Pharmacy
VESIcare
· Trade Name
VESIcare
· Generic Name
Solifenacin
· Drug Class
Anti-Spasmodic medication
· How It Works
Medication relaxes bladder
· Serious Side Effects
hallucinations
QT prolongation
intestinal obstruction
· Common Side Effects
dry mouth
constipation
blurred vision
fatigue
stomachache
nausea
urinary retention
urinary infection
Read more – March 27, 2009
Vyvanse
· Trade Name
VYVANSE
· Generic Name
Lisdexamfetamine
· Drug Class
Stimulant medication
Amphetamine medication
· How It Works
Medication stimulates brain activity
· Serious Side Effects
aggressive behavior
dependency
potential for abuse
high blood pressure
withdrawal symptoms if abrupt discontinuation
psychosis
mania
Tourette’s syndrome
heart attack
stroke
sudden death
heart damage
seizures
growth suppression
· Common Side Effects
decreased appetite
weight loss
dizziness
dry mouth
irritability
insomnia
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
anxiety
abdominal pain
rash
emotional lability
agitation
sweating
high blood pressure
fever
tremor
shortness of breath
Read more – March 21, 2009
Xanax
· Trade Name
XANAX
· Generic Name
Alprazolam
· Drug Class
Sedative medication
Short-acting benzodiazepine medication
· How It Works
Medication binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain
Medication enhances GABA effects
· Serious Side Effects
coma
syncope
rapid heart rate
seizures
respiratory depression
dependency
abuse potential
withdrawal if abrupt D/C
excessive thoughts of suicide
· Common Side Effects
confusion
nausea
drowsiness
lightheadedness
diarrhea
vomiting
insomnia
dry mouth
depression
headache
constipation
rapid heart rate
nasal congestion
blurred vision
low blood pressure
sialorrhea
rate
passing out
ataxia
amnesia
impaired coordination
irritability
altered libido
dysarthria
appetite change
weight changes
urinary hesitancy
Read more – March 18, 2009
Xopenex
· Trade Name
XOPENEX
· Generic Name
Levalbuterol
· Drug Class
Bronchodilator medication
Pulmonary medication
· How It Works
Medication relaxes airway smooth muscles
Medication stimulates beta2-adrenergic receptors
Medication dilates bronchioles
· Serious Side Effects
paradoxical bronchospasm
allergic reactions
anaphylaxis
angioedema
heart attack
cardiac arrest
arrhythmias
low potassium
· Common Side Effects
palpitations
dizziness
nervousness
chest pain
dry mouth
headache
tremor
fast heart rate
asthenia
runny nose
Read more – March 17, 2009
Geodon
· Trade Name
Geodon
· Generic Name
Ziprasidone
· Drug Class
Antipsychotic medication
Atypical Mania/Bipolar medication
· How It Works
Medication antagonizes dopamine D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2 receptors
· Serious Side Effects
allergic reaction
diabetes mellitus
dystonia
extrapyramidal symptoms, severe
hypertension
hyperglycemia
neuroleptic malignant syndrome
priapism
QT prolongation
seizures
serotonin syndrome
syncope
tardive dyskinesia
torsades de pointes
· Common Side Effects
weight gain
asthenia
dry mouth
nausea
somnolence
akathisia
headache
constipation
dyspepsia
dizziness
respiratory disorders
extrapyramidal effects
diarrhea
rash
urticaria
visual disturbances
tachycardia
orthostatic hypotension
menstrual irregularities
hyperprolactinemia
Read more – February 24, 2009
Zoloft
· Trade Name
ZOLOFT
· Generic Name
Sertraline
· Drug Class
Anti-depressant SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)
· How It Works
Selectively inhibits serotonin reuptake in the brain.
· Serious Side Effects
suicidality
worsening depression
serotonin syndrome
neuroleptic malignant syndrome
withdrawal syndrome
mania
seizures
hyponatremia
SIADH
abnormal bleeding/altered platelet fxn
glaucoma, acute angle-closure
priapism
anaphylactoid reactions
hypoglycemia
neonatal persistent pulm. HTN (>20 wk gest)
neonatal serotonin syndrome (3rd trimester)
neonatal withdrawal (3rd trimester)
· Common Side Effects
nausea
headache
insomnia
diarrhea
dry mouth
ejaculatory dysfunction
somnolence
asthenia
tremor
dyspepsia
anorexia
constipation
decreased libido
nervousness
anxiety
rash
abnormal vision
Read more – February 12, 2009
Zolpidem
· Trade Name
Ambien
· Generic Name
ZOLPIDEM
· Drug Class
Insomnia medication, Anxiolytic/Hypnotic, Non-Benzodiazepam
· How It Works
Interacts with GABA-benzodiazepine receptor
· Serious Side Effects
depression
suicidal ideation
aggressive behavior
complex sleep-related behavior
hallucinations
amnesia
anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions
withdrawal- if abrupt, discontinue
· Common Side Effects
headache
drowsiness
dizziness
lethargy
drugged feeling
back pain
allergic reaction
diarrhea
sinusitis
pharyngitis
dry mouth
lightheadedness
influenza-like symptoms
palpitations
depression
rash
Zomig
· Trade Name
ZOMIG
· Generic Name
Zolmitriptan
· Drug Class
Migraine medication
· How It Works
Activates vascular serotonin receptors, producing vasoconstriction (constriction of blood vessels)
· Serious Side Effects
coronary vasospasm
myocardial ischemia
heart attack
ventricular tachycardia
ventricular fibrillation
arrhythmias, life-threatening
hypertension
hypertensive crisis
stroke
cerebral hemorrhage
subarachnoid hemorrhage
peripheral vascular ischemia
bowel ischemia
vision loss
hypersensitivity / allergic reaction
serotonin syndrome
· Common Side Effects
nausea
dizziness
paresthesias
neck pain/pressure/tightness
jaw pain/pressure/tightness
somnolence
hot or cold sensation
dry mouth
asthenia
dyspepsia
chest pain/pressure/tightness
sweating
Xerostomia
• Xerostomia (dry mouth) is the symptom of insufficient saliva.
• Xerostomia can be a side-effect of many common medications.
• Xerostomia can result from:
· dehydration
· diabetes mellitus
· obstructed salivary ducts
· Lymphoma
· Sjogrens syndrome
· Sarcoidosis
• Xerostomia that persists or worsens should be evaluated by your doctor.
Read more – December 16, 2008
