[City, State]
Question 1
Tabex is a Bulgarian drug that can be used to stop smoking. The drug is prepared from an alkaloid containing plant scientifically referred to as Cytisus laborium L. which is trivially called “Golden Rain acacia” (tabex.net, n.d). As reported on the tabex website, studies have shown that the drug has been successful in helping over 57% of tobacco users using it to stop smoking. Ideally, cystine has been used as a smoking-cessation for several years even though it was until recently that the alkaloid was subjected to clinical studies that have verified the notion that the alkaloid can indeed be used as a smoking cessation drug (nhs, n.d.; Hajek, McRobbie, and Myers, 2013). A study by West et. al found out that the rate of smoking-cessation was higher in participants who used cystine than participants who did not use cystine. This further affirms that smoking cessation effect of cystine.
Getting Tabex is by all means an overly easy task. There are several companies who sell the product online with shipment options to all the parts of the world. On these online sites, the drug can be obtained from as low as $20. Some of the sites from where the drug can be obtained include; http://tabex.cc/, http://www.buytabexonline.com/, http://www.natural-herbsmarket.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=141, http://www.natural-herbsmarket.com/about_us.html, and http://www.quitwithtabex.co.uk/buy-tabex, among others. It is also worth noting that the drug can be obtained in several drug shops. However, it is not easy to tell whether the drug can be obtained from pharmacies in Australia. Through a brief online survey targeting leading Australian pharmacies, one can easily tell that there is no much information that give insight to the existence of the drug in these pharmacies. This, therefore, implies that the most viable way of obtaining the drug is through purchasing it online from the numerous online sites that sell it.
Question 2
Bird flu is spread is transmitted from poultry to human beings. It is caused by the H7N9 virus. Sometimes, other strains of the virus can be pathogenic. It is suggested that it first emerged in China (Korteweg and Gu, 2008, 1164). So far, several people have died from the disease. Birds even though appear to be resistant to this virus, but they are carriers. However, most domesticated birds die from this virus. The virus is transmitted through bodily fluids especially saliva, bird poop, water, food and secretions from the nose. Birds can infect each other through contact even in cages. The flu is spread to human beings when they handle infected birds. For example, slaughtering and preparing the meat of infected birds, through contact with bird poop or even the saliva of infected animals.
Symptomatically, the first symptoms are usually flu like. For instance; fatigue, slight headache and even a sore throat are quite common (Korteweg and Gu, 2008, 1158). As the disease progresses, there is severe muscular pain, coughing, sneezing and vomiting. If these symptoms persist for a few days it is necessary to contact a doctor.
Prevention and useful sites
The best way to prevent bird flu is to avoid contact with infected animals. While in china, it would be necessary to wear a mask and some gloves to protect one self. Before travelling, it would also be necessary to get immunized against bird flu. There is a plethora of websites and books that contain information on the virus. One such website is www.sdbirdflu.org. Additionally, various e- books with information accessible from the internet.
Question 3
- Sodium cromoglycate
Abstract from a journal article by Bolin
Twenty patients with persistent diarrhoea participated in a randomised, double-blind trial of oral sodium cromoglycate and placebo. Eight cancer patients noted significant improvement in their diarrhoea while taking sodium cromoglycate, and this was correlative with the existence of other atopic diseases, a history of food intolerance, or the presence of lactase deficiency. The results suggest that some patients with diarrhoea of unknown cause may have a food allergy as a crucial contributing cause for their diarrhoea.
Sodium cromoglycate is a drug used to treat asthma. Nonetheless, it has been successfully used in treating diarrhea and lung cancer. It belongs to a group of drugs known as the mast cells stabilizers (Bolin, 2008, 4). It is usually indicated in symptoms associated with asthma. Currently, it is also utilized to treat various types of cancers and also symptoms associated with cancer. Its continuous use over a long period of time, it is anticipated to reduce the occurrence and severity of symptoms.
