Pharmafrontiers

Ischemic preconditioning

2011-02-13T22:38:00.000+05:30

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) an experimental technique for producing resistance to the loss of blood supply and, thus oxygen, to tissues of many types.

If the blood supply to an organ or a tissue is halted for a short time (usually less than five minutes) and then restored two or more times so that blood flow is resumed, the downstream cells of the tissue or the organ are robustly protected from a final ischemic insult when the blood supply is cut off entirely and permanently.

In an experimental setting if the left anterior descending coronary artery of the animal is ligated the downstream cardiac cellular mass is infarcted and will be injured and then die. If, on the other hand the tissue is subjected to IPC the downstream cellular mass will sustain only minimal to modest damage. IPC protects the tissue by initiating a cascade of biochemical events that allows for an up-regulation of the energetics of the tissue. The locus of this phenomenon is the intracellular organelle, the mitochondrion.

Investigations of various exogenous circulating ligands such as the delta active opiates and opioids simulate the phenomenon of IPC thus protecting the downstream tissues without the IPC intermittent ligating procedure.

The only group of humans who are chronically exposed to an opioid with delta activity are methadone maintained patients treated for heroin dependence and addiction. These patients have a coronary risk profile greater than the general population:

90% smoke. In the general population in the USA ~25% smoke.

Heart Healthy living i.e. attention to lipid control is less frequent than in the general population ~25% of the patients in Methadone Maintenance Programs use the highly ischemogenic cocaine one or more times a year. In the general population in the USA less than 1% are reported to do so.

Preliminary and as yet unpublished surveys of the methadone treated population point to a high degree of protection from myocardial ischemic events. The one published study[citation needed], an autopsy series from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York demonstrated significantly less evidence for coronary occlusive disease. Simulation of IPC with methadone could not be evaluated in this post mortem investigation.

reffered from : Wikipedia

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2010-11-05T19:00:00.000+05:30

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful progressive condition caused by the compression of a key nerve in the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by numbness, tingling, pain and weakness. The carpal tunnel is caused by increased pressure on a nerve in the hand entering the confined space carpal tunnel. There are many causes of carpal tunnel include heredity, the reverse use over time, hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and menopause and medical conditions, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and of thethyroid gland imbalance. It can occur at any age, but it tends to affect those in their 40s and 50s.

This condition is more common in women than in men. Many people with carpal tunnel syndrome have gradually symptoms increasingly over time. Carpal tunnel syndrome typically begins gradually to a vague pain in the wrist which can be extended to your hand or forearm. The first symptoms of CTS include numbness and paresthesia in the fingers, especially the thumb. Symptoms usually start gradually, with pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm. As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day, and decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects.

Several types of drugs have been used in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Corticosteroid injections, given in the area of the carpal tunnel, it may provide relief spectacular symptoms.Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) has been reported to relieve some symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Corticosteroids may be administered by mouth or injected directly into the affected joint wrist. Physiotherapy provides several ways to treat and monitor carpal tunnel syndrome. Many of prevention is also useful for you. Losingweight if you are overweight.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Cool (ice) packs and prednisone or lidocaine can relieve swelling.

2. Corticosteroids can be given directly into the involved wrist joint.

3. Ultrasound treatment can relieve symptoms in some people.

4. Surgery may be required if the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome persist.

5. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen may ease pain.

6. Exercises can reduce the risk of a double crush of the median nerve.

7. Mecobalamin/Methylcobalamin has been helpful in some cases of CTS.

8. If you use a keyboard a lot, adjust the height of your chair so that your forearms are level with your keyboard

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Information and Prevention

Male circumcision shown to help prevent HIV transmission

2010-09-21T17:33:00.001+05:30

By Dr Ananya Mandal, MD

According to a new study published in the Medical Journal of Australia, male circumcision can be seen as a “surgical vaccine” in the fight against heterosexual HIV transmission. The study based on spread of the virus in Africa showed that there was a reduced rate of transmission in regions where male circumcision was the norm.

According to co-author St Vincent's Hospital Alcohol and Drug Service director Alex Wodak this practice could be introduced as a long-term strategy in reducing heterosexual HIV transmission. He explained, “A wealth of research has shown that the foreskin is the entry point that allows HIV to infect men during intercourse with an infected female partner…Soon after the HIV pandemic was first recognized, much lower HIV prevalence was found in areas of sub-Saharan Africa, where more than 80 per cent of males had been circumcised than in areas where the circumcision rate was less than 20 per cent…Circumcision of males is now being referred to by many as 'surgical vaccine' against a wide variety of infections and adverse medical conditions over a lifetime.”

Speaking on Australia Dr. Wodak said that in the 50’s and 60’s more than 80 per cent of infant males were circumcised and recent Medicare statistics revealed circumcision among Australian boys had increased from 13 per cent in 1998 to 19 per cent in 2009. He said, “If Australia returned to the patterns we had in the 1950s and 1960s, I think that would be beneficial.”

Studies have failed to show similar benefits of male circumcision when it comes to sex between men. According to the World Health Organization there is “compelling evidence that male circumcision reduced the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by approximately 60 per cent.”

Dr. Wodak went on to say that this simple surgical procedure also protects from some common sexually transmitted infections and other conditions such as urinary tract infections. He added, “The prospect of the availability of a (HIV) vaccine over the next 20 years is unlikely… Condom use remains essential, with promotion of condom use plus circumcision of males being analogous to seatbelts plus airbags for reducing the road toll.”

However Australian National University department of pediatrics and child health associate Professor Graham Reynolds feels this surgery is not imperative for prevention of infections. He said, “In order to prevent one infection, you circumcise unnecessarily a huge number of children who will never get a urinary infection, who will never get HIV, who will never get any other infection…if we paid proper attention to cleanliness in non-circumcised boys, we would get no problems.”

courtesy-http://www.news-medical.net/news

Dengue fever vaccine in the pipeline

2010-09-21T16:43:00.001+05:30

By Dr Ananya Mandal, MD

Australians researchers are moving towards producing the first ever vaccine for dengue fever, the potentially life-threatening infection spread by mosquitoes in the tropics. At present late stage clinical trials are underway for a vaccine that would protect against all four known strains of the disease. Participants are now being recruited in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane.

According to Associate Professor Peter Richmond, from Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, participants would be injected with the vaccine and their blood later checked for protective antibodies. He said that this vaccine once developed would be a boon for South east Asia where the disease is a true menace. “There are more than two hundred million infections annually, that's the estimate, and a couple of million (infected people) get a very severe form of Dengue hemorrhagic fever…From a global perspective, having an effective vaccine is very important,” he said.

Considering world population, over fifty percent live in areas at high risk of dengue fever that is usually fatal in children and adults alike. It causes fever and severe headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pain and skin rash. Australia also has sporadic outbreaks of the infection both from travelers and in the northern Queensland range of its specific type of carrier mosquito.

The vaccine is developed and the trials are being sponsored by pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur. The vaccine is expected in five years.

courtesy- http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100920/Dengue-fever-vaccine-in-the-pipeline.aspx

Dilation Of Blood Vessels Restores Muscle Synthesis In Elderly

2010-09-21T15:58:00.000+05:30

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers believe they've found a way to use widely available blood pressure drugs to fight the muscular weakness that normally accompanies aging.

The discovery draws on research linking the loss of muscle mass with age-related changes in the behavior of the hair-thin blood vessels, or capillaries, which supply muscles with the amino acids they need for growth.

"When a young person eats food, insulin secretion causes the blood vessels in the muscle to dilate, so a lot of blood goes into the muscle and a lot of amino acids are available to build muscle proteins," said UTMB professor Elena Volpi, senior author of a paper on the work ("Pharmacological vasodilation improves insulin-stimulated muscle protein anabolism but not glucose utilization in older adults") now available in the "Online Ahead of Print" section of the journal Diabetes. "Older people's blood vessels have far less response to insulin, but we found that if you give them a drug that causes them to dilate, you can increase the nutritive flow to the muscles and completely restore normal growth."

Drugs that induce blood vessels to widen, called vasodilators, are commonly used to control high blood pressure and prevent angina. The UTMB study used sodium nitroprusside, a drug used in hospitals and administered intravenously.

The researchers enrolled 12 healthy older volunteers for the study, and separated them randomly into two six-person groups. Working in UTMB's Clinical Research Center, the investigators performed the delicate task of inserting catheters into the arteries and veins feeding and draining the subjects' leg muscles, and then used the arterial catheter to infuse the muscles with insulin at levels similar to those generated by a meal. One group of volunteers was given the vasodilator drug, while the other received a placebo.

Blood sample and muscle biopsy analysis produced estimates of muscle protein synthesis and breakdown. The results were impressive: virtually normal muscle growth in the older subjects given the vasodilator with insulin.

"By giving them this vasodilator, we were able to make our 70-year-olds look like 30-year-olds, at least in terms of muscle growth," said postdoctoral fellow Kyle Timmerman, a lead author of the paper. The study was co-led by medical student and graduate research fellow Jessica Lee.

While the researchers cautioned that larger studies would be needed to confirm their findings, they expressed optimism about vasodilator drugs' potential as tools for keeping older people from falling into frailty, and living happier, healthier and more independent lives.

"If by improving blood flow during and immediately after eating we can improve muscle growth in response to meals in older people, then we're going to have a major new tool to reduce muscle loss with aging," Volpi said. "By itself, that could mean a substantially decreased risk of physical dysfunction and disability."

Other authors of the paper include assistant professor Satoshi Fujita, senior study coordinator Shaheen Dhanani, assistant professor Hans Dreyer, graduate student Christopher Fry, assistant professor Micah Drummond, professor Melinda Sheffield-Moore and professor Blake Rasmussen.

The National Institute on Aging, the UTMB Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center and the UTMB Clinical and Translational Science Award supported this research.

Source:
Jim Kelly
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

courtesyhttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/198549.php -

Development Of New Drug Treatment For Malaria

2010-09-21T15:54:00.000+05:30

As part of the £1.5 million project, researchers are now testing the drug to determine how the treatment could progress to clinical trials. The drug is made from simple organic molecules and will be cheaper to mass produce compared to existing therapies.

Malaria is the world's most deadly parasitic infection, resulting in nearly one million deaths a year. The team at Liverpool have created a synthetic drug based on the chemical structure of artemisinin, an extract of a Chinese herb commonly used in malaria treatment. The new drug, which can be taken orally, is more potent than naturally derived artemisinin.

Artemisinin is known to interact with a substance inside parasite-infected red blood cells, causing a chain of events that destroys malaria. The treatment, however, is difficult to mass produce and can be chemically unstable in the body. Scientists have now found a way of creating the most reactive part of artemisinin synthetically and fusing it with a cage-like structure made of organic molecules to make the drug more chemically stable. The stability of the chemical structure in the body makes the drug last longer, reducing the chance of the parasite reappearing.

Professor Paul O'Neill, from the University's Department of Chemistry, explains: "Malaria affects the world's poorest countries and hospitals are unable to afford expensive treatments. The problem with current artemisinin-based therapies is their limited availability, poor oral absorption and high cost. We have created a new drug that is easily absorbed by the body, chemically stable and highly potent. It is made from very simple organic materials and therefore will be more cost-effective to mass produce than current therapies."

The research is funded by the European Commission and published in Angewandte Chemie Int Ed.

Source:
Samantha Martin
University of Liverpool

courtasy-http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/197982.php

FDA Allows Lupin To Apply To Sell Copies Of Pfizer's Lipitor

2010-09-04T13:16:00.001+05:30

By Peter Loftus

Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given permission to Indian generic-drug maker Lupin Ltd. (500257.BY) to seek approval for a generic version of Pfizer Inc.'s (PFE) blockbuster cholesterol drug Lipitor with a different formulation than the original drug.

The FDA decision, however, isn't likely to result in the introduction of the Lupin product anytime soon. Lupin still must go through the normal generic-drug approval process before it can launch its proposed capsule version of Lipitor--the original product is a tablet--and agency reviews can take upwards of two years.

New York-based Pfizer said in a written statement Thursday that it believes the FDA decision on Lupin's request has no effect on its prior Lipitor patent settlement with Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. (500359.BY), which is expected to keep generic copies of Lipitor off the U.S. market until November 2011.

A Lupin spokeswoman declined to comment.

Lupin is one of several generic-drug manufacturers eyeing a piece of what promises to be a big market opportunity. The original Lipitor is the top-selling prescription drug in the world, with $11.4 billion in global sales last year and $5.7 billion in the U.S. alone.

Lipitor's impending loss of U.S. market exclusivity will be a major financial blow to Pfizer, which has cut costs and diversified its business lineup in preparation.

In 2008, Lupin filed a citizen petition with the FDA asking for permission seek approval of the capsule version of Lipitor. Lupin said it wanted to market a capsule version for people who have difficulty swallowing a tablet or prefer a capsule form.

The FDA last week granted Lupin's request, according to a letter posted online by the agency. The agency said Lupin's proposed capsule version of Lipitor wouldn't pose questions of safety or effectiveness, since the uses and oral route of administration are the same as the original tablet.

A capsule typically has a gelatinous exterior with the active ingredient inside, sometimes in powder form. Currently, Pfizer sells solid-tablet versions of Lipitor, which is approved to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attacks.

Because Lupin's product would be a different formulation, pharmacies wouldn't be able to automatically substitute it for branded Lipitor prescriptions, Pfizer said. Instead, doctors would have to specifically prescribe the capsule version if they or patients wanted the Lupin product.

Pfizer has U.S. patents for Lipitor that expire this year and in 2011, 2016 and 2017. The company had sued Ranbaxy after Ranbaxy challenged the patents' validity, and in 2008 the companies settled their litigation. Pfizer granted Ranbaxy a license to begin selling generic Lipitor in the U.S. effective Nov. 30, 2011.

Other generic-drug companies have filed for FDA approval to sell generic Lipitor, and Pfizer has filed patent-infringement suits that are pending in U.S. courts. Under federal law, Ranbaxy is expected to have a 180-day period of exclusivity to sell a third-party generic Lipitor.

In addition, Pfizer has granted Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. (WPI) exclusive rights to sell what is known as an authorized generic version of Lipitor in the U.S. for five years, beginning in November 2011. Pfizer will manufacture and sell Lipitor's active ingredient, atorvastatin, to Watson for use in the authorized generic product, the company disclosed in a recent regulatory filing.

-By Peter Loftus, Dow Jones Newswires; +1-215-656-8289; peter.loftus@dowjones.com

New Oral Contraceptive

2010-09-04T13:05:00.000+05:30

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved ella™ (ulipristal acetate) tablets for emergency contraception. The prescription-only product prevents pregnancy when taken orally within 120 hours (five days) after a contraceptive failure or unprotected intercourse. It is not intended for routine use as a contraceptive.

ella is a progesterone agonist/antagonist whose likely main effect is to inhibit or delay ovulation. Since May 2009, the prescription product has been available in Europe under the brand name ellaOne.

An FDA Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs discussed ella in June, 2010. The committee unanimously voted that the application for ella provided compelling data on efficacy and sufficient information on safety for the proposed indication of emergency contraception.

The safety and efficacy of ella were demonstrated in two Phase III clinical trials. One study was a prospective, multi-center, open-label, single-arm trial conducted in the United States; the other was a randomized, multi-center, single-blind comparator-controlled trial conducted in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland.

Side effects most frequently observed with ella in the clinical trials include: headache, nausea, abdominal pain, pain/discomfort during menstruation (dysmenorrhea), fatigue, and dizziness. The profile of side effects for ella is similar to that of FDA-approved levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives.

According to the product’s labeling, women with known or suspected pregnancy and women who are breastfeeding should not use ella. A patient package insert also will be provided to ensure that women are fully informed of the benefits and risks involved in the use of ella.

LIST OF DRUGS PROHIBITED FOR MANUFACTURE AND SALE THROUGH GAZETTE NOTIFICATIONS UNDER SECTION 26A OF DRUGS & COSMETICS ACT 1940 BY THE MINISTRY OF HEA

2010-08-31T14:47:00.000+05:30

DRUGS PROHIBITED FROM THE DATE OF NOTIFICATION

1. Amidopyrine

2. Fixed dose combinations of vitamins with anti-inflammatory agents and tranquilizers.

3. Fixed dose combinations of Atropine in Analgesics and Antipyretics.

4. Fixed dose combinations of Strychnine and Caffeine in tonics.

5.Fixed dose combinations of Yohimbine and Strychnine with Testosterone and Vitamins.

6. Fixed dose combinations of Iron with Strychnine, Arsenic and Yohimbine.

7. Fixed dose combinations of Sodium Bromide/chloral hydrate with other drugs.

8. Phenacetin.

9. Fixed dose combinations of antihistaminic with anti-diarrhoeals.

10. Fixed dose combinations of Penicillin with Sulphonamides.

11. Fixed dose combinations of Vitamins with Analgesics.

B12.Fixed dose combinations of any other Tetracycline with Vitamin C.

E13.Fixed dose combinations of Hydroxyquinoline group of drugs with any other drug except for preparations meant for external use.

ccc14. Fixed dose combinations of Corticosteroids with any other drug for internal use.

ccc15. Fixed dose combinations of Chloramphenicol with any other drug for internal use.

16.Fixed dose combinations of crude Ergot preparations except those containing Ergotamine, Caffeine, analgesics, antihistamines for the treatment of migraine, headaches.

17.Fixed dose combinations of Vitamins with Anti TB drugs except combination of Isoniazid with Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6).

18. Penicillin skin/eye Ointment.

19. Tetracycline Liquid Oral preparations.

20. Nialamide.

21. Practolol.

22. Methapyrilene, its salts.

c 23. Methaqualone.

& 24. Oxytetracycline Liquid Oral preparations.

& 25. Demeclocycline Liquid Oral preparations.

T 26. Combination of anabolic Steroids with other drugs.

cc 27.Fixed dose combination of Oestrogen and Progestin (other than oral contraceptive) containing per tablet estrogen content of more than 50 mcg (equivalent to Ethinyl Estradiol) and progestin content of more than 3 mg (equivalent to Norethisterone Acetate) and all fixed dose combination injectable preparations containing synthetic Oestrogen and Progesterone. (Subs. By Noti. No. 743 (E) dt 10-08-1989)

* 28.Fixed dose combination of Sedatives/ hypnotics/anxiolytics with analgesics-antipyretics.

J*29.Fixed dose combination of Rifanpicin, isoniazid and Pyrazinamide, except those which provide daily adult dose given below:

Drugs Minimum Maximum

Rifampicin 450 mg 600 mg

Isoniazid 300 mg 400 mg

Pyrazinamide 1000mg 1500 mg

* 30. Fixed dose combination of Histamine H-2 receptor antagonists with antacids except for those combinations approved by Drugs Controller, India.

* 31.The patent and proprietary medicines of fixed dose combinations of essential oils with alcohol having percentage higher than 20% proof except preparations given in the Indian Pharmacopoeia.

* 32. All Pharmaceutical preparations containing Chloroform exceeding 0.5% w/w or v/v
whichever is appropriate.

** 33.Fixed dose combination of Ethambutol with INH other than the following: INH
Ethambutol 200 mg. 600 mg. 300 mg. 800 mg.

