Colace Constipation Stool Softener

Colace Laxative? Not Really

Although Colace is certainly one of the leading treatments for relief of intermittent constipation, calling it Colace laxative is somewhat misleading.

Colace capsules, with their bulk building ducosate sodium, are packaged as stool softener laxatives which work by allowing the solid waste in the intestine to absorb water and fat, making it much softer and more comfortable to pass.  But only one of the five Colace formulas actually contains a bowel stimulant like those found in harsher laxatives.

Colace Products

Colace capsules, Colace syrup, and Colace 1iquid 1% solution all have ducosate sodium as their active ingredient. Each of these constipation treatments is meant to take effect in between twelve and seventy tow hours after being administered. The makers of Colace Stool Softener Laxative also make Colace glycerin suppositories, which, although they bear the Colace name, do not contain ducosate sodium.

The glycerin in these suppositories will draw water from the surrounding tissues into the stool, softening it so that it passes more easily.  The Colace suppositories work much more quickly than the other Colace products, which must pass through the digestive tract to have an effect.

Finally, there is Peri Colace.  Peri Colace tablets contain, in addition to ducosate sodium, a senna concentrate which is the only stimulant laxative found in any of the Colace products. Peri Colace is formulated to provide short-term relief of constipation, and will work within no more than twelve hours. It is usually taken at bedtime.

Taking Colace Laxative

The correct Colace dosage will depend on both the age of the person taking it and the form of Colace being used. Anyone over twelve is advised to take enough of the capsules, syrup, or liquid 1% solution to get a total of 300 mg of ducosate sodium.

Children from two to twelve years should take Colace with between 100-150mg of ducosate sodium, and Colace products should not be administered to children younger than two without a doctor’s knowledge.

Colace Precautions

You should not repeat your initial dosage of Colace until you have waited the maximum amount of time mentioned by the manufacturer for it to provide relief. You should never use it for more than a week straight without your doctor’s approval; nor should you mix it with any products containing mineral oil.

If you have digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, or changes in your pattern of bowel movements for more than two weeks, you should notify your doctor, and if you notice black stool, it is a sign of rectal bleeding any you should stop using Colace immediately.

Blood in the stool can be a sign of a serious underlying condition, and you should bring it to your doctor’s attention. If you are pregnant, consult with your physician before using Colace.

Perindopril Coversyl: What to Expect from a Coversyl Review

If you are interested in learning about Coversyl or any other prescription drug you can usually have most of your question answered by reading a review of that drug. A Coversyl review, for instance, will have complete information on the uses of Coversyl, its proper administration; when it is contraindicated; its side effects; and its different forms and dosages.

Coversyl reviews are easily found with an Internet search, but your doctor or pharmacist will have literature related to the use of Coversyl and more than likely will provide it to you either when it is prescribed or when your prescription is filled. You should take the time to read a review before taking Coversyl, so that you know what to expect from it and what to avoid when using it.

Coversyl Information

Coversyl’s active ingredient is fosinopril, and Coversyl is an ACE (angiotensin enzyme conversion) inhibitor prescribed as a treatment for high blood pressure.

When combined with a calcium channel blocker, Coversyl has an outstanding record of both lowering blood pressure and significantly reducing the risk of death from several other causes, including heart attacks and diabetes.

This combination proved so effective in a 1997 study that the study was stopped early so that the ten thousand participants who being given other medications for their high blood pressure could get started on the Coversyl.

When You Should Not Take Coversyl

People who suffer from heart, liver, or kidney disease; diabetes or connective tissue disorders; or congestive heart failure should not use Coversyl. If people with these conditions take Coversyl they are likely to develop complications and will need regular medical oversight to make certain they are not in any serious danger.

Tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any foods, or articicial prservatives or colors before taking Coversyl. Using ACE inhibitors in last six months of a pregnancy may result in reduced blood pressure, severe kidney failure, an excess of potassium, or infant mortality. if you are taking Coversyl and suspect you are pregnant,you should consult with your doctor right away.

Coversyl Side Effects

Coversyl’s side effects are quite rare, but include allergies, fatigue, fluid retention, increased heart rate, fever and chills, weight gain, and jaundice.

