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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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