still individuals who find Chinese BL beneficial. Some are even comparing and questioning Chinese BL cream's authenticity against LS BL cream - its Philippine counterpart.

So, which one's really genuine?

At least in the Philippine's legal perspective, LS BL with the FDA registration number DR-XY40446 and as imported by Manxing Enterprise Corporation, LS BL is probably more reliable than Chinese BL. However, like other medicines, these two can also be faked. The best thing to do is to buy these products in a trusted and registered source.

In the above photo, the LS BL cream may seem authentic. It may have the correct name of the importer and the serial number, but considering the wrong spelling of its generic name 'clobetasole propionate', it is clear that this LS BL cream is a counterfeit drug.

Chinese BL or LS BL cream as a skin lightening and anti-scar cream?

These two topical medications are both composed of clobetasole and ketoconazole. Logically speaking, Chinese BL and LS BL cream are both intended for fungal infection and not as a beauty product.

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Related articles:

• LS BL: Antifungal Corticosteroid Cream  

• Chinese BL: Antifungal Cream

Facts about Clobetasole

In the Philippines a lot of people are buying +Clobetasole as an OTC product despite to the fact that it should be a prescription drug because clobetasole is a form of steroid.

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Clobetasole is usually available in 5 to 100g tubes in 500 mcg strength. It is indicated +Skin +Itch - for resistant dermatoses such as psoriasis and eczema. It is also useful for lichen planus – a skin disease that usually develops in the wrists, discoid lupus erythematosus and other skin conditions that need a more potent corticosteroid. It is applied 1 to 2 times a day with a maximum use of two weeks.

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Chinese Fluocinonide Ointment: Facts and Warnings

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Fluocinonide is a recognized topical medication for various skin disorders usually applied 2 to 3 times a day.  It is categorized as a corticosteroid useful for dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema and for other allergic skin inflammation.  Although, popular as an ointment, fluocinonide can also be available in lotion, cream and in gel dosage forms. Fluocinonide strength is generally 0.025 to 0.05 percent. While Lidex (MEDICIS), Dermadex (Tianjin Pharmaceuticals), Amfulan (Everest Pharm) - some tradenames of fluocinonide are to be used in precaution with pregnant women and children, Chinese Fluocinonide is a type of floucinomide that is revealed as safe for babies. True?

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Simvastatin for Cholesterol

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Simvastatin was popularly recognized as Zocor. Nowadays, with the rise of numerous cheaper brands and generic equivalent competitors, most people understood simvastatin simply as cholesterol–lowering drug.

Simvastatin is an antihyperlipidaemic agent. As a statin or HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, simvastatin reduces the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or the bad cholesterol. It also decreases the triglycerides in the blood while increasing the HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or the good cholesterol.

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Furazolidone Facts

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Furazolidone is a nitrofuran antibiotic. It is categorized as antiprotozoal drug but has less potency compared to metronidazole. Furazolidone is indicated for gynecological infections, cholera and other bacterial causative diarrhea. It is also used for giardiasis (protozoal infection of the small intestine) but cited as not the first line of treatment.

Furazolidone is available in 100mg tablet and in 50mg per 5ml suspension. For the adults, one tablet of furazolidone is usually taken four times daily for 2 to 5 days to 7 days. The dose in children is calibrated according to weight. Furazolidone is given in 1.25mg per kg four times daily with the duration of use same as the adults. In giardiasis, furazolidone is generally advised for ten days of use.

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Albendazole for Filariasis Facts

Albendazole belongs to a class of benzimidazole agents used for nematode and trematode infections. As filariasis is caused by nematodes (roundworms), albendazole is a good choice for such treatment. Albendazole works by blocking the glucose intake of the parasitic worms. Thus, with less energy level these parasites tend to die.  Albendazole also prevents the filarial worms to multiply by inhibiting cell division. However, albendazole has no effect on adult worms.

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Aside from filariasis control, albendazole is also indicated for echinococcosis, neurocysticercosis, enterobiasis, ascariasis, hookworm, strongloidiasis and giardiasis.

Albendazole should be taken with food. For filariasis indication, it can be given alone or in combination with DEC or ivermectin. Alone or with the combination drugs, albendazole is taken in a single dose of 400mg once a year for five years.

• Common trade names of albendazole

Adazole 400mg chewable tablet (Makers Lab)

Alzel 400mg chewable tablet (Zee Laboratories)

Benzol 400mg chewable tablet (Mercury Lab)

Tilminth 200mg 10 ml suspension (Tablets India)

Zentel 200mg per 10ml suspension (GlaxoSmithKline)

 

• Precautions and contraindications

Blood counts should be monitored to prevent bone marrow depression in susceptible people. Albendazole should also be used in precaution with a woman who is liable to get pregnant.

