Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council's Drug Information Centre

12/10/2015

12/10/2015

12/10/2015

TIP OF WEEK
ATENOLOL
-Patient should avoid activities requiring mental alertness or coordination until drug effects are released, as drug may cause dizziness.
-This drug may cause bradyarrhythmia, cold extremities, fatigue, insomnia, or depression.
-Advise patient to report signs/symptoms of cardiac failure.
-Drug may mask symptoms of hypoglycemia. Advise diabetic patients to carefully follow blood sugar levels.
-Advise patient against sudden discontinuation of drug especially when being treated for angina. Abrupt withdrawal may cause rebound angina.
-Patient should take drug on an empty stomach.
-Instruct patient to take a missed dose as soon as possible, but if next dose is in less than 8 hr, skip the missed dose.
-Take atenolol at the same time of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take it.

14/08/2015

TIP OF WEEK
AMOXICILLIN
- Drug may decrease effectiveness of oral contraceptives with concurrent use. Recommend additional form of birth control.
-This drug may cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or rash.
-For suspension, pediatric drops (shake well before measuring the dose)
-For extended-release tablet take within 1 hour of finishing a meal.
-For extended-release tablet do not crush or chew.
-Keep taking this antibiotic until the course is finished.
-You can take amoxicillin before or after food.

14/08/2015

27/07/2015

27/07/2015

TIP OF WEEK

ALENDRONATE

- Advise patient to take only upon rising for the day. Drug should not be taken at bedtime or before arising.
- Instruct patient to take drug at least 30 min before the first food, beverage, or medication of the day including calcium supplements or antacids.
- Tell patient to take tablet with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of water while in an upright position.
- Advise patient to follow the oral solution with at least 2 ounces of water while in an upright position.
- Warn patient not to chew, swallow, or suck on tablet or effervescent tablet due to risk of oropharyngeal ulceration.
- Advise patient to not lie down for at least 30 min after the dose and until patient eats food to help prevent esophageal damage.
- If a dose of alendronate once-weekly (tablet, effervescent tablet, or oral solution) is missed, take it the morning after the missed dose is remembered and then return to the original schedule; do not take 2 doses on the same day

13/07/2015

13/07/2015

TIP OF WEEK

MONTELUKAST

- Advise patient that this drug is not indicated for acute asthma attacks.
- This drug may cause aggressive behavior, agitation, dream disorder, or hallucinations.
- Instruct patient to report increased use or frequency of short-acting inhaled bronchodilators.
- Patients with asthma should take dose in the evening.
- Advise patient not to discontinue or decrease the dose of other asthma medications unless instructed by a healthcare professional.
- Patients with both asthma and allergic rhinitis should take the daily dose in the evening

01/07/2015

01/07/2015

TIP OF WEEK

METFORMIN

-Drug may cause diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, hyper- or hypoglycemia, or asthenia (lack of energy).
-Instruct patient to report signs/symptoms of lactic acidosis (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tachypnea). Elderly patients (80 years and older) are at increased risk.
-Patient should take tablets with meals and extended-release tablets with the evening meal.
-Tell patient to maintain adequate hydration to prevent renal dysfunction.
-Tell patients to notify healthcare provider of metformin use before having radiologic studies using IV dye.
-Patient should not drink alcohol while taking this drug.
-Extended release tablets swallow whole; never crush or chew.
-Do not administer at the time of and 48 hours after radiologic studies involving intravascular iodinated contrast materials.

22/06/2015

TIP OF WEEK

ALPRAZOLAM

-Patient should avoid activities requiring mental alertness or coordination until drug effects realized.
-This drug may cause increased appetite, changes in weight, constipation, dizziness, dysarthria (motor speech disorder), memory impairment, somnolence, depression, or reduced libido.
-Advise patient and family to monitor for confusion with use, especially with elderly patients.
-Advise patient against abrupt discontinuation of drug to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
-Patient should avoid alcohol while taking drug.
-Patient should not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking drug.
-Extended-release tablets are administration in the morning is preferred.
-Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not chew, crush, or break them.
-Do not take a larger dose, or take it for a longer period than prescribed by your doctor.
-Do not stop taking alprazolam or decrease your dose without talking to your doctor.