A Coversyl allergy may result in facial, lip, throat, and tongue swelling, and hives; but most people who are allergic to Coversyl develop constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting, skin rashes and itching, or joint and muscular pain.

But regardless of the kind and severity of Coversyl side effects, anyone experiencing any of them should consult their prescribing physician to see if they can be alleviated.

Estradiol Estrace: A Quick Estrace Review

There are many reviews of Estrace, a hormone replacement, available on the Internet, and we will summarize the information in just a few of them.

Estrace and Estradiol

Estrace is a form of plant estrogen derived from soybeans and similar to the ovarian estradiol produced in premenopausal women.

Estradiol is the most powerful of the forms of estrogen produced by the ovaries, and controls not only the female reproductive cycle, but plays a part in organ and bone development and health as well. Women begin experiencing a decrease of their natural estradiol production when they are in their thirties.

By the time they have completed their menopauses, usually in their mid to late fifties, they are no longer producing any estradiol. Many women may opt to receive a regimen of hormone replacement therapy in the form of Estrace to help them cope with the symptoms of menopause

Estrace Uses

Women in and following menopause will see their risk of heart attack nearly double from where it was during their reproductive years, and taking an estradiol supplement like Estrace will lower it to its former level.

Estrace has been shown to help lower the risk of osteoporosis in menopausal women if it is used in conjunction with a diet rich in calcium and a regular exercise program.

It will also relieve the other menopausal problems like mood swings, insomnia, hot flashes and night sweats, and fatigue. Any woman who still has an intact uterus should combine progestogen with her Estrace dosage.

Taking Estrace

Your correct Estrace dosage will be determined by your doctor, and you should be careful not to take more or less, with a glass of water and with or shortly following a meal.

Taken on an empty stomach, Estrace may cause indigestion. You should take any skipped doses as soon as you realize you have missed them, unless it is nearly time for the next dose. Don’t double up on your doses in order to make up for a missed one.

If you think you may have taken too much Estrace, and are experiencing vaginal bleeding, nausea, or vomiting, call a doctor immediately.

Estrace Side Effects

Some women taking Estrace have reported having arm, shoulder, or chest pain; numbness or muscular weakness on one side; difficulty with their balance; trouble with vision or speech; and swelling in their lower legs. Others have complained of both vaginal dryness and bleeding; breast lumps and tenderness; digestive upsets including nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite; and various sexual side effects.

If you are having any or these complications, or others for which you cannot account, after starting on Estrace, see your doctor and discuss possible treatments.

A Quick Periactin Review

Any time your doctor hands you a prescription for a medication, you should take the time to find out as much as you can about what you are going to put into your body.  If you’ve been handed a prescription for Periactin, we can help you do that with this Periactin review!

What Is Periactin?

The official name of Periactin is Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride, and if you have an advanced degree in chemistry, that actually tells you something about its molecular structure.

But if you’re someone with hay fever or another allergy which is causing you misery, you probably could not care less. What you want to know is how successfully Periactin is going to take care of your symptoms.

What Will Periactin Do?

Periactin is, in fact, a highly effective antihistamine used not only against garden variety allergies, but to reduce the complications from anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal.

Periactin will also relieve itching from non-allergic conditions like dermatitis. It can prevent the hives which occur in people overly sensitive to cold, and it can even be used as an appetite stimulant in extremely underweight people.  For those on the antidepressant Wellbutrin, Periactin can be useful in combating sexual side effects.

How Should You Take Periactin?

If you’re an adult, you’ll probably be taking Periactin three times each day; if you are giving it to a child between the ages of two and six, the dose will be a half tablet either once or twice daily.

The allergic symptoms for which Periactin is most commonly prescribed include:

itching; watering eyes; runny nose and sinus congestion; and hives and rashes.

Periactin can also be used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold.

What Are the Side Effects of Periactin?

Any realistic review of a prescription medication should mention the side effects which have been linked to using the drug.

In Periactin’s case, there has been a wide variety of side effects reported, from anemia (blood iron deficiency) to excitability bordering on hysterics. Other side effects are:

profuse sweating; heightened irritability; heart arrhythmia; and very rarely, seizures.