Albendazole is contraindicated in infants. It should not be given to lactating mothers, individuals with hypersensitivity to the drug and those who have liver problems. Albendazole is teratogenic in mice studies. Thus, it should not be advised for pregnant women.

• Side effects

 The common side effect of albendazole is stomach upsets. Other undesirable effects include dry mouth, headache, dizziness, skin allergy (rashes) and alopecia. Bone marrow depression is probably the most serious side effect of albendazole.

• Drug interactions

Albendazole should not be taken with cimetidine, dexamethasone and praziquantel. While cimetidine can diminish the effect of albendazole, dexamethasone and praziquantel doubles the effect including the possible side effect of albendazole.

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Contraceptives Used As Abortifacients

Technically, contraceptives are not the same as abortifacients. While the former are devices that are used to prevent pregnancy, the latter are those which terminate pregnancy. However, contraceptives can also be abortifacients.

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Generally, natural family planning procedures that include the calendar, the wet and dry and the basal thermometer method are acceptable in the Christian communities, particularly in the Roman Catholic religion. Not only that these techniques are safer, these also comply with the church’s teachings. Artificial ways of birthing control as the use of IUD, contraceptive pill and injection, patch etc. are hazardous since these methods usually result to numerous untoward side-effects, not to mention death. More to this, some of these contraceptive devices can also be regarded as abortifacients.

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Stromectol for Head Lice

Stromectol as ivermectin is a prescription anthelmintic (worm) drug indicated for the parasitic worms nematodes Strongyloides and Onchocerca. It is available in 3mg (3000 mcg) tablet. Stromectol is manufactured by MSD BV and distributed by Merck & Co Inc.

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Stromectol has been proven as effective to resistant lice invasions. It is considered as a second line treatment to permethrin (Kwell). However, such use remains unapproved by the FDA.

Possible side effects: Tachycardia has been reported in 200 mcg dose.

Safety: Not recommended for pregnant and lactating women. Stromectol has not been proven safe for use in children below five years old. Caution should be observed in individuals with liver, kidney and heart problems.

Direction for use: 200 mcg tablet once a day for seven to ten days.

Read more about other head lice treatment

Glibenclamide facts

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Glibenclamide is popular as glyburide in the USA. It works by activating enzymes that tend to release insulin from the pancreas. Glibenclamide is popular in the brand names Daonil (Sanofi-Aventis), Euglocon (Roche) and Euglodin (MedChoice Pharma). It can also be in combination with metformin. Euglo plus (Roche) and Glucovance (Merck) are some recognized trade names of glibenclamide-metformin combination. In its single form, glibenclamide is usually available in 2.5 and 5 mg strength.

Glibenclamide is indicated for type 1 diabetes. It is important to be taken with food or immediately consumed after eating. Glibenclamide is usually given once a day with the dose 2.5 mg to 5mg depending on the body response.

    Precautions and contraindications

Glibenclamide is to be used in precaution with elderly people for risk of hypoglycemia or low-blood sugar. It has no controlled study for use in pregnant women therefore it is not recommended for use. Insulin is still the best option. Breasfeeding mothers are not also advised for glibenclamide treatment for risk of hypoglycemia in the infant. Glibenclamide is contraindicated to individuals with liver and kidney problems. It is not for type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic coma.

    Side effects

Some reported side effects of glibenclamide include dizziness, gastrointestinal discomfort and hypersensitivity reactions such as itching and hives. There are also cases of thrombocytopenia and anemia (aplastic and haemolytic).

    Drug interactions

Glibenclamide can increase the serum levels of ciclosporin and increase the side effect of phenytoin. Risk of liver toxicity has also been cited when used with bosentan.

Glibenclamide taken with the following drugs may cause an enhanced effect:

Alcohol, betablockers, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, cimetidine, cyclic antidepressant, pegvisomant, corticosteroids, salicylates, sulfonamides, fluconazole, miconazole, insulin and other antidiabetic drugs

On the other hand, the following medications can cause diminished effect:

Quinolone antibiotics, chloestyramine, colesevelam, somatropin, rifampicin

Related article:

• Glibenclamide VS Aloe Vera Supplement for Diabetes

Facts About Daphne Pills

A Daphne pack consists of 28 white tablets, each containing a 500mcg Lynestrenol. As a contraceptive tablet, Daphne is usually indicated for women whom estrogens are contraindicated and for breast feeding mothers who require contraception.

