Vaginal Clotrimazole

Vaginal clotrimazole is used to treat vaginal yeast infections in adults and children 12 years of age and older. Clotrimazole is in a class of anti fungal medications called imidazoles. It works by stopping the growth of fungi that cause infection.

How should this medicine be used?

Vaginal clotrimazole comes as a tablets to be inserted into the vagina. It also may be applied to the skin around the outside of the vagina. The cream is inserted into the vagina once a day at bedtime for 3 or 7 days in a row, depending on the product instructions.

The cream is used twice a day for up to 7 days around the outside of the vagina. Follow the directions on the package or your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use clotrimazole exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than directed on the package or prescribed by your doctor.

Vaginal clotrimazole is available without a prescription (over the counter). If this is the first time you have had vaginal itching and discomfort, talk to a doctor before using clotrimazole. If a doctor has told you before that you had a yeast infection and you have the same symptoms again, use the vaginal cream as directed on the package.

Do not have vaginal intercourse or use other vaginal products (such as tampons, douches, or spermicides) during your treatment.

You should begin to feel better during the first three days of treatment with clotrimazole. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

To apply the clotrimazole cream to the outside area around the vagina, use your finger to apply a small amount of cream to the affected area of skin.

To insert the clotrimazole tabs vaginally , read the instructions provided with the medication and follow these steps:

Fill the special applicator that comes with the cream/tablet to the level indicated.

Lie on your back with your knees drawn upward and spread apart or standing with your feet far apart and knees bent.

Gently insert the applicator into the vagina, and push the plunger to release the medication.

Withdraw the applicator.

Discard the applicator if it is disposable. If the applicator is reusable, pull it apart and clean it with soap and warm water after each use.

Wash your hands promptly to avoid spreading the infection.

The dose should be applied when you lie down to go to bed. It works best if you do not get up again after applying it except to wash your hands. You may wish to wear a sanitary napkin while using the vaginal cream to protect your clothing against stains. Continue using clotrimazole vaginal cream even if you get your period during treatment.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using vaginal clotrimazole,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to clotrimazole, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in clotrimazole vaginal cream. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

tell your doctor if you have lower stomach, back, or shoulder pain. fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge; been exposed to or have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); or have had frequent vaginal yeast infections (once a month or 3 or more infections in 6 months).

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using clotrimazole, call your doctor.

you should know that condoms and diaphragms may be weakened if they are used during your treatment with vaginal clotrimazole. Because of this, these devices may not be effective at preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases if you use them during your treatment.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Clotrimazole may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

increased burning, itching, or irritation of the vagina

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using clotrimazole and call your doctor immediately:

rash

hives

stomach pain

fever

chills

nausea

vomiting

foul-smelling vaginal discharge

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about clotrimazole.

If you still have symptoms of infection 7 days after starting treatment with clotrimazole, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a

hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections such as pneumonia; gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease); typhoid fever (a serious infection that is common in developing countries); infectious diarrhea (infections that cause severe diarrhea); and infections of the skin, bone, joint, abdomen (stomach area), and prostate (male reproductive gland),

Ciprofloxacin is also used to treat or prevent plague (a serious infection that may be spread on purpose as part of a bioterror attack) and inhalation anthrax (a serious infection that may be spread by anthrax germs in the air on purpose as part of a bioterror attack). Ciprofloxacin may also be used to treat bronchitis, sinus infections, or urinary tract infections but should not be used for bronchitis and sinus infections, or certain types of urinary tract infections if there are other treatment options.

Ciprofloxacin extended-release (long-acting) tablets are used to treat kidney and urinary tract infections; however, some types of urinary tract infections should only be treated with ciprofloxacin extended release tablets if no other treatment options are available.

Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

IMPORTANT WARNING:

Taking ciprofloxacin increases the risk that you will develop tendinitis (swelling of a fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle) or have a tendon rupture (tearing of a fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle) during your treatment or for up to several months afterward. These problems may affect tendons in your shoulder, your hand, the back of your ankle, or in other parts of your body. Tendinitis or tendon rupture may happen to people of any age, but the risk is highest in people over 60 years of age. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant; kidney disease; a joint or tendon disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis (a condition in which the body attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function); or if you participate in regular physical activity. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking oral or injectable steroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), or prednisone (Rayos). If you experience any of the following symptoms of tendinitis, stop taking ciprofloxacin, rest, and call your doctor immediately: pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or difficulty in moving a muscle. If you experience any of the following symptoms of tendon rupture, stop taking ciprofloxacin and get emergency medical treatment: hearing or feeling a snap or pop in a tendon area, bruising after an injury to a tendon area, or inability to move or to bear weight on an affected area.

Taking ciprofloxacin may cause changes in sensation and nerve damage that may not go away even after you stop taking ciprofloxacin. This damage may occur soon after you begin taking ciprofloxacin. Tell your doctor if you have ever had peripheral neuropathy (a type of nerve damage that causes tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet). If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking ciprofloxacin and call your doctor immediately: numbness, tingling, pain, burning, or weakness in the arms or legs; or a change in your ability to feel light touch, vibrations, pain, heat, or cold.

