Antacids are among the most commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) medication after pain, cough, cold and smoking cessation drugs. We all experience indigestion at some point or the other in life. And for some of us, heartburn and indigestion are a daily occurrence. Antacids are a quick, inexpensive and easily accessible remedy. As an over-the-counter product its use is fairly unrestricted despite warnings on package inserts. It is therefore possible that some of the digestive symptoms that you may be experiencing may in fact be due to the overuse of antacids.

continue reading Symptoms of Antacid Overuse and Excess

Psoriasis Medication Systemic Therapy

The term ‘systemic therapy’ is sometimes confusing to patients. It simple means that substances will be used that can have an effect throughout the body. In other words it is not isolated to a specific area. Psoriasis systemic therapy involves the use of drugs that are taken through the mouth (oral medication) or drugs that are injected into the body (parenteral medication).

Mild psoriasis and the early stages of psoriasis can be treated with psoriasis creams and lotions. This treatment is topical meaning that it is only applied on the skin at the area where the problem exists. Once the psoriasis worsens and the topical treatment is not giving the desired effect, systemic therapy is considered. In most cases this involves the use of oral medication in the form of tablets or capsules.

continue reading Psoriasis Medication (Drugs)

Psoriasis Treatment

Several treatment options are available for psoriasis, but the outcome of treatment is often not satisfactory. Psoriasis may be controlled either by topical or systemic therapy. Topical treatment involves the use of creams, lotions, gels and sprays on the skin surface and it has a localized effect. Systemic treatment is administered orally (tablets, capsules) or parenterally (injections). A complete cure for psoriasis has not as yet been achieved with any of the currently available medication.

When to start psoriasis treatment?

• Psoriasis patients who are asymptomatic during a period of remission may not require any treatment.
• Mild types of psoriasis  affecting less than 10% of total body may be sufficiently controlled with topical treatment.
• Severe types of psoriasis affecting more than 20% of body usually require systemic therapy.
• Moderate and early stages of severe psoriasis may respond to topical therapy alone.

Phototherapy or combination of phototherapy with other forms of therapy is also an important treatment option in psoriasis.

continue reading Psoriasis Topical Treatment (Creams, Lotions) and Phototherapy (Light)

How do Parkinson’s drugs work?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive condition of the nervous system where the brain hormone (neurotransmitter) known as dopamine is lower than normal. The treatment of Parkinson’s disease mainly revolves around an increase in the level of the neurotransmitter dopamine or its effects. Excess of acetylcholine levels, another neurotransmitter, is seen prominently in drug-induced Parkinson’s disease. Therefore drugs known as centrally acting anticholinergic agents (drugs that block the effects of acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter in brain) are used to manage this form of Parkinson’s disease.

continue reading Drugs Used for Parkinson’s Disease and Types of PD Medication

Who should use weight loss pills?

A multi-pronged approach to weight loss is often needed which should initially involve only calorie restricted diet and exercise. It is only when these measures fail to meet the desired target body weight that more aggressive measures like the use of weight loss drugs can be considered. The use of medication to lose weight is not indicated for every person. It should be considered in any individual who is not responding to lifestyle changes with :

• a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 27 with a high risk of developing obesity-related diseases
• a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 30

Individuals on medications for the treatment of obesity (weight loss drugs) should actively continue with the lifestyle modification measures aimed at weight loss.

continue reading Weight Loss Drugs List of Names of Anti-Obesity Pills