sailajabyrisetty's blog

Green tea is a type of tea obtained from the leaves of CAMELLIA SINENSIS. It has been used as a medicine in China from ancient times. They have used this tea for treating pretty much everything from headache to depression. There are 3 kinds of tea, green, black and oolong. Difference is in there processing.

It's been long time OPA (Ontario Pharmacists Association) proposed government to have pharmacists prescribe minor ailments but government didn't accept it so far. Pharmacists in most of the provinces in Canada such as Alberta, British columbia, Manitoba, do have minor prescribing authorities where Ontario is still waiting for government approval.

The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have recently issued warnings of rising antimicrobial resistance and increased mortality and morbidity due to infectious diseases associated with antimicrobial resistance.

Vitamin D is gaining status in the medical and popular media. Its role in the development and maintenance of bones is well established, but there is growing research suggesting it can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and autoimmune and infectious diseases.

Codeine can be harmful and even fatal to some brestfed infants, according to new evidence from Dr. Gideon Koren, director of the Motherisk Program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Concern regarding the safety of codeine during breastfeeding arose after a two-week old infant died of an overdose of morphine acquired from breast milk. Codeine (with acetaminophen) is often given to women to control pain following childbirth. It is most commonly prescribed for mothers whose delivery invloves a surgical episiotomy or caesarean section. The drug has been considered compatible with breast feeding, according to well-recongnized guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Codeine is an inactive prodrug of morphine. In most people only about 10% of the drug is converted to morphine. However, Koren and colleague's research found that about 5% of women are CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolizers.

In September, Alcon plans to introduce Nevanac (nepafenac ophthalmic suspension 0.1%) for the management of pain and inflammation associated with cataract surgery.
Nepafenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic prodrug. After ocular administration, it penetrates the cornea and is hydrolyzed to amfenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibit the action of cyclooxygenase, an enzyme required for prostaglandin synthesis.
Nevanac suspension shuld be shaken well before use. The recommended dosage is one drop instilled into the affected eye(s) three times daily, beginning one day prior to cataract surgery. The drops should be continued on the day of surgery and for the first two weeks after surgery.
The most common adverse effects are eye disorders (e.g., eyelid crusting, eye pain, blurred vision, foreign body sensation, eye pruritus,tearing) and headache.

Naproxen, an anti-inflammatory and analgesic, is available only with the prescription in Canada. Health Canada will consider moving it to OTC (over the counter). As it is available with out prescription in U.S, many Canadians cross the border to pick up Aleve (one of the OTC versions of naproxen) to avoid visiting the doctor and paying prescription fees.
Naproxen is also OTC in 33 other countries. Health Canada is considering nonprescription status for a daily dose of 440 mg for upto 5 days. Naproxen will be used for mild to moderate pain due to headache, muscle sprains, menstrual pain, dental extraction, and fever.

Almost all patients on chronic opioids get constipation due to decreased GI motility. Sometimes this is more uncomfortable than the pain that is being treated.
Relistor (methylnaltrexone) is an opioid antagonist like naltrexone. The methyl group keeps it from crossing into the CNS. This allows Relistor to block opioid effects in the CNS.
For now , Relistor is only for palliative care patients who are not getting relief from laxatives. It is given SC every other day, as needed. It usually works within 4 hours and most side effects are mild such as nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea.
Patients starting chronic opioids should get a stool softner plus stimulant laxative such as Senna, bisacodyl tablets.

A new National Drug Schedule change will move single-dose 'plan B' (levonorgestrel), an emergency contraceptive pill, to Schedule III from Schedule II. This means that now pharmacies may choose to move it from behind the counter to the same pharmacy self-selection area where otehr Schedule III medicines are sold. Changes to the National Schedules are automatically adopted by some provinces like Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Alberta... some provinces and territories will decide on their own thether or not to adopt the scheduling change. Women's group want plan B more accessible. They argue that consulation fees and personal questions by pharmacists are a barrier to patients getting the emergency contraceptive pill. However, some pharmacy groups don't like the change. They say pharmacists offer valuable services, such as determining when Plan B is not appropriate...and counselling on birth control and sexually transmitted infections.