Tag git

Bisacodyl

In a class of medications called stimulant laxatives, bisacodyl is used on a short-term basis to treat constipation. It also is used to empty the bowels before surgery and certain medical procedures. It works by increasing activity of the intestines to cause a bowel movement.

How Should Bisacodyl be used?

Bisacodyl comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken the evening before a bowel movement is desired. Bisacodyl normally causes a bowel movement within 6 to 12 hours. Do not take bisacodyl more than once a day or for more than 1 week without talking to your doctor.

Follow the directions on the package or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take bisacodyl exactly as directed. Frequent or continued use of bisacodyl may make you dependent on laxatives and cause your bowels to lose their normal activity. If you do not have a regular bowel movement after taking bisacodyl, do not take any more medication and talk to your doctor.

Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Do not take bisacodyl within 1 hour after drinking or eating dairy products.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking bisacodyl,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bisacodyl, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in these products. Check the label or 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.

if you are taking antacids, wait at least 1 hour before taking bisacodyl.

tell your doctor if you have stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or a sudden change in bowel movements lasting more than 2 weeks.

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

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

A regular diet and exercise program is important for regular bowel function. Eat a high-fiber diet and drink plenty of liquids (eight glasses) each day as recommended by your doctor.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

This medication usually is taken as needed. If your doctor has told you to take bisacodyl regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

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

stomach cramps

faintness

stomach discomfort

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience this symptom, stop taking bisacodyl and call your doctor immediately:

rectal bleeding

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

What other information should I know?

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about bisacodyl.

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.

Lactulose Syrup

Lactulose is a synthetic sugar used to treat constipation. It is broken down in the colon into products that pull water out from the body and into the colon. This water softens stools. Lactulose is also used to reduce the amount of ammonia in the blood of patients with liver disease. It works by drawing ammonia from the blood into the colon where it is removed from the body.

How should Lactulose be used?

Lactulose comes as liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day for treatment of constipation and three or four times a day for liver disease. Your prescription label tells you how much medicine to take at each dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take lactulose exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking lactulose,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lactulose or any other drugs.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antacids, antibiotics including neomycin (Mycifradin), and other laxatives.

tell your doctor if you have diabetes or require a low-lactose diet.

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

if you are having surgery or tests on your colon or rectum, tell the doctor that you are taking lactulose.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

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

diarrhea

gas

nausea

If you have any of the following symptoms, stop taking lactulose and call your doctor immediately:

stomach pain or cramps

vomiting

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

To improve the taste of lactulose, mix your dose with one-half glass of water, milk, or fruit juice.

Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

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.

Brand names

Cholac®

Constilac® Syrup

Constulose®

Enulose®

Evalose® Syrup

Generlac®

Heptalac®

Kristalose®

Laxilose®

Portalac®

[wpedon id=”2598″ align=”center”]

Omeprazole

Omeprazole is used alone or with other medications to treat the symptoms of conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, Peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and possible injury of the esophagus.

Omeprazole is used to treat damage from GERD in adults and children 1 month of age and older. Prescription omeprazole is used to allow the esophagus to heal and prevent further damage to the esophagus in adults and children 1 year of age and older with GERD.

Prescription omeprazole is also used to treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in adults.

Prescription omeprazole is also used to treat ulcers (sores in the lining of the stomach or intestine) and it is also used with other medications to treat and prevent the return of ulcers caused by a certain type of bacteria (H. pylori) in adults.

Nonprescription (over-the-counter) omeprazole is used to treat frequent heartburn (heartburn that occurs at least 2 or more days a week) in adults. Omeprazole is in a class of medications called proton-pump inhibitors. It works by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach.

Omeprazole Dosage and Prescription

Prescription omeprazole comes as a delayed-release (releases the medication in the intestine to prevent break-down of the medication by stomach acids) capsule, and packets of delayed-release (releases the medication in the intestine to prevent break-down of the medication by stomach acids) granules for suspension (to be mixed with liquid) to take by mouth or give through a feeding tube.

Nonprescription (over-the-counter) omeprazole comes as a delayed-release tablet to take by mouth. Prescription omeprazole is usually taken once a day before a meal but may be taken twice a day when used with other medications to eliminate H. pylori, or up to three times a day, before meals when used to treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid.

The nonprescription delayed-release tablets are usually taken once a day in the morning at least 1 hour before eating for 14 days in a row. If needed, additional 14-day treatments may be repeated, not more often than once every 4 months. To help you remember to take omeprazole, take it at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label or the package label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take omeprazole exactly as directed.

