Medication Information

Medication Information questions and answers

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Q: Is there a free medication information download out there?
I am in school right now to be a medical assistant. We are constantly looking up medications and their information. I would love to find a free download with the information I need. If you have any ideas, please let me know. Thank you so much.

A: Try www.rxlist.com

Q: What is a website to get correct information on prescribed medication?
Does anyone know of a website where I could find correct information on several prescribed medications? I want to careful that it's legitimate. I am making a record for my grandparents of what each of their medications do.

A: If you type in the name of each medication you will get a choice of sites to look at. You can get complicated explanations as well as the sort of information that is printed on the leaflet in the box of each med.

Q: What site can a person go to for information on medication prescribed for them?
trying to find all information about a prescription called Necon for a friend so they can be aware of side affects, allergic reactions, dosage , harmful dosages,etc etc

A: There are a number of sites out there that describe drugs, but I am hesitant to recommend one because some are written in medicalese and some are written in easy to understand English, and I don't know what you need. The easiest way to find what you want is to google the name of the drug. That will usually give you a broad choice. I did that, and one of the matches was for www.drugdigest.org. The link I found is below, but when I backtracked I found that there are five different formulations of Necon. One good place to find drug information is Wikipedia, but the problem is that some drugs are well described, and some are not. To find your drug, go to www.wikipedia.org and put the drug name in the search box. Big name drugs have their own websites. If you do www. (name of the drug) .com, you will usually get a site with patient information, with links for health professionals. The FDA site (www.fda.gov) will often have the "legal" labeling (the one for health professionals), as well as some information for consumers. There are about a hundred web sites out there that have identical information about drugs. I hope this helps.

Q: Why do psychiatrists never give their patients objective information about medication?
I would think this would include statistical information and controversies.

A: Probably due to time constraints. I don't think you will find such information being deliberately witheld, it's just that it can take some time to find and deliver. I am sure if it was asked for assistance would be offered in finding it. Then if you are web savvy you can always look it up yourself.

Q: Does anyone have any information on the medication Doxipan?
Search engines and Wikipedia don't have any information on this certain medication but I do know it exists. Thank you

A: do you mean doxepin? if so, you should google it or look up on yahoo health. its a tricyclic antidepressant.

Q: Can a UK pharmacy give withdrawal information if you have self-prescribed medication?
I would like to know if withdrawal information is available from the local chemist? Due to ongoing anxiety disorders, i have and also have in the past, self-prescribed myself via the internet, medication, (Diazepam 3 months 20mg/day). My GP is aware of my past temporary use of Diazepam, although i would rather not disclose this information to him again.

A: Yes, they can most likely print out information about the medication, but it would probably be the easiest thing for you to obtain that information from an online source such as the following: (or just "google" the term "Benzodiazepine Withdrawal")

Q: Any information on medication lipitor causing dementia?
I read a short report in a news paper about a nurse that took lipitor, it caused dementia. I am a Nurse this is not one of the side effects of the medication. I have never heard of it doing this. My mother takes this medication and has for years. She has dementia and this started years ago. Would like information to help make good decision if she needs to maybe stop to see if this would correct if she came off of the lipitor.

A: I work in the medical field as well and have not heard of this at all. We have many patients on Lipitor and have not seen the correlation between the two. Would she be a decent candidate for Aricept at this point? Interesting question--will be curious to see if there is anything that supports use of lipitor as a cause of dementia.

Q: Can anyone give me more information on the medication deprecot ?
I dont know if this is spelled right.But this is how it sounds.Any information on this drug would helP.I think its a seizure drug but im not sure.