** 34. Fixed dose combination containing more than one antihistamine.

B**35.Fixed dose combination of any anthelmintic with cathartic/purgative except for
piperazine/Santonim.

**36. Fixed dose combination of Salbutamol or any other bronchodilator with centrally acting anti-tussive and/or antihistamine.

** 37.Fixed dose combination of laxatives and/or anti-spasmodic drugs in enzyme preparations.

G** 38.Fixed dose combination of Metoclopramide with systemically absorbed drugs except fixed dose combination of metoclopramide with aspirin/paracetamol

** 39.Fixed dose combination of centrally acting, antitussive with antihistamine, having high atropine like activity in expectorants.

** 40.Preparations claiming to combat cough associated with asthma containing centrally acting antitussive and/ or an antihistamine.

** 41.Liquid oral tonic preparations containing glycerophosphates and/or other phosphates and / or central nervous system stimulant and such preparations containing alcohol more than 20% proof.

** 42.Fixed dose combination containing Pectin and/or Kaolin with any drug which is systemically absorbed from GI tract except for combinations of Pectin and/or Kaolin with drugs not systemically absorbed.

*** 43. Chloral Hydrate as a drug.

b 44. Dovers Powder I.P.

b 45. Dover’s Powder Tablets I.P.

A 46.Antidiarrhoeal formulations containing Kaolin or Pectin or Attapulgite or Activated Charcoal.

A 47.Antidiarrhoeal formulations containing Phthalyl Sulphathiazole or Sulphaguanidine or Succinyl Sulphathiazole.

A 48.Antidiarrhoeal formulations containing Neomycin or Streptomycin or Dihydrostreptomycin including their respective salts or esters.

A 49.Liquid Oral antidiarrhoeals or any other dosage form for pediatric use containing Diphenoxylate Lorloperamide or Atropine or Belladona including their salts or esters or metabolites Hyoscyamine or their extracts or their alkaloids.

A 50.Liquid Oral antidiarrhoeals or any other dosage form for pediatric use containing halogenated hydroxyquinolines.

A 51. Fixed dose combination of antidiarrhoeals with electrolytes.

C 52. Patent and Proprietary Oral Rehydration Salts other than those conforming to the following parameters:
(a) Patent and Proprietary Oral Rehydration Salts on reconstitution to one litre shall contain:- Sodium - 50 to 90 millimoles. Total osmolarity - 240 - 290 milli osmoles. Dextrose : Sodium molar ratio - Not less than 1:1 and not more than 3:1
(b) Patent and Proprietary cereal based Oral Rehydration Salts on reconstitution to one litre shall contain :- Total osmolarity - Not more than 2900 milli osmoles. Precooked rice- Equivalent to not less than 50 gm and not more than 80 gm as total replacement of Dextrose.
(c) Patent and Proprietary Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) may contain aminoacids in addition to Oral Rehydration Salt conforming to the parameters specified above and labeled with the indication for "Adult Choleratic Diarrhoea" only.
(d) Patent and Proprietary Oral Rehydration Salts shall not contain Mono or Polysaccharides or saccharin sweetening agent.

D 53. Fixed dose combination of Oxyphenbutazone or Phenylbutazone with any other drug.

H.D54. Fixed dose combination of Analgin with any other drug.

D 55. Fixed dose combination of dextropropoxyphene with any other drug other than anti-spasmodics and/or non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

D 56. Fixed dose combination of a drug, standards of which are prescribed in the Second Schedule to the said Act with an Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani drug.

F 57. Mepacrine Hydrochloride (Quinacrine and its salts) in any dosage form for use for female sterilization or contraception.

F 58. Fenfluramine and Dexfenfluramine.

I 59. Fixed dose combination of Diazepam and Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride .

K 60. Rimonabant.

LIST OF GAZETTE NOTIFICATION PUBLISHED

The Principal Notification GSR 578 (E) dt.23.7.83.

c Added b GSR 4(E) dated 31.01.1984

& Added b GSR 322(E) dated 03.05.1984\

T Amended by GSR 863(E) dated 22.11.1985

cc Amended by GSR 743(E) dated 10.08.1989

ccc Amended by GSR 1057(E) dated 03.11.1988

* Added by GSR 999(E) dated 26.12.1990

* Added by GSR 69(E) dated 11.02.1991

xxx Added by GSR 304(E) dated 7.06.1990

@ Added by GSR 444(E) dated 7.06.1992

b Added by GSR 111(E) dated 22.02.1994

A Added by GSR 731(E) dated 30.09.1994

B Added by GSR 848(E) dated 7.12.1994

C Added by GSR 57(E) dated 7.02.1995

D Added by GSR 633(E) dated 13.09.1995

E Added by GSR 793(E) dated 13.03.1995

Added by GSR 93(E) dated 25.05.1997

F Added by GSR 499(E) dated 14.08.1998

G Added by GSR 394(E) dated 19.05.1999

H Added by GSR 405(E) dated 3.06.1999

I Added by GSR 169(E) dated 12.03.2001

J Added by GSR 290(E) dated 16.04.2008

K Added by GSR 885(E) dated 11.12.2009

List of Drugs Prohibited for Import

1. Nialamide

2. Practolol

3. Amiopyrine

4. Phenacetin

5. Methapyrilene and its salts

a 6. Methaqualone

b 7. Chloral Hydrate as a drug

c 8. Mepacrine Hydrochloride (Quinacrine and its salts) in any dosage form for use for female sterilization and contraceptive.

9. Fenfluramine and Dexfenfluramine

d 10. Rimonabant

List of Gazette Notification Pblished

a Added by GSR 48(E) dated 31.1.1984

b Added by GSR 303(E) dated 7.6.1991

c Added by GSR 498(E) dated 14.8.1998

d Added by GSR 884(E) dated 11.12.2009

DRUGS PROHIBITED FOR MANUFACTURE , SALE AND DISTRIBUTION FROM SUBSEQUENT DATE

Drugs Formulation Effective date Notification

1.Cosmetics Licensed as toothpaste/tooth With immediate GSR 444(E)

powder containing tobacco. effect dt.30.4.92

2.Parenteal Preparations fixed dose Jan 1,1998 GSR 93(E)

combination of streptomycin with dt.25.2.97

Pencillin

3.Fixed dose combination of Vitamin B1, Jan 1,2001 GSR 702(E)

Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 for dt.14.10.99

human use

4.Fixed dose combination of haemoglobin Sep 1,2000 GSR 814(E)

in any form (natural or synthetic). dt.16.12.99

5.Fixed dose combination of Pancreatin or Sept. 1,2000 GSR 814(E)

Pancrelipase containing amylase, protease dt.16.12.99

and lipase with any other enzyme.

6. Fixed dose combination of Nitrofurantoin Jan 1,2002 GSR 170(E)

and trimethoprim. dt.12.3.01

7.Fixed dose combination of Phenobarbitone Jan 1,2002 GRS 170(E)

with any anti-asthmatic drugs. dt.12.3.01

8.Fixed dose combination of Phenobarbitone Jan 1,2002 GSR 170(E)

with Hyoscin and/or Hyoscyamine dt.12.3.01

9.Fixed dose combination of Phenobarbitone Jan 1,2002 GSR 170(E)

with Ergotamine and/or Belladona dt.12.3.01

10.Fixed dose combination of Haloperidol Jan 1,2002 GSR 170(E)

with any anti-cholinergic agent including dt.12.3.01

Propantheline Bromide.

11.Fixed dose combination of Nalidixic Acid Jan 1,2002 GSR 170(E)

with any anti-amoebic including Metronidazole. dt.12.3.01

12.Fixed dose combination of Loperamide Jan 1,2002 GSR 170(E)

Hydrochloride with Furazolidone dt.12.3.01

13.Fixed dose combination of Cyproheptadine Jan 1,2003 GSR 170(E)

with Lysine or Peptone. dt.12.3.01

14.Astemizole Apr.1,2003 GSR 191(E)

dt.5.3.03

15.Terfinadine Apr.1,2003 GSR 191(E)

dt.5.3.03

16.Fenformin Oct.1,2003 GSR 780(E)

dt.1.10.03

17.Rofecoxib Dec 13,2004 GSR 810(E)
dt. 13.12.04

18.Valdecoxib July 25,2005 GSR 510(E)
and it's formulation dt. 25.07.05

National Pharmacovigilance Program (INDIA)

2010-08-04T21:00:00.000+05:30

India has more than half a million qualified Doctors and15,000 hospitals having bed strength of 6,24,000. It is the fourth largest producer of pharmaceuticals in the world. It is emerging as an important Clinical trial hub in the world. Many new drugs are being introduced in our country. Therefore, there is a need for a vibrant pharmacovigilance system in the country to protect the population from the potential harm that may be caused by some of these new drugs.

Clearly aware of the enormity of task the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has initiated a well structured and highly participative National Pharmacovigilance Programme. It is largely based on the recommendations

made in the WHO document titled “Safety Monitoring of Medicinal Products –

Guidelines for Setting up and Running a Pharmacovigilance Centre”.

The National Pharmacovigilance Program was officially inaugurated by the Honorable Health Minister Dr.Anbumani Ramadoss on 23 November, 2004 at New Delhi.

The specific aims of the Pharmacovigilance Programme are to:

· contribute to the regulatory assessment of benefit, harm, effectiveness and risk of medicines, encouraging their safe, rational and more effective(including cost effective) use

· improve patient care and safety in relation to use of medicines and all medical and paramedical interventions

· improve public health and safety in relation to use of medicines

· promote understanding, education and clinical training in pharmacovigilance and its effective communication to the public

The Programme aims to foster the culture of ADE notification in its first year of operation and subsequently aims to generate broad based ADR data on the Indian population and share the information with global health-care community through WHO-UMC

Under the program 26 peripheral centers, 5 Regional Centers and 2 Zonal Centers were established. The Peripheral centers will record the Adverse Events (AE) and send to the Regional Centers. They in turn collate and scrutinize the data received from the Peripheral Centers and submit to the Zonal Centers. The Zonal Centers will analyze the data and submit consolidated information to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre. The Zonal Centre will also provide training, general support and coordinate the functioning of the Regional Centers.

The National Pharmacovigilance Advisory Committee (NPAC) oversee the performance of various Zonal, Regional and Peripheral Pharmacovigilance centers as well as recommend possible regulatory measures based on the data received from various centers. It also oversees data collection and assessment, interpretation of data as well as publication of ADR monitoring data. The Committee also periodically evaluates their protocol compliance levels to ensure that the data received is homogenous and can be scientifically pooled for informed regulatory decisions. Wherever necessary, NPAC also seeks the opinion of experts in various specializations.

NATIONAL PHARMACOVIGILANCE POLICY

Since there are considerable social and economic consequences of adverse drug reactions and the positive benefit/cost ratio of implementing appropriate risk management – there is a need to engage health-care professionals and the public at large, in a well structured programme to build synergies for monitoring adverse drug reactions.

The purpose of the programme is to collate data, analyze it and use the inferences to recommend informed regulatory interventions, besides communicating risks to healthcare professionals and the public.

The National Pharmacovigilance Programme will have the following milestones:

Short-term objectives: To foster a culture of notification

Medium-term objectives: To engage several healthcare professionals and

NGOs in the drug monitoring and information dissemination processes.

Long-term objectives: To achieve such operational efficiencies that would make

Indian National Pharmacovigilance Programme a benchmark for global drug

monitoring endeavors.

NATIONAL PHARMACOVIGILANCE PROGRAMME

Before a product is marketed, experience of its safety and efficacy is limited to its use in clinical trials, which are not reflective of practice conditions as they are limited by the patient numbers and duration of trial as well as by the highly controlled conditions in

which Clinical Trials are conducted.

The conditions under which patients are studied during the pre-marketing phase do not necessarily reflect the way the medicine will be used in the hospital or in general

practice once it is marketed. Information about rare but serious adverse drug reactions,

chronic toxicity, use in special groups (e.g. pregnant women, children, elderly) and drug

interactions are often incomplete or not available. Certain adverse drug reactions may

not be detected until a very large number of people have received the medicine.

Pharmacovigilance is therefore one of the important post-marketing tools in ensuring the safety of pharmaceutical and related health products.

Pharmacovigilance is defined as the detection, assessment and prevention of adverse drug reactions in humans. It is the process of:

Monitoring medicines as used in everyday practice to identify previously

unrecognized adverse effects or changes in the patterns of their adverse effects

Assessing the risks and benefits of medicines in order to determine what action,

if any, is necessary to improve their safe use

Providing information to users to optimize safe and effective use of medicines
Monitoring the impact of any action taken

FRAMEWORK FOR PHARMACOVIGILANCE IN INDIA

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has initiated a country-wide Pharmacovigilance programme under the aegis of DGHS, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

The programme is coordinated by the National Pharmacovigilance Centre at

CDSCO. The National Centre is operating under the supervision of the National

Pharmacovigilance Advisory Committee to recommend procedures and guidelines for

regulatory interventions.

THE NATIONAL PHARMACOVIGILANCE CENTRE AT CDSCO

The National Pharmacovigilance Centre is based at CDSCO and shall:

1. monitor the adverse drug reactions of medicines in order to identify previously unexpected adverse drug reactions or indicate that certain reactions occur more commonly than previously believed. This will include the collation, review and evaluation of all spontaneous ADR reports received by the unit on a nation-wide basis. This information will then be keyed into the ADR database for use in aggregate analysis. These reports shall also be submitted to the WHO International Drug Monitoring Programme for international collaboration on drug safety.

2. review Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSURs) submitted by pharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical companies are required to submit the PSURs of all new chemicals drugs. PSURs shall be expected to be submitted every 6 monthly for the first 2 years of marketing in India, and annually for the subsequent 2 years.

3. maintain contacts with international regulatory bodies working in pharmacovigilance and exchange information on drug safety.

4. assess the regulatory information relating to safety in order to determine what action, if necessary, needs to be taken to improve safe use. Based on the available data, the Advisory Committee shall make recommendations on product label amendments, product withdrawals and suspension.

5. provide information to end-users through adverse drug reaction news, bulletins, drug alerts and seminars.

For further information please contact:

The National Pharmacovigilance Centre

Office of Drugs Controller General of India,

Central Drugs Standard Control Organization,

Room No. 347-A,

D.G.H.S., Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi 110 011.

Tel: (11) 23018806 Fax: (11) 23012648

Email: dci@nb.nic.in www.cdsco.nic.in

Glossary of terms

National Pharmacovigilance Programme (NPP)

The nation wide programme, sponsored and coordinated by the country’s central drug

regulatory agency – Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) – to

establish and manage a data base of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) for making

informed regulatory decisions regarding marketing authorization of drugs in India for

ensuring safety of drugs.

Peripheral Pharmacovigilance Centers (PPC)

Primary pharmacovigilance centers. Relatively smaller medical institutions including

individual medical practitioners’ clinics, private hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies

etc. First contact ADR data collection unit at a health care facility. They would be identified and coordinated by RPCs / ZPCs in consultation with CDSCO.

Regional Pharmacovigilance Centers (RPC)

Secondary pharmacovigilance centers. Relatively larger healthcare facilities attached

with medical colleges. They would act as second level centers in the administrative

structure of the NPPI. They will function as first contact ADE data collection units also.

They would be identified and coordinated by ZPCs in consultation with the CDSCO.

Zonal Pharmacovigilance Centre (ZPCs)

Tertiary pharmacovigilance centers. Large healthcare facilities attached with medical colleges in metro cities identified by the CDSCO for the purpose. They would act as third level centers in the administrative structure of the NPPI. They will function as First contact ADE data collection units also.

Coordinator

Designated in-charge of a particular participating PVig centre

Investigator

A healthcare professional involved in investigation of drug related adverse events.

Notifier

Any person who suspects to have experienced / observed an ADE and informs any

participating Pharmacovigilance centre about it.

Reporter

A healthcare professional reporting ADR on the ADR form.

Monitoring

The process of overseeing drug related adverse events at the PVigC participating in

the PVig Programme.

Reporting

The process of providing ADR information by filling in the ADR form appropriately and

forwarding the same to the appropriate level.

Notification

Process of informing by a notifier to any participating pharmacovigilance centre about the occurrence of a suspected ADR. The process may involve informing over telephone, in person, email, fax or any other means of communication-verbal or written. All notifiers must give their contact details. Appropriate and adequate measures must be taken to keep track of the notifier. Any follow up action will be initiated on a notification only after the due verification of the notifier. If the notifier cannot be traced back, it will be recorded on the notification slip before closing the case.

Notification slip

A pre-designed structured form made available by the NPPI for written communication of a suspected ADR by the notifier duly signed by him/her wherever feasible.

ADR Form

It’s the pre-designed structured form issued by NPPI to record ADR.

Archiving

This is to be done at the Regional / Zonal Centers for a period of 5 years

Audit

A systematic and independent examination (conducted by personnel, independent of the centre) of center’s activities and documents to determine whether center’s activities were conducted and the data were recorded, analysed and accurately reported according to the protocol

Confidentiality

In a confidential / secretive manner.

Side Effect

Any unintended effect of a pharmaceutical product occurring at doses normally used in

man which is related to the pharmacological properties of the drug.

Comment: This is an old term and is broad enough to include both positive and negative effects of a drug apart from its main properties or indications. Some use the term as synonymous with 'adverse reaction', but the proposed definition will improve clarity of use of this term.

Adverse Event / Adverse Experience

Any untoward medical occurrence that may present during treatment with a pharmaceutical product at the same time, does not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment.

Comment: This is a more recent term which some use interchangeably with 'adverse reaction', but, as indicated, it is better reserved for clinical phenomena occurring during drug treatment where causality cannot be or is not ascertained.

Signal

Reported information on a possible causal relationship between an adverse event and

a drug, the relationship being unknown or incompletely documented previously. Usually

more than a single report is required to generate a signal, depending upon the seriousness of the event and the quality of the information.

Comment: This describes the first alert of a problem with a drug. By its nature a signal cannot be regarded as definitive but indicates the need for further enquiry or action. On the other hand it is prudent to avoid a multiplicity of signals based on single case reports since follow up of all such would be impractical and time consuming. The definition allows for some flexibility in approach to a signal based on the characteristics of individual problems. Some would like a 'signal' to include new information on positive drug effects, but this is outside the scope of a drug safety Programme.

Adverse Reaction

WHO Technical Report No 498 (1972); 'A response to a drug which is noxious and unintended, and which occurs at doses normally used in man for the prophylaxis, diagnosis, or therapy of disease, or for the modification of physiological function.

Comment: This basic definition includes all doses prescribed clinically, but is intended

to exclude accidental or deliberate overdose. The sub classification of 'unexpected' was

included to facilitate understanding of the type of adverse reaction which is most

important to report to drug monitoring agencies.

Unexpected Adverse Reaction

An adverse reaction, the nature or severity of which is not consistent with domestic

labeling or market authorization, or expected from characteristics of the drug.

Serious Adverse Event or Reaction

A serious adverse event or reaction is any untoward medical occurrence that at any dose:

results in death
requires inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization
results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity
is life-threatening

To avoid any confusion or misunderstanding of the difference between the terms

'serious' and 'severe', the following note of clarification is provided:

The term 'severe' is not synonymous with serious. 'Severe' is used to describe the

intensity (severity) of a specific event (as in mild, moderate or severe); the event itself,

however, may be of relatively minor medical significance (such as severe headache).