Taking ciprofloxacin may affect your brain or nervous system and cause serious side effects. This can occur after the first dose of ciprofloxacin. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had seizures, epilepsy, cerebral arteriosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels in or near the brain that can lead to stroke or ministroke), stroke, changed brain structure, or kidney disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking ciprofloxacin and call your doctor immediately: seizures; tremors; dizziness; lightheadedness; headaches that won’t go away (with or without blurred vision); difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; nightmares; not trusting others or feeling that others want to hurt you; hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist); thoughts or actions towards hurting or killing yourself; feeling restless, anxious, nervous, depressed, memory changes, or confused, or other changes in your mood or behavior.

Taking ciprofloxacin may worsen muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis (a disorder of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness) and cause severe difficulty breathing or death. Tell your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis. Your doctor may tell you not to take ciprofloxacin. If you have myasthenia gravis and your doctor tells you that you should take ciprofloxacin, call your doctor immediately if you experience muscle weakness or difficulty breathing during your treatment.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking ciprofloxacin.

How should Ciprofloxacin be used?

Ciprofloxacin comes as a tablet, a suspension (liquid), and an extended-release tablet to take by mouth with or without food. The tablets and suspension are usually taken twice a day, and the extended-release tablets are usually taken once a day. When used to treat gonorrhea, the tablets and suspension may be given as a single dose.

Take ciprofloxacin at around the same time(s) every day. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have. Your doctor will tell you how long to take ciprofloxacin. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ciprofloxacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

One type of ciprofloxacin cannot be substituted for another. Be sure that you receive only the type of ciprofloxacin that was prescribed by your doctor. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the type of ciprofloxacin you were given.

Do not take ciprofloxacin with dairy products or calcium-fortified juices alone. However, you may take ciprofloxacin with a meal that includes these foods or drinks.

Swallow the tablets whole; do not crush, or chew them. If you doctor tells you to to split the 250-mg or 500-mg tablet, it may be broken in half along the scored line. Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not split, crush, or chew them. If you cannot swallow tablets or extended-release tablets whole, tell your doctor.

If you are taking the suspension, shake the bottle very well for 15 seconds before each use to mix the medication evenly. Swallow the correct dose without chewing the granules in the suspension. Close the bottle completely after each use. Do not give the suspension to a patient through a feeding tube.

You should begin feeling better during the first few days of your treatment with ciprofloxacin. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor. If you are being treated for a urinary tract infection, call your doctor if you develop fever or back pain during or after your treatment. These symptoms may be signs that your infection is worsening.

Take ciprofloxacin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. Do not stop taking ciprofloxacin without talking to your doctor unless you experience certain serious side effects.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking ciprofloxacin,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic or have had a severe reaction to ciprofloxacin. any other quinolone or fluoroquinolone antibiotic such as delafloxacin (Baxdela), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), and ofloxacin; any other medications, or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in ciprofloxacin tablets or suspension. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

tell your doctor if you are taking tizanidine (Zanaflex). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take ciprofloxacin while you are taking this medication.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); certain antidepressants; antipsychotics (medications to treat mental illness) such as clozapine (Clozaril, Fazaclo, Versacloz) and olanzapine (Zyprexa, in Symbax); azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax); caffeine or medications that contain caffeine (Excedrin, NoDoz, Vivarin, others); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); diuretics (‘water pills’); duloxetine (Cymbalta); erythromycin (E.E.S., Eryc, Eryped, others); insulin or other medications to treat diabetes such as chlorpropamide, glimepiride (Amaryl, in Duetact), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta), tolazamide, and tolbutamide; certain medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone), disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide, quinidine (in Nuedexta), and sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine, Sotylize); methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall); certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others); pentoxifylline (Pentoxil); phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); probenecid (Probalan, in Col-Probenecid); ropinirole (Requip); sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra); theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Uniphyl, others); tizanidine (Zanaflex); or zolpidem (Ambien, Edluar, Intermezzo, Zolpimist). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with ciprofloxacin, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.

if you are taking antacids containing calcium, aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide (Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, others); or certain medications such as didanosine (Videx) solution; calcium, iron, or zinc supplements; phosphate binders such as sevelamer (Renagel, Renvela) or lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenol); or sucralfate (Carafate), take ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after you take these medications.

tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death). Also, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an irregular or slow heartbeat, heart failure (condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the other parts of the body), a heart attack, an aortic aneurysm (swelling of the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the body), high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation in the blood vessels), Marfan syndrome (a genetic condition that can affect the heart, eyes, blood vessels and bones), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (a genetic condition that can affect skin, joints, or blood vessels), or have a low level of potassium or magnesium in your blood. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes or problems with low blood sugar or liver disease.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking ciprofloxacin, call your doctor.

tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are taking ciprofloxacin and for at least 2 days after your final dose.

do not drive a car, operate machinery or participate in activities requiring alertness or coordination until you know how this medication affects you.

plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light (tanning beds and sunlamps) and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Ciprofloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight or ultraviolet light. If your skin becomes reddened, swollen, or blistered, like a bad sunburn, call your doctor.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Do not drink or eat a lot of caffeine-containing products such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, cola, or chocolate. Ciprofloxacin may increase nervousness, sleeplessness, heart pounding, and anxiety caused by caffeine.