A: Valproic acid is an oral anticonvulsant that is chemically unrelated to other anticonvulsants. Valproic acid was synthesized over a century ago, but its anticonvulsant properties were not discovered until 1963. Valproate sodium and divalproex sodium (a sustained-release form) are also commercially available and share the same pharmacology. Although valproic acid was initially used for absence seizures, data published in 1992 confirmed that it is as effective as carbamazepine for the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. It is also active in the treatment of complex partial seizures, absence seizures, and myoclonic seizures. Sedation and other adverse CNS effects are minimal. Valproic acid was licensed by the FDA in 1978. In 1993, Abbott Laboratories filed an NDA for treatment of bipolar disorder and on June 1, 1995, valproic acid was approved for this indication. A NDA for divalproex in the prevention of migraine was filed on September 1, 1994 and approval was granted March 29, 1996. An intravenous dosage form is currently under investigation. Mechanism of Action: Although the exact mechanism of action is unclear, it is believed that valproic acid increases brain concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. It may inhibit enzymes that catabolize GABA or block the reuptake of GABA into glia and nerve endings. These explanations do not, however, account for therapeutic effects seen in animal models in the absence of an accompanying increase in GABA levels. Valproic acid may also work by suppressing repetitive neuronal firing through inhibition of voltage-sensitive sodium channels. Pharmacokinetics: Valproic acid is administered orally and is well absorbed from the GI tract, with a bioavailability of nearly 100%. Absorption of valproate sodium from the syrup is more rapid. Valproate sodium is rapidly converted to valproic acid in the stomach. Bioavailability is the same for valproic acid and divalproex sodium. Food can delay the rate, but not the extent, of absorption, and magnesium-aluminum antacids can increase valproic acid AUC by 12%. Divalproex sodium passes through the stomach into the upper small intestine, where the enteric coating allows release and dissociation into valproate, which is then absorbed. Peak plasma concentrations are achieved within 1÷4 hours following administration of the sodium salt or valproic acid and within 3÷5 hours for divalproex. Full therapeutic effects require several days after the start of therapy. There appears to be wide individual patient variation in plasma concentrations from a given dose. Therapeutic plasma levels are generally considered to be between 50÷100 µg/ml. The drug is distributed into CSF, saliva, and milk, and crosses the placenta. Valproic acid is about 90% protein-bound, but protein binding decreases as the serum concentration increases and can change the clearance and elimination of valproic acid. Metabolism is complex and is the result of hepatic glucuronidation and oxidation. More than 10 metabolites have been identified in human serum or urine. At least one metabolite possesses activity equivalent to valproic acid. Metabolic rate is increased in children and in patients taking other drugs that induce hepatic enzymes. Half-life is generally 6÷16 hours but can be prolonged in geriatric patients or those with hepatic impairment. Metabolites are eliminated renally, with almost no excretion of unchanged drug.

Q: Can someone please provide contact information where I can order prescription medication on line?
I would like to be able to order medication without a script. I do not have health insurance and when I get a chest cold as I do each year during allergy season having an antibiotic to knock it out would be wonderful. Last year I came down with a chest cold/congestion and it took me over a month to be completely well. I know there are legitamate sources on the internet but am leary of some of the web sights I have seen. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

A: I use 4 Corners Pharmacy. It is reputable and I have had no problems ordering from them. They don't sell narcotics but probably have what you need.

Q: Where can I find information about the medication: Fosamax and jawbone necrobiosis?
There is a class action lawsuit for those who are victims. I don't know of any treatment or cure, but I need help. What facts can I give a dentist about my condition? Is jawbone replacement a requirement? What happens if I must have a tooth pulled? What is the 1/2 life of Fosamax? Any info appreciated, Thanks.

A: Fosamax is in a class of drugs called bisphosphonates, and is usually taken orally. Other bisphosphonates taken by mouth are Actonel and Boniva, and the main ones prescribed via IV are Aredia and Zometa. As you may know, these drugs are incorporated into your bones, and help prevent bone loss due to osteoporosis, malignant metastatic bone tumors, or other conditions. Once taken, there is no known time limit where the drug is eliminated from your body, the current half life is measured in years, and some speculate it may take up to 20 years to an entire lifetime to totally eliminate the drug from your body. Now, taking a bisphosphonate is not the end of the world, your just need to know the risks before any dental procedure. Routine restorative care (ie fillings,crowns, ect) is still allowed and accepted as normal practice with minimal to no risk of causing bisphosphonate assosciated osteoncecrosis of the jaw (BON). Regular teeth cleanings is also acceptable, along with other minimally invasive procedure, including root canals. Things to avoid while taking a bishphosphonate: Tooth extractions, implants, ill-fitting prosthetic devices (dentures, retainers, ect), braces, bascially anything that is going to require bone remodeling to acheive complete healing. Now, again, if you have to have a tooth pulled it is not the end of the world. If you are taking an oral form of a bisphosphonate, the overall risk of coming down with BON less than 1%, but there still is a risk, and nothing a dentist can do besides try to be as atraumatic as possible while taking the tooth out can help avoid this, but of course there is going to be some trauma anyways since you are having a tooth taken out. The overall risk for developing BON if you are on the IV form of the drug is around 5-7%. When BON does occur, it does so around 65-68% of the time in the lower jaw, 25-28% in the upper jaw, and around 4-9% in both the upper and the lower jaw. Also, BON can occur spontaneously, but is almost always seen this way in patients that are taking the IV form of the drug. In a perfect world, before a patient is placed on a bisphosphonate by a physician, we would like the patient to be referred to us (dentists) for a complete oral evaluation so we can take care of any current or forseeable problems in the future BEFORE you are placed on the drug, like the same protocol before someone goes through head/neck radiation therapy for cancer. So, why does BON occur? The bisphosphonates do indeed stop bone breakdown, and therefore help osteoporosis, which is a good thing. However, when a bone is injured, like when you have a tooth taken out, now the bone cannot remodel itself, and therefore cannot heal itself properly, and hence sometimes patients get BON. BON is where the bone does not heal, and you may have exposed bone in your mouth exposed to the oral environment. THERE IS NO KNOWN CURE FOR BON! Hyperbaric oxygen has been shown to not have a clinically significant effect to cure it, nore has anything else. Basically, all we can do right now it smooth off any sharp edges of bone, prescribe pain meds and antibiotics to help keep you comfortable and reduce the risk of infection occuring, and maybe even create an obturator-like device that will cover the exposed area while not acutally sitting on the tissues themselves to help protect it. How can your help prevent BON if you are taking a bisphosphonate? See your dentist on a regular basis, and keep meticulous care of your teeth. Brush AND floss on a very regular basis, get a flouride mouthrinse and use it daily, use listerine to help prevent gingivitis and gum disease. If a cavity still does develop, make sure it is fixed while it is small, do not wait to go to the dentist untill its too late, and the tooth needs to be pulled. Even then, sometimes it is possible to restore a tooth with a root canal, core, and crown even if extensive damage to the tooth is seen, and this is a treatment that can help reduce the risk of BON from occuring rather than extraction of the tooth. If you wear dentures or retainers, get them check by your dentist to assure proper fit and stability. A loose denture can also cause BON just from the trauma to the overlying tissues, and constant increased pressure in a certain area of the mouth can cause bone resorption of the jaw, which as we know now, if you are taking a bisphosphonate the body does not resorb bone as well, and therefore does not heal properly in some cases to the trauma, which may cauese BON. If teeth must be taken out, a dentist should inform you of the possible risk of BON occuring before doing so. I have extracted teeth on those taking a bishphosphonate after explaining to them the potential complications, and so far have not had any cases of BON develop, thankfully. Takehome message: - Bisphosphonates are a good thing! They help prevent bone loss and do so very well. TAKE CARE OF YOUR TEETH, watch your diet, see your dentist BEFORE being placed on a bisphosphonate regimen to take care of any pre-exisiting or forseeable future problems, and then see your dentist on a regular basis to help prevent any future problems from arising or taking care of cavities/gum disease while they are relatively minor. Hope this helps, take care.

Q: Does anyone know any further information about this medication?
I was given a white oblong shaped pill that I was told is a generic 10 mg percocet. However, it has no imprints. As bad as my knee hurts, I dont want to take a pill without being sure what it is. Please help.

A: It is not percocet if it does not have any imprints. All narcotic medication have imprints on them to tell the brand and strength of it.

Q: I was wondering if there were any good websites to get information about pet, and medication we can give them?
There are certain people medications we can give them, what are they and how much.

A: Here's a website with a chart and dosages. http://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/2007/04/household_medicines_for_pets.php

Q: I need information about my hairless rat medication?
My vet does not know the correct amount of Baytril to give my hairless rat. Does anyone have some information they could offer? Thanks, JO

A: Email Debbie the Rat Lady: rats@petrats.org Also check out her website: www.petrats.org A knowledgeable vet will actually prescribe amoxicillin to combat infection in rats. Some vets won’t prescribe amoxicillin for rats because they learn in vet school that you can't give amoxicillin to hamsters or guinea pigs (it will kill them, so they pres. Baytril) so they sometimes generalize this to all rodents. But amoxicillin is fine for rats, I use it all the time. Occasionally you will have an individual who will be allergic or sensitive to it, but this is not very common. The most common side effect is diarrhea. I would find another vet who has worked with rats (not just having seen 1 or 2 rats a year). Try an exotics vet in your area. Call around and be sure to ask them how many rats a year they treat, and if the vet is familiar with medical treatment for rats - if not, move on to the next vet until you find one that suits you and your rat. From Debbie herself: You can get amoxicillin mail order from Jedd’s Pigeon Supply (see info below). Be sure to order capsules. Also, Doctors Fosters & Smith, 800-826-7206. Order the capsules for aquarium fish, item #CD-18876. If your rat is already sick, be sure to ask for overnight delivery! You need to know about how much your rat weighs. The dose is 10 mg/lb twice a day but you can safely go as high as 50 mg/lb. In most cases (check the package) each amoxicillin capsule contains 250 mg, which is 25 1-lb doses. If you have access to small syringes for measuring you can mix the amoxicillin in a liquid. Dump one capsule out on a plate and see if it is granules or powder. If granules, grind them to a powder with the back of a spoon. Amoxicillin doesn't taste too bad to most rats, so I suggest making the liquid dose 0.3 ml (30 units on an insulin syringe) per lb. (Note: 1 cc = 1 ml = 100 units.) Multiply the volume of the dose by the number of doses in the capsule: 0.3 ml times 25 doses equals 7.5 ml. So you mix a capsule in 7.5 ml of liquid such as Hawaiian punch concentrate or Hersey's strawberry syrup. A film canister is about the right size to put it in. Keep in the refrigerator. If your rat won't take this voluntarily, you can make the dose 0.1 ml which is too small for them to spit out. 0.1 ml X 25 = 2.5 ml so you mix one capsule with 2.5 ml of tasty liquid. If you don’t have small syringes, you can mix it in food. Dump a capsule out on a plate. If it is granular, grind it to a powder. Divide the powder in half, and half again, etc. Until you have 24 piles. Since it’s hard to divide it more than this, you can give the 1-lb dose to rats who weigh less than a pound. It’s better to give too much than not enough. Scrape a pile into a little bit of food such as baby food, mashed avocado, etc. Give the dose twice a day. If it's going to work the symptoms should improve within 2-3 days. If it does work you need to continue the treatment for at least 2-3 weeks. If it doesn’t work then you need to try a different treatment. If this treatment is going to help you should see improvement within 2-3 days. If the symptoms are all gone within 3 days you should continue the treatment for 3 weeks. If it takes longer for all the symptoms to go away, give it for 4-8 weeks and maybe longer. The longer it takes for all the symptoms to go away, the longer you should continue the treatment. If the symptoms stop improving, or if the amoxicillin doesn't help at all, you will need to try something else.

Q: Where can I find information on the results of a bipolar person refusing medication?
I'm trying to gather info for a stepparent adoption and my ex has bipolar disorder and refuses to take any medication. There have been stays in the psych ward and suicide attempts. My son is autistic and I believe it to be in his best interest if the bio father's rights were terminated. There has been no contact for almost a year. My son has problems with routine changes (symptom of autism) and having a bio father pop in and out of his life could be harmful.

A: Wow. I don't know about professional info but I can give you my experience which is kind of the opposite of yours. My husband is Bi-polar and has only spent a total of 3 months on medication in the last 3 years since he was diagnosed. I have known him for 14 years (since we were kids) so I have seen a lot of the progressions of this disease. My son has ADHD and emotional/psychological issues with changes in his routine (I understand this is more severe with autism). There have been some problems when my husband has been manic and it disrupts our home-life, and then the hospital stays, yes I am familiar with those stresses. My husband tried various medications after hospitalization but didn't like them and never gave them time to work. However now his on Lithium and doing well with his therapy. Now to turn the tables... If your ex refuses medication he will likely never be able to provide any stable support. You probably know this already. If his past behavior shows a pattern of irrationality, instability and especially if he has attempted suicide then most courts would agree that he could potentially pose a threat to your son. If your pediatricial would be able to put into writing that your son requires an absolute routine and that his fathers symptoms of the uncontrolled bopolar disorder are too disruptive then that should be enough to atleast get a hearing. Look into the standard step-parent adoption to get started (it is much easier than a traditional adoption). If you think your ex might possibly sign-off on an uncontested adoption I would try that. If he is more likely to fight you on it then use the information that you know from his past issues as a basis for your arguement. Sorry I can't give you more info...this sort of thing varies from State to State. Godo luck.

