Monday, June 30, 2008

Why It Took 10 Years to Approve Aricept for Use on Severe Alzheimer’s


The Health Daly News reports that Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) has been approved by the FDA to treat severe dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Although Aricept was approved over 10 years ago to help mild to moderate Alzheimer’s symptoms, it is now the only drug approved to treat all forms of the memory debilitating disease.

The approval was based on studies done in Sweden and Japan that involved over 500 people with severe Alzheimer’s. Aricept was found to perform better than a placebo on tests of cognitive functions including memory, language, and orientation.

If this is the same drug that we have had for the last 10 years, why is it just now being utilized to its full potential? As the FDA stated it is the only drug approved to treat all forms of Alzheimer’s. For the last 10 years Alzheimer’s patience’s with the most severe symptoms have had no help simply because we did not test it till now? Why is that?

Market exclusivity rights granted by the FDA to drug companies run out after 7 years. That means during the seven years when it has the rights, the FDA will not allow any other drug to market itself under the same category, essentially giving in this case Aricept, a monopoly for 7 years. After the exclusivity rights expire, drug companies retest their drug for a slightly different uses, and get another monopoly for 7 more years. Drug companies don’t test all aspects of the drugs simply to extend its patent life in order to make more money.

The research for Aricept was done in Sweden and Japan. The reason that America has to pay so much money for our prescription medication is supposedly because we have to bear the research and development burden for the entire world. If we are paying so much extra for research and development, why is it being done in Sweden and Japan?

The FDA has long protected the interests of the large American drug companies and during the process has hurt a countless number of individuals along the way. They wait to approve drugs that would have helped millions of people, and also allow drug companies to charge so much for their “new and improved” drugs that many are forced to go without help. If you need medication but can’t afford the high prices created by the American pharmacies go to PremierMexicanPharmacies.com PMP is a database of Canadian and Mexican pharmacies that allow you to search for the lowest price on your prescription medication saving anywhere from 30 to 70 percent. Visit this Consumer Advocacy website for more information on ordering from Mexican pharmacies.

You can buy Aricept here

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mook's weblog

Vitragold - A Natural And Herbal Way To Men's Health


Ask an average person on the street whether he or she feels stressful at time, the chances are that we will get a resounding yes. We are living in a highly competitive society in this millennium and stress has become the number one enemy of the modern world. Besides being the cause of many illnesses, stress also affects our moods, causes conflicts in relationships and is one of the main culprits of erectile dysfunction in men.

Scientists and medical specialist have been seriously researching for the cure or remedy of erectile dysfunction with some significant results. The scientific and medical remedy is typically made famous by the blue pill. Although it was originally meant for lowering blood pressure, it has quite accidentally produced the side effect of penile erection for those who taken the medication. Following which there are many products for helping men overcome the problem of erectile dysfunction appearing in the marketing, either sold off the shelf or through mail order, the newest method being the Internet Mail Order. However, majority of these products, though proven to be effective immediately, are chemical based. Without medical consultation and advice, the continuous and un-prescribed consumption of these chemical-based products may produce harmful side effects in the long run.

Many people are now turning to natural and herbal way of curing erectile dysfunction. VITRAGOLD is formulated entirely and purely with traditional ingredients from the natural sources. The 3 main ingredients are Radix Eurycoma Longifolia, Cordyceps Sinesis and Royal Jelly. These 3 key ingredients have been for centuries proven to have health and libido enhancing qualities. Through a unique Bio Technology manufacturing process, these herbal ingredients are used to formulate the distinctive product VITRAGOLD. This revolutionary product helps to improve blood circulation and physical endurance. The combined potency in the extracts of the key ingredients makes it a natural cure for erectile dysfunction, the user being able to fulfill sexual and emotional satisfaction. In the long term, VITRAGOLD also help in health maintenance because it can regulate the human immune system, increase blood circulation and vitality.

RADIX EURYCOMA LONGIFOLIA

Popularly referred to as the 'Malaysian Ginseng', the water extract is believed to increase male vitality. Ingredients contained in the Radix Eurycoma Longifolia root have been discovered to be beneficial for normalizing blood pressure, effective for the treatment of arthritis, quelling dysentery, jaundice, alleviating fever, skin itchiness, external hemorrhage, headaches, cleansing the kidneys and rejuvenating the male prowess. Traditionally, the root is used by the indigenous people of South East Asia as a general health tonic, after childbirth tonic, aphrodisiac and for many other ailments. Research on Radix Eurycoma Longifolia began as early as 1968 by Malaysian, Japanese and American scientists. Biological studies have shown that butanol, chloroform, methanol and water extracts of the root possess anti-malarial and aphrodisiac properties and the testosterone level is found to increase in the presence of Radix Eurycoma Longifolia

CORDYCEPS SINESIS

Cordyceps Sinensis has a legend of over a thousand years in China. It is rich in amino acids, glutamate, methyl acid, alkyl radical etc, vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D, E and K, minerals as well as sugar, protein, nitrogen and fats. In 1993, the secret behind the success of China's Majiajun athletes is the Majiajun Secret tonic drink which main ingredient is the Cordyceps Sinensis herb. Renowned as China's traditional 'Viagra', Cordyceps Sinensis strengthens the immune system, improves erection, enhances the sex hormones, reduces fat level in the blood as well as strengthens liver function. It is also found to have therapeutic functions which include overcoming periodic disorder, weak physique, anemia, childbirth confinement problems, infertility, osteoporosis and Menopausal Discomfort. According to contemporary Chinese medical theory, Cordyceps is capable of regulating the endocrine system, promoting sex drive, promoting ovulation, increasing vaginal secretion and improving potency.