Seriousness (not severity) which is based on patient/event outcome or action criteria

serves as guide for defining regulatory reporting obligations.

(Source: National Pharmacovigilance Protocol, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India)

FDA REGULATORY AND DRUG APPROVAL . . .

2010-08-02T21:24:00.001+05:30

Regulatory and Drug Approvals News

Regulatory Affairs and Drug Approvals News

FDA Approves Embryonic Stem Cell-Based Therapy For Patients With Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Regulatory and Drug Approvals News

The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has lifted a clinical hold on Geron's Investigational New Drug (IND) application - the Phase I clinical trial of GRNOPC1 in patients with acute spinal cord injury may now go ahead. GRNOPC1 is the first ever clinical trial of a human embryonic stem cell based therapy in humans...

Eisai Announces U.S. Fda Approval For New Higher Dose Aricept® 23 Mg Tablet For The Treatment Of Moderate-To-Severe Alzheimer's Disease

Biotechnology news Pharma Industry News Regulatory and Drug Approvals News

Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, President & CEO: Haruo Naito) announced that its U.S. subsidiary Eisai Inc. has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Aricept® (generic name: donepezil hydrochloride) 23 mg once daily tablet for the treatment of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD)...

GSK Receives CHMP Positive Opinion For A New Indication For Arixtra

Biotechnology news Pharma Industry News Regulatory and Drug Approvals News

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced that the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion for Arixtra (fondaparinux),an anti-clotting drug (antithrombotic) for the treatment of adults with acute symptomatic spontaneous superficial-vein thrombosis (SVT) of the lower limbs without concomitant deep-vein thrombosis...

FDA Approves Vaccines For The 2010-2011 Influenza Season

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved vaccines for the 2010-2011 influenza season in the United States. Seasonal influenza vaccine protects against three strains of influenza, including the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, which caused the 2009 pandemic...

Hotspur Technologies Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance For First Three Product Lines Based On The Company's Unique Technology

Hotspur Technologies, Inc. announced that it has received FDA clearance for the first three commercial products in its portfolio. These products are based on Hotspur's unique and groundbreaking technology that makes dialysis access interventional and peripheral vascular procedures that open blood vessels less expensive, more efficient, and less invasive for patients...

NICE Gives Green Light To MabThera(R) (Rituximab) For Wider Use In Patients With Most Common Chronic Leukaemia

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) extended its recommendation for the use of targeted antibody MabThera® (rituximab) to include people with relapsed and difficult-to-treat (refractory) chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) except where patients have received the full therapeutic dose of MabThera in the first line setting or are refractory to fludarabine...

AdvanDx Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance For 90 Minutes Protocol For Yeast Traffic Light® PNA FISH®

AdvanDx announced that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for a fast, 90 minutes protocol for its Yeast Traffic Light® PNA FISH® test. The faster protocol reduces the PNA FISH turn-around time from the original 2.5 hours to 90 minutes by reducing PNA probe hybridization from 90 minutes to 30 minutes...

Shionogi Inc. Announces FDA Approval Of CUVPOSA™ For The Treatment Of Chronic Severe Drooling In Pediatric Patients With Neurologic Conditions

Shionogi Inc., a U.S.-based group company of Shionogi & Co., Ltd., announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of CUVPOSA™ (glycopyrrolate), the first liquid treatment for patients ages 3-16 who suffer from chronic severe drooling associated with neurologic conditions such as cerebral palsy. CUVPOSA™ was designated an Orphan Drug by the FDA...

Boston Scientific Announces FDA Approval Of New Leads For The Precision Plus™ Spinal Cord Stimulator System

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of two spinal cord stimulation (SCS) leads for use with its Precision Plus™ Spinal Cord Stimulator System, the world's first rechargeable SCS device for the management of chronic pain of the trunk and/or limbs...

ACT Files Documentation With FDA For Clinical Trials Using ES Cells To Treat Eye Disease.

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc...

Advanced Life Sciences Applies For FDA Fast-Track Designation For Restanza In CABP

Advanced Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ADLS), a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of novel drugs in the therapeutic areas of infection, oncology and respiratory diseases, announced that the Company has applied to the U.S...

Abbott's SIMCOR ® ( Niacin Extended-release / Simvastatin ) Receives FDA Approval For New Dosage Strengths

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for two new dosage strengths of SIMCOR®, a cholesterol medication. The new SIMCOR dosage strengths combine 40 mg of simvastatin the most commonly prescribed dose of simvastatin with either 500 mg or 1,000 mg of niacin extended-release...

Encap Drug Delivery Receives Patent Approval For DuoCapTM Capsule System

Encap Drug Delivery, a leading provider of development and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical industry, has received confirmation that their DuoCapTM, capsule delivery system has been granted patents for US and Europe. DuoCapTM, is a single oral dosage unit that comprises a capsule-in-a-capsule and offers broad therapeutic applications...

Mapping NTDs Is Critical For Controlling, Treating Diseases

Mapping neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is vital for efforts to control and treat diseases, write the authors of an editorial published Tuesday in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, ANI/Sindh Today reports (7/28)...

Abbott's SIMCOR(R) (Niacin Extended-Release / Simvastatin) Receives FDA Approval For New Dosage Strengths

Abbott received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for two new dosage strengths of SIMCOR®, a cholesterol medication. The new SIMCOR dosage strengths combine 40 mg of simvastatin - the most commonly prescribed dose of simvastatin - with either 500 mg or 1,000 mg of niacin extended-release...

Abraxis BioScience And Specialised Therapeutics Announce Approval To Market ABRAXANE For Metastatic Breast Cancer In New Zealand

Abraxis BioScience, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABII), a fully integrated, global biotechnology company, and Specialised Therapeutics Ltd. today announced that MEDSAFE, the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, has approved for marketing ABRAXANE® (nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer after failure of anthracycline therapy...

Abbott's SIMCOR ® ( Niacin Extended-release / Simvastatin ) Receives FDA Approval For New Dosage Strengths

Advanced Life Sciences Applies For FDA Fast-Track Designation For Restanza In CABP

FDA Approves Drug For Chronic Drooling In Children

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) Oral Solution to treat chronic severe drooling caused by neurologic disorders in children ages 3 years to 16 years. Drooling is normal in infants. But a significant proportion of the developmentally disabled population experiences drooling caused primarily by neuromuscular dysfunction that makes it hard to swallow...

New Early Detection System Helps FDA Identify More Than 100 Food Safety Problems In First 7 Months

More than 100 food safety reports were submitted by industry to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's new electronic portal in its first months of operation, the agency said today...

FDA RECALLS . . . .

2010-08-02T21:18:00.000+05:30

FDA Recalls

Lundbeck Inc. Announces the Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Two Lots of NeoProfen® (ibuprofen lysine) Injection

– Lundbeck Inc. has voluntarily recalled two lots of NeoProfen® (ibuprofen lysine) Injection that failed to meet a visible particulate quality requirement. These two lots are the only lots currently available to prescribers and therefore the recall will result in a temporary drug shortage.

Lundbeck Inc. Announces the Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Two Lots of NeoProfen® (ibuprofen lysine) Injection Recall will Result in Temporary Product Shortage

Bay Valley Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg and Wheat in Cans of Mislabeled Chef's Cupboard Chicken with Rice Soup

Bay Valley Foods is voluntarily recalling 10.5 oz cans of Chef's Cupboard Chicken with Rice Soup because some cans are mislabeled and may contain Vegetarian Vegetable Soup. The mislabeled product contains undeclared egg and wheat.

Nutraloid Labs Inc. Conducts Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Two Dietary Supplements Found to Contain Undeclared Drug Ingredient

Nutraloid Labs Inc. announced today that it is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall of two dietary supplement products sold under the names: ejaculoid XXTREME and stimuloid II.

Nutraloid Labs Inc.

Specialty Farms, LLC Expands Recall of Organic Alfalfa Sprouts Blend and Organic Sprout Salad in the North Eastern United States Because of Possible Health Risk

Specialty Farms is voluntarily recalling certain Alfalfa sprout products with a best if sold by date of “8/3/2010” and “8/1/2010” that has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes (LM). Listeria Monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Dulcería Chepito Emite una Alerta por Alergenos en Sus Productos "Almejas"

Dulcería Chepito localizada en Cabo Rojo, PR está llevando a cabo un recogido voluntario del producto "Chepito Dulces Tropicales - Almejas" empacados en unidades de 6 oz. Este producto contiene huevos y no está declarado en la etiqueta. Personas que son alérgicas al huevo están en riesgo de serias reacciones alérgicas si consumen estos productos.

Biggers & Callaham, Llc Dba Mice Direct Recalls Frozen Reptile Feed Because Of Possible Health Risk

Biggers & Callaham LLC., D/B/A Mice Direct of Cleveland Georgia is recalling frozen reptile feed (mice, rats, chicks), because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella . Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products.

Voluntary Recall of PreserVision® Eye Vitamin AREDS 2 Formula in the United States

Bausch + Lomb is conducting a voluntary recall of its PreserVision® Eye Vitamin AREDS 2 Formula with Omega 3 soft gels, only available within the United States.

Bausch + Lomb chose to initiate this recall based on a small number of reports predominantly within a specific age group, age 70 and older, who reported difficulty swallowing or a choking sensation when taking the soft gel.

P&G Recalls Two Lots of Prescription Renal Diet Cat Food due to a Possible Health Risk

The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) (NYSE:PG), is voluntarily recalling two specific lots of its prescription renal dry cat food as a precautionary measure, as it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. The following products are included...

Airgas South Initiates Precautionary Voluntary Recall of Medical Gas Products at Chattanooga, TN Facility

Airgas South, Inc., a distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, today announced an expanded voluntary recall of medical gas products filled at its Chattanooga, Tennessee facility.

Pasco Processing LLC, Announces Voluntary Product Recall Because of Possible Health Risk

Pasco Processing, LLC, Pasco WA is recalling 2087 cases of 20lb. bulk packaged Corn and Poblano peppers, (SKU 10071179017738) because of the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

Specialty Farms, LLC Recalls Organic Alfalfa Sprouts Blend and Organic Sprout Salad in the North Eastern United States Because of Possible Health Risk

Specialty-Farms, LLC is voluntarily recalling Specialty Farms brand Organic Alfalfa Sprouts Blend and Organic Sprout Salad, as noted below. These items both have a "sell-by date of 7/26/2010" and are net weight 4 ounces in plastic containers...

Quong Hop & Co. Recalls Raquel's Products (Because Of Potential Health Risk)

South San Francisco, CA - Quong Hop & Co.

Oregon Ice Cream Company Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in Denali Bear Claw Ice Cream

Oregon Ice Cream Company LLC of Eugene, OR is voluntarily recalling 641 tubs of 3 gallon Denali Bear Claw ice cream, because it may contain undeclared peanuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products...

DeBoles® Nutritional Foods, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls One Lot Code of DeBoles® Kids Only! Gluten Free Tubettini Corn Pasta Due to the Presence of an Undeclared Allergen, Lot Code 30JUN11D1

DeBoles Nutritional Foods, Inc. announced that it is recalling one lot code of DeBoles® Kids Only! Gluten Free Tubettini Corn Pasta because it may contain undeclared whole wheat alphabet pasta. People who are allergic to wheat run the risk of an allergic reaction, which may be serious or life-threatening if they consume the recalled product.

J & H Besta Corp. Issues a Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Joyful Slim Herb Supplement Found to Contain an Undeclared Drug Ingredient

J & H Besta Corp. of Hicksville, NY, has been informed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that FDA lab analysis of Joyful Slim Herb Supplement distributed by the company was found to contain undeclared Desmethyl Sibutramine. Sibutramine is an FDA-approved drug used as an appetite suppressant for weight loss.

Cook Initiates Voluntary Recall of Certain Ciaglia Blue Rhino and Ciaglia Blue Dolphin Percutaneous Tracheostomy Introducer Sets and Trays that Contain a Covidien 6PERC or 8PERC Shiley™ Tracheostomy Tube

Cook has initiated a voluntary recall of certain lots of its Ciaglia Blue Rhino and Ciaglia Blue Dolphin Percutaneous Tracheostomy Introducer Sets and Trays that contain a Covidien 6PERC or 8PERC Shiley™ Tracheostomy Tube.

Good Health, Inc. Issues a Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Product Marketed as Dietary Supplement

Good Health, Inc. announced today that it is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall of the company's dietary supplement Vialipro for sexual enhancement sold under the Lot Numbers listed below .

This product is currently being sold as a dietary supplement throughout the U.S. Good Health, Inc.

J & H Besta Corp. Issues a Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Slim- 30 Herb Supplement Found to Contain an Undeclared Drug Ingredient

J & H Besta Corp. of Hicksville, NY, has been informed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that FDA lab analysis of Slim-30 Herb Supplement distributed by the company was found to contain undeclared N-Desmethyl Sibutramine and traces of Sibutramine. Sibutramine is an FDA-approved drug used as an appetite suppressant for weight loss.

D & M Smoked Fish, Inc. Issues an Allert on Uneviscerated Schmaltz Herring

D & M Smoked Fish, Inc. located in Queens, New York, is recalling Haifa brand vacuum packaged Schmaltz Herring with the lot number 168, because the product was found to be uneviscerated.

FDA MEDICINE WATCH . . . .

2010-08-02T21:15:00.000+05:30

FDA MedWatch

Afluria (CSL Ltd.) Influenza Virus Vaccine: Label Change - Risk of Fever and Febrile Seizure

Increased incidence of fever and febrile seizure among young children reported in Australia, mainly among those less than 5 years of age.

Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS): Product as consumed produces a potent bleach

Product sold online as a dietary supplement. When consumed as instructed, produces an industrial bleach that can cause serious harm to health.

Nutraloid Labs ejaculoid XXTREME and stimuloid II: Undeclared Drug Ingredient

These products, marketed as dietary supplements, contain sulfoaildenafil, which may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs and lower blood pressure to dangerously low levels.

Evamist (estradiol transdermal spray): Drug Safety Communication - Unintended Exposure of Children and Pets to Topical Estrogen

Reports of adverse effects in children who may have been unintentionally exposed to the drug through skin contact with women using this product.

Cubicin (daptomycin): Drug Safety Communication - Risk of Eosinophilic Pneumonia

Cases of serious, potentially fatal pneumonia associated with the IV antibacterial drug Cubicin.

Joyful Slim Herb Supplement : Recall-Undeclared Drug Ingredient

Product contains sibutramine; may increase blood pressure/pulse rate with risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke.

Cook brand Ciaglia Blue Rhino/Ciaglia Blue Dolphin Percutaneous Tracheostomy Introducer Sets and Trays

Recall due to balloon inflation assembly that may not hold air

CONSTELLATION Vision System: Recall

Software and hardware problems associated with unexpected system loss of power, unintended system error messages, unresponsive touchscreens, and system setting and infusion performance problems.

Vialipro Dietary Supplement: Recall-Undeclared Drug Ingredient

Lab analyses found that certain batches of Vialipro contain Sulfoaildenafil, an analogue of Sildenafil.

Slim- 30 Herb Supplement: Undeclared Drug Ingredient

Product found to contain undeclared N-Desmethyl Sibutramine and traces of Sibutramine.

Advair Diskus (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol inhalation powder): Stolen Product Warning

Certain inhalers stolen from a distribution warehouse in 2009 have been found in some pharmacies. The safety and effectiveness of the stolen inhalers cannot be assured and they should not be used.

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs): Ongoing Safety Review for Cancer Risk

A recently published study suggested use of ARBs may be associated with a small increased risk of cancer.

Coumadin 1 mg Tablet Blister Packs: Recall

Some tablets may not meet specification for isopropanol, which could affect therapeutic levels of the active ingredient.

Arava (leflunomide): Boxed Warning - Risk of Severe Liver Injury

Warning highlights the risk of severe liver injury and how this risk may be reduced.

Air- or Gas-Pressurized Spray Devices: Risk of Air or Gas Embolism

Reports of life-threatening air or gas embolism occurring during or immediately after application of hemostatic drug or biological products.

Que She Herbal Supplement: Undeclared Drug Ingredients

Herbal product, sold as weight loss supplement, contains unlisted active pharmaceutical ingredients. Risk of serious side effects, especially in those with heart conditions.

Qualaquin (quinine sulfate): New Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy - Risk of serious hematological reactions

New Risk Management Plan. Reports of serious side effects in patients using Qualaquin "off-label" for night time leg cramps.

Cepheid Xpert MRSA/SA Blood Culture Assay for Use with the GeneXpert Dx System: Class I Recall

The firm received increasing numbers of complaints for false negative MRSA results. False negative could result in incorrect treatment or delay of care for patients with MRSA infection.

LIFEPAK 20 and LIFEPAK 20e External Defibrillator/Monitors by Physio-Control Inc.: Class I Recall Due To Power Supply Failure

A power supply assembly failure can result in the inability to deliver defibrillation therapy.

Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin): Market Withdrawal

Drug failed to demonstrate clinical benefit to patients enrolled in trials.

