Monday, January 16, 2012

Chloromycetin Aplicaps | Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment | Dosage | Uses | Side effects

Chloromycetin Aplicaps (Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment) - Active Ingredient And Chemical structure

The active ingredient contained in Chloromycetin Aplicaps is Chloramphenicol. Chloramphenicol is a white to greyish-white or yellowish-white, fine crystalline powder or fine crystals, needles or elongated plates. It is soluble to the extent of 1 in 400 of water, 1 in 2.5 of alcohol, and 1 in 7 of propylene glycol; freely soluble in acetone and ethyl acetate; slightly soluble in ether. The structure is shown below
Structure Of Chloramphenicol



Chloromycetin Aplicaps (Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment) - Uses

Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment in the form of Chloromycetin is a topical antibiotic preparation for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.



Generic Forms and Brand names of Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment

Chloromycetin Aplicaps manufactured by Pfizer Ltd., India is an effective treatment for Ocular bacterial infections caused by organisms susceptible to chloramphenicol.



Chloromycetin Aplicaps - Preparations

Chloromycetin is available as aplicaps of 250 mg. Each Aplicap contains 250 mg of chloramphenicol eye ointment I.P. (1%) in an oleaginous ointment base.



Chloromycetin Aplicaps (Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment) - Storage Requirements

Chloromycetin Aplicaps are to be stored at room temperature (15°C to 30°C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light.



Chloromycetin Aplicaps (Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment) - Dosage

To use Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment , wipe the tip of the the aplicap with alcohol, cut the end with a clean instrument and compress the body to squeeze out the contents. Apply the Chloramphenicol Eye ointment, to the affected eye by placing in the lower conjunctival sac every 3 hours or more frequently if necessary. Continue administration day and night for the first 48 hours, at which time the frequency of application can be decreased. Treatment should be continued for at least 48 hours after the eye appears normal.



Chloromycetin Aplicaps (Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment) - Contraindications

Chloromycetin Aplicaps eye ointment is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity and/or toxic reaction to chloramphenicol or any inactive ingredient present in the medication.




Side Effects Of Chloromycetin Aplicaps (Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment)

Blood dyscrasias have been reported in association with the use of Chloromycetin Aplicaps. Chloramphenicol is absorbed systemically from the eye, and toxicity has been reported following chronic exposure. Dose-related toxicity following a single ocular exposure is unlikely.The most common side effects with Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment are Local irritation which includes subjective symptoms of itching or burning.
More Serious side effects such as angioneurotic oedema, anaphylaxis, urticaria, fever, vesicular and maculopapular dermatitis have been reported in patients sensitive to chloramphenicol. Discontinue promptly if any serious side effects occur.




Further Information

Prescribing Information

Monday, January 9, 2012

Nicotex Chewing Gum | Generic Nicorette | Dosage | Uses | Side effects

Nicotex Chewing Gum (Generic Nicorette) - Active Ingredient And Chemical structure

Nicotex Chewing Gum is designed to provide partial substitution for the nicotine in cigarette smoke, which is believed to be one of the principal factors in the prolonging the smoking habit. Nicotex Gum is intended to cushion the patients against the trauma of withdrawal. The active ingredient contained in is Nicotine Polacrilex . The structure is shown below
Structure Of Nicotine



Nicotex Chewing Gum (Nicotine Gum) - Uses

Nicotine Gum in the form of Generic Nicorette Gum is used as an aid for for smoking cessation therapy. Nicotex Chewing Gum reduces withdrawal symptoms, including nicotine craving, associated with quitting smoking.




Generic Forms and Brand names of Nicotine Chewing Gum

Nicotex Chewing Gum manufactured by Cipla Ltd., India is an effective treatment aid in nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), a process which helps smokers quit smoking tobacco. Nicorette which has the active ingredient Nicotine Polacrilex is also sold as Nicoderm, Nicogum, Nicotex and Nicotinell.



Nicotex Chewing Gum - Preparations

Nicotex Gum is available as packs of 10 gum pieces. Each piece of Nicotex Chewing Gum contains either 2 mg or 4 mg of Nicotine polacrilex.



Nicotex Chewing Gum - Storage Requirements

Nicotex Chewing Gum is to be stored at room temperature (15°C to 30°C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light.



Nicotex Chewing Gum (Nicotine Gum)- Dosage

The dosing schedule is given below: Patients smoking 25 or more cigarettes a day, have to use 4 mg nicotine gum whereas patients that were smoking less than 25 cigarettes a day, should use 2 mg nicotine gum. Nicotex Chewing Gum has to be used as per the following 12-week schedule:
Weeks 1-6: One piece of gum every 1-2 hours
Weeks 7-9: One piece of gum every 2-4 hours
Weeks 10-12: One piece of gum every 4-8 hours. Do not use more than 24 pieces of Nicotex gum a day.



