Drugs and Their Uses
Modern men are protected against diseases, is relieved of pain, and
occasionally cured by discoveries that have been made in professions of
pharmacology pharmaceutical manufacture and pharmacy.
Household remedies
Elsewhere in this book are discussions of family medicine chest
with a list of household remedies that are easily available and which may be
used by any person according to his own judgment. Examples: laxatives like
mineral oil phenolphthalein, cascara, and substances like agar and psyllium
seed which add bulk to excretions. Included also are such mild antiseptic
substances are iodine, mercurochrome, and similar preparations. For pain
relievers there are combinations of aspirin, phenacetin, and caffeine sold
under a wide variety of names as well as simple preparations which include
aspirin alone or aspirin buffered or other products related to aspirin.
Most of potent and possibly toxic preparations prescribed by
doctors are not sold over counter without a physician’s prescription. The
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act regulate the labeling of drugs. It
prohibits certain statements from appearing on labels and demands warning
labels for other substances which may be habit-forming or which are especially
toxic. A new drug cannot be introduced into sale between states unless an
application has been made for it. This application must show by adequate
scientific evidence that drug is safe for use under ordinary conditions.
The American Medical Association’s Council on Drugs publishes
annually a volume known as “new and Nonofficial Drugs” in which drugs are
classified as to their general character. If product is manufactured properly
and claims made for it are justified it is described in this book.
ANESTHETICS
Anesthetics are not
of occurs easily available except by prescription and are generally used only
in hospitals and in doctor’s office. Local anesthetics are substances which may
be put on the skin or injected under skin and thus produce freedom from pain in
areas concerned. One type of anesthetic is injected into spine to block the
nerves of spine, thus preventing pain during childbirth. When drug is permitted
to flow in gradually during the childbirth, the method is described as
continuous caudal analgesia.
The general anesthetics include a wide variety of substances, such
as ether, nitrous oxide, oxygen gas, ethylene, cyclopropane, and several other
substances which anesthetist gives tot eh patient for inhalation. Another type
of anesthesia is basal anesthesia in which drugs capable of blocking sensation
are injected into veins. These are usually derivatives of barbituric acid.
Antihistamines
During allergic reactions a substance known as histamine is
released into the tissues. The antihistamines are used in such conditions as
hay fever, asthma, and rhinitis because they block histamine. When these
substances are used in mild hay fever, particularly in first part of the
season, they are usually effective in relieving symptoms.
The antihistamine drugs are useful also in prevention and treatment
of general reactions such as allergic coughs, the allergic inflammation of
nose, the eruptions of hives, and itching which accompanies other allergic
diseases.
Any of antihistaminic drugs can occasionally produce undesirable
reactions in some people. The physician must be aware of this possibility.
Sometimes antihistamines produce a tendency to deep sleep. In other instances
they may produce inability to concentrate, dizziness, and disturbed
coordination. The worst symptoms that may result are tremors, nervousness and
even convulsions. These are some of reasons why antihistamines in large doses
should be used only when prescribed by a doctor. Several antihistamines are
available in drug stores and can be purchased without a prescription. These are
usually used to stop excessive secretion from nose during the beginning of a
cold and sometimes are applied in ointments for ivy poisoning or other skin
reactions.
Motion Sickness Drugs
Most of effective motion sickness drugs are now dependent on
an antihistamine action. Among most common of these are Dramamine, Bonine,
Marezine, and various other preparations of antihistaminic drugs.
For years
derivatives of scopolamine and hyoscine have been used effectively in preventing
motion sickness.
Since all of these drugs possess possibility of harm, they should
not be taken continuously unless prescribed by doctor. On most ships and on
airplanes attendants usually have available some of these anti-motion sickness
remedies and they will give one or two doses with understanding that dosage is
not continued and is only for immediate relief over a short period.
Anti-infective
Certain substances
have the power to stop action of bacteria, to impede their growth, and
sometimes to destroy them. For instance certain drugs are known to be effective
in controlling germ of tuberculosis. These include streptomycin, one called PAS
or para-amino-salicylic acid and also isonicotinic acid derivatives of which
one most frequently mentioned is isoniazid. There are several forms of these
drugs known by various names which physician prescribes according to his
choice.
A substance known as
oxyquinoline is available in various forms and is used frequently against germs
or fungi.
Another drug called
mandelamine has special property of being eliminated in urine and acting as a
urinary antiseptic.
Another chemical
group is known as nitro furans. These substances and their derivatives are
effective against a variety of diarrheal disorders, infections in urinary
tract, and infections throughout body, particularly by pus-forming germs.
Among the earliest
and most important of anti-infective substances were the sulfonamides, discovered
by Domagk, for which the received the Nobel Prize. The sulfonamides are
available in a variety of forms. The ones to be used in the control of a known
infection are chosen according to their established ability to stop the growth
of germs that are concerned. Among the best known sulfonamides were
sulfadiazine and sulfamerazine. Anotheris sulfamethazine. A newer form is
sulfacetamide which are available in various forms, depending on the area of
the body where it is to have its effect.
The modifications of
sulfa drugs are numerous. Still another are known as Kynex/Midicel. There are
varieties of gantrisin which is designed to affect specific portions of body
and to be used either in tables capsules/given by injection.
The antibiotics are
substances derived from various living organism which can stop growth of germ
or destroy germ. The first to receive extensive use were penicillin. Then came
many other of which about twenty are in common use. Their name is streptomycin,
Chloromycetin or Chloramphenicol, Bacitracin, Tyrothricin, magnamycin,
Seromycin or cycloserine, Erythromycin or Ilotycin, Neomycin, Albamycin,
Nystatin or Mycostatin which are used especially against mantillas.
Another group
includes oleandomycin which are especially active against germ like
staphylococcus, streptococcus, and pneumonococcus. It may also have effects in
stopping growth of gonococcus & meningococcus. These varieties are
Cyclamycin.
Pencillin is used in
a variety of ways either by tablet taken by mouths, or caby injections under
skin according to what physician thinks are best for the individual patient.
Among variety of
forms of pencillin is crysticillin which is a combination of pencillin with a
local anesthetic. Some form of pencillin has been prepared so that they may be
injected into muscles and remain active over long periods of time.
Another new
antibiotic is polymyxin also ristocetin and various tetracyclines which include
Aureomycin Terramycin Achromycin and Panmycin. Most recent are Vancomycin and
Viomycin. Calistin is an antibiotic used principally against certain bacteria,
pseudomonas species and organism that cause dysentery.
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