INSULIN  (Regular) or HUMAN INSULIN

Classification, uses, dosages, common side effects, interaction, generic and brand name

CLASSIFICATION: Protein 

USES:

It is used for treating type-1 diabetes, type-2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic states.  High blood potassium levels are also treated using insulin along with glucose.

It can be taken or given through injection under skin. In some cases some forms of insulin are used by injection into a vein or muscle.

DOSAGES:

Dosage calculation formula:

• TR = target rate (measured as mg/dL or mmoI/L)
• CF = corrective factor
• KF = carbohydrate factor
• Blood glucose (measured as mg/dL or mmoI/L)

TR, CF, KF should be set by a physician or clinical pharmacist.

Regular human insulin is available in two forms or concentrations:

• 100 units of insulin per mL (U-100)
• 500 units of insulin per mL (U-500)

All dosages and units has to be given as per doctor’s advice.

Top of Form

NOTE: Dosages can be given or taken as per physician’s instructions and guidance that depends upon the patient’s health condition

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Mild side effects are

• Arms and legs swelling
• Dizziness
• Fast heart rate
• Weight gain
• Blurred vision
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Hunger
• Redness
• Itching

Serious Side effects (rarely occurs) are

• Hypoglycemia
• Delirium
• Fatigue
• Lack of coordination
• Impaired vision
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• Numbness in tongue or lips

INTERACTIONS:

Drugs(to name a few) that may interact with insulin (regular) include:

Check with your doctor for better understanding about the interactions with these drugs before taking them along with insulin (regular)

• Rosiglitazone
• Thiazolidinediones
• Pramlintide
• MAOIs
• Fluoxetine
• Lisinopril
• Losartan
• Valsartan
• Metoprolol
• Diuretics
• Propranolol
• Niacin
• Disopyramide
• Aspirin
• Pentoxifylline
• Corticosteroidsclozapine
• Isoniazid
• Pentamidine
• Glucagon
• Somatropin
• reserpine
• Hormones – estrogens, progesterone
• Ritonavir

GENERIC NAME: insulin/NPH insulin  

BRAND NAME: Humulin R, Novolin R, Humulin R U-500 (Concentrated), Myxredlin, human mixtard, human mixact, human mixtard 50

METFORMIN – Classification, uses, dosages, common side effects, interaction, generic and brand name

CLASSIFICATION: biguanide 

USES:

It is used for treating type-2 diabetes and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)

It can be taken or given orally.

DOSAGES:

Adult dosage (18 years and above)

Starting dosage: 500 mg, twice per day, or 850 mg, once per day as per doctor’s advice. Take your doses with meals. Dosage may vary per person according to their medical needs. Dosage can be taken or given as per physician’s advice.

Pediatric dosage: as per physician’s guidance. Normally kids above 10 years age 500 mg can be given daily after meal, but has to be discussed with the doctor according to their medical condition. Metformin is not advisable for kids below 10 years has there is no study or research on this.

Senior citizen (80 years and above): People aged 80 years and above should not take metformin unless they have normal kidney function. People at these ages have a higher risk of lactic acidosis.

Top of Form

NOTE: Dosages can be given or taken as per physician’s instructions and guidance that depends upon the patient’s health condition

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Mild side effects are

• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Heart burn
• Gastric
• Nausea

Serious Side effects (rarely occurs) are

• Lactic acidosis
• Low blood sugar level

INTERACTIONS:

Drugs(to name a few) that may interact with metformin include:

Most drugs results to low blood sugar levels if taken along with metformin, some drugs will react slowly to lower the blood glucose level. Check with your doctor for better understanding about the interactions with these drugs before taking them along with metformin

• Insulin
• Levothyroxine
• Liotrix
• Liothyronine
• Furosemide
• Nifedipine
•  Nicotinic acid
• Methazolamide
• Phenytoin
• Cimetidine
• Fluphenazine
• Chlorpromazine
• Prochlorperazine
• Birth control pills
• Estradiol
• Budesonide
• Betamethasone
• Prednisone
• Fluticasone
• Isoniazid
• Brinzolamide
• Acetazolamide
• Dorzolamide
• Topiramate

GENERIC NAME: metformin

BRAND NAME: Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Riomet, ava metformin, Dm2, metformin hydrochloride, glumet tab, gluformin XL, metanorm

DEXAMETHASONE – Classification, uses, dosages, common side effects, interaction, generic and brand name

CLASSIFICATION: Corticosteroid, Glucocorticoid

USES:

It is used for treating rheumatic problems, skin diseases, allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, brain swelling, eye pain, tuberculosis along with antibiotics.

