Types of Drug Names


Types of Drug Names

Knowing the drug classification can provide the health care professional with a great deal of initial information. However, there may be many different drugs with many different names within a class. There may be a chemical name, generic name (non-proprietary) or a trade or brand name (proprietary). The FDA web site has volumes of information relating to pharmacology and is a very valuable resource. The particular address below takes you to the home page for the Orange Book. One of the features of the Orange Book is that you can search for different names for the same drug. Identify 3 trade or brand names for:
  1. acetaminophen
  2. ibuprofen
  3. lidocaine
  4. mepivicaine
By visiting the the http://www.fda.gov/cder/ob/default.htm
In Chapter 1 of your text book, you read about the role of the FDA in drug approval. Explore the FDA's web site, www.fda.gov and discuss your thoughts about the value of the web site in the Discussion Board on Blackboard. Then, read the history on the FDA on the same web site. On the Discussion Board, address the reason(s) for the creation of the FDA an if the reasoning reminds you of any problem(s) existing in society today.

 

C-reactive protein

C-reactive protein


C-reactive protein is produced by the liver. The level of CRP rises when there is inflammation throughout the body.

This article discusses the blood test done to measures the amount of CRP in your blood.

How the Test is Performed

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

At the laboratory, your blood sample is mixed with a liquid called an antiserum, which contains substances that looks for the specific protein.

How to Prepare for the Test

No preparation is necessary for this test.

How the Test Will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the Test is Performed

The CRP test is a general test to check for inflammation in the body. It is not a specific test. That means, it can reveal that you have inflammation somewhere in your body, but it cannot pinpoint the exact location.

Your doctor may order this test to:

  • Check for flare-ups of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or vasculitis
  • Determine if anti-inflammatory medicine is working to treat a disease or condition

However, a low CRP level does not always mean that there is no inflammation present. Levels of CRP may not be increased in people with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The reason for this is unknown.

A more sensitive CRP test, called a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) assay, is available to determine a person's risk for heart disease. Many consider a high CRP level to be a risk factor for heart disease. However, it is not known whether CRP is merely a sign of cardiovascular disease or if it actually plays a role in causing heart problems.

Normal Results

Normal CRP values vary from lab to lab. Generally, there is no CRP detectable in the blood.

Your doctor may also use a highly sensitive test called hs-CRP to help determine your risk of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association:

  • You are at low risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is lower than 1.0mg/L
  • You are at average risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your levels are between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L
  • You are at high risk for cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is higher than 3.0 mg/L

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

A positive test means you have inflammation in the body. This may be due to a variety of different conditions, including:

This list is not all inclusive.

Note: Positive CRP results also occur during the last half of pregnancy or with the use of birth control pills (oral contraceptives).

Risks

There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling light-headed
  • Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Alternative Names

CRP; High-sensitivity C-reactive protein; hs-CRP

References

Ridker PM, Libby P. Risk Factors for Atherothrombotic Disease. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 39.

B and T cell screen

B and T cell screen

A B and T cell screen is a laboratory test to determine the amount of T and B cells (lymphocytes) in the blood.

How the Test is Performed

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

Blood could also be obtained by capillary sample (fingerstick, or heelstick in infants).

After the blood is drawn it goes through a two-step process. First, the lymphocytes are separated from other blood parts. Once the cells are separated, identifiers are added to distinguish between T and B cells. The E-rosetting test identifies T cells and direct immunofluorescence is used to identify B cells.

How to Prepare for the Test

Tell your health care provider if you have had any of the following, which might affect your T and B cell count:

How the Test Will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the Test is Performed

Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of certain diseases that weaken the immune system. It may also be used to distinguish between cancerous and noncancerous disease, especially cancers that involve the blood and bone marrow.

The test may also be used to determine how well treatment for certain conditions is working.

Normal Results

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal T and B cell counts suggest possible diseases. Further testing is needed to confirm a diagnosis.