Periactin, like most antihistamines, can make its users drowsy, so you should neither drive nor use machinery while you are taking it.

And if you have either high blood pressure or diabetes, you must tell your doctor before using Periactin for your allergies.

How Will Periacting Interact with Other Medications?

Periactin may reduce the effectiveness of certain other medications, just as other medications may interfere with the effectiveness of Periactin. You must be clear with your doctor about all the medications you are taking before starting Periactin, or you may lose the benefits of all of them. The medications most likely to be affected by Periactin are sedatives, tranquilizers, and anti depressants.

What Will an Overdose of Periactin Do?

An overdose of Periactin can result in dilation of the pupils, dry mouth, fever, and in severe cases, coma. If you suspect you have taken too much Periactin, call your doctor immediately.

Felodipine Facts: A Fast Plendil Review

If you’re someone who cares about your health, you are probably smart enough to learn everything you can about a drug your doctor has prescribed before you actually start taking it. If you’re suffering from angina or high blood pressure, and have been prescribed felodipine, as the Astra Merck medication Plendil, this review will give you a fairly good idea of what to expect.

Forms of Plendil

Plendil is manufactured as tablets, and is available in three different strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg.

It should be stored away from any sources of heat or moisture, but should not be refrigerated.

Plendil Uses

Plendil is prescribed for those suffering from either the chest pain of angina, or hypertension.

Plendil belongs to the class of medication called calcium channel blockers, and relaxes the arteries by limiting the amount of calcium which reaches them. Calcium can build up on the arterial walls, leading to hardening of the arteries. This condition can eventually cause coronary disease or even heart attack and stroke.

Taking Plendil

You should follow your doctor’s instructions carefully when taking your Plendil. You can take it either on an empty stomach or with a meal, but you should never drink grapefruit juice while you are taking Plendil.

And you should swallow your Plendil tablets whole, because either crushing or chewing them will reduce their effectiveness.

Time Release Plendil

Plendil is manufactured in a time release formula, and ideally can be taken in the morning, when blood pressure is normally at its peak, so that it has worn off by bedtime, because blood pressure normally drops during sleep.

Plenidl Side Effects

Like all prescription medications, Plendil has been linked to various side effects. In Plendil’s case they include difficulty sleeping; diarrhea or constipation; dizziness; and skin flushing.

In rarer cases Plendil has caused fainting, heart palpitations, blurry vision; shortness of breath; and rashes.

Should you develop any of the more severe side effects from taking Plendil, notify your doctor right away.

Plendil and Other Medications

If you are already on any other medication, tell your doctor before you begin taking Plendil. This is especially true in the case of beta blockers, another class of medications for high blood pressure.

Combining Plendil with a beta blocker can reduce your blood pressure to a dangerously low level, so you need to let your doctor know that you are already taking one.

Cemetidine is a medication which can exacerbate Plendil’s side effects, and Plendil can exacerbate the side effects of digoxin.

If you are taking either cimetidine or digoxin, let your doctor know before taking Plendil.

Although a well-known 1995 study linked certain calcium channel blockers to an increased risk of heart attacks, the CCBs in question all contained nifedipine as their active ingredient. The felodipine in Plendil is formulated to lower that risk, and has been used safely since 1991.

A Look at Preventing Seizures with Mysoline Primidone

Although research has yet to reveal exactly how the Primidone in the prescription medication Mysoline acts to prevent epileptic seizures, the general consensus is that it reduces the effect of the “excitability” neurotransmitters which can cause the brain to send electrical impulses at a highly accelerated rate. Too many electrical impulses in the brain can overload the rest of the body’s systems, leading to the convulsions, rigidity, and erratic behaviors associated with grand mal and partial epileptic seizures.

Listen to Your Doctor

If your doctor prescribes Mysoline as a treatment for your epileptic seizures, you need to keep taking it until he or she tells you it’s okay to stop. Only by continuing to take Mysoline will you prevent future seizures, but because Mysoline can sometimes cause dizziness, you should be careful about driving or performing any other activities which require you to remain alert while you are on Mysoline.

When You Should Not Take Mysoline

You should not use Mysoline if you suffer from porphyria; and you should check with your doctor if you have any other medical conditions. There is no real understanding of the effects Mysoline may have on a developing fetus or on a nursing infant, so if you are expecting or nursing tell your doctor before you take Mysoline.