It can be taken orally, through injection or intravenously.

DOSAGES:

Adult dosage (18 years up to 60 years)

0.75–9 mg (depends on the doctor advice)

Pediatric (1–17 years)

0.02–0.3 mg per kilogram of body weight per day (depends on the doctor advice)

NOTE: Dosages can be given or taken as per physician’s instructions and guidance that depends upon the patient’s health condition

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Mild side effects are

• Dizziness
• Edema
• Nausea
• Mood swings
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Stomach upset
• High blood pressure
• Tiredness
• Anxiety
• Increase in blood glucose level

Serious Side effects (rarely occurs) are

• Black stools
• Blood in stool or urine
• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Swelling throughout the body
• Abdomen bloating
• Frequent Infections
• Euphoria
• Allergies
• Heart failure
• Stomach ulcer
• Osteoporosis

INTERACTIONS:

Drugs(to name a few) that may interact with dexamethasone include:

• Voriconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Amphotericin B
• Erythromycin
• Rivaroxaban
• Warfarin
• Cholestyramine
• Aminoglutethimide
• Metformin
• Exenatide
• Pramlintide
• Insulin
• Glipizide
• Glimepiride
• Canagliflozin
• Rosiglitazone
• Bumetanide
• Phenytoin
• Carbamazepine
• Digoxin
• Oral contraceptives
• Ritonavir
• Maraviroc
• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Rifabutin
• Isoniazid
• Cyclosporine
• Smallpox, chickenpox, typhoid (live vaccines)

GENERIC NAME: dexamethasone

BRAND NAME: Baycadron, Decadron, Dexamethasone Intensol, DexPak, TaperDex, Zema-Pak, ZoDex, Zonacort, Dexasone

Classification, uses, dosages, common side effects, interactions, generic and brand name

CLASSIFICATION: Opiate (narcotic) Analgesics and Antitussives

USES:

It is used for treating pain, cough and diarrhea. Codeine is mostly a habit-forming (addictive) drug if used excessively. This drug has to be given or taken as per physician’s advice.

It can be taken orally.

DOSAGES:

• The usual adult dose of codeine for pain is 15-60 mg every 4-6 hours as needed.
• The dose for cough is 10 to 20 mg every 4-6 hours as needed.
• The maximum dose for treating cough is 120 mg every 24 hours.

NOTE: Dosages can be given or taken as per physician’s instructions and guidance that depends upon the patient’s health condition

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Mild side effects are

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizzy
• Feeling sleepy
• Confusion
• Vertigo
• Dry mouth
• headache

Serious Side effects (rarely occurs) are

• Breathing difficulty
• Short shallow breathing
• Muscle stiffness
• Low blood pressure with dizziness and tiredness
• seizures

INTERACTIONS:

Drugs (to name a few) that may interact with codeine include:

• Amiodarone (Cordarone)
• Fenatyl
• Pentazocine
• apomorphine
• Imatinib (Gleevec)
• Clomipramine
• Cocaine
• Diamorphine
• Antihistamines, such as doxylamine  (Unisom), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and chlorpheniramine  (Chlor-Trimeton)
• Ethanol
• Formoterol
• Potassium phosphate/sodium phosphate (K-Phos) and potassium citrate (Urocit-K)
• HIV/AIDS drugs, such as ritonavir (Norvir)  and tipranavir (Aptivus)
• Pregabalin
• Primidone
• Propafenone (Rhythmol)

GENERIC NAME: acetaminophen/codeine

BRAND NAME: Tuzistra XR , Halotussin AC, Iophen, Ambenyl, Notuss AC, Bromanyl, Cheracol, Pentazine with Codeine, Pediacof,Diabetic Tussin C, Tusnel C, Tussi Organidin, Endal CD, Endacof AC, Zotex C, Vanacof, Glydeine.

Classification, Uses, Dosages, Common Side Effects, Generic Name and Brand Name

PARACETAMOL  (Acetaminophen)

CLASSIFICATION: Analgesics and Antipyretics

USES:

It is used for treating pain and fever. It is mainly used as a mild moderate pain reliever.

Generally it can be taken orally. Rectally or intravenously can be given upon Physician’s advice.

DOSAGES:

Adult Paracetamol Dose for Fever:

325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours orally

Paracetamol 500mg tablets: Two 500 mg tablets orally every 4 to 6 hours

Adult Paracetamol Dose for Pain:

325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours orally.

