Archive for the ‘Drugs & Therapies’ Category
Sibutramine is a chemical that is used in weight loss products to suppress the appetite and moderately increase the metabolism. In South Africa, this chemical is present in prescription weight loss drugs like Reductil although minute doses may be found in over-the-counter (OTC) slimming products. Since early 2000 there has been much hype in the United States surrounding the use of sibutramine in the popular scheduled drug Meridia. This prompted many consumer safety groups to petition the FDA and request a ban on the sale of this drug. (Public Citizen : Sibutramine).
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Losing weight is no easy task. It takes months, if not years, of sensible eating and daily physical activity. Some weight loss products may help with moderately increasing your metabolism, giving you more energy to workout for longer or assist your body in passing out water. Overall the effectiveness of these products are limited and should only be used as an adjunct to a medical weight loss program.
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A lipid profile or lipogram is a blood test that measures four key markers to asses your blood cholesterol levels. Unlike a finger prick blood test which only gives you an estimate of your total cholesterol level, a lipid profile will provide a fairly accurate measure of your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Glue ear, or chronic secretory otitis media, is a common problem in children. However it can affect hearing and lead to a host of complications if left untreated. Despite regular medical treatment, glue ear has a tendency to recur, especially in children, and ear grommets may be needed to reduce the chances of complications.
Antiretroviral drugs are an essential part of HIV/AIDS treatment and should be started when the doctor who is monitoring your condition deems it necessary. Unfortunately, many of the HIV/AIDS myths in South Africa hamper proper ARV use and at times, ARV’s are started too late. In order for your doctor to notify you when ARV’s are needed, he/she will have to monitor your CD4 count and viral load over a period of time. This will ensure that you get onto ARV’s at the right time, rather than starting up later in the disease.
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Doxycycline is an antibiotic, meaning that it acts against bacteria, and should only be used when prescribed by a medical doctor. In South Africa, doxycycline is available under several trade names, and is available as a tablet or capsule. It is often used in cases of acne and other skin infections and may also be prescribed for UTI’s (urinary tract infections), chlamydia, gonorrhea and oral infections.
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