Dexamethasone
DEXAMETHASONE
Overview:
It is a corticosteroid, related to a natural hormone made by your adrenal glands. It mainly is used to supplement this compound when your body doesn’t produce enough of it naturally. It decreases inflammation (swelling, warmth, redness and pain) and
Classification:
Synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid and a corticosteroid ester
Uses:
It is used to treat conditions such as some types of arthritis, skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid and gastrointestinal (i.e, colitis) diseases, severe allergies and asthma. Aside from COVID-19, dexamethasone is most frequently used to treat certain types of cancer.
How It Works:
It works by suppressing the migration of neutrophils and decreasing lymphocyte colony proliferation. The capillary membrane becomes less permeable, as well.
Dosage:
As prescribed by your doctor.
Side Effects:
Upset stomach
Stomach irritation
Vomiting
Headache
Dizziness
Insomnia
Restlessness
Depression
Anxiety
Acne
Increased hair growth
Easy bruising
Irregular or absent menstrual periods
Precautions:
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dexamethasone, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking dexamethasone. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
The following nonprescription products may interact with dexamethasone: ephedrine; aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve). Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking dexamethasone. Do not start any of these medications while taking dexamethasone without discussing with your healthcare provider.
If you have a fungal infection (other than on your skin), do not take dexamethasone without talking to your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, kidney, intestinal, or heart disease; diabetes; an underactive thyroid gland; high blood pressure; mental illness; myasthenia gravis; osteoporosis; herpes eye infection; seizures; tuberculosis (TB); or ulcers.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking dexamethasone, call your doctor.
If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking dexamethasone.
If you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis medication, limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages while taking this drug. Dexamethasone makes your stomach and intestines more susceptible to the irritating effects of alcohol, aspirin, and certain arthritis medications: this effect increases your risk of ulcer
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider for medical advice and proper dosage.
Ofloxacin
OFLOXACIN
OVERVIEW
Ofloxacin is used in the treatment of bacterial infections. It is also used in infections of urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, female genital organ, skin & soft tissues and lungs (pneumonia).
CLASSIFICATION:
Ofloxacin is an antimicrobial drug in the fluoroquinolone family
USES:
Ofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent with activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive organisms, used for the treatment of bacterial infections such as pneumonia, pyelonephritis, skin and soft tissue infections, and urinary tract infections.
HOW IT WORKS
Ofloxacin acts on DNA gyrase and toposiomerase IV, enzymes which, like human topoisomerase, prevents the excessive supercoiling of DNA during replication or transcription. By inhibiting their function, the drug thereby inhibits normal cell division.
DOSAGE
As directed by the physician
PRECAUTIONS
You should be cautious in the following conditions if you are prescribed Ofloxacin:
Allergic to the medicine or other quinolone/fluoroquinolone antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin, Gemifloxacin, Levofloxacin, etc.
Taking any other medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.
Taking blood thinners like warfarin, antidepressants, antipsychotics, insulin, and other medicines to treat diabetes like glimepiride, chlorpropamide, tolazamide, etc., and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen
Taking antacids, supplements, and multivitamins with iron and zinc, then take ofloxacin 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking these medicines.
Medical history of heart diseases or prolonged QT intervals
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant
History of diabetes, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) or liver disease
SIDE EFFECTS
The side effects of ofloxacin are:
Fever
Fatigue
Nausea
Constipation
Vomiting
Pale skin
Mouth dryness
Watery stools and maybe blood
Stomach cramps for months, even after the treatment is complete
Itching and rashes
Swelling or yellowing of the eyes and face
Breathing or swallowing trouble
Fluttering heartbeat
Frequent urination and sweating
Constantly feeling hungry or thirsty
If you find any of these symptoms, you should immediately consult your doctor.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider for medical advice and proper dosage