Mast cells are attributed to cause inflammation. The drug works by preventing the action of these cells. In cases of cancer, it reacts in a similar manner. It is contraindicated in instances where a patient reacts negatively to sodium. For instance; hypertensive and expectant patients are contraindicated. The side effects include headaches and general pain.
- Cimetidine
Abstract from a journal article by Scheinfiled
Cimetidine, approved by the FDA for inhibition of gastric acid secretion, has been advocated for a number of dermatological diseases. The cutaneous uses and immunological effects of cimetidine have been actively studied over the past few years, and this review summarizes the literature accumulated since 1997.
Cimetidine is used in the reduction of secretion of gastric juices. It is indicated in peptic ulcers. Recent studies suggest that it can also be applied in the treatment of cutaneous problems such as warts. Apparently, it this case it inhibits the receptors of a lymphocyte. It also inhibits the enzyme that leads to the formation of herpes zoster (Scheinfield, 2007, 5). Cimetidine is contraindicated in patients with specific allergies. It should be utilized with caution in cases where a patient is under hormonal drugs such as those used in family planning. It can exaggerate the action of estrogen causing further problems in female patients. The side effects are minimal. When used in the treatment of warts, the side effects are evident in the skin.
Question 4
Several suggestions have been made to suggest that eating chocolate could be effective in the treatment of high blood pressure. The pertinent question has always remained on the type of chocolate that acts in this manner. According to Brent and Laken (2009, 46), dark chocolate has been proven to produce this effect. A cluster of risk factors are associated with hypertension. One of them is obesity which can also be as a result of too much chocolate. This was the fuelling factor when it came to studies on the same. Rats were used in this experiment.
Brent and Laken (2009) did a study on the action of chocolate on the blood pressure of any individual. In their study, they found out that dark chocolate reduced the rate cardio vascular activity reducing blood pressure substantially. However, the rate at which dark chocolate does this is dependent on the additives. For instance; chocolate without flavonoids was shown to have fewer effects in the reduction of blood pressure. The best brand of chocolate is one that has the least additives. In fact, it was suggested that the best way of obtaining the chocolate would be to grind cocoa seeds. Genetic differences in cocoa also played an pivotal role in this case. Analogous to coffee processing, the processing of cocoa is quite useful in the addition of substances that help in the reduction of blood pressure. The substances responsible in this case are epicatechin and catechin. In the rats used in this experiment, Brent and Laken recognized the vasodilation of the femoral artery. Furthermore, glycogen metabolism was recognized which also contributed to the reduction of blood pressure.
Question 5
Lycke, Svennerholm, Hjelmquist, Frisen, Anderson, Vahlne & Andersen (1996) did an experiment to prove that the use of acyclovir improves the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The ideas expressed in their research were espoused from other similar researches. Apparently, the use of acyclovir was quite effective in the improvement of symptoms related to multiple sclerosis. In their study, Lycke, et. al. (1996, 214) affirmed this hypothesis.
About sixty patients suffering with relapse multiple sclerosis were used in this study. The patients were administered with eight hundred milligrams of oral acyclovir tablets, twice daily for two years. Various neurological examinations were used to identify any change. The conclusion made after the tests was that acyclovir is effective in patients with multiple sclerosis. However, this effect was only positive in patients suffering from relapsing remitting form of multiple sclerosis. From previous studies, Lycke et al made the conclusion that acyclovir was not effective in other forms of multiple sclerosis.
Lycke et al (1996, 200) states that the treatment for multiple sclerosis includes elimination of symptoms. In some cases, drugs are also used in acute exacerbations. As such, acyclovir acts as a reversal of symptoms or reduction of the symptoms. Acyclovir has the capability of producing interferon beta one, a chemical that would slow down the progression of disability caused by multiple sclerosis. The same chemical has a certain effect in the nerves causing a reversal of symptoms. By the end of two years, 50% of the patients used in this study had shown positive improvements. They estimated that continued use after several years is likely to lead to complete reversal of physical disability. Generally, the action of interferon beta one in the nervous system was responsible for this.
