Monday, March 26, 2007
New drug posts coming soon...
I''m on vacation and internet access is limited--check back this afternoon, thanks!!!
Friday, March 16, 2007
It's my 10th day...Prilosec OTC
Marketed as the first 24 hour heartburn relief with one pill a day.
How does it work and how is it different from Nexium?
Prilosec OTC (omeprazole) is a delayed-release 20mg tablet, taken once a day (every 24 hours) for 14 days before eating. It is in the same class of drugs as Nexium, that is, it's a proton pump inhibitor, which stops acid secretion in the stomach. Gastric cells called parietal cells make acid and pump it into the lumen of the stomach. Prilosec works to slow down or stop the pump action. For more details, check out my post on Nexium.
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals makes Prilosec and Nexium.
How does it work and how is it different from Nexium?
Prilosec OTC (omeprazole) is a delayed-release 20mg tablet, taken once a day (every 24 hours) for 14 days before eating. It is in the same class of drugs as Nexium, that is, it's a proton pump inhibitor, which stops acid secretion in the stomach. Gastric cells called parietal cells make acid and pump it into the lumen of the stomach. Prilosec works to slow down or stop the pump action. For more details, check out my post on Nexium.
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals makes Prilosec and Nexium.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Allergy Season is HERE! So how does Claritin work?
Claritin (drug name loratadine) is an antihistamine used mainly for seasonal allergies. It is a long acting tricyclic antihistamine with selective peripheral histamine H1 receptor antagonistic activity. What the heck does that mean?
We all know antihistamines.....they block the histamine released from immune cells in your body and the syptoms of allergies go away. Histamine receptors on cells have various types. Claritin works on the H-1 type of histamine receptor. It is what is termed and H1 antagonist. An antagonist means that it binds to a specific receptor and turns it off. This means that claritin binds to this specific receptor, mainly in the periphery, eg. not in the brain thus it doesn't make you sleepy. Now that these receptors are blocked, the mast cells can't release histamine and you feel better.
I can go into greater detail if there is interest.
We all know antihistamines.....they block the histamine released from immune cells in your body and the syptoms of allergies go away. Histamine receptors on cells have various types. Claritin works on the H-1 type of histamine receptor. It is what is termed and H1 antagonist. An antagonist means that it binds to a specific receptor and turns it off. This means that claritin binds to this specific receptor, mainly in the periphery, eg. not in the brain thus it doesn't make you sleepy. Now that these receptors are blocked, the mast cells can't release histamine and you feel better.
I can go into greater detail if there is interest.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Do you have the purple pill? Nexium
Nexium is a drug that is heavily advertised in just about any medium found. I've always noticed that most of the time, they always say something about the purple pill but fail to even tell you what it treats (much less it's mechanism of action).
Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) is indicated for the treatment of heartburn and acid reflux disease. This is when the acid in your stomach backs up into the lining of the esophagus. Nexium works by inhibiting the proton pumps in the stomach that make the acid to digest food. Protons are pumped in which drops the pH (as anybody with a fish tank, acidity breaks down proteins) and makes acid to degrade the food you eat. By acting specifically on the proton pump, esomeprazole blocks the final step in acid production, thus reducing gastric acidity. This effect is dose-related up to a daily dose of 20 to 40 mg and leads to inhibition of gastric acid secretion.
In certain cases, nexium is given in combination with an antibiotic such as amoxicillin to clear any persistent bacterial contaminants in the stomach.
Nexium is well tolerated and does not interact with many drugs, but does inhibit gastric acid secretion therefore may slow the absorption of other medications.
Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) is indicated for the treatment of heartburn and acid reflux disease. This is when the acid in your stomach backs up into the lining of the esophagus. Nexium works by inhibiting the proton pumps in the stomach that make the acid to digest food. Protons are pumped in which drops the pH (as anybody with a fish tank, acidity breaks down proteins) and makes acid to degrade the food you eat. By acting specifically on the proton pump, esomeprazole blocks the final step in acid production, thus reducing gastric acidity. This effect is dose-related up to a daily dose of 20 to 40 mg and leads to inhibition of gastric acid secretion.
