Video Blogs Archives - Page 2 of 2 - The Good Doctor Is In

Mar122018 by DocNo Comments

Oxycodone Dangerous Narcotics

[caption id="attachment_254" align="alignleft" width="150"] logo created by RKL[/caption] Oxycodone and its extended release version Oxycontin belong to the narcotic family of opioids. Closely related compounds include codeine and hydrocodone. Extreme care must be exercised in prescribing oxycodone in combination with muscle relaxants, sleeping pills, anxiety medications and other pain relievers. Surprisingly even the antibiotics erythromycin and clarithromycin or the stomach acid reducer Tagamet generically available as cimetidine may increase the risk of unexpected overdose and death from respiratory arrest. Adding oxycodone/oxycontin to illicit street foretells disaster. Oxycodone was originally synthesized in 1916 in Germany. An interesting historical note, Adolf Hitler was apparently addicted to it among other substances by his personal physician. Most prescriptions for these drugs fail to meet current guidelines for correct use. Treatment for low back pain,…

Mar112018 by DocNo Comments

Cialis | Expensive Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

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Erectile Dysfunction or simply ED at least temporarily affects more than 40% of men beyond age 40. The popular family of inhibitors of an enzyme known as PDE5 include Cialis, Viagra and Levitra. All of these drugs work basically in a similar manner. Selection of which to choose relate more to personal preference and cost than other factors. These drugs require sexual stimulation and release of nitric oxide from the tissues in order to function. Cialis neither functions as an aphrodisiac nor as a treatment for premature ejaculation.. The typical dose of Cialis is 10 mg no more frequently than daily. Results appear within 30-45 minutes when combined with sexual stimulation. Due to its slow metabolism, a considerable amount remains in the tissues for more than 17 hours. Lasting longer…

Mar12018 by DocNo Comments

Claritin | Buy Generic Loratadine Instead

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Whether Claritin now available as the generic loratadine actually works at the currently approved dose remains an issue. Originally an FDA examiner believed no less than 40 mg was necessary to provide effective relief of allergic nasal symptoms. Unfortunately at this dose drowsiness occurs and the label could no longer boast of non-sedating qualities. At the current daily dose of 10mg, the drug works somewhat better than a placebo. For most people troubled by seasonal or perennial allergies, Flonase, Rhinocort or Nasonex remain more effective. A barrage of direct-to-consumer advertising introduced Claritin to the marketplace. Claritin along with a competitor Allegra almost overnight became synonymous with anti-histamines and anti-allergy medication. At first requiring a prescription, these costly drugs siphoned exorbitant financial resources away from more critical areas of need. Finally…

Mar12018 by DocNo Comments

Trintellix | Costly Therapy

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Trintellix is a costly therapy for depression that basically offers the same anti-depressant activity as the generic forms of Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil or Celexa but at a much greater price. Nowhere in the barrage of televised advertising is there mention that the daily cost of the drug exceeds $10 versus $3-10 for one month of the generic versions of similarly acting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. How well this drug works for depression remains the subject of controversy. Most people enrolled in trials suffered from moderate rather than severe depression. While study outcomes appeared statistically significant, the practical real world benefit may not be clinically relevant. An estimated 5-10% of patients in a family doctor's office may suffer from symptoms of depression with the number rising to as many as 15%…

Mar12018 by DocNo Comments

Amlodipine | Norvasc | Calcium Blocker

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Amlodipine or Norvasc is a calcium blocker that treats high blood pressure. This inexpensive, generically available drug relaxes smooth muscle cells lining arteries and reduces the force against which the heart must pump. Additionally the drug helps protect against chest pain or angina. It ranks among the World Health Organization List of Essential Medicines. An estimated 14 million people take this drug either by itself or combined with other antihypertensive therapy. The most consistent benefit of treating high blood pressure involves lowering the risk of stroke adn to a lesser extent heart disease. Obviously Amlodipine only treats rather than cures elevated blood pressure. Those at greatest risk receive the most benefit. This translates to a greater reduction in risk among those with also have diabetes and elevated cholesterol. Traditionally diuretics…

Mar12018 by DocNo Comments

Hydrocodone | Usually Unnecessary

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Hydrocodone and its relative oxycodone result in more than 2 deaths every hour - daytime and nighttime - throughout the year. Sadly more than 90% of the world’s hydrocodone is consumed in the United States, yet it regularly fails to perform up to expectations. Governmental authorities who once championed prescriptions for chronic back pain, arthritis and fibromyalgia. They now realize the monster they created. Current recommendations suggest severe restrictions on this compound. First synthesized in the early 1920s in Germany the drug languished until approval in the United States in 1943. Problems with addiction and dependence were noticed in the early 1960s. In spite of this, various state medical authorities mandated treating pain be considered a priority. It was considered inappropriate for a doctor not to simply assume a patient's…

Mar12018 by DocNo Comments

Lisinopril | High Blood Pressure Drug

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Generic lisinopril remains one of the standards in drug therapy for high blood pressure. Also sold as Zestril and Prinivil, this generic ACE inhibitor is inexpensive and generally safe. The compound successfully combats hypertension and protects both the heart and brain. Additionally it also reduces the likelihood of death after a heart attack and prevents kidney damage especially in diabetics. Unfortunately most individuals believe treating high blood pressure simply revolves around taking a pill. While for some this may indeed be sufficient, attention to diet, salt intake, alcohol, cigarettes, excess body weight and exercise is generally required. Simply taking a pill fails to provide the benefits most people assume stems directly from therapy. For a 200 pound individual who prizes highly salty food and rarely exercises, reality suggests two or…

Feb282018 by DocNo Comments

Lyrica | Useful in Relieving Pain?

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Is Lyrica useful in relieving pain? Heavily promoted as treatment for relieving pain due to diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia, Lyrica advertisements blanket the airways. While some studies demonstrate a small benefit when compared to an inactive placebo, others fail to show any difference. Marketed both as an anticonvulsant and as an antidote to nerve related pain, this drug finds indiscriminate use in for a wide assortment of painful conditions in addition to diabetic neuropathy, infuriating discomfort after the shingles and fibromyalgia. While the drug may indeed offer an alternative to narcotic pain medicines, its ability to improve pain appears almost indistinguishable from a cheap placebo. Lyrica seems more likely to lead to side effects, dependence and abuse. It can lead to lack of coordination, loss of sexual desire, muscle…

Sep12017 by DocNo Comments

Nexium Reduces Acid and Treats GERD

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Nexium reduces acid formation in the stomach and treats symptoms of GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease as well as a variety of other stomach disorders. Once available by prescription only, this popular over-the-counter pill contains the same active ingredient as Prilosec. Although many believe Nexium functions as an antacid, it actually belongs in the category of proton pump inhibitors. Also included in this group are Prilosec, Aciphex, Protonix, Prevacid and Dexilant. These drugs require several days of regular use to shut down the acid producing cells. Consequently they fail to provide immediate relief from indigestion or heartburn. In spite of advertising that champions the benefits of one drug over another, medical evidence suggests only minor differences exist between members of the class. Contrary to popular expectation, none of the drugs…