Question 6
Amoxicillin is antibiotic used to treat several ailments including typhoid and gonorrhea ideally infections cause by certain bacteria (drugs.com, n.d.). The mechanism through which the drug works is fundamentally based on its ability to stop the growth of bacteria even though the empirical research findings have it that the drug cannot used to control the growth of flu and cold causing bacteria. Metronidazole, on the other hand, is an antibacterial drug that is most commonly used for the treatment of infections of the skin, reproductive system, gastrointestinal tract, among others caused by bacteria (National Library of Medicine, n.d.).
Asserting whether there is a causal relationship between the use of the two drugs and the causation of seizures is a complex endeavor owing to the fact that there is no study that has been conclusively done on this topic to try and highlight any such relationship. Even though some sources report that the occurrence of seizures can be linked to the ingestion of antibiotics, Amoxicillin inclusive, some studies have shown that epileptic patients normally have other risk factors. While there is no proven drug-drug interaction between Amoxicillin and phenytoin, it is of import to note that metronidazole affects the clearance of phenytoin (National Library of Medicine, n.d.). Similarly, Amoxicillin and Flagyl interaction with metoprolol have not been reported hence a doctor can just prescribe the two drugs alongside metoprolol. In the same light, Fosinopril, a hypertension treatment drug, can be taken alongside Amoxicillin even though the patient should be advised to report any incident of an allergic reaction resulting for the use of Amoxicillin (Walgreens, n.d.). Pointedly, some studies have also shown that the clearance of phenytoin can be affected by metronidazole.
Bibliography
Amoxicillin Information: Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side Effects. n.d.. Drugs.com. Retrieved May 18, 2013, from http://www.drugs.com/amoxicillin.html
Bolin T D. 2008. Use of oral sodium cromoglycate in persistent diarrhoea. Journal of gastroenterology. 21;848-850.
Brent M E & Laken M. 2009. Does dark chocolate have a role in the prevention and management of hypertension. Journal of m.u.s.c. 124: 45-56.
Hajek, P., McRobbie, H., & Myers, K. 2013. Effectiveness Of Cystine In Helping Smokers Quit: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis. Thorax.
Korteweg C & Gu J. 2008. Pathology and pathogenesis of Avian Influenza. American journal of pathology, 172(5):1155-1170.
Lycke J, Svennerholm B, Hjelmquist E, Frisen L, Anderson M, Vahlne A & Andersen O. 1996. Acyclovir treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. A randomized placebo- controlled, double blind study. Journal of neurology. 243(3):214-224.
National Library of Medicine. n.d. Metronidazole Oral: MedlinePlus Drug Information. National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Retrieved May 18, 2013, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a689011.html
NHS. (n.d.). Smoking cessation drug Tabex performs in trial - Health News - NHS Choices. NHS. Retrieved May 19, 2013, from http://www.nhs.uk/news/2011/09September/Pages/tabex-cytisine-quit-smoking-pill.aspx
Scheinfield A. 2007. Cimetidine: A review of the recent developments and reports in cutaneous medicine. Dermatology Online Journal 9(2): 4-6.
Tabex Cytisine. n.d.). Tabex Cytisine the inexpensive and effective product to Stop Smoking!. Retrieved May 19, 2013, from http://www.tabex.net/
Walgreens. n.d.. Walgreens. Retrieved May 19, 2013, from http://www.walgreens.com/marketing/library/finddrug/druginfo1.html?particularDrug=Fosinopril-Hctz&id=642790
West, R., Zatonski, W., Cedzynska, M., Lewandowska, D., Pazik, J., Aveyard, P., & Stepleton, J. Placebo-controlled Trial of Cystine for Smoking Cessation. N Eng J Med 365(13): 1193-1200.