Storing and Administering Mysoline

Mysoline should be stored at room temperature and away from both moisture and heat if it is to maintain its effectiveness. The correct dosage of Mysoline must be determined on an individual basis by each user’s doctor, who will also advise on the proper way to take Mysoline. But it is common for Mysoline tablets to be taken with a glass of water and a meal, as it may cause gastrointestinal upset if taken on an empty stomach.  Mysoline is also available in a liquid, and should be thoroughly shaken before it is used. The liquid doses are measured with a spoon included in the Mysoline packaging.

Mysoline and Alcohol Do Not Mix

If you are taking Mysoline, you should avoid alcohol consumption. Mysoline can have a strong sedative effect, causing sleepiness which can be increased with alcohol consumption, and can cause serious danger when the two are combined. Using alcohol with Mysoline will also increase the chances of epileptic seizures being triggered. Even when used without alcohol, Mysoline may cause drowsiness. So if you are taking it, you should be careful about driving or using any kind of machinery.

One of the main reasons that the human race has survived to dominate the Earth is that the human body has a wonderful pain response mechanism which lets us know that something is wrong, so that we can take the measures necessary to fix it. Most people today see pain as an evil, to be eliminated so that they can get on with their regular lives, without understanding that pain is a sign of an underlying problem.

When there is a problem, our bodies instantly produce the hormones which cause pain and inflammation, and will continue to produce them until the problem is addressed, unless we interfere with the pain response. But now that we are living longer than ever, our bodies sometimes develop age related conditions which cannot be cured, and pain medication allows us to tolerate them much more easily. So it is with arthritis, which affects our joints and for which anti-inflammatory medications like Relafen are prescribed.

About Relafen

Relafen, from Smith Glaxo Kline, belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs, (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) prevents hormones called prostaglandins from causing inflammation, thereby decreasing the pain and swollen joints associated with arthritis.

While Relafen is usually safe, it cannot be given to arthritis sufferers who also have cardiovascular problems, because it can negatively affect circulatory and heart heath.  Your doctor will need to know if you are at risk for this sort of side effect, and also if you have experienced any other negative reactions from other anti-inflammatory medications.

Some NSAIDs, including Relafen, have been associated with digestive tract bleeding, so anyone with a history of ulcers should avoid it. Relafen seems to negatively affect digestion more frequently in older users.

Finally, if your doctor has prescribed Relafen for your arthritis, you need to stop using alcoholic beverages and avoid unprotected sun exposure. Using alcohol will significantly increase your risk of digestive tract bleeding, and Relafen will make your skin much more sensitive to sun damage. The sensitivity can continue for two weeks after you discontinue Relafen, so continue to use the sunscreen for at least that long.

Relafen Side Effects

In addition to its more severe side effects, Relafen has been known to cause slight cases of heartburn as well as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation as your body adjusts to it. It may also cause mild rashes or itchy skin, and very rarely has been associated with blurry eyesight and ringing in the ears.

If you are going to use Relafen for an extended period, you must be sure to arrange to have yourself checked for digestive tract bleeding and ulcers on a regular basis.

Sucralfate Carafate: Putting Ulcers on the Defensive

Not only are gastric and duodenal ulcers some of the most painful health problems you are ever likely to experience; they make life even more unpleasant by drastically restricting the kinds of food you can eat and the amount of stress you can tolerate. The arrival of ulcer medications like Sucralfate Carafate, however, has now made having an ulcer a much less frightening and excruciating experience.

What Sucralfate Carafate Does

Sucralfate Carafate is formulated from a combination of aluminum, sucrose, disaccharide sugar, and sulfate, compounds which are only minimally absorbed in the digestive tract sot that they are voided almost intact. But because of their low absorption, the ingredients of Sucralfate Carafate can coat any ulcers in the stomach or duodenal lining with a barrier which protects them from being aggravated by stomach acids.  Sucralfate Carafate is also an effective treatment for GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is a result of the aging process.  People suffering from GERD have weakened esophageal sphincter valves, which allow stomach acid to leak into the lower esophagus. If left untreated, GERD can sometimes lead to a form of cancer known as Barrett’s esophagus.

