Constipation May Help Explain Some Bedwetting – Side Effects

February 6th, 2012 by Paul Jude

Constipation is often the cause of bedwetting in children, a small, new study suggests.

Failure to diagnose constipation as the cause of bedwetting can lead parents and children on an unnecessarily long, costly and difficult effort to cure nighttime wetting, the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center researchers said.

They found that 30 children and adolescents, aged 5 to 15, who sought treatment for bedwetting had large amounts of stool in their rectums, even though most of them had normal bowel habits. Laxative therapy cured 25 (83 percent) of the children of bedwetting within three months.

The study appeared recently online in the journal Urology. (more…)

Ultram Side Effects

February 3rd, 2012 by Helen Scholz

Ultram (tramadol) is a narcotic-like pain reliever.

Ultram is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Ultram extended-release is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.

Ultram may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Ultram: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Ultram and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: (more…)

Side Effects – Birth Control Pills Recalled

February 2nd, 2012 by Rita Jones

Pfizer has recalled 1 million packs of Lo/Ovral-28 and generic norgestrel/ethinyl estradiol birth control pills.

The pills, which must be taken in the correct sequence, may be mixed up. Women using the products risk pregnancy and should consult their doctors.

Although the pills are made and packaged by Pfizer, they are sold by Akrimax Rx Products and carry the Akrimax name on their labels.

The recall includes 14 lots of brand-name birth control pills and 14 lots of generic birth control pills distributed across the U.S.

The pills come in blister packs of 28 pills from which each dose must be taken in sequence. A Pfizer investigation found that some packs have the wrong number of pills, and the pills may be out of order. (more…)

Side Effects of Cialis

February 1st, 2012 by Paul Jude

Cialis (tadalafil) relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body.

Cialis is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. Cialis is also used to treat the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged.

Adcirca, another brand of tadalafil, is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and improve exercise capacity in men and women.

Cialis may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Cialis: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. If you become dizzy or nauseated during sexual activity, or if you have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor right (more…)

Side Effects – DA Approves Erivedge for Basal Cell Carcinoma

January 30th, 2012 by Paul Jude

Today, Erivedge (vismodegib) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adult patients with basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. The drug is intended for use in patients with locally advanced basal cell cancer who are not candidates for surgery or radiation and for patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

Erivedge, reviewed under the agency’s priority review program, is the first FDA-approved drug for metastatic basal cell carcinoma. Erivedge was reviewed under the FDA’s priority review program that provides for an expedited six-month review of drugs that may offer major advances in treatment. The drug is being approved ahead of the March 8, 2012, prescription user fee goal date.

Basal cell carcinoma is generally a slow growing and painless form of skin cancer that starts in the top layer of the skin. The cancer develops on areas of skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. (more…)

Gardasil the Side Effects

January 27th, 2012 by Helen Scholz

Gardasil is used to prevent genital warts and cervical/vaginal/anal cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, and 18 in girls and young women ages 9 through 26. Gardasil is also used to prevent genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11 in boys and young men ages 9 through 26. Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause genital warts, cancer of the cervix, and various cancers of the vulva or vagina.

The quadrivalent form of HPV vaccine (Gardasil) is used in both females and males. Another form of HPV vaccine (Cervarix) is used only in females. This medication guide provides information only for Gardasil.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends HPV vaccine for all girls ages 11 or 12 years old. The vaccine is also recommended in girls and women ages 13 through 26 years old who have not already received the vaccine or have not completed all booster shots. (more…)

Side Effects of Yasmin – Birth Control

January 27th, 2012 by admin1

Before taking Yasmin

Do not take Yasmin if you are allergic to drospirenone or ethinyl estradiol, or if you have:

uncontrolled high blood pressure, migraine headaches, or a heart valve disorder;
a history of stroke, blood clot, or circulation problems of diabetes;
kidney or liver disease;
adrenal gland disorder;
unusual vaginal bleeding;
any type of breast, uterine, or hormone-dependent cancer; or
a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.

