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Sunday 8 February 2009

Rizatriptan



Thanks to Mohammad Gashmardi for his kind premission for using his photograph


Rizatriptan (a 5-HT receptor agonist) is the active ingredient in Maxalat Melt (wafer). The usual dose for adult over 18 is one 10mg wafer at the first sign of a migraine attack. Not more than two doses in a 24-hour period. (the second dose for the treatment of the same migraine should not be taken). If works faster if taken on empty stomach

It helps the headache phase of migraine.
- Reduces swelling of blood vessels surrounding the brain
- Blocks the release of chemicals causing symptoms of migraine
- It interrupts the pathway of pain signals to the brain

Most common side-effects: dizziness, sleepiness and tiredness
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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information. If there is anything with respect to this article that concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.
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ریزاتریپتن داروی فعال قرص ماکسیلات میباشد که برای درمان سردردهای میگرنی به کار میرود. این قرص روی زبان گذاشته میشود تا حل شود، مقدار مصرف معمول این دارو برای افرادی که هجده سال به بالا دارند، ده میلیگرم_یعنی یک قرص به محض بروز اولین نشانه های حمله میگرنی است. چنانچه با مصرف یک قرص علائم میگرن از بین نرفت، نباید مجددا از این دارو برای درمان همان حمله میگرنی استفاده شود. این قرص روی معده خالی سریعتر عمل خواهد کرد
ریزاتریپتن به چند طریق با علائم میگرن مبارزه میکند: (1) کاهش میزان تورم رگهای اطراف مغز(2) جلوگیری از ترشح مواد شیمیایی که موجب بروز علائم میگرن میشوند (3) ایجاد اختلال درمسیرعبور پیامهای درد به مغز
متداولترین عوارض جانبی ریزاتریپتن: سرگیجه، بیخوابی و خستگی است

Wednesday 4 February 2009

Promogran

Promogran is a topical wound treatment. Growth factors and protease (protein-digesting enzyme) levels are often inbalanced during the inflammatory phase of healing. Promogran inactivates protease, whilst enhancing the release of natural endogenous growth factors back into the wound, hence modifys the wound environment to optimise healing.

Promogran is indicated for the management of all types of chronic wounds that are free of necrotic tissue and infection (e.g. leg ulcers and pressure sores). The wound must be completely debrided before application of Promogran. The dressing is applied directly to the wound.

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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information. If there is anything with respect to this article that concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.
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Tuesday 3 February 2009

Banana peel

Apparently, banana skin has some unique properties. These include analgesic; treatment of wart, psoriasis, constipation, diarrhoea, gastric ulcer, hangover, morning sickness and swelling of insect bites; can even be used as a repellent to prevent insect bites. Banana peel is also rich in serotonin and hence can be helpful in depression.

I must admit that I have not tried these for myself. But I have heard of the effectiveness of banana (the fruit rather than the skin) for treatment of diarrhoea. Banana also is a good source of fibre, which its regular intake can help to maintain a healthier digestive system. Of course, this only applies to a moderate intake.

But for me the most intriguing part is the effect of banana peel as an analgesic for headache. Apparently high potassium content of banana skin can re-connect the broken circuits of electrical signals between cells across the forehead and the back of the neck. Now, I must try this for myself.

For skin condition banana peel can be rubbed against the effected skin areas (with inner side touching the skin). Brewed or mashed up banana peel can be used for other conditions.


Reference:
That bananna peel appeal, Pharmaceutical Journal, 282 (7537) :116


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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information. If there is anything with respect to this article that concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.
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پوست موز خواص دارویی زیادی دارد. از درمان حساسیتهای پوستی، خارش و تورم بر اثر نیش حشرات و برخی از گیاهان گرفته تا
درمان ناراحتی های گوارشی چون اسهال، یبوست و حالت تهوع و حتی کمک به بهبود افسردگی _ به جهت سروتنین موجود در پوست این میوه
با نقش موز در کمک به بهبودی بیماریهای گوارشی (به شرط آنکه در مصرف آن زیاده روی نشود) کم و بیش آشنا هستیم. ولی شاید جالبترین نکته در مورد پوست موز نقش آن در بهبود سر درد باشد. گفته میشود که برخی از سر دردها بی ارتباط به اختلال در مدارهای الکترونیکی بین سلولی در ناحیه پیشانی و پشت گردن نیستند. از آنجا که میران بالای پتاسیم در پوست موز به برقراری این ارتباطات کمک میکند، قرار دادن پوست موز مستقیما در محل درد میتواند در کاهش سریع درد موثر باشد

،برای بیماریهای پوستی یا درمان گزش گیاهان، قسمت داخلی پوست موز باید در تماس با بخش آسیب دیده پوست بدن نگه داشته شود مثلا توسط استفاده از چسب زخم. دم کرده یا پوره (له شده در مخلوط کن) پوست موز را میتوان در بقیه موارد استفاده کرد

مرجع اطلاعات
That bananna peel appeal, Pharmaceutical Journal, 282 (7537) :116

Monday 2 February 2009

Levodopa (L-dopa): a treatment for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. It is characterized by tremor, muscle rigidity, a slowing of physical movement (bradykinesia) and a loss of physical movement (akinesia). It also associates with non-motor symptoms, such as thinking or behaviour disorders.

Dopamine depletion is typical in people with Parkinson, so dopamine was tried as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease. It was first synthesized in 1910, but as it does not cross blood-brain barrier, it could not reach its site of action.

Levodopa (a precursor or dopamine) was then used instead. L-dopa decarboxylase (which converts levodopa to dopamine) was used clinically in combination with levodopa. But much of levodopa was broken down to dopamine before reaching the brain and hence there were still problems with the amount of dopamine reaching its target. At the same time, dopamine released outside its target area caused major side effects. Hence, decarboxylase inhibitors were used to delay the conversion to dopamine until it reaches the brain.

To improve the efficacy of levodopa without the symptom fluctuationsand dyskinesias, dopamine agonists were developed. At first dopamine agonists were combined with levodopa; with a growing trend to use dopamine agonists at the early stage of treatment. Patients on dopamine agonists are less likely to develop dystonia and motor fluctuations than those on levodopa. But non-motor side effects (e.g. oedema, constipation, dizziness, and hallucinations) are more common on dopamine agonists.

Dopamine is converted to 3-O-methyldopa by catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT). Hence, COMT inhibitors can improve the levodopa availability by improving the half life of dopamine. Entacapone (a COMT inhibitor) combined with levodopa and carbidopa (a decarboxylatase inhibitor) is considered as an effective combination.

Overall the choice of treatment should be individualized to each patient on the basis of clinical & lifestyle characteristics and patient preference.


Extracted from:
Jenny Bryan (2009). Levodopa_still the gold standard after 40 years of successful treatment. Pharmaceutical Journal, 282 (7537): 113-114



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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information. If there is anything with respect to this article that concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.
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