LIST OF 44 DEEMED UNIVERSITIES DERECOGNISED BY MHRD

2010-01-25T10:23:00.004+05:30

New Delhi: The fate of nearly 2 lakh students across the county hangs in the balance with the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) announcing de-recognition of 44 deemed universities, which were found to be deficient on many grounds.Citing the reason that these universities are being run as "family fiefdoms" rather than "institutions of academic excellence", Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium made this submission to a bench of Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice Mukundkam Sharma, during the hearing of a 2006 lawsuit, questioning the misuse of the deemed university status by glut of educational shops.Out of the 44 universities listed for de-recognition, Tamil Nadu alone has 16, followed by Karnataka (6), Uttar Pradesh (4) and Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Haryana (3).The 44 deemed universities which have been listed for de-recognition include the following:

TAMIL NADUSt. Peter's Institute of Higher Education & ResearchNoorul Islam Centre for Higher EducationChettinad Academy of Research & EducationMeenakshi Academy of Higher Education & ResearchDr. MGR Educational & Research InstituteSaveetha Institute of Medical and Technical SciencesKalasalingam Academy of Research and EducationPeriyar Maniammai Institute of Science and TechnologyAcademy of Maritime Education and TrainingVel's Institute of Science, Tech & Advanced StudiesKarpagam Academy of Higher EducationVinayaka Mission's Research FoundationBharath Institute of Higher Education and ResearchPonnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science & TechnologyRajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth DevelopmentVel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sakunthala R&D Institute of Science & Technology

KARNATAKA
Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education
Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education & Research
Yenepoya University
BLDE University
Jain University
Christ University

UTTAR PRADESH
Shobhit Institute of Information Technology
Jaypee Institute of Information Technology
Santosh University
Nehru Gram Bharati University

MAHARASHTRA
DY Patil Medical College
Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences
Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth

RAJASTHAN
Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan
VidyapeethIASE University (Sardarshahr)
Mody Institute of Technology and Science

HARYANA
Manav Rachna International University
Lingaya's University
Maharishi Markandeshwar University

UTTARAKHAND
Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya
Graphic Era University

OTHERS
Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (Bihar)
National Museum Institute (New Delhi)
Vignan's Foundation for Science, Tech & Research (Andhra Pradesh)
Sumandeep University(Gujarat)
Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University (Orissa)
Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth(Puducherry)

LIST OF APPROVED DRUGS DURING 2009 (upto 31-10-2009)

2010-01-25T10:08:00.001+05:30

Sr.No.
Drug Name
Indication
Approval Date
1.
Zoledronic Acid Injection 5mg/100ml (Addl. Indication)
For the treatement of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and in men who are at increased risk of fracture, including those with a recent low-trauma hip fracture.
07.01.09
2.
Misoprostol Tablet 600mcg
Addl. Strength
09.01.09
3.
Acebrophylline Syrup 10mg/ ml
For the treatement of adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchial asthma.
09.01.09
4.
Selamectin Tropical solution (for verterinary use.) 60mg/120mg per ml
(I) For the treatement and lasting prevention of flea infestations,treatment and control of flea allergy dermatitis, prevention of heartworm disease,treatement and prevention of ear mites in dogs and cats;
(II) For the treatement and prevention of sarcoptic mange, roundworms and for control of tick infestations in dogs.
09.01.09
5.
Methylcobalamin1500mcg + Calcium 200mg + Calcitriol 0.25mcg + Folic Acid1.5mg + Pyridoxine3mg Capsules
For the treatment of vitamin deficiency states in adults
14.01.09
6.
Metoprolol tartrate tablets 50 mg (Addl. Indication)
Adjunct to the treatement of Hyperthyroidism
14.01.09
7.
Cinacalet (as HCl) Tablet 30/60/90mg
For the treatment of secondary hyper parathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) on dialysis and for hypercalcemia in patients with parathyroid carcinoma
14.01.09
8.
Mycophenolate mofetil Capsules 250mg, Tablets 500mg, Oral suspension 200mg/ml (addl. Indication)
For the prophylaxis of acute organ rejection in patients recieving allogenic hepatic transplantation.
23.01.09
9.
Liquid Paraffin1.25ml + Milk of Magnesia 3.75ml + Sodium Picosulphate 3.33mg per 5ml
For symptomatic treatment of constipation in adults
29.01.09
10.
Ranolazine 1000mg ER Tabs (Additional Strength)
Same as approved
31.01.09
11.
Hyaluronic acid (cross linked) Pre-filled syringe 18mg/0.6ml and 24mg/0.8ml
For intradermal implantation and facial soft tissue augmentation
31.01.09
12.
Caspofungin acetate Injection (Addl. Indication)
For use in following: (I) Empirical therapy for presumed fungal infections in febrile neutropenic patients.
(II) Treatment of Candidemia and the following Candida infections: Intra-abdominal abscesses, Peritonitis and Pleural space infections.
(III) Treatment of Esophageal Candidiasis.
(IV) Treatment of invasive Aspergillosis in patients who are refractory to or intolerant of other therapies (i.e, amphotericin B, lipid formulations of amphotericin B, and/or itraconazole)
31.01.09
13.
Micafungin ( as sodium) Powder for solution for infusion 50mg / vial
For the treatment of patients with candidemia, acute disseminated candidiasis, candida peritonitis, abscess and esophageal candidiasis. For the prophylaxis of Candida infection in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
31.01.09
14.
Loteprednol Etabonate Nasal spray 0.1% w/v
For prophylaxis and treatment of the nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
31.01.09
15.
Rasagiline (as mesylate ) Tablet 0.5mg/1mg
For the tratment of signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease as intial monotherapy and as an addition to levodopa.
31.01.09
16.
Nicotine Polacrilex Gum 2mg & 4mg (Addl. Indication)
To reduce the withdrawal symptoms, including nicotine craving, associated with quitting the smoking and quitting chewed tobacco and guthka containing tobacco.
03.02.09
17.
Closantel Injection100mg/ ml (for verterinary use.)
For the infestation of trematodes, nematodes, cestodes and arthropods of domestic animals, including milch and other food producing animals.
05.02.09
18.
Lornoxicam 4mg + Paracetamol 500mg film coated tablets
For the short term use in acute painful & inflammatory conditions in adults
05.02.09
19.
Cetrimide15% w/v + Chlorhexidine Gluconate 7.5% v/v + Isopropyl Alcohol 7.5% v/v Concentrate Solution
For cleansing of physically contaminated wounds and for pre-operative disinfection
09.02.09
20.
Ketoconazole 2% w/v + Prepared Coal Tar 2% w/v (I.P. 1966) Solution
For the treatment of dandruff
09.02.09
21.
Doripenem (as monohydrate) Injection 250mg/500mg
For the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia in adults.
16.02.09
22.
Halobetasol Scalp Approved 0.05% w/v
For the relief of inflammatory and puritic manifestation of corticosteroid respensive dermatosis
18.02.09
23.
Nicotine (as Polacrilex) Lozenges 2mg & 4mg
To reduce the withdrawal symptoms, including nicotine craving, associated with quitting the smoking and quitting chewed tobacco and guthka containing tobacco.
18.02.09
24.
Tranexamic Acid Tab SR 750mg
For the treatment of menorrhagia
20.02.09
25.
Betahistine Mesilate Tablet 6mg/12mg
For the treatment of dizziness and feeling of dizziness resulting from Meniere's disease, Meniere's syndrome and vertigo.
20.02.09
26.
Abatacept Injection 250mg/vial (Addl. Indication)
In moderately to severly active rheumatoid arithritis in adults and may be used as monotherapy or concomitantly with DMARD's other than TNF antagonists
20.02.09
27.
Anidulafungin Injection (Lyophilized powder) 50mg/100mg per vial
For the treatment of invasive candidiasis including candidemia and esophageal candidiasis in adult patients.
23.02.09
28.
Hydroquinone 2%+ Tretinoin 0.05% + Hydrocortisone1%Cream
For the treatment of patients with skin hyperpigmentation
23.02.09
29.
Doxyphylline 400 mg + Terbutaline 5mg tablets
For the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adult patients only
23.02.09
30.
Hydroquinone 20mg + Tretinoin 0.25mg + Fluocinolone Acetonide 0.1mg per gm Cream
For the treatment of melasma of face in adults
23.02.09
31.
Ketoconazole 2% + Zinc Pyrithone 1% Lotion
For the treatment of pityriasis and dandruff of the scalp
23.02.09
32.
Lamivudine 30mg + Zidovudine 60mg + Nevirapine 50mg Oral Suspension (Tablets for oral Suspension)
For the treatment of HIV patients
23.02.09
33.
Glibenclamide 5mg + Pioglitazone 15mg + Metformin500mg film coated tablets
As 3rd line treatment of type II diabetes mellitus when diet, exercise and the single agents and the second line therapy with two drugs do not result in adequate glycemic control
23.02.09
34.
Aceclofenac 100mg + Tizanidine 2mg film coated tablets
For the treatment of acute low back pain in adult patients only
23.02.09
35.
Octinoxate 7.5% + Avobenzone 3% + Oxybenzone 3% + Titanium dioxide 2% lotion
As sunscreen lotion for prevention of sunburn skin
23.02.09
36.
Cetrizine 5/10mg + Ambroxol 30mg per 5ml syrup
For the symptomatic relief of productive cough associated with allergic rhinitis, when both anti-histamine and mucolytic agents are desired
23.02.09
37.
Lidocaine Lozenges 200/300mg
For single agent anesthesia in upper gastro intestinal endoscopy.
26.02.09
38.
Calamine 8% + Liquid Paraffin10% lotion
As antipruritic and smoothening agent
26.02.09
39.
Nifedipine 0.3% + Lidocaine1.5% cream
For the treatment of anal fissures
26.02.09
40.
Quinapril 20mg + HCTZ 25mg film coated tablet
For the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension in adult patients (in whom combination therapy is appropriate) who have been stabilized on the individual components given in the same proportion
26.02.09
41.
Levodopa 100/100/250 + Carbidopa 10/25/25mg mouth dissolving tablet
For the symptomatic symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's Disease
04.03.09
42.
Paliperidone ER Tablets 1.5mg
Addl. Strength
04.03.09
43.
Losartan 100mg+ HCTZ 25 mg tablet
Additional higher strength
16.03.09
44.
Darunavir(as ethanolate) Tablet 300mg
For the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in antiretroviral treatment experienced adult patients, such as those patients with HIV-1 strains resistant to more than one protease inhibitor when co-administered with 100mg ritonavir, and with other antiretroviral agents.
19.03.09
45.
Ropivacaine HCl Inj.2/5/7.5/10mg
For the production of local or regional anasthesia for surgery and for acute pain management.
19.03.09
46.
Butaphosphan 100g + Methyl Hydroxybenzoate 1gm + Cyanocobalamin50 gm Oral powder (Veterinary Drug)
As vitamin and phosphorous supplement for livestock, shirmp and fish.
19.03.09
47.
Fluticasone furoate Nasal spray 27.5mcg per spray
For the treatment of symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
19.03.09
48.
Octinoxate 7.5% + Avobenzone 2% + Oxybenzone 3% + Octocrylene 3%+ Zinc Oxide 2% lotion
A sunscreen lotion for prevention of sunburn skin
19.03.09
49.
Omeprazole 20/40mg + Sodium Bicarbonate 600mg+ Magnesium Hydroxide 700mg sachet
Additional Strength
19.03.09
50.
Ambroxol 30mg + Levo salbutamol 1mg+ Guiphenesin 50mg /5ml syrup
For the symptomatic relief of bronchospasm in bronchial asthma & chronic bronchitis
19.03.09
51.
Montelucast 4 mg+ Levocetrizine 2.5 mg tablet
Additional lower paedriatric dose
19.03.09
52.
Surgical Sealant
To be indicated for use in sealing suture lines along arterial and venous reconstructions.
26.03.09
53.
Lidocaine Patch 700mg in aqueous base. (50 mg per gram adhesive)
For the relief of pain associated with post-herpetic neuralgia. It should be applied only to intact skin.
26.03.09
54.
Bimatoprost Opthalmic solution 0.03%
For the treatment of hypotrichosis of the eyelashes by increasing their growth including length, thickness and darkness.
30.03.09
55.
Trabectedin powder for concentrate for solution for infusion 1 mg/ vial
For the treatment of patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma, after failure of anthracyclines and ifosfamide, or who are unsuited to recieve these agents.
30.03.09
56.
Acebrophylline Syrup 10mg/ml (Additional Indication)
For the treatment of children (age 6to 12years) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and bronchial asthma.
30.03.09
57.
Mesalamine PR Tablets 1.2gm
For the induction of remission in patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.
30.03.09
58.
Mycophenolate Mofetil Tablets 750mg Additional Strength
Same as approved
31.03.09
59.
Ketorolac Tromethamine Gel 2%w/w
For the treatment of muscle, joint and post-traumatic stress.
31.03.09
60.
Theophylline 400mg SR + Montelukast 10mg Tablet
For the treatment of patients with bronchial asthma
31.03.09
61.
Hyaluronic Acid Sodium Salt 0.2 gm + Silver Sulfadiazine 1.0 gm/25 gm tube Hyaluronic Acid Sodium Salt 50 mg + Silver Sulfadiazine 1.0 gm/ 100 gm gauze pads impregneted with cream.
For the treatment of wound of different etiology
31.03.09
62.
Telmisartan 80mg + Amlodipine 5mg tablet
Additional higher strength
31.03.09
63.
Hyaluronic Acid Sodium Salt
(i) Each 15gm tube contains: Hyaluronic Acid Sodium Salt 0.2gm/100gm
(ii) Sterile Gauze Pads impregnated with cream: Each gauze pad contains Hyaluronic Acid Sodium Salt 50/100mg
For the treatment of wound of different etiology
31.03.09
64.
Abatacept Injection 250mg/vial (additional indication)
For reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severly active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis/juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older who have had an inadequate response to one or more DMARD's such as MTX
10.04.09

Cetrizine 10 mg + Ambroxol 75 mg SR Tablet
For symptomatic relief of productive cough associated with allergic rhinitis, when both anti-histamine and mucolytic agents are desired
13.04.2009

Ciclesonide 200mcg + Formoterol 6mcg + Tiotropium 9mcg MDI
Indicated as third line treatment of severe cases of COPD, when monotherapy and second line therapy with two drugs do not respond adequately.
13.04.2009

Each film coated bilayred tablet contains: Metoprolol 25mg/50mg + Chlorthalidone 12.5mg
For the tretament of patients with mild to modrate essential hypertension
13.04.2009

Milnacipran 25/50mg Caps (Addl. Indication)
For the management of fibromylagia.
15.04.2009

Lornoxicam SR 16mg Tabs
For the symptomatic treatment of pain and inflammation in patients of osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis
25.04.2009

Palonosetron Hcl 0.075mg IV Inj (Addl. Strength)
Same as approved
25.04.2009

Each film coated bilayred tablet contains: Metoprolol 25mg/50mg + Chlorthalidone 6.25 mg /12.5mg
Additional strength
25.04.2009

Albendazole 400 mg + Ivermectin 6 mg tablet
For the treatment of intestinal helminthes and suppression of microfilaraemia especially with bancrofti infections
25.04.2009

Decitabine Lyophilized powder for injection 50mg/20ml vial
For treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) including previously treated and untreated, de novo and secondary MDS of all French-American-British subtypes(refractory anemia, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia) and intermediate-1, intermediate-2, and high-risk international Prognostic Scoring System groups.
25.04.2009

Retapamulin Ointment 1%
For the topical treatment of bacterial skin and skin structure infections:- Primary impetigo, secondarily infected traumatic lesions, secondarily infected dermatoses.
25.04.2009

Each ml contains Calamine 15% w/v + Zinc oxide 5% w/v + Bentonite 3% w/v+ Glycerin 5%w/v + Sodium citrate 0.05 % w/v lotion
For the tretament of pruritis and prickly heat
08.05.2009

Each 1000 ml of emulsion contains: Medium chain triglycerides 100 gm + Soya oil 80 gm + Omega-3 acid triglycerides 20 gm + egg lecithin 12 gm + Glycerl 25 gm + Sodium oleate 0.30 gm + Alpha -tocopherol 0.20 gm + Ascorbypalmitate 0.30 gm + Sodium hydroxide max. 0.06 gm + water for injection 784 gm emulsion for infusion
For the supply of fats, including essential omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids, as part of a parenteral nutrition regimen in adults if oral or enteral nutrition is impossible, inadequte or contraindicated.
14.05.2009

Sertaconazole Nitrate Powder 2% w/w & Lotion 2% w/v
For the topical treatment of the superficial fungal infections of the skin.
02.05.2009

Amlodipine Tablets 5mg/10mg (additional indication)
1. To reduce of fatal coronary heart disease and non-fatal myocardial infarction, and to reduce the risk of stroke. 2. To reduce the risk of coronary revascularization procedures and the need for hospitalization due to angina in patients with coronary artery disease.
02.05.2009

Clindamycin Phosphate Inj. 150mg/ml & Clindamycin HCl Capsules 150mg/300mg (additional indication)
Prophylaxis of infection in neck and head surgery
02.05.2009

Each 15 gm sachet contains: Lactulose 10 gm + Ispaghula husk 3.50 gm granules
For the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation in adult patients only
16.05.2009

Sucralose
for use as sweetner in drug formulations
09.05.2009

CarvedilolTablets 3.125/6.25/12.5/25mg (additional indication)
To reduce cardiovascular mortality in clinically stable patients who have survived the acute phase of a myocardial infarction and have a left ventricular ejection fraction of ≤ 40% (with or without symptomatic heart failure)
09.05.2009

Dexketoprofen 12.5 mg/25 mg + Paracetamol 500 mg film coated tablets
For the treatment of Acute musculoskeletal pain
18.05.2009

Pregabalin SR Tablet 150/300mg
For the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in adults
16.05.2009

Guaiphenesin ER Tablet 1200mg
For the treatment of productive cough accompanied by Phlegm
16.05.2009

Everolimus 5/10mg Tablets (Addl. Indication)
Treatment of advance renal cell carcinoma
16.05.2009

Nimesulide ER 200mg
( Additional Indication)
Acute pain in Orthopaedic, ENT, Dental and Post Operative condition
16.05.2009

Palonesetron Injection 0.25mg/5ml (Additional Indication)
For treatment of Post Operative Nausea & vomiting
16.05.2009

Bendamustine Hydrochloride Lyophilized powder Injection 100mg/ vial
For the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
16.05.09

Caffeine(as Citrate) 10mg / ml Injection
For the short term treatment of apnoea of prematurity of infants between 28 and < 33 weeks gestational age.
16.05.09

Perindopril arginine 2.5mg/5mg/10mg film coated tablet
For the treatment of arterial hypertension, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.
16.05.09

Each gm contains: Halobetasol 0.05% w/w + Mupirocin 2.0 % w/w gel
For the topical treatment of inflammatory dermatitis with secondry bacterial infection
16.05.09

Mometasone 0.1 % + Fusidic acid 2% cream/ointment
For the treatment of dermatoses where secondry bacterial and/or candidial infection is present
25.04.09

Thiocolchicoside 8 mg + Etoricoxib 60 mg tablets
Additional strength
25.04.09

Methadone Hydrochloride 5mg/10mg per ml syrup; 5mg/ 10mg/ 20mg / 40mg tablet
For the treatment of opiod dependence and in maintainence treatment for opioid dependence.
28.05.09

Trospium Chloride film coated tablet 20mg
For the treatment of overactive bladder with the symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency.
28.05.09

Arformoterol (as Tartrate ) 15mcg / 2ml Inhalation Solution
For the long term, twice daily (morning and evening) maintainence treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
29.05.09

Zolmitriptan...5.0% w/v Benzalkonium Chloride NF ... 0.01% w/v Nasal spray
For the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.
29.05.09

Dexmedetomidine ( as HCl) 100mcg /ml Injection
For sedation of initially and mechanically ventilated patients during treatment in an intensive care setting.
29.05.09

Levetiracetam SR Tablet 500/750/1000mg
same as approved

2.05.2009

Glatiramer Acetate Injection (20mg/ ml) & Pre-filled syringe (20mg/ml)
For the reduction of the frequency of relapses in patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
3.06.2009

Yttrium-90 Microspheres Injection (Yttrium-90...3GBq (at the time of calibration) per vial)
For the treatment of unresectable metastatic liver tumors from primary colorectal cancer with intra-hepatic artery chemotherapy (IHAC) of FUDR (Floxuridine)
3.06.2009

Luliconazole Cream 1%
For the treatment of cutaneous mycosis viz. Tinea pedis, Tinea corporis, Tinea cruris.

3.06.2009

Magnesium Valporate Prolonged release tablet 600mg
1) For the treatment of generelized or partial seizures as monothreapy or adjunctive threapy. 2) For prophylaxis of migraine headache in adults. 3) For the treatment of manic episodes associated with bi polar disorders

4.06.2009

Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumerate 300mg
For the treatment of chronic Hepatitis B in adults
19.6.2009

Bosentan (as monohydrate) Tablets 62.5/125mg
For the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (WHO Group I) in patients with WHO Class III or IV symptoms, to improve excercise ability and decrease the rate of clinical worsening.

