The "Quit Smoking" Prescription Drug

What is Champix?
Champix, generic name varenicline, is a prescription pill designed to help smokers stop smoking.

How does it work?
Champix works primarily in two ways. Firstly, it reduces the smoker's craving for nicotine by binding to nicotine receptors in the brain and reduces the symptoms of withdrawal. Secondly, it reduces the satisfaction a smoker receives when smoking a cigarette.

How successful was it in clinical trials?
In trials, 44% of the group treated with Champix had stopped smoking after being treated for 12 weeks, as opposed to 11% of smokers taking the placebo. Over the same duration, it was also shown to be twice as effective as Zyban (bupropion), the other main anti-smoking drug treatment.

Has Champix been approved by the European Commission and the FDA for use as an aid to quitting smoking?
The European Commission approved Champix on September 29th, 2006 as a "stop smoking" aid for adults, based on the results from clinical trials. It should be noted that continued abstinence from cigarettes is higher (70% compared with 50%) when patients take the drug for 24 weeks as opposed to 12, so it may be appropriate for patients who have succeeded in quitting smoking at the 12 week point to take the drug for a further 12 weeks.

The FDA approved the drug in May 2006. See FDA approves novel drug for smoking cessation for further details.

Is Champix available on the NHS?
On May 31st, 2007 Nice (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) published draft guidance recommending that this drug should be available on NHS prescription. Further details on the Final Appraisal Determination period can be found on the NICE website.

It was approved for prescription on the NHS in Scotland on 14th January, 2007.

How is the drug taken and what is the recommended dose?
It is taken orally. For the first three days, the dosage is 0.5 mg once daily (the 0.5 mg tablet is white). For days four to seven, the dosage is 0.5 mg twice a day. From day eight until the end of the treatment, the dose is 1 mg twice a day (the 0.5 mg tablet is blue).

You should set a date to quit smoking, and start taking the drug one week before this date.

Body weight changes associated with psychopharmacology

The authors discuss changes in body weight associated with various psychopharmaceuticals. METHODS: A large number of articles and books about drug-induced changes in body weight, selected on the basis of various literature searches and the authors' clinical experiences with psychopharmaceuticals, were reviewed. RESULTS: Many psychotropic drugs with antipsychotic, mood stabilizing, and antidepressant properties are associated with weight gain. Others, such as fluoxetine, isocarboxazid, nefazadone, topiramate, and psychostimulants, may cause weight loss. The antipsychotic drugs chlorpromazine, clozapine, and olanzapine are often associated with weight gain. Among antidepressants, amitriptyline and mirtazapine are known to cause weight gain. However, reductions are sometimes observed, and each antidepressant has its own unique weight-effect profile. Mood stabilizers, especially valproate-related products, are also associated with weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: Careful monitoring and consideration of alternative therapies are essential.

Vanina Y, Podolskaya A, Sedky K, Shahab H,
Siddiqui A, Munshi F, Lippmann S.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
of the University of Louisville,
Kentuchy 40202, USA.
Psychiatr Serv. 2002 Jul; 53(7): 842-7

Prescription Drug

Depresants
Xanax™ (alprazolam) is from the benzodiazepine family of depressants. It is used to treat insomnia in patients with daytime anxiety or as an anticonvulsant. Alprazolam and diazepam are the two most frequently encountered benzodiazepines on the illicit market.

Valium™ (diazepam) is from the benzodiazepine family of depressants. It is utilized to treat insomnia in patients with daytime anxiety or as an anticonvulsant. It is among the most widely prescribed medications in the United States . Abuse is frequently associated with adolescents and young adults who take the drug to get high. Concurrent use of alcohol or other depressants with Valium™ can be life-threatening. Abuse of benzodiazepines is particularly high among heroin and cocaine abusers.

Stimulants

Methylphenidate (Ritalin™, Concerta™) is a stimulant which is prescribed for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It has a high potential for abuse and produces many of the same effects as cocaine and amphetamines. Binge use, psychotic episodes, cardiovascular complications, and severe psychological addiction have all been associated with methylphenidate abuse.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, methylphenidate is a valuable medicine, for adults as well as children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Research shows that individuals with ADHD do not become addicted to stimulant medications when taken in the form and dosage prescribed by doctors. In fact, it has been reported that stimulant therapy in childhood is associated with a reduction in the risk for subsequent drug and alcohol use disorders.