Paracetamol 500mg tablets: Two 500 mg tablets orally every 4 to 6 hours

Pediatric Dose for Fever:

Oral:

<=1 month: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 6 to 8 hours as needed.

>1 month to 12 years: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed (Maximum: 5 doses in 24 hours)

Fever: 4 months to 9 years: as per physician guidance

>=12 years: 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours.

Pediatric Dose for Pain:

Oral:

<=1 month: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 6 to 8 hours as needed.

>1 month to 12 years: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed (Maximum: 5 doses in 24 hours)

Fever: 4 months to 9 years: as per physician’s guidance

>=12 years: 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours.

NOTE: Dosages can be given or taken as per physician’s instructions and guidance that depends upon the patient’s health condition

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

If  Paracetamol is taken with right guidance and right dosage there won’t be any side effects. In case if it is taken in overdose there will be serious side effects that are given below;

Serious side effects are

• Hives
• Difficulty in breathing
• Swelling in lips, face, tongue, or throat
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Dark urine
• Jaundice
• Bloody or clay colored stools
• Diarrhea
• Liver damage
• Skin allergies
• Asthma

INTERACTIONS:

Drugs that may interact with ibuprofen paracetamol include:

Few drugs that can interact with Paracetamol or acetaminophen are given below:

• Busulfan
• Lomitapide
• Warfarin
• Imatinib
• Flibanserin
• Daclizumab
• Tetracaine
• Lixisenatide
• Mipomersen
• Cyanide antidote kit
• Ephinephrine
• Alcohol (Ethanol)
• Alcohol 5% with Dextrose 5%
• Alcohol and Dextrose injection USP
• Amyl Nitrate/ Sodium Nitrate
• Prelocaine
• Leflunomide
• Teriflunomide
• Lidocaine tropical

GENERIC NAME: acetaminophen

BRAND NAMES: Tylenol, calpol, panadol, paramol, paracet, Excedrin, paracip, cetamol, crocin, dolo, dolex, dolorol, metacin, pain relief, pamol, parol, panado, panamax,  paramed, uphamol

CLASSIFICATION, USES, DOSAGES, COMMON SIDE EFFECTS, INTERACTION, GENERIC AND BRAND NAME

ASPIRIN (Acetylsalicylic acid)

CLASSIFICATION: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

USES:

It is used for treating pain, fever and inflammation. Kawasaki disease, pericarditis, rheumatic fever are specific inflammatory condition where Aspirin is used. Aspirin will be given shortly after a heart attack to decrease the risk of death. It’s also used long term to aid in preventing further heart attacks, ischaemic strokes, and blood clots for patients who are at high risks.

DOSAGES:

Aspirin should be taken with food. Doses range from 50 mg to 6000 mg daily depending on the use.

• Usual doses for mild to moderate pain are 350 or 650 mg every 4 hours or 500 mg every 6 hours.
• Doses for rheumatoid arthritis include 500 mg every 4-6 hours; 650 mg every 4 hours; 1000 mg every 4-6 hours; 1950 mg twice daily.
• Heart attacks are prevented with 75, 81, 162 or 325 mg daily.
• 160 to 325 mg of non-enteric coated aspirin should be chewed immediately when experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.
• The dose for preventing another stroke is 75 to 100 mg daily.

NOTE: Dosages can be given or taken as per physician’s instructions and guidance that depends upon the patient’s health condition

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Mild side effects are

• Excess stomach acid secretion
• Heartburn
• Irritation of stomach or cramps in stomach
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Belching
• Dizziness
• Hyperventilation
• Shaking
• Trouble sleeping
• Drowsiness, dullness

Serious Side effects (rarely occurs) are

• Decreased platelet clotting
• Anaphylaxis
• Angioedema
• Hemolytic Anemia
• Interstitial Nephritis
• Anemia
• Bleeding in stomach, skull
• Branchospasm
• Liver damage
• Hives
• Seizures
• Wheezing
• Ulcer
• Ringing in the ears
• Erythema

INTERACTIONS:

Drugs that may interact with aspirin include:

• Anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, and naproxen. These can increase the risk of stomach bleeding if taken in combination with aspirin.
• Methotrexate, used in the treatment of cancer and some autoimmune diseases. Aspirin can make it harder for the body to eliminate methotrexate, resulting in high and potentially dangerous levels of methotrexate in the body.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants, such as citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, and sertraline. Taken with aspirin, these can increase the risk of bleeding.
• Warfarin, an anticoagulant drug, or a blood thinner, which stops the blood from clotting. If aspirin is taken with warfarin, it can reduce the drug’s anticoagulant effects and increase the risk of bleeding. In some situations, however, a doctor may prescribe aspirin together with warfarin.

