MEDIC8 HEALTH GUIDE: MEDICATIONS

Medication is a cornerstone of healthcare. This section offers extensive information about many common drugs on the market; how they work, potential side effects, and how the medicine should be taken.

The information provided here is written by trained pharmacists who have an in depth knowledge of side effects and interactions with other medicines.   

ACE INHIBITORS

ACE Inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions and kidney problems. This article profiles their use and side effects.

AMIODARONE

This is a heart medicine used to treat arrhythmias. This article profiles how it works and when it is recommended.

AMOXYCILLIN

Amoxycillin is a penicillin that is used to treat a wide range of infections. This article profiles the medication, its uses, and side effects.

ANALGESICS

This article looks at commonly used pain killers (analgesics) and which drugs can be used to treat different levels of pain severity.

ANTIDEPRESSANTS - SSRIs

This class of medication is useful for the treatment of a number of common and distressing conditions.

ANTIMALARIALS

An overview of the different drugs used to prevent malaria.

ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY FOR HIV AND AIDS
This article is an in depth look at what is currently understood about treating HIV infection. This is a complex area which is changing rapidly.

ASPIRIN

Aspirin has a wide range of uses. It can be used for pain relief and to help prevent a heart attack and stroke. This article looks at some of its properties.

ATORVASTATIN

Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug which can help prevent a stroke or heart attack. This article profiles the medication and how it should be used.

AUGMENTIN

Augmentin is a commonly prescribed antibiotic. This article discusses its uses and side effects.

BETA-BLOCKERS

Beta-blockers are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and angina. This article profiles the medication, and how it should be used.

BOWEL ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES
These medicines are used to control bowel inflammation in conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. This article profiles the medication and its side effects.

BUSCOPAN

This medicine eases stomach and bowel cramps. This article looks at its properties and side effects.

CAFFEINE

This article details safe levels of caffeine consumption and includes hints for cutting down your caffeine intake.

CECLOR

Ceclor is a medicine used to treat many common infections. This article profiles its uses and side effects.

CELEBREX

This is a new class of drug that may be particularly useful for patients unable to tolerate anti-inflammatories. This article outlines important facts and precautions about it.

CIALIS

This medicine is used to treat erection problems. This article profiles the medication and its side effects.

DANDRUFF TREATMENTS

Dandruff can be itchy and embarrassing. Simple management using over the counter shampoos usually works well. Persistent and severe cases should be examined by a doctor to rule out other similar and related conditions.

DESMOPRESSIN (MINIRIN)
Desmopressin is a medicine used to control bedwetting by reducing urine production. This article profiles the medicine and how it should be used.

DIGOXIN

This drug is used to treat heart failure. This article profiles the medication and its side effects.

DRY EYE PRODUCTS (ARTIFICIAL TEARS)
There are several different products available to treat dry eyes. This article profiles these and how they should be used.

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (PROGESTERONE ONLY)
This is a new type of morning after pill which is more effective and has less side effects than traditional emergency contraception. This article looks at the advantages and how it should be used.

EPILIM (SODIUM VALPROATE)

This is a medication used to control epilepsy. This article profiles the drug, possible side effects, and recommendations for how it should be taken.

ERYTHROMYCIN

Erythromycin is an antibiotic that is effective against a range of infections. This article profiles the drug and its uses.

FLUCLOXACILLIN

This medicine is mainly used to treat skin and chest infections. This article profiles the drug, its uses and side effects.

FOLIC ACID

Folic acid has been shown to reduce the incidence of spina bifida when taken before conception and in early pregnancy. This article profiles the supplement.

GLAUCOMA TREATMENTS

There are many different types of eye drops available to treat glaucoma. This article profiles the different treatment categories and how the drops should be used.

GLUCOPHAGE

This medicine is used to treat type 2 diabetes. This article offers a profile of the drug and its properties.

H2 ANTAGONISTS

H2 Antagonists are used in the treatment of stomach ulcers and heart burn. This article profiles the drugs' properties and possible side effects.

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Whether to take HRT is a difficult decision for many women. This article examines some of the controversies surrounding the issue.

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN TREATMENT
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is used in the treatment of several different conditions. This article lists some of these and how the therapy works.

IMIGRAN

Imigran is an effective treatment for migraine headaches. This article provides an overview of the product.

INHALED BRONCHODILATORS
These drugs are used to relieve asthma. This article provides an overview of the medication.

INHALED CORTICOSTERIODS
These medicines are used to help control asthma. This article profiles the drugs in this group and how they should be used.

INSULIN

There are several different types of insulin from new fast acting products to ones that can take about four hours to work. This article looks at the various types and how to use them.

IRON SUPPLEMENTS

Iron supplements are used to treat iron deficiencies. This article profiles the various medications and how they should be used.

ISOTRETINOIN (ROACCUTANE)
This medicine is used to treat stubborn forms of acne, however it must be used carefully due to its side effect profile. This article profiles the drug and how it should be used.

LEVITRA

This medicine is used to treat erection problems. This article profiles the medication and its side effects.

LEVODOPA

This drug is used to treat Parkinson's disease. This article profiles the medication, how it works, and possible side effects.

LITHIUM

Lithium is a drug used to treat mental illnesses such as manic depression (bipolar disorder). This article outlines the medication and its side effects.

LOSEC (OMEPRAZOLE)

Losec is a drug used to treat stomach ulcers and gastric reflux. This article profiles the medication and its side effects.

MELATONIN

Melatonin has been proven to help treat jet lag and sleep disorders in shift workers. This article looks at the latest evidence and some of the unsubstantiated claims that have been made.

METOCLOPRAMIDE

The medicine is used to ease vomiting and nausea. This article outlines the drug's uses and side effects.

