Health Quotation # 5

                    Health is not valued till sickness comes.
   
                                                  ~Dr. Thomas Fuller (1654 - 1734)~

Losartan Substitute for Losartan HCTZ

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Losartan potassium is a prescription antihypertensive drug.  It can be given in single or in combination with other antihypertensive medication. Amlodepine, a calcium antagonist is the usual combination with losartan. These two drugs are not generally taken at a time though. Prescribers usually give losartan in the morning then amlodepine in the evening for control of hypertension.  However, if the condition cannot be controlled by such combination, losartan plain is usually switched to losartan with the HCTZ or hydrochlorothiazide.
 
Dispensing error may happen and sometimes patients try cheaper alternatives. In the case of losartan and losartan HCTZ, won’t there be any problem if losartan plain is taken instead of a losartan HCTZ?
 

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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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Glibenclamide VS Aloe Vera Supplement for Diabetes

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Glibenclamide is a common medicine for blood sugar control. While it is recognized for the trade name Euglocon, a lot of generic version of glibenclamide can also be found in pharmacies and drugstore outlets. But, as most people want an alternative herbal base, aloe vera supplement has becoming an interest for diabetic patients. But, can aloe vera be an effective hypoglycemic agent in comparison to glibenclamide?

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Poppy Seeds Facts

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Poppy seeds lack alkaloids which are compounds responsible for the pharmaceutical effect in plants. In Opium, there are more than 30 different alkaloids present. The most important of these are morphine which exists to the extent of 4 to 21%; codeine, 0.8 to 2.5%; noscapine, 4 to 8%; papaverine 0.5 to 2.5 %; and thebaine, 0.5 to 2%.

Other opium alkaloids include narceine, protopine, laudanine, codamine, cryptopine, lanthopine and meconidine. Each of these alkaloids acts chiefly on the central nervous system- their action first stimulates then depresses the nerve impulse. They serve as analgesic, hypnotic and narcotic.

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Perfect Multivitamin Combination

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What is the best vitamin for a child? This is a common question of most parents. Drugstore personnel tend to reply, ‘The complete combination, of course!’

A multivitamin combination is usually composed of the B complex group, vitamin A, vitamin D3 or ergocalciferol, vitamin E or tocopherol and vitamin C. These active components are normally in smaller amounts and act only as additional supplements for the body. While adults may have enough supply of these from foods, kids – particularly the younger ones require more nutrients for growth.

Vitamins and other supplements are commonly regarded as OTC products. If you are planning to buy a multivitamins product for your child, the following active components can also be great essentials.

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Seven Popular Natural Diuretics

A diuretic is a substance that acts as aid for many medical conditions by enhancing urination. While there are pharmaceutical diuretics, there are also natural diuretics popular for some disorder.

Furosemide, spirinolactone and hydroclorothiazide are some examples of diuretic drugs. While these are usually employed for edema associated with heart failure and liver conditions, these diuretics also help in lowering high blood levels as through urination, pressure is also reduced.  Diuretics remove excess water, eliminate toxins and therefore clean the body.   Pharmaceutical types of diuretics maybe intended for serious conditions. However, there are also natural diuretics that are used in traditional medicine. The following are 7 popular natural diuretics:

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Pineapple (Ananas comosus)

Pineapple as a fruit contains a lot of nutrients as vitamin A, the B-complex (thiamin, pyridoxin, riboflavin). It contains folate and some minerals like copper, manganese and potassium. Pineapple has an antioxidant property since fresh types of this fruit is rich in vitamin C. It also contains the proteolytic enzyme bromelain which digest protein. Bromelain helps in treating indigestion. More to this, it also has anti-clotting, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory property.

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Medical Terminology: Encephalitis

Encephalitis is an Inflammation of the brain, usually caused by infection with a virus. (source)

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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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Taheebo as a Herbal Cancer Cure

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Taheebo is also popularly known as pau d arco, lapacho, red lapacho and ipe roxo. It is described as a broad-leaved tree. As a tabebuia specie, taheebo, particularly its inner bark, is accounted for many medicinal uses. In 1960, there are reports that tea made from taheebo bark was an effective antineoplastic agent - a drug that can treat cancer.