An increased T cell count may be due to:

An increased B cell count may be due to:

A decreased T cell count may be due to:

  • Congenital T-cell deficiency disease
    • Nezelof syndrome
    • DiGeorge syndrome
    • Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
  • Acquired T-cell deficiency states
  • B cell proliferative disorders

A decreased B cell count may be due to:

  • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  • Congenital immunoglobulin deficiency disorders
  • Acquired immunoglobulin deficiency disorders

Risks

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling light-headed
  • Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Alternative Names

Direct immunofluorescence; E-rosetting; T and B lymphocyte assays; B and T lymphocyte assays

References

Bagby GC. Leukopenia and leukocytosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 173.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysm


An abdominal aortic aneurysm is when the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs becomes abnormally large or balloons outward.

Causes

The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors for developing an aortic aneurysm include:

An abdominal aortic aneurysm can develop in anyone, but is most often seen in males over 60 who have one or more risk factors. The larger the aneurysm, the more likely it is to rupture and break open.

Symptoms

Aneurysms develop slowly over many years and often have no symptoms. If an aneurysm expands rapidly, tears open (ruptured aneurysm), or blood leaks along the wall of the vessel (aortic dissection), symptoms may develop suddenly.

The symptoms of rupture include:

  • Pain in the abdomen or back -- severe, sudden, persistent, or constant. The pain may radiate to the groin, buttocks, or legs.
  • Clammy skin
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Shock

Exams and Tests

Your doctor will examine your abdomen. The exam also will include an evaluation of pulses and sensation in your legs. The doctor may find:

  • Abdominal mass
  • Stiff or rigid abdomen
  • Pulsating sensation in the abdomen

You may have an abdominal aortic aneurysm that is not causing any symptoms or problems. Your doctor may have found out about this problem from special tests called ultrasound of the abdomen or CT scan of the abdomen.

Either of these tests may be done when you're having symptoms.

Treatment

If you have bleeding inside your body from an aortic aneurysm, you will have open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

If the aneurysm is small and there are no symptoms:

  • You and your doctor must decide whether the risk of having surgery is smaller than the risk of bleeding if you do not have surgery.
  • Your doctor may recommend checking the size of the aneurysm with a yearly ultrasound test, to see if the aneurysm is getting bigger.

Surgery is usually recommended for patients who have aneurysms bigger than 2 inches or 5.5 cm across and aneurysms that are growing quickly. The goal is to perform surgery before complications or symptoms develop.

There are two approaches to surgery:

  • In a traditional (open) repair, a large cut is made in your abdomen. The abnormal vessel is replaced with a graft made of man-made material, such as Dacron.
  • The other approach is called endovascular stent grafting. This procedure can be done without making a large cut in your abdomen, so you may get well faster. Endovascular repair is rarely done for a leaking or bleeding aneurysm.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome is usually good if an experienced surgeon repairs the aneurysm before it ruptures. However, less than 40% of patients survive a ruptured abdominal aneurysm.

Possible Complications

When an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures, it is a true medical emergency. Aortic dissection occurs when the innermost lining of the artery tears and blood leaks into the wall of the artery. This most commonly occurs in the aorta within the chest.

Complications include:

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have pain in your belly or back that does not go away or is very bad.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of developing aneurysms:

  • Eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise, stop smoking (if you smoke), and reduce stress to help lower your chances of having a blocked artery again.
  • Your health care provider may give you medicine to help lower your cholesterol.
  • If you were given medicines for blood pressure or diabetes, take them as your doctor has asked you to.

Men over age 65 who have ever smoked should have a screening ultrasound performed once.

Alternative Names

Aneurysm - aortic; AAA

References

Gloviczki P, Ricotta JJ II. Aneurysmal vascular disease. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 65.

Greenhalgh RM, Powell JT. Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. N Engl J Med. 2008;358:494-501.

Lederle FA, Kane RL, MacDonald R, Wilt TJ. Systematic review: repair of unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146:735-741.

Isselbacher EM. Diseases of the aorta. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, mann DL, Zipes DP. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 56.

Aortic rupture (a tear in the aorta, which is the major artery coming from the heart) can be seen on a chest x-ray. In this case, it was caused by a traumatic perforation of the thoracic aorta. This is how the x-ray appears when the chest is full of blood (right-sided hemothorax) seen here as cloudiness on the left side of the picture.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm involves a widening, stretching, or ballooning of the aorta. There are several causes of abdominal aortic aneurysm, but the most common results from atherosclerotic disease. As the aorta gets progressively larger over time there is increased chance of rupture.

