Pharma Tips-93

486. Heat cramps may be due to lack of the sodium in the body.
487. Smoking cessation; 
  • Set a quit date
  • Good results from quitting
  • Things to avoid
  • Meet someone who could help like a pharmacist
  • Tell family and friends about quitting to help you
  • Make a diary 
  • Use smoking alternatives like gum
  • Avoid weight gain (healthy food and sports)
  • Follow instructions carefully if you are taking medications to help you quitting
488. Cetirizine is the active metabolite of hydroxyzine.
489. Fexofenadine is the metabolite of terfenadine.
490. Common causes of cough are asthma, chronic bronchitis, CHF, drugs like ACEIs, emphysema, foreign body, GERD, inhaled chemical irritants, postnasal drip (sinusitis, allergic rhinitis), upper and lower respiratory tract infections.

Pharma Tips-92

481.Drugs that may induce headache / migraine include tetracycline, minocycline, cotrimoxazole, nalidixic acid ,  isotretinoin, tamoxifen, cimetidine, indomethacin, diclofenac, nitroglycerin, atenolol, propranolol, captopril, nifedipine, methyldopa, reserpine, hydralazine, ranitidine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, citalopram, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), caffeine, cyclosporine, danazol, latanoprost, metronidazole, foods containing nitrites, glutamate, aspartame, tyrosine, phenylalanine, tyramine containing products like aged cheese, hot dogs, chocolate, red wine, coffee, tea.
482. Feverfew, magnesium and riboflavin are over the counter products for migraine prophylaxis.
483. Drugs that may induce fever include allopurinol, amphotericin, antacids, antibiotics, anticholinergics, antihistamines, antineoplastics, azathioprine, barbiturates, carbamazepine, cimetidine, clofibrate, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, digoxin, diltiazem, epinephrine, folic acid, griseofulvin, heparin, hydralazine, ibuprofen, iodides, iron dextran, metoclopramide, MAOIs, methyldopa, nifedipine, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, procainamide, propylthiouracil (PTU), quindine, quinine, ranitidine, salicylates, sulindac, tacrolimus, tolmetin, triameterene, and vitamins.
484. Temperature measuring preference; birth- 2 years, rectum>armpit>ear, 2-5 years; rectum>ear>armpit, >5 years; mouth>ear>armpit.
485. Drugs that may affect body temperture are; TCA, anticholinergics, antipsychotics, antihistamines, SSRIs, BBs, alpha-agonists, MAOIs, sympathomimetics, cocaine, and amphetamine.

Pharma Tips-91

476. When the relation is inversely proportional, use the following formula: C1V1=C2V2.
477. 1 centilitre (cL) = 1mL, 1 g = 100 cg, 1 g = 10 dg, 1 mile = 1.61 Km.
478. The smallest quantity to be in a prescription (SQ) = 100%*sensitivity requirement (SR)/ acceptable error.
479. Some latin abbreviations:-
  • M = mix
  • Ft = make 
  • Q.s = sufficient quantity
  • Sig. = directions (write on label)
  • A.a = of each
  • Ad = upto, to make
  • Disp = dispense 
  • D.t.d = give of such doses
  • Non rep. = do not repeat
480. Density = weight/ volume.

Pharma Tips-90

471. Food delays the absorption of cefalexin, cefixime, and cefaclor.
472. Digoxin is used in heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter.
473. Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia.
474. Dornase is a mucolytic enzyme, it is used to dissolve mucus of cystic fibrosis patients.
475. Ethacrynic acid is used for patients who can not tolerate furosemide.

Pharma Tips-89

466. Vancomycin has no systemic absorption if given PO.
467. Acitretin (soriatane) is an analog of vitamin A, and it is used to treat psoriasis.
468. Information about half-life and pharmacokinetics are found in USPDI.
469. Bacteroides fragilis is treated with metronidazole, clindamycin, and cefoxitin.
470. To avoid complications (swelling), in spinal cord injuries give intravenous methyl prednisolone.

Pharma Tips-88

461. Pneumocystis pneumonia is caused by pneumocystis jirovecii (carinii), and treated by co-trimoxazole used with steroids, pentamidine, atovaqoune, clindamycin may be used, for prevention bactrim, and less frequently inhaled pentamidine.
462. Benzlkonium chloride and thiomersal are preservatives that might cause allergic reactions.
463. Azathioprine, diuretics, alcohol, steroids, cause pancreatitis.
464. Enalapril, and terfenadine are prodrugs.
465. Endocarditis prophylaxis; amoxicillin 2g oral (PO) 1 hour, or clindamycin 600 mg PO 1 hour before the procedure, ampicillin IV 2 g 30 minutes, or clindamycin 600 mg IV 30 minutes before the procedure.

Pharma Tips-87

456. Dobutamine is used in cardiogenic shock.
457. Do not shake turbohaler, disc inhaler, imitrex spray, and flonase (fluticasone) shake it gently.
458. Label for benzoyl peroxide bleaches fabric and clothes.
459. Sulindac is the anti-inflammatory used in case of renal failure.
460. Mycoplasma pneumonia is treated by erythromycin, doxycycline, and 2nd generation of quinolones.