As cancer is one formidable and killer disease, susceptible individuals find the most natural way for cure. Taheebo which is native to the West Indies, Central and South America have been used for centuries by the Incas for treatment and health improvement.

The inner bark of taheebo is boiled down. In the early days, its decoction was applied to wounds for infection cure. Taheebo has been also popular as a tincture but more widely consumed as a tea.

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A Warning On Alternative Contraception Techniques

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Counterfeit contraceptive techniques are alternative contraception. These procedures are believed to be as of contraception. Contrary, these methods are ineffective and if a couple practice one of these ‘false’ contraception techniques, pregnancy often result. From the use of Lysol as a contraceptive to the popular method of withdrawal, the following are facts about counterfeit or ineffective contraception techniques.

Use of feminine hygiene materials

Lysol solution is an example of feminine hygiene products. In 1930 when contraceptive products are illegal, ‘hygiene products’ mask contraceptives by referring them as for feminine hygiene. There had been other products as powders, deodorants, sprays and suppositories. These were intended for birth control and at the same time to eliminate strong vaginal odors. Lysol was used as a douche after sex but was later discouraged. Lysol and the other feminine hygiene materials were not only proven as ineffective, they had been harmful to the female genitalia as well.

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Bottled Medicines

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•  OTC Medicine Alert

Liver Damage: On Alternative Remedies

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Most people believe that alternative cures as herbal and dietary supplements are safer than pharmaceutical drugs. While natural remedies have lesser reports of side effects, synthetic treatments are accounted for so many untoward reactions. But, if an individual has a liver problem, he should reconsider. More likely, he could develop a much worse case.

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Kremil S tablet

Kremil S in pink color?

Nice.... Reminded me of  Simeco packaging.
(Images by the author)

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Ascorbic Acid VS Sodium Ascorbate

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Ascorbic acid has been known as an important vitamin to build up resistance and to strengthen the immune system. While it can also be attained by eating fruits and vegetables, ascorbic acid is more popular in drugstores as a dietary supplement in single or in combination types. Ascorbic acid is usually prescribed in individuals – young and old, to prevent cough and colds. Doctors also use it as an adjunct with other medications (e.g. cough and colds and antibiotic) to speed up healing.

Ascorbic acid is a good choice as a daily supplement. However, with stomach irritation as its major side-effect some vitamin C users tend to use sodium ascorbate – a counterpart on ascorbic acid.

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Drink and Eat The Proper Way

Every people have different lifestyles thus some diverse eating habits. While some eat most of the time, there are busy people who eat two meals a day only. Food and water are real essentials for life. But while eating and drinking little can be bad for the body, too much can also be hazardous for health.

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The following are facts about the proper eating habit based on the Heavy Breakfast-Moderate Lunch-Light Dinner Meal Pattern designed by the Philippines’ top dietician experts Godoy and Varona.

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Pau D Arco Capsule

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1. Taheebo as a Herbal Cancer Cure 
2. Pau D Arco Capsule VS Advil Caplet for Arthritis 
3. Aldrtz Pau Liniment: Topical Pain Reliever
4. Marketing Strategy: My Marvel Taheebo and Aldrtz Pau D Arco Tea

 

Medical Terminology: Papilledema

Papilledema is the swelling of the head of the optic nerve, a sign of increased intracranial pressure. The optic nerve head, also called the optic disk or papilla, is the area where the optic nerve (the nerve that carries messages from the eye to the brain) enters the eyeball. (Source)

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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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Moringa Supplement

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Chinese BL - An Antifungal Drug for a Beauty Cream

BL cream is a Chinese 7g topical drug indicated for fungal infections as ring worm, athletes foot etc. Surprisingly some consumers also use it for acne, for pimples and as an underarm whitening cream?

 

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In the Philippines Chinese BL cream is categorized as a counterfeit drug – not that it is fake or ineffective, but simply it is an imported drug unregistered in the country’s Food and Drug Authority. Naturally, these products are banned in drugstores and other drug outlets. However, a Chinese BL cream can also be bought in cosmetic stores, in market places and in the internet. Its price ranges from 15 pesos to 50 pesos – really cheap compared to other topical antifungal medications.

BL cream products have also proven their efficacy. Compared to the equivalent generic, it can relieve a condition faster. More to this, some consumers also revealed that it is also effective in treating psoriasis, acne, pimples and used as a skin lightening cream.

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Medical Terminology: Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are group of natural and synthetic analogues of the hormones secreted by the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, more commonly referred to as the pituitary gland. These include glucocorticoids, which are anti-inflammatory agents with a large number of other functions; mineralocorticoids, which control salt and water balance primarily through action on the kidneys; and corticotropins, which control secretion of hormones by the pituitary gland. (Source)

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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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Are Dietary Supplements Advisable While Suffering From Diarrhea?

Some clinics would recommend patients to stop their vitamins and other dietary supplements when suffering from diarrhea. As diarrhea is a symptom of frequent defecation of watery stools, in take of vitamins and dietary supplements will be a waste of time since these will only be excreted. But, can this reason be true?

 

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While vitamin (ascorbic acid and multivitamin) intake is doubled and even tripled for dengue fever management and supplements (Charantia, Taheebo) are recommended for diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions, the use of vitamins and other dietary supplements are temporarily terminated during chronic diarrhea.  Clinic and pharmacy personnel would reason that taking vitamins won’t be helpful since these will only be flushed down along with the frequent bowel evacuation. Contrary to this, vitamins and supplements can actually be absorbed by the body.

The main concern here is there are vitamins and supplements that can make diarrhea worse. However, there are still those that can support diarrhea treatment.

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Avoid Delayed Anaphylactic Shock

Medications, insect stings and food are major causes of anaphylactic shock. But, while allergies are often experienced within minutes of the food or drug intake or a sting from a bee, there are also cases of late reactions. Delayed anaphylactic shock is one example.

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Delayed anaphylactic shock is a type of anaphylactic shock. It can manifest after 3 to 6 hours. Studies at University of Virginia cite that delayed anaphylactic shock is in particular only for meat allergy (beef, pork and lamb). However, delayed anaphylactic shock can also occur in medications.

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Medical Terminology: Anticoagulant

Anticoagulant is an agent that is used to prevent the formation of blood clots. (source)

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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

Dietary Supplements Overdose

Most people take dietary supplements to ensure that they are getting enough nutrients food couldn’t provide much. While a pregnant woman increases her intake of iron and calcium for the needs of her own body and for the unborn child, the daily dose of ascorbic acid and other vitamins can also be doubled in cases of serious infections. However, these instances should always be advised by a medical doctor. When it comes to daily nutrients and multivitamins, more is not good. There are certain limits for these supplements and taking much can be very harmful for the body.

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The following are facts about the best dietary supplements that you could be abusing. Take note that most of these values are based on a 2000 calorie intake for people of 4 or more years of age. This is applied because it approximates the caloric requirements for postmenopausal women who have the highest risk for excessive intake of calories and fat. The maximum values are based on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) values, the World Health Organization (WHO), BBC Health values, the European Union Directive (based on FDA values) and values from various other governmental and private agencies in the USA and the UK.

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Take Care of Your Eyes With Lutein

Studies reveal that Lutein prevents blindness by guarding the eyes from AMD or age-related macular degeneration. It also decreases the risk of cataracts.

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Lutein is a pigment that helps protect the eyes. It can be found in the areas of the retina’s light receptor- particularly in the macula where the most possible damage of blue light can occur.

Blue light is the wave length within the visible spectrum of light. It is present in varying degrees or intensity in all visible light sources. When the eyes are exposed for too much blue light, a chemical reaction takes place in the eye’s retina.

With this Lutein works in two ways- it acts as a filter against the harmful blue light and combats the free radical in the eye as an anti-oxidant. Excessive exposure to blue light can lead to formation of free radicals which can harm the eyes. Lutein prevents these radicals from storing and from causing irreversible damage to the eyes.

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Maalox Suspension For Diaper Rash

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Any individual’s urine or stool is sterile upon elimination from the body. These have no germs; however when the diaper is left too long, bacteria from the skin or from the diaper alters the acidity of the urine or feces. Thus, the stool or the urine becomes acidic.

As cited, Maalox contains magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide. These active constituents are responsible for the hyperacidity relief by neutralizing acid. Regarding diaper rash, Maalox treats it by counteracting the acidic effect of the defecation or urine on the skin.

More to this, Magnesium hydroxide is also known as Milk of Magnesia. Applied topically, Milk of Magnesia has been known to heal skin abrasions such as acne, and canker sores – a type of mouth ulcer. Milk of magnesia is also used for diaper rash.

Maalox suspension or its generic equivalents may be indicated for diaper rash. Like the recommended skin protectants, Maalox suspension application is between every diaper change and for two to three days only. The disadvantage about this drug for diaper rash is the messy feel for the patient, as Maalox suspension is not in cream or in ointment form.

As for safety measures, magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide usually accumulate on individuals with kidney or renal failure. Magnesium hydroxide can cause hypermagnesemia while aluminum hydroxide for prolonged use, may build up in bones, nerves and in the brain. Some side effects of aluminum hydroxide include hypophosphatemia, osteomalacia and encephalopathy.

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Medical Terminology: Anthelmintic

Anthelmintic pertains to a substance capable of destroying or eliminating parasitic worms, esp. human intestinal helminths. (source)

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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

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On Lizard Alternative Treatment

These are facts about the most popular lizards hunted for their medicinal purposes, ranging from those who have scientific study to lizards with no scientific evidence for medicinal properties.

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Belonging to the reptile class, the lizards have been known for many medicinal uses. Their healing and preventive capacities have been recorded throughout the world. Although most of them lack scientific studies, their names have grown popular with their distinctive medicinal uses. Used as a cure for many ailments and diseases, the following are the most popular lizards of today – ranging from those who have undergone laboratory studies to types that possess no scientific evidence.

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Health Quotation # 4

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

 ~World Health Organization, 1948~

Generic Medicines

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United Home Whitfield’s For United Home Burn Ointment

A middle-aged woman-lawyer bought an ointment for a tiny burn on her wrist. Arriving home, she applied a thin film of the ointment on her blister. But instead of experiencing a soothing feeling from the drug, she felt a sting from it that slowly became painful.

Examining the ointment, she realized she was given United Home Whitfield’s ointment instead of United Home Burn ointment.

The woman-lawyer had to sue the drugstore for its negligence.

United Home Whitfield’s VS United Home Burn ointment

Whitfield’s and United Home Burn ointments are both over-the-counter products of Amherst Lab and distributed by United Home. However these two are very different from one another. Whitfield’s ointment contains salicylic acid and benzoic acid. It is a topical antifungal drug indicated for tinea pedis (athlete’s foot), tinea cruris (jock itch) and ringworm. Whitfield’s is usually applied 2 to 3 times daily and contraindicated in open wounds.

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On the other hand, United Home Burn ointment, as revealed by its name is indicated for healing shallow burns. It is used to protect the affected area from infection. United Home Burn ointment also soothes itchiness and pain. It contains benzocaine, eucalyptus oil and boric acid. Like Whitfield ointment, United Home Burn ointment is also applied 2 to 3 times daily.

Boric acid as an ingredient of United Home Burn ointment can be absorbed from the skin that this topical drug is not advised for prolonged use especially in infants and in children.

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