How To Use Nicotex Chewing Gum (Generic Nicorette) For Maximum Benefit

Each gum piece of gum has to be chewed very slowly several times.Stop chewing Nicotex Chewing Gum when you get a peppery taste or a slight tingling in the mouth. This usually happens after about 1 minute or 15 chews, but may vary from person to person. Shift the chewing gum to one corner or side of your mouth, and leave it there.
When the peppery taste or tingle is almost gone (in about a minute), again start chewing the gum piece slowly. Stop when the taste or tingle returns and shift the gum to a different place in your mouth every time. Repeat the chewing and shifting process of the gum till most of the nicotine is gone from the Nicotex Chewing Gum. This usually happens in about 30 minutes and the peppery taste or tingle will not return.



Nicotex Chewing Gum (Generic Nicorette) - Contraindications

Nicotex Chewing Gum is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to nicotine polacrilex or any other inactive ingredients present in the chewing gum. Nicotex Chewing Gum is also contraindicated in pregnancy because of well known adverse effect of nicotine on the fetus. Generic Nicorette is also contraindicated in breast feeding mothers, as nicotine is excreted in breast milk.



Side Effects Of Nicotex Chewing Gum (Generic Nicorette)

The most common side effects of Nicotex Chewing Gum, usually in the early days of treatment are apthous ulcers, throat irritation, excessive salivation and hiccups. These symptoms are usually more frequent and severe with the 4 mg gums than the 2 mg version.
Excessive weight gain is sometimes associated with abstention of smoking. Hence, a patient on Nicorette therapy has to be weighed at regular intervals, and if required suitable modifications in diet should be done.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Duovir-N Tablets | Dosage | Uses | Side effects

Duovir-N Tablets - Active Ingredient And Product Information

Duovir-N Tablets are a combination of three drugs namely zidovudine, lamivudine and Nevirapine that are commonly used in the management of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Zidovudine and lamivudine belong to the nucleoside analogue class of antiretroviral drugs which act by terminating the growth of the DNA chain and inhibiting the reverse transcriptase (RT) of HIV. Nevirapine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). It acts by directly inhibiting Reverse Transcriptase.
The active ingredients contained in Duovir-N Tablets is zidovudine, lamivudine and Nevirapine.



Duovir-N Preparations

Duovir-N is available as tablets which have a combination of three drugs Lamivudine, Zidovudine and Nevirapine . Each film coated tablet contains Lamivudine 150 mg, Zidovudine 300 mg BP and Nevirapine 200 mg


Duovir-N - Storage Requirements

Duovir-N are to be stored at room temperature (15°C to 30°C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light.


Duovir-N - Uses

Duovir-N Tablets are used for the treatment of HIV infection, once patients have been stabilized on the maintenance regimen of nevirapine 200 mg twice a day, and have demonstrated adequate tolerability to nevirapine.


Duovir-N - Dosage

The recommended adult dosage of Duovir-N is One tablet twice daily.



Duovir-N - Contraindications

Duovir-N Tablets are contraindicated in patients with previously demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity (eg, anaphylaxis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to zidovudine, lamivudine and Nevirapine or any inactive components of the product. It is also contraindicated in patients with moderate or severe (Childs Pugh Class B or C, respectively) hepatic impairment.



Duovir-N - Warnings and Precautions

Hepatotoxicity and Hepatic Impairment
Severe, life threatening and, in some cases, fatal hepatotoxicity, including fulminant and cholestatic hepatitis, hepatic necrosis and hepatic failure, have been reported in patients treated with nevirapine.
Skin Reactions
Severe and life-threatening skin reactions, including fatal cases, have been reported with nevirapine treatment, occurring most frequently during the first 6 weeks of therapy. These have included cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and hypersensitivity reactions characterized by rash, constitutional findings and organ dysfunction, including hepatic failure.
Resistance
Nevirapine must not be used as a single agent to treat HIV or added on as a sole agent to a failing regimen. As with all other NNRTIs, resistant virus emerges rapidly when nevirapine is administered as monotherapy.
Immune Reconstitution Syndrome
Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including lamivudine, zidovudine and nevirapine. During the initial phase of combination antiretroviral treatment, patients whose immune system responds may develop an inflammatory response to indolent or residual opportunistic infections.



Side Effects Of Duovir-N

The most common side effects of Duovir-N are
Body as a Whole
Headache ,Malaise and fatigue, Fever or chills
Digestive
Nausea, Diarrhea, Nausea and vomiting, Anorexia and/or decreased appetite, Abdominal pain, Abdominal cramps, Dyspepsia
Nervous System
Neuropathy, Insomnia and other sleep disorders, Dizziness, Depressive disorders
Respiratory
Nasal signs and symptoms, Cough
Skin
Skin rashes
Musculoskeletal
Musculoskeletal pain, Myalgia, Arthralgia


Further Information

Prescribing Information