Make sure you drink plenty of water or other fluids every day while you are taking ciprofloxacin.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Ciprofloxacin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

nausea

vomiting

stomach pain

heartburn

diarrhea

vaginal itching and/or discharge

pale skin

unusual tiredness

sleepiness

If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, stop taking ciprofloxacin and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical help:

severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)

rash

hives

itching

peeling or blistering of the skin

fever

swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs

hoarseness or throat tightness

difficulty breathing or swallowing

ongoing or worsening cough

yellowing of the skin or eyes; pale skin; dark urine; or light colored stool

extreme thirst or hunger; pale skin; feeling shaky or trembling; fast or fluttering heartbeat; sweating; frequent urination; trembling; blurred vision; or unusual anxiety

fainting or loss of consciousness

decreased urination

sudden pain in the chest, stomach, or back

Ciprofloxacin may cause problems with bones, joints, and tissues around joints in children. Ciprofloxacin should not normally be given to children younger than 18 years of age unless they have certain serious infections that cannot be treated with other antibiotics or they have been exposed to plague or anthrax in the air. If your doctor prescribes ciprofloxacin for your child, be sure to tell the doctor if your child has or has ever had joint-related problems. Call your doctor if your child develops joint problems such as pain or swelling while taking ciprofloxacin or after treatment with ciprofloxacin.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking ciprofloxacin or giving ciprofloxacin to your child.

Ciprofloxacin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to ciprofloxacin. If you have diabetes, your doctor may ask you to check your blood sugar more often while taking ciprofloxacin.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish taking ciprofloxacin, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Chlorpheniramine [Piriton]

Chlorpheniramine as 4mg tablet or 2mg/ml syrup is in class of medicine called antihistamines. It relieves red, itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; itchy nose or throat; and runny nose caused by allergies, hay fever, and the common cold. Chlorpheniramine helps control the symptoms of cold or allergies but will not treat the cause of the symptoms or speed recovery.  It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.

How should Chlorpheniramine be used?

Chlorpheniramine comes as a tablet, a capsule, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet and capsule, a chewable tablet, and a liquid to take by mouth. The regular capsules and tablets, chewable tablets, and liquid are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed. The extended-release (long-acting) tablets and capsules are usually taken twice a day in the morning and evening as needed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take chlorpheniramine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Chlorpheniramine comes alone and in combination with fever and pain reducers, expectorants, cough suppressants, and decongestants. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which product is best for your symptoms. Check nonprescription cough and cold product labels carefully before using 2 or more products at the same time. These products may contain the same active ingredient(s) and taking them together could cause you to receive an overdose.This is especially important if you will be giving cough and cold medications to a child.

Nonprescription cough and cold combination products, including products that contain chlorpheniramine, can cause serious side effects or death in young children. Do not give these products to children younger than 4 years of age. If you give these products to children 4-11 years of age, use caution and follow the package directions carefully.

If you are giving chlorpheniramine or a combination product that contains chlorpheniramine to a child, read the package label carefully to be sure that it is the right product for a child of that age. Do not give chlorpheniramine products that are made for adults to children.

Before you give a chlorpheniramine product to a child, check the package label to find out how much medication the child should receive. Give the dose that matches the child’s age on the chart. Ask the child’s doctor if you don’t know how much medication to give the child.

If you are taking the liquid, do not use a household spoon to measure your dose. Use the measuring spoon or cup that came with the medication or use a spoon made especially for measuring medication.

If you are using the extended-release tablets or capsules, swallow them whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or open them.

Before taking chlorpheniramine,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to chlorpheniramine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the chlorpheniramine product you plan to use. Check the package label for a list of the ingredients.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: other medications for colds, hay fever, or allergies; medications for anxiety, depression, or seizures; muscle relaxants; narcotic medications for pain; sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or other types of lung disease; glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision); ulcers; diabetes; difficulty urinating (due to an enlarged prostate gland); heart disease; high blood pressure; seizures; or an overactive thyroid gland.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking chlorpheniramine, call your doctor.

if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking chlorpheniramine.

you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

ask your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while you are taking chlorpheniramine. Alcohol can make the side effects of chlorpheniramine worse.

talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking chlorpheniramine if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take chlorpheniramine because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.

What side effects can Chlorpheniramine cause?

Chlorpheniramine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

drowsiness

dry mouth, nose, and throat

nausea

vomiting

loss of appetite

constipation

headache

increased chest congestion

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

vision problems

difficulty urinating

What other information should I know?

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about chlorpheniramine.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.