GENERIC NAME: aspirin

BRAND NAMES:

Arthritis Pain, Aspi-Cor, Aspir 81, Aspir-Low, Bayer Plus, Bufferin, Durlaza, Ecotrin, Ecpirin, Fasprin, Halfprin, Miniprin.

IBUPROFEN – Classification, Uses, Dosages, Common Side Effects, Interactions, Generic and Brand Name

CLASSIFICATION: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

USES:

It is used for treating pain, fever and inflammation. That includes migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, severe painful menstrual cramps, tooth aches, headaches.

It can be used via both mouth or intravenously.

DOSAGES:

Adult Dose for Dysmenorrhea:                                                                                                    

200-400 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed.

Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis:

Initial dose: 400 to 800 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours.
Maintenance dose: May be increased to a maximum daily dose of 3200 mg based on patient response and tolerance.

Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Initial dose: 400 to 800 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours.
Maintenance dose: May be increased to a maximum daily dose of 3200 mg based on patient response and tolerance.

Adult Dose for Pain or Fever:

Oral: Mild to moderate pain:
200 to 400 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Doses greater than 400 mg have not been proven to provide greater efficacy.

IV: (Patients should be well hydrated before IV ibuprofen administration):
Pain: 400 to 800 mg intravenously over 30 minutes every 6 hours as needed.
Fever: Initial: 400 mg intravenously over 30 minutes
Maintenance: 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 100 to 200 mg every 4 hours as needed.

Pediatric Dose for Fever or Pain:

Greater than 6 months to 12 years:
5 mg/kg/dose for temperature less than 102.5 degrees F (39.2 degrees C) orally every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
10 mg/kg/dose for temperature greater than or equal to 102.5 degrees F (39.2 degrees C) orally every 6 to 8 hours as needed.

The recommended maximum daily dose is 40 mg/kg.

OTC pediatric labeling (analgesic, antipyretic): 6 months to 11 years: 7.5 mg/kg/dose every 6 to 8 hours;

Maximum daily dose: 30 mg/kg

NOTE: Dosages can be given or taken as per physician’s instructions and guidance that depends upon the patient’s health condition

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Mild side effects are

• Stomach pain
• Heart burn
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Gas
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

Serious Side effects (rarely occurs) are

• Heart attack and stroke
• Decreased kidney function and increased blood pressure
• Ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestine (internal bleeding)
• Allergies
• Liver Failure

INTERACTIONS:

Drugs that may interact with ibuprofen include:

Antihypertensive medications: Drugs taken for high blood pressure, or hypertension. Ibuprofen can sometimes lead to a rise in blood pressure if used alongside antihypertensives.

Anti-inflammatory painkillers: Ibuprofen should not be taken with diclofenac (Voltarol), indometacin, or naproxen because there is an increased risk of stomach bleeding. Ibuprofen should not be necessary with these drugs, as they are already painkillers.

Aspirin: Ibuprofen and aspirin taken together significantly raise the risk of stomach bleeding. Patients taking low-dose aspirin for blood thinning should not take ibuprofen because the blood thinning effect will be diminished.

Digoxin: This is often used to treat atrial fibrillation. Ibuprofen and digoxin together can raise blood pressure levels.

Lithium: This drug is used for some mental disorders. Ibuprofen can make it harder for the body to eliminate lithium, resulting in potentially dangerous levels of lithium in the body.

Methotrexate: This is used to treat cancer and some auto-immune diseases. Ibuprofen can make it harder for the body to eliminate methotrexate. Potentially hazardous levels of methotrexate may build up in the body.

Tacrolimus: This drug is mainly used after an organ transplant, to stop the body’s immune system rejecting the new organ. Ibuprofen with tacrolimus can cause kidney damage.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): This type of antidepressant drugs, such as citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline, taken with ibuprofen can increase the risk of bleeding.

Warfarin: An anticoagulant drug, or blood thinner, that stops the blood from clotting. Ibuprofen taken with warfarin can reduce the drug’s anticoagulant effects.

Alcohol : Drinking alcohol along with ibuprofen may lead to serious stomach bleeding.

GENERIC NAME: ibuprofen

BRAND NAMES:  Advil, Midol, Motrin, Motrin IB, Motrin Migraine Pain, Proprinal, Smart Sense Children’s Ibuprofen, PediaCare Children’s Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer, PediaCare Infant’s Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer