Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants

Many drugs has been discovered which can stop convulsion of epilepsy or other convulsive disorder. Among best known are Dilantin, Peganone, Phenurone, Paradione, Tridione, Mysoline, Milontin.

These drugs are of greatest importance because today thousands of persons with convulsive disorder are enabled to go months or even longer without a convulsion through proper use. Because of their potency, only a physician who has thoroughly studied patient and who understands nature of convulsive disorder should prescribe drug of his choice according to needs of individual patient.

Certain other drugs which act on nervous system may prevent cough by their local effects on nervous system and on tissues involved in coughing. Codeine, a derivative of morphine, is a powerful drug in preventing coughs. There are, however other drugs not derived from morphine which prevent cough through action on nervous systems.

The tranquilizing drugs include particularly thorazine pacatal trilafon compazine sparine dartal vesprin and temeril. Under these groups also come derivative of rauwolfia which include serpasil, reserpine and similar preparations. Most widely known of tranquilizers is meprobamate which are also known as equanil. This, however, are relaxant drug rather than a depressant.

Many drugs has been discovered which can stop convulsion of epilepsy or other convulsive disorder. Among best known are Dilantin, Peganone, Phenurone, Paradione, Tridione, Mysoline, Milontin.

Nervous system stimulants

There are drugs which stimulate nervous system and which is used to overcome depression to energize body and to oppose actions of sedative and tranquilizers. Many of these drugs are toxic in sense that they may raise blood pressure, stimulate beating of heart and produce great breathlessness.

For years people have known that tea and coffee which contain caffeine or theobromine or theophylline, have power to stimulate. Students have taken caffeine or many cups of coffee to keep awake during study. Some derivatives of choline and of xanthine have effects of stimulating central nervous system. New psychic energizers which control endogenous depression are Nardil Catron Tofranil and many more.

Contraceptives

Contraceptives are used to inhibit action of sperm cells or to prevent the passage of the sperm into the uterus. They are of many varieties and are discussed under others section of these work.

Skin Remedies

          The number of chemical substances used upon the human skin rungs into hundreds. This is used to protect the skin, to control blemishes, to disinfect skin, to stop itching, to take cares of scaling and oiliness, to remove skin and for many others purpose. In chapter on skin many of these remedies are detailed discussed.

Alcohol Deterrents

          Among new remedies recently developed drugs like disulfiram or anti abuse which causes person who take them develops unfavorable symptom to drinking alcohol. Such a drug obviously must use with greatest of care because of possible dangers from poisoning.

Enzymes

          Within the human body there is substances produced which act to aid functions of body. One enzyme called hyaluronidase can limit the spread of fluid in the body and is used to prevent scar tissues.

          Another enzyme can inactivate penicillin and are used when there is toxic reaction from use of penicillin.

          Some enzymes prevent clotting of blood and is used to dissolve clot. One such enzyme Chymotrypsin, is injected into eye to loosen the tissues around a cataract.

Stomach and intestinal drugs

          Persons who suffer from excess acid can take drug which stop flow of acid. Other drug protect wall of stomach against effects of acid.

Blood Derivatives

          Many substances have been derived from blood and is used in medicines. These includes the whole blood itself as are used for transfusion, the serum from blood, liquid portion of blood (which are called plasma), the clotting material (which are called fibrin). Other substance such as heparin, dicumarol, tromexan prevent clotting of blood and are used after coronary thrombosis to prevent further clotting. Some drugs have been developed which is used to prevent bleedings. These include Thrombin, which is derived from the blood itself.

          Various drugs are used to stimulate growth of red blood cell, including particularly iron and various form and modification of iron. Also there are organic substance derived from liver, from wall of stomach which may stimulates growth of red blood cells.

Hormones

The glands of internal secretion include pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal glands the sex glands. From all of these, substances have been derived which have powerful effects. From adrenal glands come cortisone and hydrocortisone, also adrenalin, aldosterone. The pituitary gland comes pituitrin, ACTH and various other hormones which stimulate the action of the breasts, sex gland, thyroid or adrenals. Sex gland which includes ovaries and testes gives rise to hormones which is of great importance in functions of body, including function of growth.

          The pituitary believed to contain hormones which are important in affecting the color of the body and the growth of the body.

          The pancreas comes insulin which control the use of sugar by the body, trypsin which are digestive ferment. (See also Endocrinology).

Immunologic Agents

          By injection of various substances into human body the blood produces substances which resist proteins which have been injected. By such techniques we derives various serum and antitoxins. Thus there are vaccines and serums against many diseases. These vaccines are now available against influenza whooping cough poliomyelitis rabies tuberculosis and many other disorders.

          Serum is made against almost any type of germs but they are effective only according to response of the animals to the toxic substances.

Edema-Reducing Agents

          Among the greatest of recent discovery is drug which can causes elimination of fluid from body. Among this is particularly diamox and diuril. This has been found to be of greatest importance in heart failures, in various other conditions in which fluid collect in tissue. Before, this new discovery, various mercury derivatives was used and some is still used for same purposes. On other hand, a drug called Benemid derived from benzoic acid serve to block renal tubules so that a drug like penicillin are held in body until it can have its effect. 

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Drugs and their uses.

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.

          Here is an important is the fact that there are some two thousand possible antibiotics. One of latest to be developed is an antibiotic which apparently can affect growth of cancer cells. This is known as actionomycin D.

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