Adderall™ is an amphetamine which is used to treat attention deficit hayperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children 6 years of age and older and in adults. Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse. Taking amphetamines for long periods of time may lead to drug addiction. Misuse of amphetamine may cause sudden death and serious heart damage.

Pain Killer

Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid similar in effects to morphine. Vicodin™ is hydrocodone mixed with acetaminophen. Hydrocodone products, when abused, can lead to dependence, tolerance, and addiction. Vicodin™ is one of the most frequently prescribed medications for pain. Other products include Vicoprophen™, Tussionex™, and Lortab™ .

Oxycodone
Oxycodone is used as an analgesic and is formulated into numerous pharmaceuticals including OxyContin™ (a controlled-release product) and with aspirin (Percodan™) or with acetaminophen (Percoset™). These drugs are prescribed for pain relief. They all require a doctor's prescription and are prescribed for moderate to severe pain.

FENTANYL™ is extensively used for anesthesia and analgesia. Duragesic™ is a fentanyl transdermal patch used in chronic pain management, and Actiq is a solid formulation of fentanyl citrate on a stick that dissolves slowly in the mouth for transmucosal absorption. Illicit use of pharmaceutical fentanyl first appeared in the mid-1970's in the medical community. To date, over 12 different analogues of fentanyl have been produced clandestinely and identified in the U.S. drug traffic. The biological effects are indistinguishable from those of heroin, with the exception that the fentanyls may be hundreds of times more potent. Fentanyls are most commonly used by intravenous administration, but like heroin, they may also be smoked or snorted.

ULTRAM™(tramadol hydrochloride) and ULTRACET™ (tramadol with acetaminophen) are prescription medications indicated for the management of moderate to moderately severe pain. Side effects include: dizziness, drowsiness, or headache; nervousness, tremor, or anxiety; nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea; or itching, dry mouth, or sweating.

Tramadol is habit forming. Physical and/or psychological dependence can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment.

Insulin Pump

If we have Patient diabetes mellitus with blood glucose level over 300mg% again though have put some anti diabetic oral we can use Insulin pump to decrease the blood glucose level. This is new treatment method there we can give intensive insulin after check level of blood glucose, insulin demand dose in the body. This is the best solution for treatment Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2.
Insulin Pump Danadiabecare have designed with high technology by two micro computer and the best safety system.
Insulin Pump will give insulin inject continous 24 hours with terapeutic dose that be made by a doctor depend on patient's insulin demand. The spectaculare news is insulin pump can be programmed to give injection from 0,01 unit/hour to the maximum dose that evaluation by a doctor.

1. Complication Prevention
Insulin pump will suplay insulin in the body continously with the doctor recommend dose. So, blood glucose level will be normal and prevents the diabetic complications, like renal disorder, eye disorder, stroke and ulkus diabeticum.

2. Lose The Level of Diabetes/ Recovery
Give the treatment dose insulin by insulin pump into the body that evaluation by demand of the Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 will give a rest for Beta Cells and make its get the function again. So, next time patient won't need out insulin again.

3. Increase Life Quailty
Patient with insulin pump get free diet than another patient. So, they have enough callory and feel better and they won't need the diabetic oral drugs again.

Diabetes Mellitus Friendship

Diabetes Mellitus Friendship Seminar:
Date : May 17th, 2008 at 09.00 - 12.00 am
Place : Jogja International Hospital,
Jl. Ringroad Utara no. 160, Condong Catur, Depok, Sleman, Yogyakarta - Indonesia.55283
phone: +622744463535; fax: +622744463444.
e-mail: prabata@rs-jih.com

Anti-anxiety Medications

Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety, but they can be addictive and are only prescribed only for short periods. One exception is panic disorder, for which they may be used for six months to a year.

Some people have withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking benzodiazepines, although reducing the dosage gradually can diminish bothersome symptoms. In certain instances, the symptoms of anxiety can rebound after these medications are stopped.

Other medications

If you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, your doctor may give you a beta-blocker for going into a situation where an attack may happen. The beta-blocker can keep your heart from pounding, your hands from shaking and other physical symptoms from developing.

Before taking medication for an anxiety disorder:

• Ask your doctor to tell you about the effects and side effects.
• Tell your doctor about any alternative therapies or over-the-counter medications you are using.
• Ask your doctor when and how the medication will be stopped. Some drugs have to be tapered slowly under a doctor's care.
• Be aware some medications are effective in anxiety disorders only as long as they are taken regularly, and symptoms may come back if you stop the medication.