Q: Can anyone give me any information on the pain medication DARVOCET?
I fractured my spine a few months ago and was on Percocet, then Norco. My doctor wants to get me off Norco and is now having me try Darvocet. Has anyone been prescibed Darvocet? What kind of experience did you have while on this drug? Any side effects? What about the combination of alcohol, is it very dangerous to drink a glass of wine while on this drug? Thanks for any help.

A: i have a list of serious and mild side effects everyone experiences meds differently i found it to be as weak as extra strength tylenol.as with any narcotic comes a warning about using with alcohol it can damage your liver over time so that's your choice Darvocet 1 - Darvocet is a combination of propoxyphene and acetaminophen. Propoxyphene belongs to the drug class known as narcotic analgesics, also known as opioid analgesics. Drugs in this class relieve pain by affecting how the brain perceives or senses pain. The combination of acetaminophen and propoxyphene offers more effective pain relief than either drug alone. Acetaminophen increases the effects of propoxyphene when combined with it. 2 - Propoxyphene is about half to two-thirds as potent as codeine, but it can still be habit-forming. With Darvocet (propoxyphene and acetaminophen), physical and psychological dependence can occur in some people. Darvocet should not be stopped suddenly, especially following long-term use or high doses. If you have been taking Darvocet continuously for five to seven days, discuss how you should stop the drug with your doctor. 3 - Darvocet is supplied in various formulations. Darvocet is available as Darvocet N-50, Darvocet N-100, and Darvocet A500 (tablets), as well as Darvon pulvules (capsules). All of the products are given orally. It is important that the maximum allowed doses not be exceeded. The maximum amounts of each of the drug's ingredient allowed per day are 600 mg. propoxyphene and 4,000 mg acetaminophen. 4 - Since Darvocet contains acetaminophen, you must be careful about taking over-the-counter medications that also contain acetaminophen. Darvocet N-100 contains 100 mg. of propoxyphene napsylate and 650 mg. of acetaminophen (the equivalent of two regular strength Tylenol or acetaminophen). Due to potential toxicity problems, the daily allowance for acetaminophen is 4,000 mg. If you take six Darvocets per day, for example, the amount of acetaminophen ingested is 3,900 mg. Taking an over-the-counter cold or sinus medication which contains acetaminophen in addition to this will put you over the limit and at risk for serious side effects, as well as potentially fatal consequences. 5 - Alcohol should be avoided when taking Darvocet. Alcohol can increase unwanted side effects when combined with acetaminophen and propoxyphene. Alcohol can intensify the drowsiness and dizziness Darvocet may cause in some people. Propoxyphene in combination with alcohol has been found to be a cause of drug-related deaths. Alcohol may also increase liver toxicity caused by acetaminophen. 6 - Darvocet can interact with certain other drugs, causing dangerous sedation. Antidepressants, antihistamines, and sedatives used for insomnia, other pain medications, muscle relaxants, anxiety medications, and even alcohol can cause a dangerous level of sedation or unconsciousness, and even prove fatal, when combined with Darvocet. Darvocet should not be used if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 14 days. Darvocet can also increase the risk of bleeding if you take an oral anticoagulant, like coumadin. Be sure your doctor knows all of the medications you are taking. 7 - If you have any of the following pre-existing conditions, you should discuss taking Darvocet with your doctor. You may require a dose adjustment or more careful monitoring. Do not take Darvocet if you experience depression or suicidal thoughts. Before taking Darvocet, let your doctor know if any of the following apply to you: history of drug or alcohol addiction drink three or more alcoholic beverages per day kidney or liver disease asthma urinary retention enlarged prostate hypothyroidism a history of epileptic seizures gallbladder problems Addison's disease head injury 8 - Little information is known about the drug's effects on a fetus. It is possible that propoxyphene may cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms in an unborn baby. Propoxyphene may also cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a baby who is nursing. Talk to your doctor if you are thinking of becoming pregnant or planning to nurse your baby. Birth defects have been noted in case reports of women taking propoxyphene during pregnancy. 9 - If you experience any serious side effects while taking Darvocet, stop taking the drug and seek emergency medical help. Serious side effects include: an allergic reaction slow or weak breathing; difficulty breathing cold, clammy skin severe dizziness severe weakness loss of consciousness yellow skin or eyes extreme fatigue bleeding or bruising, which is unusual 10 - There are common side effects associated with Darvocet that are less severe. You can continue taking the drug, but talk to your doctor about less severe side effects to determine if there may be a solution. Side effects which are considered common and less severe include: constipation dry mouth