What You Should Know Before Taking Fosamax

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473

Summary:
Fosamax ® is a bisphosphonate drug used for osteoporosis and several other bone diseases. It is marketed alone as well as in combination with vitamin D under the name Fosavance.

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Article Body:
Fosamax ® is a bisphosphonate drug used for osteoporosis and several other bone diseases. It is marketed alone as well as in combination with vitamin D under the name Fosavance.

Side-effects
GI tract: most prominent are harmless side effects such as mild nausea, dyspepsia, abdominal cramps, flatulence, diarrhea, or obstipation. A severe side effect is an ulceration of the esophagus caused by alendronate, which may require hospitalization and intensive treatment. Gastric and duodenal ulceration.

General: infrequent cases of skin rash, rarely manifesting as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, eye problems (uveitis, scleritis) and generalized muscle, joint, and bone pain (rarely severe) have been seen. In laboratory tests decreased calcium and phosphate values may be obtained but reflect action of the drug and are harmless.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw, a recognised side-effect of bisphosphonates.

Dosage
Prophylaxis of osteoporosis in women: 5-10mg daily or 35-70mg weekly.

Therapy of osteoporosis in women and men : 10mg daily or 70mg weekly.

Osteoporosis under corticosteroids: 5mg daily or 35mg weekly in men and premenopausal women or those receiving concomitant HRT. In postmenopausal women not receiving HRT the recommended dose is 10mg daily or 70mg weekly.

Paget’s Disease: 40mg daily for 6 months.

The drug is to be taken only upon rising for the day with plenty of water. Stand, walk or sit 30 minutes afterwards to avoid esophageal damage. At least 30 minutes should be waited before meals or other beverages than water are taken in.

Interactions
Milk, diet and drugs containing high amounts of calcium, magnesium or aluminium (antacids): the resorption of alendronate is decreased. At least half an hour should pass after intake of alendronate before taking the supplement or drug.

Highly active vitamin D analogues or fluorides: no data is available. Concomitant treatment should be avoided.

The additional beneficial effect of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) with estrogens/progestins or raloxifene in postmenopausal women remains to be elucidated, but no interactions have been seen. The combination is therefore possible.

Intravenous ranitidine increases the oral bioavailability of alendronate. No clinical consequences are known.

The combination of NSAIDS and alendroate increases the risk of gastric ulcers. Both these drugs have the potential to irritate the upper gastro-intestinal mucosa.

Does Merck have a patent on this drug?

Yes, but the patent is set to expire in 2008 and Merck has lost a series of appeals to block a generic version of the drug from being certified by the US FDA.

Now you can understand why there’s a growing interest in Fosamax. When people start looking for more information about Fosamax, you’ll be in a position to inform them with facts.

Disclaimer
The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. Please consult your physician before taking Fosamax or any other drug.

Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and the entire resource box is included.

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What Bacteria Causes Eye Styes?

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341

Summary:
Styes are caused by staphylococcal bacteria. This disease appears due to debilitated condition of the system. An Eye stye occurs when staphylococcal bacteria infect one of the tiny glands at the base of the eyelid hairs and then becomes inflamed. A chalazion can sometimes be mistaken for a stye.

A chalazion or stye is a small lump on the eyelid due to a plugged oil gland. This can occur on any eyelid. The eyelids contain many oil producing glands called meibomian glands. I…

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Eye sty,eye care,sty,stye,eye stye,sty care,sty treatment,sty information,chalazia,styes,Eyedrops,Ec

Article Body:
Styes are caused by staphylococcal bacteria. This disease appears due to debilitated condition of the system. An Eye stye occurs when staphylococcal bacteria infect one of the tiny glands at the base of the eyelid hairs and then becomes inflamed. A chalazion can sometimes be mistaken for a stye.

A chalazion or stye is a small lump on the eyelid due to a plugged oil gland. This can occur on any eyelid. The eyelids contain many oil producing glands called meibomian glands. In some people, these glands become plugged, much like a pimple might develop on the skin. This is not related to any disease and is not harmful to the eye or vision.

Sties are the result of an infected oil gland at the base of the eyelash. You can get more than one sty at a time or several in succession because the infection can spread from one hair follicle to others. Infection can occur, for example, when a contaminated mascara or makeup brush gives bacteria a free ride into the oily pores along the lashes.