Do not take more or less of it or take it more often or for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor or stated on the package.

If you are taking the delayed-release tablets, swallow them whole with a full glass of water. Do not split, chew, or crush them or crush and mix them into food.

Swallow the delayed-release capsules whole. If you have difficulty swallowing the delayed-release capsules, place one tablespoon of soft, cool applesauce in an empty bowl. Open the delayed-release capsule and carefully empty all the granules inside the capsule onto the applesauce. Mix the granules with the applesauce and swallow the mixture immediately with a glass of cool water. Do not chew or crush the granules. Do not store the applesauce/granule mixture for future use.

Do not take nonprescription omeprazole for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms. It may take 1 to 4 days for you to feel the full benefit of the medication. Call your doctor if your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 14 days or if your symptoms return sooner than 4 months after you finish your treatment. Do not take nonprescription omeprazole for longer than 14 days or treat yourself with omeprazole more often than once every 4 months without talking to your doctor.

Continue to take prescription omeprazole even if you feel well. Do not stop taking prescription omeprazole without talking to your doctor. If your condition does not improve or gets worse, call your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking omeprazole,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to omeprazole, dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the omeprazole product you will be taking. Ask your pharmacist or check the package label for a list of the ingredients.

tell your doctor if you are taking rilpivirine (Edurant, in Cabenuva, Complera, Odefsey). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take omeprazole if you are taking this medication.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Jantoven), atazanavir (Reyataz, in Evotaz), cilostazol, citalopram (Celexa), clopidogrel (Plavix), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), dasatinib (Sprycel), diazepam (Valium, Valtoco), digoxin ( Lanoxin), disulfiram, diuretics (‘water pills’), erlotinib (Tarceva), iron supplements, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, methotrexate (Trexall, Xatmep), mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept, Myfortic), nelfinavir (Viracept), nilotinib (Tasigna), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), tacrolimus (Astagraf, Envarsus, Prograf), and voriconazole (Vfend). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort. Your doctor may tell you not to take St. John’s wort while taking omeprazole.

if you plan to take nonprescription omeprazole, tell your doctor if your heartburn has lasted 3 months or longer, if you have taken nonprescription omeprazole for a longer period of time than stated on the package, or if you have experienced any of the following symptoms: lightheadedness, sweating, or dizziness along with your heartburn; chest pain or shoulder pain; shortness of breath or wheezing; pain that spreads to your arms, neck, or shoulders; unexplained weight loss; nausea; vomiting, especially if the vomit is bloody; stomach pain; difficulty swallowing food or pain when you swallow food; or black or bloody stools. You may have a more serious condition that cannot be treated with nonprescription medication.

tell your doctor if you are of Asian descent and if you have or have ever had a low level of magnesium, calcium, or potassium in your blood; hypoparathyroidism (condition in which the body does not produce enough parathyroid hormone [PTH; a natural substance needed to control the amount of calcium in the blood]); low levels of vitamin B12 in your body; osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily); an autoimmune disease (condition in which the body attacks its own organs, causing swelling and loss of function) such as systemic lupus erythematosus; or liver disease.

What side effects can Omeprazole cause?

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

constipation

gas

nausea

diarrhea

vomiting

headache

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately, or get emergency medical help:

blisters, peeling, or bleeding skin; sores on the lips, nose, mouth, or genitals; swollen glands; shortness of breath; fever; or flu-like symptoms

rash; hives; itching; swelling of the eyes, face, lips, mouth, throat, or tongue; difficulty breathing or swallowing; or hoarseness

irregular, fast, or pounding heartbeat; muscle spasms; uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body; excessive tiredness; lightheadedness; dizziness; or seizures

severe diarrhea with watery stools, stomach pain, or fever that does not go away

new or worsening joint pain; rash on cheeks or arms that is sensitive to sunlight

increased or decreased urination, blood in urine, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, fever, rash, or joint pain

People who take proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole may be more likely to fracture their wrists, hips, or spine than people who do not take one of these medications. People who take proton pump inhibitors may also develop fundic gland polyps (a type of growth on the stomach lining). These risks are highest in people who take high doses of one of these medications or take them for one year or longer. Talk to your doctor about the risk of taking omeprazole.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

confusion

drowsiness

blurred vision

fast or pounding heartbeat

nausea

vomiting

sweating

flushing (feeling of warmth)

headache

dry mouth

What other information should I know about Omeprazole?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain laboratory tests before and during your treatment.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking omeprazole.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. If you are taking prescription omeprazole, ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

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.