In certain cases, nexium is given in combination with an antibiotic such as amoxicillin to clear any persistent bacterial contaminants in the stomach.
Nexium is well tolerated and does not interact with many drugs, but does inhibit gastric acid secretion therefore may slow the absorption of other medications.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Mr. Beaver is missing you......Rozerem
Rozerem is the first prescription insomnia medication with a novel therapeutic mechanism of action in 35 years. Rozerem is the first and only prescription sleep medication that has shown no evidence of abuse and dependence and, as a result, has not been designated as a controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). With the exception of ROZEREM, all other prescription medications indicated for insomnia are classified as Schedule IV controlled substances by the DEA.
Rozerem works by specifically binding to receptors in the brain called MT1 and MT2 (melatonin receptors). Melatonin is released in a cycle that corresponds to sleep (night). Activation of the MT1 and MT2 receptors in the brain stops an alerting signal, which is thought to facilitate the onset of sleep. It does not act like other sleep drugs, which act through benzonbiazpine receptors. The MT1/2 receptors control many physiological functions other than sleep, such as blood pressure and immune cell signaling.
Rozerem is made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Rozerem works by specifically binding to receptors in the brain called MT1 and MT2 (melatonin receptors). Melatonin is released in a cycle that corresponds to sleep (night). Activation of the MT1 and MT2 receptors in the brain stops an alerting signal, which is thought to facilitate the onset of sleep. It does not act like other sleep drugs, which act through benzonbiazpine receptors. The MT1/2 receptors control many physiological functions other than sleep, such as blood pressure and immune cell signaling.
Rozerem is made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Zestril---How are you treating your high blood pressure?
I've seen a lot of ads for this hypertension medication. So what is it?
It's generic name is lisinopril. I actually take this medication, so before taking it I did extensive research to understand how it is manipulating my body. Here's what I know.
Lisinopril is in a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors, ACE being angiotensin converting enzyme. Angiotensin is a peptide that exerts it's function in the kidney through a system called angiotensin-renin loop. Basically, this system is the body's way of controlling smooth muscle relaxation within blood vessels. Angiotensin is converted to angiotensin II in the kidney which then acts on blood vessels to constrict. When the blood vessels are constricted, it's harder for blood to be pumped through, thus raising blood pressure. These drugs stop the converstion of ANG to ANG II, thus allowing relaxation of the vessels.
The following is a list of the ACE inhibitors that are available in the United States:
captopril (Capoten), benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) fosinopril (Monopril), ramipril (Altace), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), moexipril (Univasc), and trandolapril (Mavik). These drugs have few drug interactions and are well tolerated (few side effects).
It's generic name is lisinopril. I actually take this medication, so before taking it I did extensive research to understand how it is manipulating my body. Here's what I know.
Lisinopril is in a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors, ACE being angiotensin converting enzyme. Angiotensin is a peptide that exerts it's function in the kidney through a system called angiotensin-renin loop. Basically, this system is the body's way of controlling smooth muscle relaxation within blood vessels. Angiotensin is converted to angiotensin II in the kidney which then acts on blood vessels to constrict. When the blood vessels are constricted, it's harder for blood to be pumped through, thus raising blood pressure. These drugs stop the converstion of ANG to ANG II, thus allowing relaxation of the vessels.
The following is a list of the ACE inhibitors that are available in the United States:
captopril (Capoten), benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) fosinopril (Monopril), ramipril (Altace), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), moexipril (Univasc), and trandolapril (Mavik). These drugs have few drug interactions and are well tolerated (few side effects).
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Caduet--for high blood pressure and cholesterol
Caduet is a dual anti hypertension/cholesterol medicine combined into one pill. It's generic name(s) are amlodipine and atorvastatin or Norvasc/lipitor.
Atorvastatin is a statin drug, [see below post] as you remember blocks the production of cholesterol by inhibiting a specific enzyme.
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker; ( calcium is very important in the contraction of muscles, therefore if the channels [specific areas of cells that the calcium ions use to enter the cell] are blocked, the muscle cell cannot contract and thus relaxes. This in turn allows unrestricted blood flow and lowers blood pressure.
