Facts, opinions, controversies, and debates.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Posted by Green on January 13, 2012
Oral contraceptive pills (OCs) are the birth control method of choice for over 12 million American women. Used as directed, OCs are extremely effective at preventing unwanted pregnancies, and have an excellent safety record. When women fail to follow prescribed dosing instructions, for example by not taking a pill daily, the failure rate increases substantially. WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by Green on June 29, 2011
Ever since 1996, when a much-publicized report suggested that calcium channel blockers might increase cancer risk, researchers have been scrutinizing these drugs more closely. Although one study found a similar trend, most studies have failed to uphold the link between cancer and calcium channel blockers, which are widely used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease. WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by Green on May 24, 2011
Worries about “cross-contamination” within the postal system have grown with the two women’s cases, Fauci told a White House news conference yesterday, according to the AP. WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by Green on May 17, 2011
Even as the inhaled-anthrax death of a New York City hospital worker heightened concern about the spread of the deadly bacteria, a suspected case of skin anthrax surfaced in a regional New Jersey postal facility.
According to the Associated Press, the postal employee with the suspected case works as a mail processor in the Bellmawr regional mail facility in Camden County, about 35 miles from the Hamilton postal facility that handled at least three anthrax-tainted letters. WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by Green on September 2, 2009
Tramadol was made in the late ’70′s by a German pharmaceutical company; and it was regarded as a safer alternative to opioid analgesics. Tramadol still targeted the opioid receptors, but its characteristics of being synthetic, man-made, and a milder version of the various narcotic pain relievers gave it the reputation of being superior.
WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by Green on June 26, 2009
Metronidazole exists as a nitroimidazole anti-infective prescription drugs, mostly used in the treatment of infections from susceptible organisms, in particular anaerobic protozoa and bacteria. It is regarded as the superior form of anti-anaerobic medications.
In America it is sold as the brand name Flagyl, and as generic version Metronidazole around the world with this same brand name, Flagyl. Also made by some generic manufacturers, it can be bought at reasonably low prices.
Uses
Metronidazole prescription medication usage helps to treat the following:
* Lower respiratory tract infections (together with another agent with activity against microaerophilic Streptococcus)
* Adjunct treatment for gastritis and duodenal ulcer associated with Helicobacter pylori
* Intra-abdominal infections, including peritonitis, intra-abdominal abscess, and liver abscess
* Skin and skin structure infections
* Bone and joint infections
* Bacterial septicemia
* Endocarditis
* Gynecologic infections (endometritis, endomyometritis, tubo-ovarian abscess, and post-surgical vaginal cuff infection)
* Central nervous system infections (meningitis and brain abscess)
* Bacterial vaginosis
* Giardiasis
* Trichomoniasis
* Amebiasis
Mechanism of action
Metronidazole fights aerobic bacterium by using the electron transport protein ferrodoxin, and reducing it. Next this substance attaches to DNA, and breakdown of DNA begins to occur. In vitro results indicate that metronizadole possesses antioxidant properties and could avert or treat rosacea signs.
Advantages
Metronidazole’s advantages include:
* Large percent of Gram-negative anaerobes that are sensitive
* Dosage forms in IV and oral
* Properties of quick killing of bacteria
* Penetrates tissues well
* Considerably low chance of induction of C. difficile colitis
* cost
Disadvantages
* Metronidazole hydroxy compound can be cancer-causing. In addition, metronidazole has been demonstrated to cause cancer in animals. Needless use of this medication is not advisable.
* Taking alcohol while using metronidazole can cause a disulfiram-like reaction with effects that can include vomiting, nausea, the flushing of the skin, tachycardia (accelerated heart rate), shortness of breath, and even possible death. Alcoholic beverages are not advised while being treated with systemic metronidazole and in the day following the therapy.
* Severe toxic reaction leads to problems with the digestive tract. Unabated toxicity may induce neurological deterioration. A chance of convulsive seizure episodes and peripheral neuropathy exists.