23.6.2009

Lornoxicam 12 mg SR (additional strength)
same as approved
26.6.2009

Azithromycin SR Granules for oral suspension 2000mg
for the treatment for mild to moderate susceptible infection including RTI, uncomplicated skin/ skin structure, non gonococcal urethritis, cervicitis

26.6.2009

Metoprolol 50/50/25 mg + Atorvastatin 20/10/10 mg + Ramipril 10/5/2.5 mg capsules
As 2nd line treatment of patients with both essential hypertension and hypercholesterolemia who are not adequately controlled by combination of an anti-hypertensive with lipid lowering agent.
1.07.2009

Methyl Phenidate ER Tablet 10/20/30mg
For the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
10.07.2009

Dasatinib Tablets 100mg (addl. Strength)
same as approved
10.07.2009

Voglibose 0.2 mg + Metformin 500mg Tablets
As 2nd line treatment of type II Diabetes mellitus when diet, exercise and the single agent do not result in adequate glycemic control.
13.7.2009

Combipack of artesunate tablet and FDC Tablet of sulphadoxine + pyrimethamine Composition:
A. combipack of 1 stip of 3 tablets of artesunate 25 mg and 1 strip of 1 tablet of sulphadoxine 125mg+ pyrimethamine 6.25 mg
B. combipack of 1 stip of 3 tablets of artesunate 50 mg and 1 strip of 1 tablet of sulphadoxine 500mg+ pyrimethamine 25 mg
C. combipack of 1 stip of 3 tablets of artesunate 100 mg and 1 strip of 1 tablet of sulphadoxine 500mg+ pyrimethamine 25 mg D. combipack of 1 stip of 3 tablets of artesunate 200 mg and 1 strip of 1 tablet of sulphadoxine 500mg+ pyrimethamine 25 mg.
For the treatment of P. falciparum resistant malaria patients

15.7.2009

Milnacipran 100mg (additional Strength)
same as approved
16.7.2009

Rifaximin 400mg (additional Indication)
For the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy
18.7.2009

Nevirapine tablet 50 mg for oral suspension mg
For the treatment of HIV infection in combination with other anti retro viral agents
18.7.2009

Desvenlafaxine (as Succinate) ER Tablets 50mg/100mg
For the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)
18.7.2009

Posaconazole Oral Suspension 40mg/ml
For the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis, including oropharyngeal candidiasis refractory to itraconazole and/or fluconazole. For prophylaxis of invasive Aspergillus and Candida infections in patients, 13 years of age and older, who are at high risk of developing these infections due to being severly immunocompromised, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or those with hematologic malignancies with prolonged neutropenia from chemotherapy.
18.7.2009

Caffeine Citrate 20mg / ml (equivalent to 10mg of Caffeine base) Oral Solution (Addl. Dosage form)
same as approved
18.7.2009

Amphotericin B Emulsion 5mg/ml (Addl. Indication)
Febrile Neutropenia in cancer patients
18.7.2009

Hydroxy ethyl starch 10% Solution for infusion
For the treatment of imminent or manifest hypovolemia and shock.
18.7.2009

Naratriptan (as HCl) Tablets 1/ 2.5mg
For the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.
18.7.2009

Colistimethate Sodium powder for solution for injection/infusion 500000IU and 2000000IU (additional Strength)
same as approved
20.7.2009

Simvastatin 20 mg + Ramipril 5mg + Atenolol 50 mg + HCTZ 12.5 mg + Aspirin 100 mg (EC Pellets) Capsules
For secondary prevention of coronory heart disease/stroke in patients where use of such combination is appropriate
21.7.2009

Colistimethate Sodium powder for solution for inhalation 500000IU/1000000IU/2000000IU
Treatment by inhalation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in patients with cystic fibrosis
28.7.2009

Ramipril MR capsule 10mg
For the treatment of hypertension/ cardiac failure and myocardial infarction
30.7.2009

Abacavir Sulfate Tablet 60mg
For the treatment of HIV-1 infection in combination with other antiretroviral agents
1.08.2009

Zoledronic Acid Solution for Infusion Addl. Indication
Prevention of clinical fractures after hip fracture in men and women
1.08.2009

Sumatriptan 85 mg + Naproxen 500 mg Tablets
Additional Strength for the treatment of migraine
3.08.2009

Aceclofenac(100mg) + Thiocolchicoside ( 8 mg) tablets
For the treatment of acute inflammation conditions associated with spasm in adults only
3.08.2009

Oxcarbazepine 150/300/600mg Tablet (Addl. Indication
Treatment of generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children
13.08.2009

Ofloxacin 2mg + Ornidazole 5 mg per ml Infusion
for the treatment of diarrhoea of mixed infection in adult patients
17.08.2009

Clozapine Tablet200mg (Addl. Strength)
Indicated in the management of Schizophrenic patients
19.08.2009

Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride Nasal Spray50mcg/0.05%w/w
Is indicated for the relief of stuffy,running nose associated with colds and influenza, also post nasal drip, sinusitis.
19.08.2009

Enoxaparin Sodium Injection (Addl.Indication)
Treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction including patients to be managed medically or with subsequent percuaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
19.08.2009

Fluvoxamine Maleate100/150mg ER Tablets
For the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)and depression
19.08.2009

Lidocaine Lozenges 200/300mg (Addl. Indication)
For single agent anesthesia in procedure involving the introduction of instrument & tubes into respiratory tract.
19.08.2009

Risperidone long acting injection (Addl. Indication)
Indicated as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy in lithium or valproate for the maintenance treatment of Bipolar-1 disorder.
29.08.2009

Exemestane 25mg Tablet (Addl. Indication)
Indicated for adjuvant treatment of Post Menopausal Women with estrogen receptor positive early breast cancer who have received two-three year of tamoxifen and are switched to exemestane for completion of total of five years of adjuvant hormonal therapy.
29.08.2009

Artesunate (25/50/100mg) + Amodiaquine (67.5 mg/135/270mg) bilayerd Tablets
For the treatment of uncomplicated malaria due to plasmodium falciparum strain in various age groups
01.09.2009

Ezetimibe 10 mg + Fenofibrate 145 mg Film coated tablets
For the treatment of combined hyperlipidemia in patients with normal hepatic and renal function
01.09.2009

Buprenorphine Transdermal Patch Each Transdermal Patch having an area of 6.25cm², 12.5cm², and 25cm²contains: Buprenorphine…5mg/10mg/20mg having release rate of 5mcg, 10mcg, 20mcg Buprenorphine per hour respectively (over a period of 7 days).
For the treatment of severe opioid responsive painconditions which are not adequately responding to non-opioid analgesics.For Hospital supply only.
03.09.09

Trospium Chloride ER Capsules 60 mg
For the treatment of overactive bladder with the symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency and urinary frequency.
04.09.2009

Metoclopramide (as HCl) 200mg / 400mg per ml Intranasal Solution
For the treatment of nausea and vomiting.
09.09.09

Isosorbibe 20 mg + Hydralazine 37.5 mg tablets
For the treatment of heart failure as an adjunct to standard therapy in patients to improve survival, to prolong time to hospitalization for heart failure and to improve patients reported functional status.
18.09.2009

Cefixime 200 mg + Dicloxacillin ER 500 mg Tablets
For the treatment of adult patients with Upper and Lower respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections
22.09.2009

Chlorthalidone Tablet 6.25mg
For the treatment of mild to moderate hypetension.
03.10.09

Cefovecin( as sodium) 80mg/ ml Lyophilised powder for injection (Veterinary)
For the treatment of skin bacterial infections in dogs and cats.
03.10.09

Imidacloprid 10% + Moxidectin 1.0% & 2.5% Topical solution (Veterinary) Each pippette contains: (a) 0.4ml, 1.0ml, 2.5ml, 4ml of 10% Imidacloprid and 1.0% moxidectin (b) 0.4ml, 0.8ml of 10% Imidacloprid and 2.5% moxidectin
For the treatment and prevention of flea infestations, prevention of heartworm disease and treatment of infections with gastrointestinal nematodes in dogs and cats.
03.10.09

Isoflupredone AcetateSuspension for Injection (2mg per ml) (For Veterinary)
For the glucocorticoid, anti-inflammatory or supportive therapy to cattle suffering from conditions such as:(1) Overwhelming infections with severe toxicity. (2) Bovine ketosis.(3) Musculoskeletal conditions.(4) Shock.(5) Parturient paresis (supportive stress therapy for milk fever).
03.10.09

Saxagliptin (as HCl) 2.5mg/ 5mg Tablets
As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type-2 diabetes mellitus. (It should not be used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis, as it would not be effective in these settings.
24.10.09

Calcipotriol Gel 0.005% (additional dosage form)
For the treatment of moderate plaque psoriasis in adults
3.10.2009

Lamotrigine MR Tablets 150mg (Addl. Strength)
same as approved
3.10.2009

Metoprolol Tartrate ER Tablet 75mg (additional strength)
same as approved
3.10.2009

Valganciclovir Powder for Oral Solution 50mg/ml
For the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in AIDS patients and for prevention of CMV disease in solid organ transplant patients at high risk
9.10.2009

Dexketoprofen Trometamol Gel 12.5mg/gm
For the painful and inflammatory conditions associated with joints, tendons, ligaments and muscle
13.10.2009

Donepezil Hydrochloride Orodispersible Tablet 5mg/10mg
For the treatment of mild to moderate severe Alzheimer's Dementia
15.10.2009

Dexketoprofen Trometamol Injection 50mg/2ml
Symptomatic treatment of acute pain of moderate to severe intensity, when oral administration is not appropriate such as post-operative pain, renal colic and low back pain.
22.10.2009

Bromocriptine Mesylate Tablet IP 0.8mg, (additional Indication)
Indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
22.10.2009

Levosulpride ER Tablet 100/150/200mg
For the treatment of depression and schizophrenia in adults
27.10.2009

Ambroxol 30 mg+ Terbutaline 2.5 mg + Guaiphenesin 100mg + Menthol 2.5 mg per 5 ml syrup
Additional strength
27.10.2009

Propofol 10 mg+ Lignocaine 2.5 mg per ml injection
Additional strength
27.10.2009

Mecobalamin 750 mg + Pyridoxine Hydrochloride1.5 mg + Nicotinamide 45 mg tablets
For the treatment of diabetic neuropathy
27.10.2009

Olmesartan (20/40mg )+ Atorvastatin 5/10/20mg film coated tablets
For the treatment of co-existing essential hypertension and hyperlipidemia in adult patients
27.10.2009

Reference: http://cdsco.nic.in/listofdrugapprovedmain.html

Executive Interview : Q&A with Dr.B.Suresh on Pharm.D. program in India

2010-01-22T20:17:00.001+05:30

In a tete a tete with Dr. B.Suresh, President of Pharmacy Council Of India & the esteemed President of The Indian Pharmaceutical Association , the students of the publication team of IPA-SF addressed him to speak up a few words about the latest Pharm.D. Program launched in India.

Catch up with what he has to say on the upcoming boon in the field of Pharmacy- Pharm.D.

1. You are one of the main driving force behind the introduction of PharmD course in India. Could you please explain the thought processes behind introducing this course and major challenges that you came across in introducing this course?

As The President of PCI , the idea of commencing the Pharm.D. program is the brainchild of professionals from The Pharmacy Council of India headed by me & stalwarts from the field of pharmacy, who feel that after 50 years of being a part of the health care industry the pharmacists should gain a global experience in the field of Hospital & Community Pharmacy.

This experience will enable the pharmacist to advise, consult & help doctors in dispensing medicines to patients, to play a role that is based on KNOWLEDGE and NOT JUST POSITION of the individual and also provide the pharmacist with a role at par with doctors.

In order to achieve these objectives, the curriculum has been redesigned for students who wish to pursue an experimental career in clinical trials.

Students who wish to migrate globally are often faced with problems regarding eligibility for the course & about recognition of the Indian degree in foreign states.

Hence we have come up with a program of {B.Pharm + Pharm.D(3 years)} which gives a global edge to students

2. What is the basic difference between PharmD and PG (post baccalaureate) course?

PG is specialization in a particular field such as Pharmaceutics, Quality Assurance and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. In Pharm.D there is no specific area of specialization. It is based on a clinical aspect (related to trials and experiments)

3. What would be job prospects for Pharm.D graduates in India? What kind of jobs should they expect?

A Pharm.D graduate could find jobs mostly related to the clinical force of India. With gradual amendments being made in the health care industry, the Pharm.D graduate could play an active role in heading the Hospital Pharmacy Setting (Hospital Setting/ Hospital Pharmacy)

Also with a large number of Pharmaceutical companies opting for clinical trials the industry is heading towards a business worth 1.4 billion by way of clinical trials.

As the Ayurvedic doctors conduct clinical trials so also the Pharm.D program concentrates on giving these graduates an opportunity to conduct clinical trials and clinical studies. Meanwhile, a Pharm D. graduate could work at industries that deal with clinical trials related to product line & product pipeline.

4. As you know, the current pharmacy graduates (B-Pharm/M-pharm) who passed out after 2003 are not eligible to write FPGEE in USA. Are these PharmD graduates eligible to writeFPGEE in USA?

It could not be said right now as it is usually on the basis of a case by case evaluation. There are NABP and other agencies which are dealing with aspects of foreign education. However, we do not believe in producing pharmacists for the overseas market but in updating the quality of our pharmacists here. We are trying to create an educational board such that it receives international approval.

5. Right now, role of pharmacists in pharmaceutical care is almost zero in India... Is there any foundation being laid down to make pharmacists a part of the health care systems in India? What efforts are going on towards that?

Earlier since there were not many health care services the pharmacists did not play a significant role. Pharmacists have mostly been involved in the industrial aspect of health care. But now with the introduction of Pharm.D we expect more clinical trials taking place & a forthcoming change that will strengthen the role of the Pharmacist in the Health Care system very soon.

Cortasy ... http://www.pharmainfo.net/interviews/executive-interview-qa-drbsuresh-pharmd-program-india

FDA weighs e-inserts or paperless labeling

2010-01-14T18:49:00.000+05:30

The FDA is weighing whether to allow a system for electronic insert information for most prescription drugs, replacing paper Rx inserts.

Is it time to make prescribing information electronic and forgo paper package inserts for most prescription drugs? Manufacturers have long led an effort to move toward "paperless labeling," which they say could save millions of dollars. Now the Food & Drug Administration is exploring the idea with a call for comments and a recent hearing at its Rockville, Md., offices.

View Full Article

Author(s):

Kathryn Foxhall

Journal:

Drug Topics, Jun 4, 2007

FDA's Approvable Problem

2010-01-14T18:39:00.000+05:30

They scuttle product launches and send company stocks through the floor. They steal precious years from patents and require pricey new trials. They have the entire drug industry on edge, from struggling one-hit biotechs to struggling large-cap pharmas. They're FDA approvable letters—that odd regulatory response that isn't quite an approval and isn't quite a rejection—and in the past three or four years, they've become a major part of the FDA's arsenal for dealing with (or, as many say, not dealing with) new drug applications (NDAs).

As of October 1, the agency had already issued 23 approvable letters this year, including second letters for four drugs and a third for one. After hearing industry insiders grumble that a scared-safe FDA was upping the letter's use, Chris Milne of the Tufts Center for Drug Development looked into the issue in 2005 and counted 35 approvable letters for NDAs between 2001 and 2004, causing an average delay until approval of 20 months. FDA has issued 36 such letters since January 2006 alone.

View Full Article

Author(s):

Walter Armstrong

Journal:

Pharmaceutical Executive, Nov 1, 2007

S.T.D

2010-01-12T21:42:00.005+05:30

Sexually transmitted diseases are a general term that refers to as many as twenty different illnesses. These are transmitted by sex - usually through the exchange of bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and blood. STD's such as herpes, can be acquired by kissing or close contact with infected areas - not just intercourse. If left untreated, STD's can cause permanent damage that leaves you blind, brain-damaged, or sterile. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) disease, often leads to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), which can cause death.

The most common STD's are chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, genital warts, syphilis, hepatitis B, crabs, and trichomoniasis.

STD's can be prevented, most can be cured. They infect men, women, and children. Mothers can also give STD's to their babies. Anyone at any age can be a victim. It is not true that having had an STD once and having been cured, you will not get it again. This section will describe STD's and some simple steps for protection of both partners.

Who Gets STD's:

Anyone who has sex can get a sexually transmitted disease and millions do. More than 4 million people get chlamydia each year. Genital herpes affects an estimated 30 million Americans, with as many as 500,000 new cases reported each year. There are over 1 million cases of gonorrhea each year. And syphilis, once thought to be on the decline, has made a rising comeback in the last four years.

Chlamydia: - is one of the most common STD's in the United States today. Almost 5 million people are infected with this disease each year. Chlamydia is a germ that commonly infects the cervix and may spread to the uterus and the fallopian tubes.

How You Get It:

The disease is passed on through sex, including oral sex with an infected person. It is easier to get chlamydia if a condom is not used. Chlamydia often occurs with other STD's, especially gonorrhea.

How It Is Transmitted:

Chlamydia is transmitted by passing germs (bacteria) from one person to another when having sex.

What It Looks Like - What The Symptoms Are:

Chlamydia frequently doesn't cause any signs that are visible. Sometimes it does. Visible signs appear in 1 to 3 weeks after having sex with an infected person. Men may see a yellow discharge from the penis or a slight crusting at the tip of the penis. They can also experience severe burning during urination. Women may see a yellowish discharge from the vagina or feel pain in the stomach. Women can also experience severe burning during urination.

How You Get Tested For It:

A healthcare provider will collect a sample from the penis or vagina to be sent out for culture. This will take a few days. They will also use clinical indicators to determine if chlamydia exists. This will require an exam of the cervix or penis and indication of discharge.

Treatments:

Chlamydia is treatable and can be cured. Antibiotics will be given to kill the bacteria.

If Left Untreated:

Would result in serious infections. Women would be extremely vulnerable to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and possible sterility.

Prevention:

Use a condom and spermicide (nonoxynol-9).

CRABS: -cause itching which leads to scratching and inflammation. They attach themselves to pubic hairs with their claws and suck blood from the host into their digestive system. They also lay eggs on the hair shaft.

How You Get Them:

Crabs are transmitted by having sex with an infected partner. They are also spread by sharing clothes, sheets, or towels with an infected person.

How They Are Transmitted:

Crab lice jump from one person to another, usually during sex.

What They Look Like - What The Symptoms Are:

Crabs are one of three lice that infect the human body. They are very small insects that crawl around in the pubic areas. They can also be found in facial and body hair. Due to the severe itching they cause, they are often felt before they are seen. This itching can take up to 5 days before it is noticed. Sometimes the crabs and their nits (eggs) can be seen on the hair shafts.

How You Get Tested For Them:

A healthcare provider will examine the area where the itching is occurring. A closer study of the pubic hairs can show the presence of nits (eggs).

Treatments:

Crabs are very treatable. A healthcare provider will recommend a lotion or powder, normally a pediculocide, to eliminate them. Most of these products are available as non-prescription items. Remember, anyone is contagious until all crabs and their nits are eliminated.

If Left Untreated:

Left untreated, crabs will not go away. The itching will continue and as will the contagious condition to any partners. Excessive scratching may lead to a superinfection.

Prevention: Questioning or examination of a partner.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

How You Get It:

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is contracted by having sex with an infected partner. It is easier to get CMV if a condom is not being used. Children can get CMV through the air. The virus also lives in urine.

How It Is Transmitted:

The CMV virus is transmitted during sex from one person to another.

What It Looks Like - What The Symptoms Are:

CMV does not always cause symptoms that are noticeable. Fever, muscle ached, or a tired feeling may be noticed. In rare cases CMV can cause a lack of mobility in the arms or legs, swelling of the brain or heart, and a thinning of the blood (anemia). People with an impaired immune system may feel very fatigued, or have trouble breathing or seeing.

How To Get Tested For It:

A small amount of fluid or skin from the penis or vagina will be collected by a qualified medical professional and sent to a laboratory for examination. Another option is to take a blood sample and send it to the laboratory. Either method will take 2-3 days to get the results.

Treatments:

For people with normal immune systems, there are no current treatments available. For those with impaired immune systems, there are two possible treatments for retina infections. One of these two products has also shown some benefit in the treatment of CMV infections of the gastrointestinal tract and to a lesser degree, the lung.

What Will Happen To Those With CMV:

As with many viral infections, once infected with CMV, always infected. It also has periods of little to no viral activity and other periods of great viral activity. This is usually represented by symptoms that come and go in a normal, healthy person. For those with impaired immune systems, severs blood diseases, lung problems or even blindness can result from the infection. Unlike herpes, CMV can be passed on even in a stage of low viral activity.

Prevention:

A latex condom, preferably used with a spermicide, is the best protection against the spread of viral diseases.

GENITAL HERPES (HSV): -, usually HSV-2, is an infection caused by a virus. It belongs to a family of herpes viruses that cause chickenpox, cold sores, shingles, and mononucleosis. Once infected, herpes remains in the body for the life span of the host. HSV-2 is the cause of genital lesions in about 80-85% of all cases. The balance is caused by a related strain of HSV-1. This strain is usually found around the mouth (cold sores) and nose. Most cases of HSV-1 in the genital area come from oral-genital contact. Fortunately, both strains respond well to current treatments.

How You Get It:

Herpes is acquired by having sex or personal contact (kissing, touching, etc.) with an infected person. An infected person is contagious from the moment of prodrome (burning, pain, itching) until the sores are completely healed.

How It Is Transmitted:

Infection occurs when the virus passes through a break in the skin or penetrates the moist mucosal membranes of the penis, vagina, cervix, or anus.

What It Looks Like - What The Symptoms Are:

About 2-10 days after having sex with an infected partner, flu-like symptoms such as swollen glands, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and nausea may appear. Early symptoms (prodrome) include a burning sensation when urinating; pain in the buttocks, legs or genital area; a feeling of pressure in the genital area; or a discharge from the vagina. Sores appear as a small, fluid-filled blisters on the genitals, buttocks, or other infected areas. Later these blisters will dry-out, crust over, and heal.

The first bout can last up to three weeks. About 90% of those infected will have recurrence at some time. The rate of recurrence varies greatly for each infected

person. Recurrences in a normal host normally last about a week.

How To Get Tested For It:

A qualified medical professional will collect a small sample of fluid from one of the lesions and send it to a laboratory for a viral culture. The results can take up to two weeks. It is very difficult to test for HSV if there are no lesions present and is most effective early in the outbreak.

Treatments:

Herpes cannot be cured but it can be treated. Antiviral capsules or ointment can shorten the length of the outbreak and make the sores less painful. If you have frequent repeat outbreaks, your healthcare provider can work out a specific daily regimen to reduce or eliminate them completely. Keep all lesions clean and dry, and avoid tight fitting clothes.

If Left Untreated:

Once infected, the symptoms may go away, but they can come back. If left untreated, recurrences will last longer and have more discomfort. As with any virus, even when less active it is possible to transmit the virus to a partner.

Prevention:

Abstain from sex during infectious periods (outbreaks). Wear protection in the form of latex condoms. If there are any lesions or scabs present, avoid any contact.

Genital warts: - are caused by the human papilomavirus (HPV). There are many types of HPV. Those that cause condyloma are different from those that cause common warts on the hands or feet.

How You Get It:

Genital warts are passed on during sexual intercourse - genital, oral, or anal, with an infected person. It is easier to get condyloma if a condom is not used.

How It Is Transmitted:

Genital warts are transmitted when the virus is passed from one partner to another during sex.

What They Look Like - What The Symptoms Are:

Genital warts do not always cause signs that are visible. When it does, they are noticeable 3 days to 3 weeks after infection. It takes years for signs to show up in some people. Warts can appear in clusters or as one or two small bumps. In women, warts can be present in the vulva, perineum, cervix, vagina, or anus. In men, warts usually appear on the penis and are sometimes found on the scrotum.

How To Get Tested For It:

A qualified medical professional will look at the genital area. They can also check areas that are not easily visible, especially in the woman. For example, they can retrieve a sample of cells from the cervix to examine for the virus or use a colposcope, a magnifying instrument, to look directly in the vagina and cervix.

Treatments:

There are many different treatments available today. Most have a success rate of better than 80%. Warts can now be removed through a variety of surgical procedures like laser, cold steel, and hot cautery. There are also a number of applied treatments like caustic agents TCA and BCA, podophyllin resin, and podofilox solution. Some warts do return and may require further treatment. Always have the partner examined by a healthcare professional to prevent reinfection.

If Left Untreated:

The HPV virus remains in the body and can cause warts at any time. Left untreated, these warts can become large and difficult to treat. Certain types of warts have been linked changes in tissues that could lead to cancer. During pregnancy, genital warts can grow very quickly and can even interfere with a normal vaginal delivery. As with any virus, the risk of passing condyloma on to a partner is always present.

Prevention:

Avoid sexual contact until all warts are gone. Wearing protection in the form of a latex condom or abstinence.

Gonorrhea:- is a very common STD. It is caused by a germ that grows quickly in the warm, moist areas of the body. The most common place it is found is in the cervix. It can also occur in the mouth, throat, rectum, and urinary tract.

How To Get It:

The disease is passed on through sex with an infected person. It is easier to get gonorrhea if a condom is not used.

How It Is Transmitted:

Gonorrhea is transmitted by passing germs (bacteria) from one person to another when having sex.

What It Looks Like - What The Symptoms Are:

Visible signs of gonorrhea usually appear within 2 to 10 days after infection. Men may see a yellowish discharge from the penis and a burning sensation when urinating. Women may see a yellowish discharge from the vagina and have a burning sensation when urinating. Later difficulties are bleeding between periods, swollen joints, fever, or pain in the pelvic area.

How You Get Tested For It:

A health care provider will collect a fluid sample from the penis or vagina to be sent to a laboratory for a culture. This will take a few days for the results.

Treatments:

Gonorrhea is treatable and can be cured. Antibiotics, in the form of an injection or pills, will be given to kill the bacteria. Follow the dosing instructions thoroughly.

If Left Untreated:

Would result in serious infections. Women would be extremely vulnerable to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and possible sterility.

Prevention:

Use a condom and spermicide (nonoxynol-9)

Hepatitis B virus (HBV): - is a widely distributed pathogen that is able to produce both acute and chronic infections.

How You Get It:

The disease is passed by having sex with an infected person. It can also be contracted through contaminated blood. Practices such as sharing needles during drug use increase the risk of contracting HBV. It is easier to get hepatitis if a condom is not used.

How It Is Transmitted:

Hepatitis B is transmitted during sex with an infected partner or when sharing needles during drug use.

What It Looks Like - What The Symptoms Are:

All signs of hepatitis B are related to liver dysfunction, which is what the virus causes. The signs include loss of appetite, weakness, nausea, vomiting, pain in the stomach, and a yellowing of the skin or the white part of the eye. Some of these signs are also signs of other diseases. Therefore, having any of these should be sufficient reason to see a qualified medical professional.

How To Get Tested For It:

A healthcare professional will take a blood sample and send it to a laboratory. The results can take up to two weeks to return.

Treatments:

Hepatitis B can be treated, but there is no current cure for it. An intramuscular injection is given to control damage to the liver and control the disease.

If Left Untreated:

Serious liver damage.

Prevention:

Avoid or eliminate high-risk behavior (shared needles during drug use). Consider vaccination.

Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV disease: -, is a spectrum of illnesses caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The disease was first recognized in the very early 1980's. HIV disease represents a potential threat to everyone - men, women, and children. The number of deaths, people with symptoms, and people infected, continues to climb at an alarming rate. From the beginning of the epidemic people of all sexes, ages, and backgrounds have been affected.

Very simply, HIV destroys the body's immune system over a period of time by killing the white cells that to respond to and destroy other infections. As people with HIV progress in their disease, they have less and less ability to fend off these infections or cancers. Most people who die from this disease succumb to one of these other infections.

How You Get It:

The disease is passed on through unprotected sex with an infected partner. Any potential blood contact with an infected person (shared drug needles, anal sex) increases the risk potential dramatically.

How It Is Transmitted:

Infection occurs when the virus is passed from an infected partner during sex or when needles are shared during drug use. The virus passes through a break in the skin or penetrates the moist mucosal membranes of the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, or oral cavities.

What It Looks Like - What Are The Symptoms:

HIV is unique because it often presents with no symptoms for an extended period of time after infection. A person could be infected with HIV, not feel sick, and not be aware of the danger they present to themselves and others. This period of asymptomatic (no symptoms) infection can last years.

When HIV symptoms do present, they come in many forms. Some are related to HIV infection while others are due to infections attacking the body in its weakened state. Therefore, any combination of symptoms may appear and should be reason to seek qualified medical attention immediately. Some of the symptoms are: Lumps in the armpits, neck or groin; purple spots on the skin; purplish raised bumps on the skin; skin rashes, boils, or sores; growths beneath the skin; growths on the skin that line the mouth, nasal passages, anus, vagina, or inside the eyelids; a heavy white coating of the tongue (thrush); shingles; unexplained weight loss; fever or night sweats; ongoing dry cough or shortness of breath; persistent diarrhea; bleeding without cause from any body opening; being tired, dizzy, or faint frequently; difficulty swallowing; difficulty with urination or bowel movements; persistent pain; memory loss, blurred vision, and changes in hearing, smell, or taste.

In the later stages of disease, patients suffer a range of rare and unique infections. These include PCP (a form of pneumonia), Kaposi's sarcoma (a form of skin cancer), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). These infections are very debilitating, can recur, and often cause death.

How You Get Tested For It:

A qualified medical professional will take a blood sample and send it to a laboratory for one of two tests, the Western Blot test or the ELISA test. These tests are often done sequentially to verify the previous readings. In most cases the results are returned in about three days but it can take up to two weeks. The test can be done in a physician's office, a local clinic, or a specific testing center. These can be found in the local phone book.

There are two ways to be tested, anonymously or confidentially. Anonymous testing does not require a name. The patient is given a number for follow-up and test results. Confidential testing requires a name, but results and information is not to be given out without the patients consent. Some states, not all, offer both types of testing. Check with a local hotline or medical society to find out what is available in your area.

Treatments:

There are a number of antiviral drugs available to slow the progression (increase of virus in the body) of the disease. These can be used alone or in combination. A healthcare provider can optimize a plan to meet each person’s specific needs. There are also a growing number of therapies available to combat the other infections that attack the body.

If Left Untreated:

The disease can progress faster and the patient is more likely to experience other infections sooner.

Prevention:

To find out more about the HIV disease, contact a qualified medical professional; a local AIDS Support Organization (ASO); or other qualified person. If in doubt about a partner, assume that protection is required. Condoms have demonstrated an ability to reduce the transmission of the HIV virus when used properly.

Syphilis:- is a chronic infectious disease.

How You Get It:

The disease is transmitted by having sex with an infected partner. It is easier to get syphilis if a condom is not used.

How It Is Transmitted:

Syphilis is transmitted by passing germs (bacteria) from one person to another when having sex. Other potential routes of transmission include contaminated blood (shared needles) and mother to baby transmission.

What It Looks Like - What The Symptoms Are:

Patients with untreated syphilis are classified in a series of stages. The primary stage begins immediately after exposure. The first symptom usually occurs 1 to 12 weeks after infection and is defined by the presence of a chancre. The sore usually develops at the site of initial lesion contact. This could be on the external genitals but may develop inside the vagina, rectum, mouth, or throat and may go unnoticed. The sore will go away on its own but the disease process continues.

Secondary syphilis usually occurs 4 to 10 weeks after the chancre appears. At this time a number of obvious clinical signs become apparent. A skin rash develops and may cover a few areas or the entire body. Flu-like symptoms also frequently occur at or about the same time. Again, these symptoms will disappear but the disease remains. Many people now move to a latent period where no symptoms are apparent. This is followed by tertiary syphilis, which can end in death.

How You Get Tested For It:

A healthcare provider will take a sample of skin or fluid from the genital area to determine if there is early stage (primary or secondary) disease. To test for disease further along, a blood test will be required. It usually takes a few days for the results to return.

Treatments:

Syphilis is treatable and curable, most easily in the early stages by penicillin shots.

If Left Untreated:

Untreated syphilis can lead to blindness, heart disease, brain damage, and death.

Prevention:

The regular use of condoms reduces the transmission of syphilis.rs, see section on Safe Sex.

Trichomoniasis .

How You Get It:

Trichomoniasis is passed on through sex with an infected partner. It is easier to get trichomoniasis if a condom is not used.

How It Is Transmitted:

Trichomoniasis is transmitted by passing germs (protozoa) from one person to another when having sex.

What It Looks Like - What The Symptoms Are:

Itching in and around the vagina along with a deep red-colored rash are signs of trichomoniasis. Women also may see a gray discharge, a frothy-yellowish discharge, or a slightly bloody discharge from the vagina. Women can range from no symptoms to a severe inflammatory disease. For women, symptoms of acute trichomoniasis often occur during or immediately menstruation. Men may show a similar discharge in about half of the cases but often have no symptoms. The incubation period has been estimated between 3 to 28 days after initial infection.

How You Get Tested For It:

A healthcare provider will collect fluids from the genital area for women and take a urine test from men. These are sent to a laboratory for examination. It usually takes a few days to get the results back.

Treatments:

Trichomoniasis is treatable and curable. A seven-day regimen of pills provides a 95% cure rate.

Prevention:

The regular use of a condom reduces the transmission of trichomoniasis.

CONCLUSION

Only a qualified medical professional can identify and treat a sexually transmitted disease. The information provided in this section only serves as a general guideline. Your healthcare professional must decide whether a symptom indicates the presence of an STD, and which one. Do not attempt to make this decision alone. Waiting to seek guidance and treatment can also be detrimental. Since many STD's are treatable, the sooner they are identified, the easier it is to effectively treat the disease with the least amount of damage to your body. Also remember that there is always a partner that will require treatment. Without it, reinfections and new infections will continue to rise.

Remember, it is easier to prevent STD's than to treat them. And some of the diseases can only be treated, not cured. In light of the HIV disease, are you willing to bet your life on it? It is important to protect yourself and your partner every time you have sex.

VISUAL PROBLEMS

2010-01-09T18:43:00.000+05:30

There are many types of eye problems and visual disturbances. These include blurred vision, halos, blind spots, floaters, and other symptoms. Blurred vision is the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see small details. Blind spots (scotomas) are dark "holes" in the visual field in which nothing can be seen. For the most severe form of visual loss.

Considerations

Changes in vision, blurriness, blind spots, halos around lights, or dimness of vision should always be evaluated by a medical professional. Such changes may represent an eye disease, aging, eye injury, or a condition like diabetes that affects many organs in your body.

Whatever the cause, vision changes should never be ignored. They can get worse and significantly impact the quality of your life. Professional help is always necessary. As you determine which professional to see, the following descriptions may help:

Opticians dispense glasses and do not diagnose eye problems.
Optometrists perform eye exams and may diagnose eye problems. They prescribe glasses and contact lenses. In some states, they treat diseases that affect the eyes.
Ophthalmologists are physicians who diagnose and treat diseases that affect the eyes. These doctors may also provide routine vision care services, such as prescribing glasses and contact lenses.
Sometimes an eye problem is part of a general health problem. In these situations, your primary care provider should also be involved.

Causes

Vision changes and problems can be caused by many different conditions:

Presbyopia -- difficulty focusing on objects that are close. Often becomes noticeable in your early to mid 40s.
Cataracts -- cloudiness over the eye's lens, causing poor nighttime vision, halos around lights, and sensitivity to glare. Daytime vision is eventually affected. Common in the elderly.
Glaucoma -- increased pressure in the eye, causing poor night vision, blind spots, and loss of vision to either side. A major cause of blindness. Glaucoma can happen gradually or suddenly -- if sudden, it's a medical emergency.
Diabetic retinopathy -- this complication of diabetes can lead to bleeding into the retina. Another common cause of blindness.
Macular degeneration -- loss of central vision, blurred vision (especially while reading), distorted vision (like seeing wavy lines), and colors appearing faded. The most common cause of blindness in people over age 60.
Eye infection, inflammation, or injury.
Floaters -- tiny particles drifting across the eye. Although often brief and harmless, they may be a sign of retinal detachment.
Retinal detachment -- symptoms include floaters, flashes of light across your visual field, or a sensation of a shade or curtain hanging on one side of your visual field.
Optic neuritis -- inflammation of the optic nerve from infection or multiple sclerosis. You may have pain when you move your eye or touch it through the eyelid.
Stroke or TIA.
Brain tumor.
Bleeding into the eye.
Temporal arteritis -- inflammation of an artery in the brain that supplies blood to the optic nerve.
Migraine headaches -- spots of light, halos, or zigzag patterns are common symptoms prior to the start of the headache. An ophthalmic migraine is when you have only visual symptoms without a headache.

Other potential causes of vision problems include fatigue, overexposure to the outdoors (temporary and reversible blurring of vision), and many medications.

Medications that can affect vision include antihistamines, anticholinergics, digitalis derivatives (temporary), some high blood pressure pills (guanethidine, reserpine, and thiazide diuretics), indomethacin, phenothiazines (like Compazine for nausea, Thorazine and Stelazine for schizophrenia), medications for malaria, ethambutol (for tuberculosis), and many others.

Home Care

Safety measures may be necessary if you have any vision problems. For example, if you have trouble seeing at night, you should not drive after dusk. It may be helpful to increase the amount of light in a room or arrange a home to remove hazards. A specialist at a low-vision clinic may be able to help.

Can natural herb from the feverfew plant prevent migraines?

2010-01-09T18:37:00.000+05:30

Migraine headaches affect nearly thirty million people in the United States – many of them women. Some people suffering from migraines only experience an occasional headache, while others are forced to deal with them more than once a week. For some sufferers, the pain can be so severe that it leads to missed time from work and school. While prescription medications are the mainstay of treatment, there’s some evidence that a plant from the sunflower family – called feverfew – may be effective for treating migraine headaches. Does feverfew for migraine really work?

Feverfew Benefits: What is It?

The leaves from the feverfew plant have bitter, citrus odor and have been used medicinally to treat a variety of conditions ranging from arthritis to digestive problems – and has shown some promise for treating migraine headaches.

feverfew for Migraine: Does It Work?

Some studies show that feverfew can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches – although results have been inconsistent. It can be used for both prevention of migraines, and – at higher doses – to stop a migraine in progress. To reduce the frequency of migraine headaches, feverfew needs to be taken for at least a month before results can be expected.

Feverfew Benefits: How Does It Work?

The active ingredient in the feverfew plant is parthenolide – a compound that has anti-inflammatory effects. It exerts its effects by altering levels of chemicals called prostaglandins which increase inflammation. It also prevents release of serotonin and histamine from platelets. This reduces the tendency of the blood vessels in the brain to dilate and spasm – leading to symptoms of a migraine.

Feverfew for Migraine: Is It Safe?

Feverfew is safe for most people to take. Because it alters the activity of platelets, it can prolong bleeding time and may not be appropriate for people on blood thinning medications. The most common side effects are mild gastrointestinal upset and nervousness. It shouldn’t be used by women who are pregnant.

Feverfew Benefits: Should You Take It if You Have Migraines?

Studies – so far- have shown inconsistent results with some studies showing benefits for migraine prevention and others showing less than impressive results. Because feverfew has few serious side effects, it may be worth a trial if you suffer from migraines and want to limit the use of prescriptions. Feverfew can be purchased at a variety of online vitamin stores such as Vitacost. Always talk to your doctor before taking feverfew and be sure to keep a headache journal so you can gauge how effectively it works for you.

INFORMATION EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW........................

2010-01-08T17:34:00.000+05:30

B lood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue

STROKE:Remember the 1st Three Letters....S.T.R.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call the paramedics) She said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food.

While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about

enjoying herself the rest of the evening

Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ.

Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today.

Some don't die, they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR .

Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE

(Coherently) i.e. It is sunny out today.
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call the emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke ---Stick out Your Tongue---
NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

On The Track of New Wonder Drugs

2010-01-07T23:31:00.002+05:30

On The Track of New Wonder Drugs

The human body…It has amazing powers to fight disease of injury. Sometimes it needs a little help in the form of drugs, but today it seems that even the most powerful drugs of the future will come from the body itself – they will be derived from proteins.

On the Track of New Wonder Drugs

By Mr Ghaz, January 2, 2010

http://u.nu/58ue4

On the Track of New Wonder Drugs

http://u.nu/79ue4

The biggest helper that doctors have in curing illness in the human body is – the human body. It has amazing powers to fight disease of injury. Sometimes it needs a little help in the form of drugs, but today it seems that even the most powerful drugs of the future will come from the body itself – they will be derived from proteins.

http://u.nu/3aue4

Among their many components, proteins contain enzymes – themselves a type of protein – which help speed up chemical reactions in the body; antibodies, which help fight infections; and most hormones, which act as chemical messengers. Of approximately 25,000 proteins in the human body, scientists have been able to identify fewer than 2 percent. But of that 2 percent, a group known as peptides, or peptide hormones, has far-reaching medical significance.

Links in the Chain

http://u.nu/8aue4

Proteins are formed from amino acids, which are made up chiefly of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. As far as we now know, some 20 aminoacids are joined together by peptide bonds. The peptides are the links in the chain.

http://u.nu/4bue4

Many peptides are secreted by glands: by the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pituitary in the brain; and by the pancreas, which is located near the stomach. It is not known exactly what peptides do nor how they can be so specific in their operation.

http://u.nu/5cue4

One theory holds that they work on the jigsaw principle each peptide is made in such a way that it will fit only into one particular receptor, a protein or a hormone, for example. It “searches” for the right receptor. Once the connection has been made, it starts a series of chemical reactions, activating enzymes that in turn send “messages” to the cells to produce specialized proteins according to the needs of the body.

http://u.nu/7eue4

Some peptide drugs have been in use for many years. Among them are insulin, used in treating diabetes; somatotrophin, the growth hormone; and oxytocin, which starts milk production in mothers. Peptide drugs have already been approved for use with some forms of dwarfism, infertility, and the premature onset of puberty. Other peptides being tested may be used for treatment of cancer, depression, insomnia, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

http://u.nu/8fue4

In due course scientists hope to have peptide drugs for conditions that at present are impossible to treat, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Future research will explore drugs for birth control and as replacement for antibiotics.

Improving on Nature

http://u.nu/9iue4

Until recently it was not possible to extract sufficient quantities of human peptides to use as drugs. But in the 1970’s chemists perfected a way to build up artificial peptides by bonding the first amino acid of a peptide chain to tiny resin beads. Unwanted amino acids were washed away, and a second amino acid was then bonded onto the first. This was repeated until the entire chain was created. The whole process, if computerized, can safely make drugs in the required commercial quantities in a matter of days.

http://u.nu/6jue4

Not only can chemists reproduce a natural peptide, they can also vary the sequence of the amino acids in order to make small but important changes. In this way they can give the artificial peptide certain characteristics, such as long lasting action, that the natural version does not have.

http://u.nu/5pue4

Finally, because the new drugs are so powerful, the doses can be much smaller. And since they work the same way as the body’s own peptides, they cause fewer undesirable side effects.

2010-01-07T22:47:00.000+05:30

Signs of Swine Flu

SIGNS OF SWINE FLU

Swine Flu has disturbed many people in around the globe; people are taking preventive measures so that they become save from it. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) it is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. Therefore for those people who don’t know about the symptoms of this swine flu virus. I am mentioning these signs below;

Fever

Cough

Sore throat

Runny or stuffy nose

Headache

- Body aches
- Chills

- Fatigue

- Vomiting (sometimes)

- Diarrhea (sometimes)

GPAT 2010 - OFFICIAL INFORMATION

2010-01-02T21:03:00.000+05:30

Alright guys everything is crystal clear now...Entrance for M.Pharma in 2010 is going to be conducted by The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat under the name of Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT 2010) on 2nd of May, 2010

Here is the link...

http://www.msubaroda.ac.in/msugpat2010.php

There are only superficial info mentioned here...I am having official brochure published by M S University...I will keep on providing here all the necessary info...

Dec 24 (2 days ago)

Important Dates For GPAT 2010

Issue of application forms and information brochures at designated Bank of Baroda counters or by post from The M S University of Baroda --- 18th January- 2010

Last date for receipt of requests at The M S University of Baroda, for issue of application material by posy/ at bank counters --- 20th February - 2010

Last Date for receipt of completed OMR Application form along with Pay-in-slip and Demand Draft at the organizing institute The M S University of Baroda --- 18th March- 2010

Date of GPAT-2010 --- 2nd May- 2010

Announcement of results of GPAT-2010 --- At 17.00 Hrs On 24th May - 2010

Dec 24 (2 days ago)

GPAT Qualification

Admission to PG programmes with MHRD and other govt scholarships/assistantships in

pharmacy colleges/institutes is op-en for those who qualify through GPAT. GPAT qualified

candidates with bechelors degree in pharmacy are eligible for admission to Master/Doctoral

program in Pharmacy. To avail the scholarship, the candidate must secure admission to such a

PG programme, as per the prevailing procedure of the admitting institution. However, candidates

with master's degree in pharmacy may seek asmission to relevant PhD programmes with

scholarships/assistantships without appearing in the GPAT examination.

Some institutions specify GPAT qualification as mandatory even for admission of self financing

students to PG programmes. GPAT qualified candidates are also eligible for the award of Junior

Research Fellowship in CSIR Laboratories and CSIR sponsored projects.

GATE Examination for Pharmacy Students

2010-01-02T21:00:00.000+05:30

GATE Examination for Pharmacy Students

The National co-ordination Board for GATE 2010 in its 35^th meeting held on 23^rd November at Guwahati has resolved as under -

“It was decided that examination for PY paper would be conducted along with the JAM 2010 examination. The AICTE will be responsible for the examination and will announce it. The AICTE will handle setting of question papers, evaluating answer scripts, declaring results and all other aspects. The GATE committee will provide all the necessary help and guidance in conducting the examination for PY paper in 2010.”

Useful Resources, Databases for Pharmaceuticals, Chemistry & Medicine

2009-07-17T13:11:00.000+05:30

1) Major Chemical Database Collections

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)

http://www.cas.org/

Scientific Technical Databases (STN)

http://www.stn-international.de/

Vifapharm Databases

http://www.vifapharm.de/datenbank.htm

ChemLin Chemical Databases

http://www.chemlin.de/chemie/datenbanken.htm

Online Database Collection, University of Cincinnati

http://www.engrlib.uc.edu/selfhelp/alphlist.htm

2)Chemical Substances Search

Chemfinder

http://chemfinder.cambridgesoft.com/

ChemIDplus

http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus

Chemical Substances Search (Chemical Industry)

http://www.chemindustry.com/chemicals

Web related Servers / Chemistry and small Molecules

http://www.iucr.org/sincris-top/themes/chimie/

3) Synthesis

SPRESI (Storage and Retrieval of Chemical Structure Information) - Web, Infochem

http://www.spresi.com/

Organic Synthesis (OS)

http://www.orgsyn.org/

4) Analysis

Chromatography Online, Library4Science

http://www.chromatography-online.org/

Separations NOW - Resource for Chromatography

http://www.separationsnow.com/basehtml/SepH/1,1353,0-4-25555-0-25555-directories--0,00.html

Analytical Database Systems

http://www.limathon.com/

Chromatography, ChemicalAnalyis.com

http://www.chemicalanalysis.com/chromatography.htm

ASTEC USA

http://www.astecusa.com/

Agilent (HP)

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/facet.jspx?t=80030.k.1&cc=US&lc=eng&sm=g&pageMode=TM

Thomson Instrument Company

http://www.hplc1.com/index.html

SEDERLE

http://www.sedere.com/

Dionex

http://www.dionex.com/app/tree.taf?asset_id=9536

Metrohm

http://www.metrohm.ch/applications.html

CAMAG

http://www.camag.ch/index.htm

5) Spectral Data

Spectral Data, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

http://www.aist.go.jp/RIODB/SDBS/sdbs/owa/sdbs_sea.cre_frame_sea

Spectral Libraries

http://www.acdlabs.com/products/spec_lab/exp_spectra/spec_libraries/

SDBS - Integrated Spectral Data Base System for Organic Compounds

http://www.aist.go.jp/RIODB/SDBS/menu-e.html

Thermo Galactic Spectra Online

http://spectra.galactic.com/

Spectral Database of Organic Compounds

http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/chem/chemlib.html

NMR-Shift Database

http://www.nmrshiftdb.org/

6) Reference Standards

List of Chemical Reference Substances (WHO)

http://www.who.int/medicines/organization/qsm/activities/qualityassurance/pharmacopea/icrs.doc

LGC Promochem

http://www.lgcpromochem.com/home/home_en.aspx

Chemical References

http://www.comar.bam.de/

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Chemistry Web Book

http://webbook.nist.gov/chemistry/

7) Pharma & Medicine

Rx list: Internet Drug Index

http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/hp.asp

HERAT BURN

2009-05-23T16:27:00.001+05:30

What is heartburn?

Despite its name, heartburn doesn't affect the heart. Heartburn is a burning feeling in the lower chest, along with a

sour or bitter taste in the throat and mouth. It usually occurs after eating a big meal or while lying down. The feeling

can last for a few minutes or a few hours.

What causes heartburn?

When you eat, food passes from your mouth down a tube (about 10 inches long in most people) called the

esophagus. To enter the stomach, the food must pass through an opening between the esophagus and

stomach. This opening acts like a gate to allow food to pass into the stomach.

Usually, this opening closes as soon as food passes through. But if it doesn't close all the way, acid from your

stomach can get through the opening and into your esophagus. This is called reflux. Stomach acid can irritate the

esophagus and cause heartburn.

When you eat, food passes from your mouth down a tube (about 10 inches long in most people) called the

esophagus. To enter the stomach, the food must pass through an opening between the esophagus and

stomach. This opening acts like a gate to allow food to pass into the stomach.

Usually, this opening closes as soon as food passes through. But if it doesn't close all the way, acid from your

stomach can get through the opening and into your esophagus. This is called reflux. Stomach acid can irritate the

esophagus and cause heartburn.

Tips on preventing heartburn

* Place 6- to 9-inch blocks under the legs at the head of your bed to raise it.

* Try to eat at least 2 to 3 hours before lying down. If you take naps, try sleeping in a chair.

* Lose weight if you're overweight.

* Don't overeat.

* Eat high-protein, low-fat meals.

* Avoid tight clothes and tight belts.

* Avoid foods and other things that give you heartburn

Call your doctor if:

* You have trouble swallowing or pain when swallowing.

* You're vomiting blood.

* Your stools are bloody or black.

* You're short of breath.

* You're dizzy or lightheaded.

* You have pain going into your neck and shoulder.

* You break out in a sweat when you have pain in your chest.

* You have heartburn often (more than 3 times a week) for more than 2 weeks.

GAUARV TANEJA (THE EMERGING PHARMACIST )

What does it feel like to take anabolic steroids?

2009-03-16T23:23:00.003+05:30

 Anabolic steroids have psychological as well as physical  effects.(1,2)  The steroid abuser is more likely to  experiences mood swings including euphoria and feelings of  violence, and suicidal tendencies than his or her peers of the same  sex and age.(2-7)  These effects appear to stop after steroids are   stopped, but it is unknown whether there is any permanent psychological  change because no long-term studies of steroid effects on personality   have been done.(8)  Some researchers think that the feelings of  euphoria, aggressiveness, and reduced fatigue caused by anabolic  steroids motivate steroid abusers to work out harder and more often  than their non-steroid-using counterparts.(4,7,9-11)  They believe  this is the real reason for increases in muscle mass by steroid  abusers.  High doses of steroids may alter a person's self-image  and produce changes in behavior.(2,10-12)  Weight-lifting steroid  abusers who were evaluated with a standardized psychological test  were found to have antisocial personality traits similar to those  of alcoholics.(2,3)  In one study, all but one subject described (roid Rage) "frequent episodes of temper outbursts, arguments, shouting or throwing  objects, and having urges to beat, injure or harm others. . .."(2)    Personality changes associated with anabolic steroid abuse have led to  violence and the deaths of innocent bystanders.(10,13)  In one review of  such cases, (10) a weightlifter on steroids abducted and  murdered a hitchhiker on impulse.(10)  Another steroid user  abducted a female store clerk on a whim and shot her when she tried  to escape.(10)  In a third case, a steroid abuser convinced  a friend to help him plant an explosive device under his former  fiancee's car.  Fortunately, she was unhurt when they detonated  it.(10)  In another case, a steroid abuser burglarized three  homes and set them afire, leading to $141,000 in property  damages.(14)  In each of these cases, there was no prior history of violence.   Personalities returned to normal when steroids were stopped.(10,14)

REFERENCES 1. Moore WV. Anabolic steroid use in adolescence. J Am Med Assoc 1988 Dec 16;260(23):3484-6. 2. Perry PJ, Andersen KH, Yates WR. Illicit anabolic steroid use in athletes - a case series analysis. Am J Sports Med 1990 Jul-Aug;18(4):422-8. 3. Yates WR, Perry PJ, Andersen KH. Illicit anabolic steroid use - a controlled personality study. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1990 Jun;81(6):548-50. 4. Wagner JC. Abuse of drugs used to enhance athletic performance. American Journal Of Hospital Pharmacy 1989 Oct;46:2059-67. 5. Brower KJ, Eliopulos GA, Blow FC, Catlin DH, Beresford TP. Evidence for physical and psychological dependence on anabolic androgenic steroids in 8 weight lifters. American Journal Of Psychiatry 1990 Apr;147(4):510-2. 6. Council on Scientific Affairs. Drug abuse in athletes. J Am Med Assoc 1988 Mar 18;259(11):1703-5. 7. Kibble MW, Ross MB. Adverse effects of anabolic steroids in athletes. Clinical Pharmacy 1987 Sep;6:686-92. 8. Yesalis CE, Wright JE, Bahrke MS. Epidemiological and policy issues in the measurement of the long term health effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids. Sports Medicine 1989 Sep;8(3):129-38. 9. Kashkin KB, Kleber HD. Hooked on hormones - an anabolic steroid addiction hypothesis. J Am Med Assoc 1989 Dec 8;262(22):3166-70. 10. Pope HG, Katz DL. Homicide and near-homicide by anabolic steroid users. Journal Of Clinical Psychiatry 1990 Jan;51(1):28-31. 11. Brooks RV. Anabolic steroids and athletes. Phys Sportsmed 1980 Mar;8(3):161-3. 12. Hays LR, Littleton S, Stillner V. Anabolic steroid dependence. Am J Psychiatry 1990;147(1):122. 13. Conacher GN, Workman DG. Violent crime possibly associated with anabolic steroid use. American Journal Of Psychiatry 1989 May;146(5):679. 14. Kleinman CC. Forensic issues arising from the use of anabolic steroids. Psychiatric Annals 1990 Apr;20(4):219-21. by Trent Tschirgi, R. Ph.

BIPOLAR DISORDER

2008-11-16T16:45:00.000+05:30

Bipolar disorder,
also known as manic-depressive illness, is a psychiatric disease characterized by periods of abnormally elevated moods, often followed by episodes of depression. An individual with manic-depressive illness has episodes of mania characterized by an abnormally elevated mood, sleeplessness, racing thoughts, and pressured speech. In severe cases, thoughts become increasingly chaotic, and may become completely removed from reality. Without treatment, the disorder often has disastrous consequences: during manic episodes, peoples' actions may cause them to lose jobs, destroy relationships, go into debt, and even put themselves into dangerous situations. Hospitalization is sometimes required to prevent such consequences or suicide. Cycles of manic and depressive episodes may occur occasionally or several times a year depending on the individual. Most people feel no symptoms between episodes. If untreated, episodes generally become progressively more frequent and severe. Medications and psychotherapy help to stabilize moods and alleviate symptoms. Bipolar disorder affects about 1% of the adult population. Manic depressive illness is recognized worldwide, and is about evenly distributed between men and women. The disorder typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood.

Causes ............. Manic-depressive illness is known to have a strong genetic basis. Bipolar disorder tends to run in families. More than two-thirds of people with the disorder have a close relative with it or with depression. Twin studies also support the genetic basis of the disorder: both members of a set of identical twins are more likely to have depression (33%-90%) than both members of a set of non-identical twins (5%-25%). Although the exact pattern of transmission remains unknown, some genes have recently been identified that are associated with the disease. It appears that multiple genes are involved, a particular mix of which determines the various features of the illness.