Atorvastatin is a statin drug, [see below post] as you remember blocks the production of cholesterol by inhibiting a specific enzyme.
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker; ( calcium is very important in the contraction of muscles, therefore if the channels [specific areas of cells that the calcium ions use to enter the cell] are blocked, the muscle cell cannot contract and thus relaxes. This in turn allows unrestricted blood flow and lowers blood pressure.
2 tubs in a field: Cialis
We've all seen the bathtub commercial for Cialis. What is it?
It's drug name is tadalafil. It is (obviously) indicated for erectile dysfunction. But how does it work?
Tadalafil relaxes muscles within the penis. This allows increased blood flow into the penis, necessary to achieve and maintain an erection. Specifically, it inhibits a very specific enzyme, phosphodiesterase type 5, enhancing effects of nitric oxide-activated increases in cGMP. Nitric oxide is a very key part of the way this drug works. Nitric oxide (NO) has many, manyin the body. Each revelation adds to nitric oxide's already lengthy resume in controlling the circulation of the blood, and regulating activities of the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach, gut, genitals and other organs. It thereby, influences erection by dilating muscles within the penis, allowing adequate blood flow resulting in erection.
It's drug name is tadalafil. It is (obviously) indicated for erectile dysfunction. But how does it work?
Tadalafil relaxes muscles within the penis. This allows increased blood flow into the penis, necessary to achieve and maintain an erection. Specifically, it inhibits a very specific enzyme, phosphodiesterase type 5, enhancing effects of nitric oxide-activated increases in cGMP. Nitric oxide is a very key part of the way this drug works. Nitric oxide (NO) has many, manyin the body. Each revelation adds to nitric oxide's already lengthy resume in controlling the circulation of the blood, and regulating activities of the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach, gut, genitals and other organs. It thereby, influences erection by dilating muscles within the penis, allowing adequate blood flow resulting in erection.
A lot of ads about : Lipitor
otherwise known as atorvastatin, known as a "statin" drug. The statin drugs inhibit an enzyme in the synthesis of fatty acids. Generallly, these drugs induce an increase in receptors in the body that bind LDL cholesterol and help the body (liver) extract LDL from the blood. Because the pattern of cholesterol production happens at night, this class of drugs should be given in the evening as a single dose.
Side Effects:
Women should not take these drugs if they are pregnant, lactating or likely to become pregnant. The most common complaints are constipation and a bloating sensation, both easity relieved with increased dietary fiber consumption.
Side Effects:
Women should not take these drugs if they are pregnant, lactating or likely to become pregnant. The most common complaints are constipation and a bloating sensation, both easity relieved with increased dietary fiber consumption.
Welcome! What is this site about?
As everyone knows, there are a ton of drug advertisements in just about any media source. And I have noticed, many (and more everyday) don't even bother to reveal what the drug is even prescribed for----The "Purple Pill" comes to mind. And I love the ads that say "Ask your Doctor if XXXX is right for you". I like to joke and reword it for some of the more obscure ads for drugs like chemotherapy: Ask your Dr. if knee replacement is right for you--LOL.
So my intent here is to try to explain what the ad is actually trying to sell and a brief summary of the drug, its classification and how it generally works [mechanism of action]; but in a way that non-scientifically trained people can understand.
So what about me? I am a research scientist currently working full time in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry. I have laboratory research experience in both academia 13 years and biotech 4 years. My research topics have include diverse fields as immunology, cancer, biochemistry and cell biology and my favorite--pharmacology. So let's get the ball rolling and learn something today!
So my intent here is to try to explain what the ad is actually trying to sell and a brief summary of the drug, its classification and how it generally works [mechanism of action]; but in a way that non-scientifically trained people can understand.
So what about me? I am a research scientist currently working full time in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry. I have laboratory research experience in both academia 13 years and biotech 4 years. My research topics have include diverse fields as immunology, cancer, biochemistry and cell biology and my favorite--pharmacology. So let's get the ball rolling and learn something today!
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