(more…)

Side Effects: Protein That Controls Movement Does the Opposite in Parkinson’s

January 25th, 2012 by admin1

Researchers who identified a protein that worsens symptoms of Parkinson’s disease say their finding could eventually lead to new treatments for the neurodegenerative disease.

The protein, RGS4, normally helps regulate the activity in neurons in the striatum, the part of the brain that controls movement.

But in models of Parkinson’s disease in mice, the researchers found that RGS4 actually contributes to problems with motor control, leading to a deterioration of movement and motor coordination.

The study, published online Jan. 25 in the journal Neuron, was conducted by scientists at the Gladstone Institutes, a nonprofit biomedical research organization affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

It’s long been known that decreased levels of the brain chemical dopamine are associated with Parkinson’s. Patients take a drug called Levodopa to increase dopamine levels but the drug’s effectiveness begins to weaken as the disease progresses.

This has led scientists to start looking for potential new treatment targets.

“About 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s annually, and dopamine-based therapies often do not provide a long-term solution,” Anatol Kreitzer, a Gladstone investigator and an assistant professor of physiology and neurology at UCSF, said in a Gladstone news release.

“Our discovery that RGS4 may play a role in the development of Parkinson’s symptoms helps us lay the groundwork for a new therapeutic strategy — independent of dopamine,” he claimed.

While studies involving animals can be promising, they frequently fail to produce similar results in humans.

Source: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/protein-that-controls-movement-does-the-opposite-in-parkinsons

Side Effects of Fish Oil

January 24th, 2012 by admin1

Fish Oil capsules contain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are found in oils from certain types of fish, vegetables, and other plant sources. These fatty acids are not made by the body and must be consumed in the diet. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids work by lowering the body’s production of triglycerides. High levels of triglycerides can lead to coronary artery disease, heart disease, and stroke.

Fish Oil are used together with diet and exercise to help lower triglyceride levels in the blood.

Do not use Fish Oil if you are allergic to fish or soybeans. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using this medicine if you have:

diabetes;
liver disease;
a pancreas disorder;
underactive thyroid;
if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day.

Fish Oil side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Fish Oil: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Fish Oil and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
chest pain; or
uneven heartbeats.

Less serious Fish Oil side effects may include:

back pain;
unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth;
upset stomach, belching; or
mild skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Tamiflu Side Effects

January 23rd, 2012 by admin1

Tamiflu is an antiviral medication that blocks the actions of influenza virus types A and B in your body.

Tamiflu is used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. Tamiflu may also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do not yet have symptoms. It will not treat the common cold.

Tamiflu may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Before using Tamiflu

Tamiflu should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you each year from new strains of influenza virus.

You should not use Tamiflu if you are allergic to oseltamivir.

Before taking Tamiflu, tell your doctor if you have used a nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within the past 2 weeks, or if you have:

kidney disease;
heart disease;
lung disease;
a condition causing swelling or disorder of the brain; or
any other serious disease or health problem.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Tamiflu is harmful to an unborn baby. However, not receiving this medication to prevent influenza could be harmful to the baby if the mother becomes infected with a disease that Tamiflu could prevent. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor will decide whether you should receive Tamiflu , especially if you have a high risk of infection with H1N1 influenza (also called “swine” flu). It is not known whether oseltamivir passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 1 year old.

Tamiflu side effects

Stop using Tamiflu and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; a red and blistering or peeling skin rash. Some people using oseltamivir have had rare side effects of sudden confusion, delirium, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or self-injury. These symptoms have occurred most often in children. It is not known whether Tamiflu was the exact cause of these symptoms. However, anyone using this medicine should be watched closely for signs of confusion or unusual behavior. Call a doctor at once if you or the child using Tamiflu has any of these symptoms.

Less serious Tamiflu side effects may include:

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
dizziness, headache;
nosebleed;
eye redness or discomfort;
sleep problems (insomnia); or
cough or other respiratory symptoms.