       Featured DrugsChantix - Avandia - Paxil - Hormone Replacement TherapyChantixChantix (generic name: varenicline) is a smoking cessation medication produced by Pfizer that was approved by the FDA in May of 2006. It is a partial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist and is designed to partially activate this system while displacing nicotine at its sites of action in the brain. AvandiaThe FDA approved Avandia in July of 2006 for use as initial treatment of type 2 diabetes as an adjunct to diet and exercise. Unfortunately, the combination of Avandia and insulin can result in a condition called fluid overload disease, which in turn may lead to cardiac arrest and death. In some cases, Avandia has been shown to cause hepatitis and liver failure as well. Avandia side effects, such as liver toxicity, heart function effects, weight gain, edema, anemia, low blood pressure, elevated lipid levels, and possible progesterone level changes were also nowhere to be found on Avandia and other glitazone labelings. Call 1-800-529-8008 or Send an E-mail to US PaxilPaxil is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Paxil affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced. Paxil is prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The Food and Drug Administration is alerting health care professionals and patients about early results of new studies for Paxil (paroxetine) suggesting that the drug increases the risk for birth defects, particularly heart defects, when women take it during the first three months of pregnancy. Paxil is approved for the treatment of depression and several other psychiatric disorders. Most of the heart defects reported in these studies were atrial and ventricular septal defects (holes in the walls of the chambers of the heart). In general, these types of defects range in severity from those that are minor and may resolve without treatment to those that cause serious symptoms and may need to be repaired surgically. Call 1-800-529-8008 or Send an E-mail to US Hormone Replacement TherapyHormone replacement therapy (HRT) is medication that contains one or more female hormones, commonly estrogen plus progestin (synthetic progesterone). HRT is most often used to treat symptoms of menopause such as ''hot flashes,'' vaginal dryness, mood swings, sleep disorders, and decreased sexual desire. This medication may be taken in the form of a pill, a patch, or vaginal cream. Some women receive estrogen-only therapy (usually women who have had their uterus removed). Based on early studies, many physicians used to believe that HRT might be beneficial for reducing the risk of heart disease and bone fractures caused by osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) in addition to treating menopausal symptoms. Prescription drugs commonly used for HRT are Premarin, Prempro, FemHrt Activella, Ortho-Prefest and Premphase. Both Premarin and Prempro have been linked to an increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular problems, asthma and immune system disorders such as lupus. Call 1-800-529-8008 or Send an E-mail to US  |