Sucralfate Carafate, in addition, limits the stomach’s release of pepsin, an enzyme responsible for breaking down proteins. It also protects the stomach lining against the bilious acids which break down facts, and some research has provided evidence that Sucralfate Carafate may enhance the production of prostaglandins, hormones which have a significant role in protecting the stomach lining from damage.

Sucralfate Carafate, which  resembles the over the counter medication Pepto Bismol, can be prescribed either as a liquid or in tablet form, and is usually taken between two and four times a day, depending on the condition it is being used to treat. As an ulcer preventative, it can be taken twice daily; for an existing ulcer four daily doses are usually prescribed.

Because of the coating which Sucralfate Carafate forms on the stomach lining, it will radically slow the absorption of any other medications taken with it, so those medications should be taken at least two hours prior to or following a dose of Sucralfate Carafate. This applies especially in the case of antibiotics.  People who have ulcers as a result of an H. Pylori infection are usually treated with a combination of Sucralfate Carafate and antibiotics, so they in particular should observe the above advice.

Negative Side Effects

* The most common of Sucralfate Carafate’s side effects is constipation, which can be controlled by increasing dietary fiber.

* Because Sucralfate Carafate can raise the level of blood calcium, its use should be monitored closely for this effect.

* Some people on Sucralfate Carafate have reported bone pain, which is often a sign of phosphorus deficiency. A doctor will be able to determine if phosphorus supplementation is called for.

* The above side effects, when they do occur, are easily managed, and Sucralfate Carafate is safe and effective ulcer treatment for most people.

The use of Sucralfate Carafate should be overseen by a doctor who can make regular determinations as to how quickly the ulcer is healing, but on a four dose daily regimen, treatment usually lasts no more than two months.

Ziac is a medication which takes a two pronged approach to lowering blood pressure. It contains both the beta blocker bisoprolol, and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. Beta blockers are a class of blood pressure medications which both decrease the heart rate and expand the blood vessels so that the heart will not have to work so hard at pumping.

How Ziac Works

Ziac is initially prescribed in low doses, so that the patient’s system can adjust to its use.  It is a tablet formulated to be taken only once a day, usually in the morning so that its effects will have worn off by bedtime, because blood pressure automatically decreases during sleep. The diuretic in Ziac will cause both sweating and a need to urinate as it removes excessive fluids from the body, so be prepared for that effect. By taking it with water in the morning, you will be less likely to have your nighttime rest interrupted by the need to urinate.

Using Ziac

Ziac is prescribed for people with high blood pressure, to decrease the possibility of heart attack, and to relieve chest pain. It may take a few weeks for you to experience the maximum benefits from Ziac, but you should neither increase your dosage on your own, nor stop taking it because you feel better. Ziac does not cure high blood pressure; it only lowers it and alleviates your symptoms. And if you should happen to forget to take a dose of Ziac, and it is close to the time for your next dose, do not double up. Simply forget about the does you missed and continue taking one does at a time.

What to Avoid When Taking Ziac

Ziac may cause side effects in some people, and they can include both dizziness and a lack of ability to concentrate. It will lower your blood sugar, so may not be appropriate if you suffer from diabetes. You should not drink alcohol when using Ziac; and it may be contraindicated if you are on other medications, so tell your doctor about any other medicines you are using, especially if you are scheduled to undergo surgery. If you are either pregnant or trying to become pregnant, check with your doctor before beginning Ziac, and avoid both direct sun exposure and dieting while you are using it.

Side Effects of Ziac

Although Ziac is extremely safe, it has been know to cause some rare but serious side effects, including chest pain; both diarrhea and constipation, a lack of concentration or confusion; headaches, and weight gain.

When You Should Not Use Ziac

If you suffer from bronchial asthma, a slow heart rate, or problems with urination, you are not an appropriate candidate for Ziac. And you should learn if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Ziac before taking it.

How to Tell if You Have Overdosed

If after taking Ziac you experience severe dizziness or fatigue, a drop in blood sugar, vomiting or nausea, sudden and frequent urges to urinate, or shortness of breath, contact your doctor right away and do not take any more Ziac.