METRONIDAZOLE

Metronidazole is used to fight bacterial infections. This article outlines how the drug works and its potential side effects.

NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Nicotine replacement has been used as a stop-smoking aid by many ex-smokers. This article provides an overview of the different products available.

NITRATES

These medicines are potent heart drugs that are mainly used to treat angina. This article profiles their use and side effects.

NONSTERIODAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES
NSAIDs are commonly used to treat painful inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. This article profiles the medicines and their side effects.

NORFLOXACIN

This medicine is used to treat urinary tract infections such as cystitis. This article profiles the medication, the side effects, and how it should be taken.

ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILL

The Pill has been used by most sexually active women at some time. This article provides a broad overview of how it works, and the risks and benefits of its use.

PAIN RELIEF IN LABOUR
This article provides a broad overview of the different methods of pain relief that can be used during child birth.

PARACETAMOL

Paracetamol is a useful pain relief medicine, particularly for children. This article profiles the medicine and its side effects.

PARACETAMOL & ASPIRIN PREPARATIONS

Over-the-counter preparations available to the the public that contain aspirin and/or paracetamol.

PENICILLIN V

This medicine is often used to treat chest and throat infections. This article profiles the drug and its side effects.

PHENTERMINE

Phentermine is a centrally-acting appetite suppressant that is used as a weight control medication. This article profiles the drug and its side effects.

PHENYTOIN

This medication is used to control seizures in epileptics. This article discusses the use and side effects of the drug.

PREDNISONE

Prednisone is a corticosteriod used to treat inflammatory conditions like asthma and arthritis. This article provides recommendations on how Prednisone should be used.

PROCHLORPERAZINE
This medicine is used to relieve nausea and anxiety. This article looks at the drug's properties and possible side effects.

PROPECIA

Propecia can be used to treat male-pattern baldness in men. This article profiles the medication and its side effects.

PROZAC

Prozac belongs to a new group of anti-depressants known as SSRIs. This article profiles the drug and its side effects.

QUININE SULPHATE

This medicine is used to treat night cramps, malaria and other infective species. This article profiles the drug and its side effects.

REDUCTIL

Reductil is an appetite suppressant that is used as a weight loss medication. This article profiles the drug and its side effects.

REHYDRATION FLUIDS (ELECTROLYTE SOLUTIONS)
Electrolyte solutions are used to replace water and salt lost from vomiting and diarrhoea. This article looks at the different products available and how they should be used.

RELENZA

This article gives an outline of some new anti-viral agents (Relenza and Tamiflu) which have a role in treating cases of influenza.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS MEDICATIONS
This article profiles a range of important medications known as disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

SIMVASTATIN

Simvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug which is used to help prevent a stroke or heart attack. This article profiles the medication and how it should be used.

SINGULAIR

Singulair is a new asthma medication designed to reduce acute asthma attacks. This article profiles the medication and how it should be used.

SPACER DEVICES FOR ASTHMA INHALERS
Spacers are used to help get more asthma medication into the lungs. They are helpful for both children and adults. This article profiles the devices and how they should be used.

ST JOHN'S WORT

This is a herbal remedy used as an alternative treatment for mild to moderate depression. This article profiles the remedy, the evidence for its use, and what precautions to take while using it.

SULPHONYLUREAS

These medicines are used to treat Type 2 diabetes. This article details how they work and how they should be taken.

TAMIFLU
This is an anti-viral drug that is indicated for the treatment and prevention of influenza, including bird flu. This article gives an overview of the drug and dose regimes.

TAMOXIFEN

This drug is used in the treatment of breast cancer and endometrial cancer, but it can have significant side effects. This article profiles these and how the medicine works.

TEGRETOL (CARBAMAZEPINE)
Tegretol is a medication used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder and certain pain syndromes. This article provides a thorough overview of the medication, its side effects, and how it should be used.

TETRACYCLINES

These antibiotics are used to treat many common infections, sexually transmitted diseases and acne. This article profiles the medication.

THE MINI PILL

The mini pill is a useful alternative for women who cannot use the combined oral contraceptive pill. This article provides advice on how it is used and common side effects.

THIAZIDE AND RELATED DIURETICS

Thiazide diuretics are used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. This article profiles the medication, its benefits and side effects.

THYROXINE

Thyroxine is used in the treatment of an underactive thyroid gland. This article discusses how it is used and its possible side effects.

TOPICAL STEROIDS

Topical steroids should be used with care. This article profiles the various creams and ointments and how they should be used.

TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS
These drugs provide effective treatment for clinical depression and a number of other conditions.

TRIMETHOPRIM

This medicine is mainly used to treat urinary tract infections. This article provides an overview of the medication and how it should be taken.

VAGINAL THRUSH PRODUCTS
These products are used to treat vaginal thrush (candida). This article profiles the different treatments available and how they should be used.

VIAGRA

Viagra is considered a breakthrough in the treatment of erection problems. This article profiles the medication and its side effects.

WARFARIN

Warfarin is a medication that helps prevent blood clotting and is used to treat several conditions. This article provides information about the drug and how it should be used.

XENICAL

This drug helps with weight loss in overweight patients. This article profiles the product and its side effects.

ZOPICLONE and ZOLPIDEM

Zopiclone and zolpidem are used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. This article gives an overview of these drugs and their side-effects.

ZOVIRAX

This medicine is used to treat shingles and genital herpes. This article profiles the drug and how it should be used.

ZYBAN
Zyban (Bupropion Hydrochloride) is a new medication which helps those trying to quit smoking. This article outlines it's use and some precautions.

Medic8® Family Health Guide : Medications

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