To help prevent styes, internal hordeola, and chalazia, which are minor problems of the eyelid:

1. Do not rub your eyes. This can irritate your eyes and spread infection.
2. Protect your eyes from dust and air pollution by wearing safety glasses when outside, particularly when doing dusty chores like raking or mowing the lawn.
3. Avoid areas where dust and air pollution are heavy.
4. Replace your eye makeup, especially mascara, at least every 6 months. Bacteria can grow in makeup.
5. Treat any inflammation or infection of the eyelid (blepharitis) promptly. If you do not, the infection may spread to the oil glands of the eyelid and cause a stye.

Eye Stye Remedies
Chalazions may be treated with any one or a combination of antibiotic or steroid drops or injections; warm compresses for 5 to 10 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day; gentle massage to express the glandular secretions; or surgical drainage. Chalazions usually respond well to treatment, although some people are prone to recurrences and may require continuing medication.

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What Is Eyelid Surgery?

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697

Summary:
Eyelid surgery, called blepharoplasty, is a type of cosmetic surgery that removes excess fat from the upper and lower eyelids. Age, illness, and even heredity can result in puffy or drooping eyelids that cause individuals to look tired and worn out. In extreme cases, sagging eyelids may even interfere with vision. Eyelid surgery can correct this by removing extraneous fat and trimming sagging skin and muscle tissue. Once the incisions have healed and the swelling has gone dow…

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Eyelid surgery, lasik

Article Body:
Eyelid surgery, called blepharoplasty, is a type of cosmetic surgery that removes excess fat from the upper and lower eyelids. Age, illness, and even heredity can result in puffy or drooping eyelids that cause individuals to look tired and worn out. In extreme cases, sagging eyelids may even interfere with vision. Eyelid surgery can correct this by removing extraneous fat and trimming sagging skin and muscle tissue. Once the incisions have healed and the swelling has gone down, eyes look rejuvenated, more alert, and youthful.

Selecting a reputable plastic surgeon is critical to a successful surgery. The surgeon you select should be Board Certified and have considerable experience with blepharoplasty. Once you have selected a surgeon, the initial consultation is very important. Make sure to bring detailed copies of your medical records, since the doctor will need to complete a medical history. The doctor will perform a close examination of your eyes and eyelids, including a vision exam, as well as discuss your goals for the surgery. Your surgeon will also use the initial consultation to go over the details of the procedure, the expected results, the risks, and the costs involved.

If you are considering eyelid surgery, it is important to thoroughly research the procedure, even if this just means talking over the details with your surgeon. Blepharoplasty is a relatively safe procedure, although like all other surgeries, you do run the risk of complications. When performed by a qualified surgeon, complications resulting from blepharoplasty are infrequent and typically minor. Minor complications may include temporary swelling of the eyelids, excess tearing, temporary blurred or double vision, tissue tenderness, sensitivity to light, and scarring at the site of the incision. More serious complications include infections and a reaction to the anesthesia used in the procedure. Occasionally patients find that they have difficulty closing their eyes after blepharoplasty. Most often this is a temporary side effect, although there have been reports of the condition becoming permanent. In rare cases, patients may experience a pulling down of their lower eyelids, called ectropion, which requires additional surgical procedures.

Most eyelid surgeries are performed under a local anesthesia which is used to numb the tissue and muscles around your eyes. Your surgeon may also give you a sedative, either orally or intravenously, to help relax you since patients are kept awake during the procedure. Under local anesthesia, you will not feel any pain but may experience some tugging or pressure during the surgery. In certain circumstances, some surgeons opt to perform blepharoplasty under a general anesthetic, in which case the patient is asleep throughout the entire procedure.

The surgeries typically last from 90 minutes to 3 hours, depending on how many eyelids are to be corrected. During the procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions along the natural lines of the eyelids ? just under the eyelashes on the lower lids and in the deep creases of your upper eyelids. Excess fat is removed through the incision, and sagging muscle and skin are trimmed to neaten your appearance. Once the trimming is completed, your surgeon will use tiny sutures to stitch up the incision.

Once the surgery is complete, your surgeon will advise you on how to care for the incision. You will likely to be told to keep your eyes lubricated with an antibiotic ointment and take pain medication to control any discomfort you feel during the healing process. Cold compresses can be used to minimize swelling and bruising although patients will find that even with the compresses the swelling, tenderness, and bruising will be present for several days and may even last up to a month. Your eyes may tingle and feel gummy or dry for several days as well. Expect to return for a follow-up visit to your surgeon a few days after the procedure for a checkup and removal of your stitches.

Remember that the healing process takes time and it may be several weeks before you are completely recovered. In time the incisions will become less and less noticeable, fading into a thin white line that will be barely noticeable. The end result of the surgery though, should be brighter more alert eyes that make you look well-rested and youthful.

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