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Side effects include the following:

•     Spotting or breakthrough bleeding
•     Weight gain
•     Loss of libido
•     Acne
•     Breast pain or tenderness
•     Headache
•     Vaginal dryness

Directions for use:

One tablet is to be taken every day beginning on the first day of menstruation. The tablet can be taken anytime of the day but it is still best if taken at the same time each day. Once the 28 tablets have been consumed, start with another pack without any gap between cycles.

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Facts and Dangers About the Seven Popular Antibiotics

Antibiotics are prescription drugs. Never the less in some countries like the Philippines, where drug trade is not strict these medicines can be bought over-the-counter – no prescription needed.

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Here is a list of the seven most abused antibiotics – their indications, known uses to the public and the dangers.

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Celestamine Anti-allergy Facts

Celestamine is a combination anti-allergy drug of betamethasone and dexchlorpheniramine maleate. It is a prescription type, manufactured by Essex. Celestamine is categorized under the Antihistamines and Antiallergics; however it is also classified under the corticosteroids. While, dexchlorpheniramine maleate provides the antihistaminic or anti-allergy action, betamethasone acts as the corticosteroid support.

Celestamine is used for the treatment of difficult cases of respiratory, skin and eye allergies and other disorders that needs corticosteroid therapy. Its dosing depends on the age and the severity of the condition.

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Availability:

Celestamine (Betamethasone 250 mcg, dexchlorpheniramine maleate 2 mg) tablet

Celestamine (Betamethasone 250 mcg, dexchlorpheniramine maleate 2 mg) per 5ml 60 and 120 bottle

Contraindications and special precautions:

     
With bethamethasone

Because Celestamine has betamethasone as an active constituent, it is contraindicated with infants and with people who have fungal infections. It is not to be used by an individual has a known hypersensitivity to it. Celestamine Syrup contains FD and C yellow #5 which may cause allergic reactions including bronchial asthma in susceptible people.

Corticosteroids like betamethasone may suppress the immune system resulting to lack of antibody response. If the patient is under any immunization procedure, dangers of neurological complications can be possible.

Celestamine is used in precaution with patients having disorders like hypothyroidism, cirrhosis, renal insufficiency, hypertension, osteoporosis, myasthenia gravis, active tuberculosis and in GIT conditions as ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, peptic ulcer etc.

Prolonged corticosteroid therapy may retard growth in children.

Corticosteroids may mask signs of infection.

It can impair fertility in men by altering the motility and number of sperms.

Celestamine use in lactating and pregnant women is contraindicated. Children born to mothers who have received corticosteroids during pregnancy is observed for signs of hypoadrenalism.

 With dexchlorpheniramine

Dexchlorpheniramine maleate is an FGA or first generation antihistamine that can cause drowsiness. With this, Celestamine use should be warned in patients who need to engage in activities requiring mental alertness as driving or operating machines. Dexchlorpheniramine is also to be used in caution with individuals having narrow angle glaucoma, stenosing peptic ulcer, pyloroduodenal obstruction, prostatic hypertrophy or bladder neck obstruction, cardiovascular disease including hypertension, in those with increased intraocular pressure and hyperthyroidism.

Common side effects:
     
With betamethasone


Adverse reactions usually involve the musculoskeletal as muscle weakness and osteoporosis; gastrointestinal as peptic ulcer, ulcerative esophagitis, pancreatitis etc; dermatologic as allergic dermatitis and utricaria; neurologic as convulsion, vertigo and headache; endocrine as menstrual irregularities and cushingoid state; ophthalmic as cataracts and glaucoma; psychiatric as euphoria, mood swings and insomnia.

With dexchlorpheniramine

Sedation

 Drug interactions:

With bethamethasone

Phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampicin, ephedrine can increase the metabolism of betamethasone thus reducing the effect of Celestamine.

 Betamethasone with alcohol can increase occurrence of gastrointestinal ulceration.

 Betamethasone with digitalis (Digoxin) can enhance the possibility of arrhythmias or digitalis toxicity.

More to this, as a corticosteroid, betamethasone can lessen the effect of diuretics, aspirin, anti-diabetic agents and the anti-cholinesterases (e.g. physostigmine).

With dexchlorphenamine

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors can prolong and exaggerate the effects of dexchlorphenamine. Alcohol, tricyclic antidepressants, barbiturates or other central nervous system depressants can also increase the sedative effect of this antihistamine. Finally, oral anticoagulants effect may be decreased by dexchlorphenamine.

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