Medical Today

Description

Psyllium is a seed used for medicinal purposes taken from the common fleawort, Plantago psyllium. There are about 250 species of the genus Plantago found worldwide; they belong to the Plantaginaceae family. The most common species producing seed for medicinal use, in addition to P. psyllium, are P. afra, P. isphagula, P. ovata, and P. indica.

Pharmacology.

Sumatriptan is a serotonin (5-HT) analogue and a selective agonist at 5-HT1D receptors in cerebral vascular smooth muscle. Receptor activation results in migraine relief by vasoconstriction of intracranial blood vessels and attenuation of the release of vasoactive peptides responsible for inflammation of sensory nerves.

Administration and Adult Dosage.

Sildenafil (Viagra) was developed more than 10 years ago as an antihypertensive and antianginal drug. It proved ineffective in these applications but was shown to affect the smooth muscles of the penis.

Pharmacology.

Pharmacology.

Clavulanic acid has weak antibacterial activity but is a potent inhibitor of plasmid-mediated Beta-lactamases,including those produced by Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Bacteroides fragilis. Thus, when combined with certain other beta-lactam antibiotics, the combination is very active against many bacteria resistant to the beta-lactam alone.

Adult Dosage.

PO One “250” or “500” tablet q 8 hr or 1 “875” tablet q 12 hr.

Pediatric Dosage.

Pharmacology.

Amoxicillin differs from ampicillin by the presence of a hydroxyl group on the amino side chain. It has activity essentially identical to ampicillin.

Adult Dosage.

PO 250–500 mg q 8 hr or 500-875 mg bid, to a maximum of 4.5 g/day. PO for endocarditis prophylaxis 2 g 1 hr before dental or upper airway procedures.

Pediatric Dosage.