Pharmacy

Flunisolide

· Trade Name
Aerobid

· Generic Name
FLUNISOLIDE

· Drug Class
Pulmonary medication
Inhaled Steroids medication

· How It Works
Medication decreases airway inflammation

· Serious Side Effects
adrenal suppression
bronchiole spasm
cataracts
eosinophilia
glaucoma
osteoporosis

· Common Side Effects
chest pain
diarrhea
dizziness
edema
fever
headache
heartburn
influenza-like symptoms
loss of appetite
nasal congestion
nausea
nervousness
palpitations
rash
sore throat
stomachache
unpleasant taste
vomiting

Read more – April 3, 2009

Aerobid

· Trade Name
AEROBID

· Generic Name
Flunisolide

· Drug Class
Pulmonary medication
Inhaled Steroids medication

· How It Works
Medication decreases airway inflammation

· Serious Side Effects
adrenal suppression
bronchiole spasm
cataracts
eosinophilia
glaucoma
osteoporosis

· Common Side Effects
chest pain
diarrhea
dizziness
edema
fever
headache
heartburn
influenza like symptoms
loss of appetite
nasal congestion
nausea
nervousness
palpitations
rash
sore throat
stomachache
unpleasant taste
vomiting

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Xolair

· Trade Name
XOLAIR

· Generic Name
Omalizumab

· Drug Class
Asthma medication

· How It Works
Medication inhibits IgE binding to mast cells and basophils

· Serious Side Effects
allergic reaction
anaphylaxis
cancer
severely low platelet count

· Common Side Effects
viral infections
sinus infections
headache
sore throat
joint pain
fatigue
dizziness
itch
rash
earache

Read more – March 17, 2009

Odynophagia

· Odynophagia (Painful swallowing) is a discomfort of the neck or chest associated with swallowing.

· Odynophagia (Painful swallowing) can result from an infection of the esophagus such as:
· fungal infection of the esophagus (Candida esophagitis)
· viral infections of the esophagus (herpes simplex esophagitis or cytomegalovirus esophagitis)

· Odynophagia (Painful swallowing) can also result from stomach acid reflux up into the esophagus(reflux esophagitis).

· Odynophagia (Painful swallowing)may also result from:
· medication induced (pill) irritation of the esophagus

· Odynophagia (Painful swallowing) should always be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more – February 28, 2009

Throat Cancer

• Definition
· Throat Cancer is the disease of cancer of the lining of the throat or tonsils or vocal cords.

• Overview
· Throat Cancer usually occurs in people after age 50.
· Throat Cancer is usually associated with a history of smoking tobacco or excessive alcohol consumption.
· Throat Cancer can also be associated with an infection of the Human papillomavirus (the same virus that causes cervical cancer) in the throat.
· Throat Cancer is not common and only accounts for 3% of cancers diagnosed in adults, about 13,000 cases each year.
· Throat Cancer risk may be decreased by eating fruits and vegetables.

• Symptoms
· Throat Cancer symptoms include:
· Difficulty or pain with swallowing
· Persistent throat pain or ear pain
· New or persistent hoarseness in a smoker
· Coughing up blood
· Neck nodule/ swollen lymph node
· Hemoptysis
· Unexplained weight loss, especially in patients who moderately drink alcohol or smoke tobacco

• Treatment
· Surgical resection of the cancer
· Chemotherapy
· Usually radiation treatment to burn possible residual cancer

References
Pfister DG et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline for the use of larynx-preservation strategies in the treatment of laryngeal cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2006 Aug 1;24(22):3693-704. [PMID: 16832122]
Cohen EE et al: The expanding role of systemic therapy in head and neck cancer. J Clin Oncol 22:1743, 2004 [PMID: 15117998]

Read more – January 20, 2009

Hoarseness

• Hoarseness (Coarse voice) is the symptom of a decrease in the quality of phonation, the production of sound through the vocal cords.

• Hoarseness can be a symptom of:
· gastroesophageal reflux
· post nasal drip (from chronic allergic rhinitis)
· laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx due to allergies, infection or stomach acid)
· overuse syndrome (excessive speaking)
· polyp or cancer of the vocal cord
· laryngeal cancer
· lung cancer
· hypothyroidism
· thyroid cancer

• Hoarseness that persists or worsens should be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more – December 16, 2008

Sore throat

• Sore throat is a symptom of discomfort in the throat.

• Sore throat results from an irritation of the throat which is often worse with coughing or swallowing.

• Sore throat can be caused by:
· infection of the throat
· allergies
· stomach acid coming up from the stomach

• Sore throat that persists can be a sign of a serious condition should always be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more – September 24, 2008