Symptoms.............The manic phase of the illness is characterized by a persistent, abnormally elevated mood [Table 1]. Manic episodes tend to arise over a period of days to weeks. The person often seems to be euphoric, but may instead be intensely agitated. Affected individuals usually experience increased energy, with rapid, loud speech, a reduced need for sleep, and distractibility. The person may afterwards describe racing thoughts or ideas that seemed to take flight. During an episode, he or she may feel that even mundane conversations or ordinary details are intensely interesting. The person may make wild plans and take action on them, such as flying out of the country without adequate preparation, making crazy business investments, or going on extensive shopping sprees to the point of debt. The manic individual typically does not realize that thoughts are irrational, and will deny having a problem. In milder cases or early in the episode, activities may be channeled productively into work or creative pursuits. Oftentimes, however, thoughts progress too rapidly, irrationally, and chaotically to be constructive. If untreated, an episode may last for weeks, or even as long as a year. A depressive phase usually follows the manic episode. When present, symptoms are identical to those of unipolar depression. Depressive episodes may follow the manic episode. During a depressive episode, an overwhelmingly sad mood and profound loss of interest in activities takes over. Physical symptoms, such as changes in sleep and eating habits, are common, and the person may have thoughts of death and suicide. Severe states of mania or depression may involve psychotic symptoms in which the individual is unable to separate fantasy from reality. During manic or depressive episodes, a person may experience delusions (for example, beliefs of communicating with aliens or of having god-like powers) or hallucinations (such as hearing imaginary voices or seeing things that aren't there). Psychotic symptoms often provoke anxiety, and may involve fears of being harmed by others. When such symptoms are present, the disease resembles schizophrenia, and may respond to medications used for treating schizophrenia. The frequency and duration of episodes of mania and depression vary among individuals. The manic and depressive episodes of each cycle typically occur within three months of each other. Between these cycles, most people feel well, and will have no symptoms. Some people experience many cycles of mania and depression each year. People with rapid cycles should be checked carefully for underlying thyroid disease or a drug-induced cause.

Ten Rules for Safer Drug Use

2008-10-13T18:32:00.000+05:30

Rule 1: Have “Brown Bag Sessions” with Your Primary Doctor; Fill Out a Drug Worksheet. It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of this first and most crucial step in preventing adverse drug reactions. Whenever you go to a doctor you have not previously seen or to one with whom you have never had a brown-bag session, gather all prescription and over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements in your medicine cabinet or anywhere else and bring them to the doctor so that a list can be made and you can start to fill out a Drug Worksheet. The purpose of the Drug Worksheet is for you and your doctor (or doctors) to keep an ongoing record of all drugs you are using, the purposes for which they are being used, adverse reactions, whether the drug is working, and other information essential to the safest and most effective use of these products. Doctors should never prescribe a drug or renew a prescription, nor should you be willing to get a new prescription, without full, up-to-date knowledge of all drugs already being taken or likely to be taken. Before your brown-bag session with the doctor, your pharmacist may help you to fill out some of the blanks on your Drug Worksheet. Once you have brought in all the drugs you are taking, ask your doctor to help you fill out the Drug Worksheet. You will probably be able to fill out more of the information concerning over-the-counter drugs yourself, since doctors often do not know that you are taking them or for what purpose. The doctor will be able to help you to fill out most of the information concerning prescription drugs, at least the ones that he or she has prescribed for you. Explanation of Items on Drug Worksheet a. Name of drug, of doctor who wrote the prescription, and date drug was started or the dosage changed: Drugs should be listed by both brand and generic names, since both are commonly used. All drugs prescribed by all doctors should be listed. Over-the-counter drugs and the amount of alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine used should also be indicated. There are many dangerous interactions between drugs and between drugs and alcohol, so this information is extremely important in avoiding adverse drug interactions. b. Purpose of the drug: Identify the reason for which each drug is being taken. Often, because physicians are frustrated at not being able to do anything else for the patient, or sometimes because the doctor believes that the patient will not be satisfied unless a pill is recommended, prescriptions are written without a valid medical reason. In one study, patients reported that one out of every four times (25.4%) they received a prescription, they were not told the purpose of the drug being prescribed.1 c. Dose, frequency of use, and duration of use: It is important to know what the dose is, how often it is supposed to be taken, at what hours, and for how long. d. When the drug should be stopped or the need for its use reevaluated: For any drug, new or old, you should assume that it should be used for as short a time as possible unless there is evidence that its continued use is necessary. An exception to this is the use, for a prescribed period of time (even if you are feeling better), of antibiotics. Evaluation at least every three to six months of the need for each drug being used will reduce the number of drugs being taken. For some drugs, such as tranquilizers, sleeping pills, anti-depressants, and others, much more frequent reevaluation is necessary. e. Important possible adverse effects of the drug: Because many of the most serious perceptible adverse effects of drugs are often wrongly attributed to such things as “growing old” (such as falling, memory loss, depression, and many more), it is important for patients to know about the adverse effects of the drugs they take so they can recognize them and report them to the doctor. In one study, researchers found that 37% of documented adverse drug reactions had not been recognized by patients and reported to their doctors, and that the majority of these patients had not been informed about possible adverse drug reactions by their doctors.1 f. Important possible drug and food interactions, especially with over-the-counter drugs, and diet recommendations: Ask your doctor which foods and other drugs taken along with your drug can interact and cause adverse effects, and ask for dietary recommendations. g. How you are actually taking the drug: Always be straightforward with your doctor about whether or not you are taking your medicine and how often. Do this even if you had no defined reason for stopping. This is important because not giving your doctor this information can lead to mistaken conclusions about what dosage or drugs work. h. New problems or complaints noticed by the patient, friends, or family since any of the drugs listed on the worksheet have been started: As mentioned above, patients themselves often do not notice a change, especially older adults who are inclined to blame many of their problems on aging. Friends and relatives are often the first to notice adverse drug reactions, especially ones that affect thinking or mood. An additional difficulty is that patients are often reluctant to tell their doctors that something the doctor did to try to make them better actually made them worse. The safest assumption is that any worsening of a patient’s condition or any new symptom that develops after a drug is started is an adverse drug reaction until proven otherwise. i. In the judgment of you, your family, and your doctor, is the drug working? Have the purposes for which the drug is being prescribed (as in [b]) been achieved?

Rule 2: Make Sure Drug Therapy Is Really Needed. Often, drugs are prescribed to treat situational problems such as loneliness, isolation, and confusion. Whenever possible, nondrug approaches to these problems should be tried. These include hobbies, socializing with others, and getting out of the house. When a person is suffering from an understandable depression after losing a loved one, for example, support from friends, relatives, or a psychotherapist is often preferable to drugs such as antidepressants. (See discussion on the proper use of antidepressant drugs for depression.) Nondrug therapy, such as weight loss and exercise, is preferable to drug therapy for such problems as mild high blood pressure and mild adult-onset diabetes. (See discussions of high blood pressure and diabetes.) Increasing fiber and liquid in the diet is preferable to using laxatives (see discussion of diarrhea). For swollen legs due to “bad” veins in the legs (not due to heart disease), wearing support hose is less expensive, safer, and probably more effective than taking heart pills or water pills. Drugs should rarely be prescribed for anxiety or difficulty sleeping, particularly in older adults. See our discussion of this problem and nondrug solutions. A last category of “disease” for which drug therapy is rarely, if ever, appropriate is drug-induced disease or adverse drug reactions. The proper treatment for drug-induced parkinsonism is not a second drug to treat the problem caused by the first drug, but, rather, stopping the use of the first drug. For any condition, always talk to your doctor about whether the selected drug may cause problems (adverse effects) worse than the disease being treated. A common example of this is the extraordinary overtreatment of older people with slightly high blood pressure but without any symptoms of or problems caused by high blood pressure. (See guidelines for treatment of high blood pressure.) In most cases, treatment will make the person feel worse, with no evidence of any benefit. Always consider the seriousness of the condition that your doctor is considering treating, and try to make sure that the treatment is not worse than the disease. The guiding principle is to use as few drugs as possible, in order to reduce adverse reactions and increase the odds of properly taking the drugs that are really necessary.

Rule 3: If Drug Therapy Is Indicated, in Most Cases, Especially in Older Adults, It Is Safer to Start with a Dose That Is Lower Than the Usual Adult Dose. More generally, start with as low a dose as possible. In other words, “Start low, go slow.” A lower dose will cause fewer adverse effects, which are almost always related to dose. In the elderly, some experts suggest starting with one-third to one-half the usual adult dose for most drugs and watching for side effects, increasing the dose slowly and only if necessary to get the desired effect.

Rule 4: When Adding a New Drug, See If It Is Possible to Discontinue Another Drug. If your doctor is considering adding a new drug, this is an opportunity to reevaluate existing drugs and eliminate those that are not absolutely essential. The possibility of an adverse drug interaction between the new drug and one of the old ones may lead to discontinuing or changing the use of a drug.

Rule 5: Stopping a Drug Is as Important as Starting It. At least every three to six months, regularly review with your doctor the need to continue each drug being taken. For many mind-affecting drugs, such as sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and antidepressants, and for antibiotics, this reevaluation should be more frequent and sooner. The prevailing principle for doctors and patients should be to discontinue any drug unless it is essential. Many adverse drug reactions have been caused by continuing to use drugs long after they are needed. Many drugs such as antidepressants, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and others that are prescribed for an acute problem are not needed beyond a short period and cause risks without providing benefits. Slow and careful weaning off these drugs may significantly improve the user’s health. In addition to considering whether to stop the drug, you and your doctor should discuss the possibility of lowering the dose. As mentioned above, an exception to this is the use of antibiotics for the prescribed period of time, even if you are feeling better before having finished the prescribed dosage.

Rule 6: Find Out If You Are Having Any Adverse Drug Reactions. If you develop any of the following reactions after beginning to use any drug, contact your doctor. Ask if you really need a drug in the first place and, if you do, whether a safer drug can be substituted or whether a lower dose could be used to reduce or eliminate the adverse effect. This web site lists widely used drugs that can cause each of these adverse effects. • mental adverse drug reactions: depression, hallucinations, confusion, delirium, memory loss, impaired thinking, and insomnia • nervous system adverse drug reactions: parkinsonism, involuntary movements of the face, arms, and legs (tardive dyskinesia), dizziness on standing, falls (which can sometimes result in hip fractures), automobile accidents that result in injury because of sedation, and sexual dysfunction • gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bleeding, constipation, and diarrhea • urinary tract adverse drug reactions: difficulty urinating or loss of bladder control (incontinence) If you or a relative or friend have any of the above problems or develop other problems after starting a new drug and are taking any of the drugs listed under the respective problem, notify your doctor or tell your friend or relative to notify his or hers. Another way to identify possible adverse drug reactions you may be having is to look up the name of your drug using the search function on this site. Then scroll doown to the section in the drug profile containing details on adverse reactions caused by the drug. The remaining rules for safer drug use (or nonuse) were compiled from a number of lists, but particularly from the World Health Organization’s General Prescribing Principles for the Elderly.2, 3, 4 These rules, however, apply to all ages. All doctors and patients involved in drug therapy should know them.

Rule 7: Assume That Any New Symptom You Develop After Starting a New Drug May Be Caused by the Drug. If you have a new symptom, report it to your doctor.

Rule 8: Before Leaving Your Doctor’s Office or Pharmacy, Make Sure the Instructions for Taking Your Medicine Are Clear to You and a Family Member or Friend. Regardless of how old someone is, the chance of adverse reactions is high enough that at least one other person—a spouse, child, or friend—should know about these possibilities. In the presence of such adverse reactions as confusion and memory loss, this is especially critical. For older adults, the complexities of drug use may be greater, especially for people taking more than one drug and people with physical or mental disabilities. In these cases, it is even more important to inform another person about possible adverse drug reactions. Ask your doctor to make sure that the label on the drug states, if at all possible, the purpose for which the drug is being used. This is especially important when you are using multiple drugs but is always important as a way of increasing your and your family’s or friend’s participation. All information concerning the proper use of the drug should also be on the label. In addition to the label, you should get a separate instruction sheet and have it explained to you.

Rule 9: Discard All Old Drugs Carefully. Many people are tempted to keep and reuse drugs obtained in the past, even though their condition has changed. Additional drugs used may make the earlier drugs much more dangerous. In addition, you may be tempted to give drugs, such as antibiotics, to a friend or relative who you believe may benefit from them. Resist these temptations and avoid further problems caused by using outdated drugs by throwing them away when you are done with your course of therapy.

Rule 10: Ask Your Primary Doctor to Coordinate Your Care and Drug Use. If you see a specialist and he or she wants to start you on new medicines in addition to the ones you are on, check with your primary doctor first—usually an internist or general or family practitioner. It is equally important to use one pharmacist, if possible.

Ph.R GAURAV TANEJA

THIS IS A POEM TO REMEMBER AMINOACIDS..... CHECK IT OUT....

2008-10-13T18:30:00.001+05:30

· Sung to the Beverly Hillbillies melody:
Come an' listen to my story about the a-mi-nosFive Al-i-phats kick off our showGlycine, Alanine, Valine and thenLeucineand Iso make up half of ten
Well the next thing you know are three aromatsphenylalanine(F) is right off the battYrosine has alcohol next to its ringAnd tryptophan(W) has indole double ring thing.
Sulfur in Cysteine; it loves to bondSulfur Methionine is much more a snobAlcoholic Serine, well wouldn't you know,And Threonine's OH gives a warm glow.
Acid-aspartic(D) and glutamic(E) are ionizedWith pK of 4, their protons are lysed,asparagine(N) and glutamine(Q) play a different role

ALOPECIA AREATA

2008-10-13T18:22:00.000+05:30

What is alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is a hair-loss condition which usually affects the scalp. It can, however, sometimes affect other areas of the body. Hair loss tends to be rather rapid and often involves one side of the head more than the other.
Alopecia areata affects both males and females. This type of hair loss is different than male-pattern baldness, an inherited condition.
What causes alopecia areata?
Current evidence suggests that alopecia areata is caused by an abnormality in the immune system. This particular abnormality leads to autoimmunity. As a result, the immune system attacks particular tissues of the body. In alopecia areata, for unknown reasons, the body's own immune system attacks the hair follicles and disrupts normal hair formation. Biopsies of affected skin show immune cells inside of the hair follicles where they are not normally present. What causes this is unknown. Alopecia areata is sometimes associated with other autoimmune conditions such as allergic disorders, thyroid disease, vitiligo, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Sometimes, alopecia areata occurs within family members, suggesting a role of genes and heredity

What are the different patterns of alopecia areata?
The most common pattern is one or more spots of hair loss on the scalp. There is also a form of more generalized thinning of hair referred to as diffuse alopecia areata throughout the scalp. Occasionally, all of the scalp hair is lost, a condition referred to as alopecia totalis. Less frequently, the loss of all of the hairs on the entire body, called alopecia universalis, occurs. Sometimes the hair loss can involve the male beard, a condition known as alopecia areata barbe.
Who is affected by alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata tends to occur most often in children, teens, and young adults. However, it can also affect older individuals and rarely toddlers. Alopecia areata in not contagious. It should not be confused with the hair shedding that may occur following the discontinuation of hormonal estrogen and progesterone therapies for birth control or the hair shedding associated with the end of pregnancy.
How is alopecia areata diagnosed?
The characteristic finding of alopecia areata is the exclamation point hair. These unusual hairs can be found in areas of hair loss. They are visible with a hand lens as short, broken off hairs that are narrower closer to the scalp (appearing like an exclamation point). A biopsy of the scalp is sometimes necessary for a diagnosis.
How is alopecia areata treated?
In approximately 50% of patients, hair will regrow within a year without any treatment. The longer the period of time of hair loss, the less likelihood that the hair will regrow. A variety of treatments can be tried. Steroid injections, creams, and shampoos (such as clobetasol or fluocinonide) for the scalp have been used for many years. Other medications include minoxidil, irritants (anthralin or topical coal tar), and topical immunotherapy (cyclosporine), each of which are sometimes used in different combinations.
A study reported in the journal Archives of Dermatology (vol. 134, 1998;1349-52) showed effectiveness of aromatherapy essential oils (cedarwood, lavender, thyme, and rosemary oils) in some patients. As with many chronic disorders for which there is no single treatment, a variety of remedies are promoted which in fact have no benefit. There is no known effective method of prevention, although the elimination of emotional stress is felt to be helpful. No drugs or hair-care products have been associated with the onset of alopecia areata. Much research remains to be completed on this complex condition.
Alopecia Areata At A GlanceAlopecia areata is a hair-loss condition which usually affects the scalp. Alopecia areata typically causes one or more patches of hair loss. Alopecia areata tends to affect younger individuals, both male and female. An autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, is believed to cause alopecia areata. For most patients, the condition resolves without treatment within a year, but hair loss is sometimes permanent. A number of treatments are known to aid in hair regrowth. Multiple treatments may be necessary, and none consistently works for all patients. Many treatments are promoted which have not proven to be of benefit

Packing technology institutes in india

2008-10-13T18:21:00.001+05:30

PACKING TECHNOLOGY List of training institutions 1. The Indian Institute of Packaging (Regional Center), 1-B, First Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Chennai-600 020 2. Indian Institute of Packaging Technology, E-2, MIDC Area, PO 9432, Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 3. Indian Institute of Packaging Technology, B/29, Flatted Factories Complex, Jhandewalan, New Delhi 4. Indian Institute of Packaging Technology, Plot 169, Industrial Estate, Perugundi, Madras TN 5. Indian Institute of Packaging Technology, Block CP, Sector V, Salt Lake City, Bidhan Nagar, Calcutta, WB Courses offered: Science and engineering graduates are offered a two year postgraduate diploma programme in packaging technology. Eligibility: The candidate should have completed the degree programme with any two of the following subjects - Physics/Chemistry/Maths/Electronics/Microbiology/Engineering/Technology - from a recognised University with minimum 50% marks. Selection is on the basis of an All-India Entrance Examination consisting of a written test (Physics, Chemistry, Maths) and an interview. Preference given to industry sponsored candidates.A two year distance education programme is also offered by some institutes.

HIV Biology ..........

2008-10-13T18:13:00.000+05:30

Human immunodeficiency retrovirus known has HIV causes AIDS. HIV consists of outer biolipid envelope taken from infected cells plasma membrane with protruding GP 120 Receptor. Inside a protein coats surrounds the cone shaped viral coat containing two identical positive strands of RNA and enzyme called reverse Transcriptase.Upon entrance into the blood stream these virus attach to any cell that has CD4 receptors such has those found in T4cells also known has helper cells, GP120 receptor on the viral outer envelope attach to the CD4 molecule on the plasma membrane of the T4 membrane. Virus fuses with cell when the trans membrane component GP41 penetrates into T4 cell wall, This fusion results in the delivery of cone shape capsid into the cytoplasm of the host cell, once inside the protein layer enclosing the viral code dissolves. The two viral rna stands accompanying with reverse transcriptase enzyme are released into the cytoplasm. The enzymes move along the RNa transcribing it into the strand of DNA which circularizes .the circular cell DNA now enters the host cell nucleus where it integrates into one of cell of chromosome to become a pro virus where it can remain latent for long period of time. When activated a transcriptase enzyme transcribes the pro virus DNA into series of different size mRNA’s, the largest is for replication of viral Rna the smallest fragments are transcribed into a protein, which is used to built the new virus, New protein capsids develop around RNA strand pairs and move toward the cell membrane. These new virus components move towards the surface of the cell .where they bud through the cell membrane acquire their envelope repeated budding damages or kills the host cells, upon release the new virus is ready to invade another tcell with cd4 receptors and process begins again.http://bioisolutions.blogspot.com/2007/02/hiv-biology.html