Aarskog syndrome

Aarskog syndrome


Aarskog syndrome is an inherited disease that affects a person's height, muscles, skeleton, genitals, and appearance of the face. Inherited means that it is passed down through families.

Causes

Aarskog syndrome is a genetic disorder. It affects mainly males, but females may have a milder form. The condition is caused by changes (mutations) in a gene called "faciogenital dysplasia" (FGDY1).

Symptoms

  • Belly button that sticks out
  • Bulge in the groin or scrotum (inguinal hernia)
  • Delayed sexual maturation
  • Delayed teeth
  • Downward palpebral slant to eyes
  • Hairline with a "widow's peak"
  • Mildly sunken chest (pectus excavatum)
  • Mild to moderate mental problems
  • Mild to moderate short stature which may not be obvious until the child is 1 - 3 years old
  • Poorly developed midportion of the face
  • Rounded face
  • "Shawl" scrotum, testicles that have not come down (undescended)
  • Short fingers and toes with mild webbing
  • Single crease in palm of hand
  • Small, broad hands and feet with short fingers and curved-in 5th finger
  • Small nose with nostrils tipped forward
  • Top portion of the ear folded over slightly
  • Wide groove above the upper lip, crease below the lower lip
  • Wide-set eyes with droopy eyelids

Exams and Tests

  • Genetic testing for mutations in the FGDY1 gene
  • X-rays

Treatment

Moving the teeth (orthodontic treatment) may be done for some of the abnormal facial features.

Support Groups

The MAGIC Foundation for Children's Growth is a support group for Aarskog syndrome and can be found at www.magicfoundation.org.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Some people may have mild degrees of mental slowness, but affected children usually have good social skills. Some males may have problems with fertility.

Possible Complications

  • Cystic changes in the brain
  • Difficulty growing in the first year of life
  • Poorly aligned teeth
  • Seizures
  • Undescended testicle

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if your child has delayed growth or if you notice any of the symptoms described here. Seek genetic counseling if there is a history of Aarskog syndrome in your family. Contact a genetic specialist if your doctor thinks you or your child may have Aarskog syndrome.

Prevention

Prenatal testing may be available for those with a family history of the condition or known mutation of the gene.


The physical landmarks of the human face are very similar from one face to another.

A simian crease is a single palmar crease as compared to two creases in a normal palm. Simian crease occurs in about 1 out of 30 normal people, but is also frequently associated with other conditions such as Down syndrome, Aarskog syndrome or fetal alcohol syndrome.

Pectus excavatum is a condition in which the "breast bone" (sternum) appears sunken and the chest concave. It is sometimes called "funnel chest". The majority of these cases are not associated with any other condition (isolated findings). However, some syndromes include pectus excavatum.



Drugs beginning with "D"

Drugs beginning with "C"

Drugs beginning with "B"

Drugs beginning with "A"

The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board

The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Sri Lanka
The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) is a Statutory Board established under the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Act No. 11 of 1984. It came into operation on 9th April 1984. The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Act No. 11 was subsequently amended by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (amendment) Acts No. 41 of 1986 and No. 21 of 1990.

Top 100 Drugs

Abilify

What is Abilify?

Abilify (aripiprazole) is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.
Abilify is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression). It is also used together with other medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults.
Abilify may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.



Drug

A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function.[3] There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.[4]

In pharmacology, a drug is "a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being."[4] Drugs may be prescribed for a limited duration, or on a regular basis for chronic disorders.[5]

Recreational drugs are chemical substances that affect the central nervous system, such as opioids or hallucinogens.[5] They may be used for perceived beneficial effects on perception, consciousness, personality, and behavior.[5][6] Some drugs can cause addiction and habituation.[6]

Drugs are usually distinguished from endogenous biochemicals by being introduced from outside the organism.[citation needed] For example, insulin is a hormone that is synthesized in the body; it is called a hormone when it is synthesized by the pancreas inside the body, but if it is introduced into the body from outside, it is called a drug.[citation needed]

Many natural substances such as beers, wines, and some mushrooms, blur the line between food and drugs, as when ingested they affect the functioning of both mind and body.