Author: Jennifer Bowles

Jennifer is a clinical pharmacologist. She helps doctors of all medical specialties choose medications. Jennifer consults about drug dosage, interactions, and side effects.

Proscar

A four-year study confirms that finasteride (Proscar/Merck) reduces by half the need for surgery in men who are experiencing acute urinary retention. The study of 3,040 men showed that those taking the drug were 55% less likely to need prostate surgery; men who did not have acute urinary retention were 57% less likely to develop the condition than men who were not taking the drug. The drug “clearly alters the progression of BPH,” said Dr.

Trileptal

More than 2 million people in the US have some form of epilepsy. Seventy percent of them are adults.

Mobic

As the population ages, the need for effective pain relief from osteoarthritis – which currently affects 80% of Americans over age 65 — is expected to increase. Millions of people are still searching for an effective treatment they can tolerate.

Augmentin

Augmentin is an antibiotic and works by killing bacteria that cause infections. It contains two different medicines called amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.

Duphaston

Duphaston is a brand name for the medication dydrogesterone, a synthetic hormone in the progestin class. Duphaston is primarily used in the treatment of various gynecological conditions. It is prescribed to support pregnancy and prevent miscarriage in women with recurrent miscarriages or specific hormonal imbalances.

Feldene

Feldene is one of a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This means it will help to relieve pain and reduce swelling affecting joints.

Sprycel

The most common adverse effects of dasatinib include fluid retention, gastrointestinal disturbances, and bleeding. Fluid retention may be severe, and can result in pleural and pericardial effusion, pulmonary oedema, and ascites. Severe CNS haemorrhages, sometimes fatal, have been reported.

Celebrex

The first drug to be approved for treating FAP is Celebrex (celecoxib), manufactured by Searle and Pfizer. Celebrex has been available for patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and is now indicated to treat FAP.

Gleevec

Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are enzymes that catalyze the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues. These enzymes are involved in cellular signaling pathways and regulate key cell functions such as proliferation, differentiation, anti-apoptotic signaling, and neurite outgrowth.

Pepcid

A white or yellowish-white, crystalline powder or crystals. Very slightly soluble in water and in dehydrated alcohol freely soluble in glacial acetic acid practically insoluble in ethyl acetate. It dissolves in dilute mineral acids.

Colcrys

Colchicine is an alkaloid obtained from various Colchicum spp. A yellowish-white amorphous or crystalline powder.

Reglan

Practically insoluble in water sparingly soluble to slightly soluble in alcohol slightly soluble in dichloromethane.

Sustiva

Although several different types of drugs are used by patients with AIDS to treat their human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (usually in combination), until recently no drug has received full approval from the FDA based on long-term results. In February 2000, Sustiva (efavirenz), manufactured by DuPont Pharmaceuticals, became the first anti-HIV drug to receive full FDA approval based on long-term data supporting its effectiveness in fighting HIV infection.