ROYAL JELLY

Royal Jelly has been found to be the goldmine of nutrients of not only vitamins and minerals but also growth-promoting hormones, amino acids, glucosans and so on but also an ingredient beneficial to health temporarily named 'Substance R' which is still undergoing intensive research for its properties. Royal Jelly has many health benefits. It helps maintain youth and exuberance and slows down the aging process. Its abundance of Pantothetic acid has been found to be able maintain balance of sex hormones, improves sperm production and fertility among others. Parotin found in Royal Jelly helps in the regeneration of muscle tissues, organs, bones and teeth. It also prevents lung degeneration and many other disorders.

You can buy Viagra Jelly here

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Ulairi's weblog

Are There Medications That Can Make You Gain Weight?


The last thing that a patient wants to hear is that one of the drugs they have been prescribed will make them gain weight. That is a fear that many have to face because when a medication is needed, that particular side effect cannot be removed from the drug. Some people do not even know that weight gain is a symptom when they are prescribed a drug, but they do realize when they notice they are gaining weight without any other explanation.

Some of the drugs that are responsible for weight gain are drugs for depression, anti-seizure medication, medications for diabetes, hypertension, and migraines. Birth control, hormones, and steroids are also well-known for causing weight gain in patients.

What drugs cause weight gain?

There is no exact list that names the drugs that cause weight gain. A drug may cause weight gain in one person but not cause it in the next. That means there may be certain physiological elements in play. However, there are approximately 50 medications that are suggested to cause weight gain in those who take them. Some of these drugs include:

• Steroids such as prednisone


• Antidepressants that include Lexapro, Zoloft, Tofranil, Paxil, and Elavil


• Antipsychotics that include such drugs as Zyprexa


• Diabetes drugs such as Diabeta and Diabinese


• Hypertension medications such as Cardura and Inderol


• Beta Blockers such as Zebeta


• Even heartburn treatments such as Prevacid have been suggested to promote weight gain.

Other factors

Sometimes the medicine doesn't act alone when it comes to weight gain. When a person is depressed and they begin to feel better, they may find that they eat more. To make things more confusing, heartburn treatments have been known to help people lose weight, but people have also been known to gain weight. This weight gain could be associated with eating more because of an improvement in the condition.

There could also be underlying health issues that, in addition to the drug, cause weight gain to occur. There have been plenty of people who have seen a pattern in beginning a drug and weight gain. They may not have changed their eating habits and all, but noticed some water retention. Steroids are certainly a culprit in this because the person appears to have swelled up.

There are also patients who were not taking a drug for a long period of time. The treatment was a short-term treatment that caused weight gain, but when the treatment was over they found themselves returning to their regular weight. These are instances in which it is quite obvious that a drug has caused weight gain.

What to do

Although nothing can be done about the effect that the drug has on the body to lose weight sometimes a patient has to take matters into their own hands. They can watch how they eat, exercise regularly if possible, and drink plenty of liquids. This can actually offset some of the effects of the drug on weight. It may seem like a battle that never ends, but when a drug is needed to control a particular health issue, there really isn't much that can be done about it. Sometimes there are alternatives to a drug that the doctor can prescribe, but that option is not always available. However, it doesn't hurt to ask.

But what one must remember is that gaining a little extra weight might be minimal compared to the benefits that the drug provides. So if a person can deal with a 10 to 15 pound weight gain, it may be worth staying on the drug.

You can buy Zebeta here

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Old Grumpy Dwarf's weblog

Two Proven Herbal Supplements for Stress and Anxiety


The fast-paced nature of modern life is characterized by constant demands and personal challenges. As we try to earn a living or take care of a family, the resulting stress can often feel insurmountable. While many can hide their feelings from family and co-workers, this stress is often characterized by an ongoing sense of anxiety and inability to sleep. Then, as we get tired or more anxious, our ability to cope diminishes.

Most of us don’t realize there is a problem until relationships begin to suffer or performance at work slips. At this point, many turn to either alcohol or prescription drugs as a way to escape from the stress. Alternatives to dealing with this stress and anxiety in a productive way are often difficult to consider in the midst of such crisis. Unfortunately, self-medicating often makes the problem worse and may become addictive.

Fortunately, there are a variety of natural methods for addressing the ongoing challenges of life. The first step essential to reducing stress and anxiety is to take a hard look at what is causing the angst. The issue might be around life at work, or maybe a personal relationship is suffering. Once you’ve identified the root cause, then take a hard look at which obligations are really essential versus those that you may perceive to be important. Perhaps your social schedule is too intense or too much time is spent at the office. Even after you’ve completed a fair life evaluation, it is often tough to implement the changes you know are necessary. This is where herbal supplements for stress and anxiety can play a role.

Natural herbal supplements can help you relax or deal with social anxiety without the harsh and unwanted side effects associated with alcohol or drugs. In general, they can enhance your ability to relax or get the sleep essential to making real change. However, few know where to start or which supplements actually work. Our brains produce a variety of hormones and chemicals in order to regulate essential functions such as sleep and relaxation. This brings us to the role of 5-HTP and Melatonin - two essential herbal supplements for stress and anxiety.

5-HTP

While the processes are complex, 5-HTP or 5-hydroxytryptophan is an amino acid required for the production of serotonin. Studies have shown that low levels of serotonin can lead to depression, insomnia, irritability and anxiety. Therefore, supplementing with 5-HTP can help alleviate these symptoms and is particularly useful as a holistic treatment for stress. If you are debating the effectiveness of herbal supplements vs. prescription drugs, consider that 5HTP works in a manner similar to SSRI’s. (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) Common prescription SSRI’s and anti anxiety disorder medications include drugs like Zoloft and Prozac. In fact, one study demonstrated that 5-HTP was as effective in treating anxiety and depression as the SSRI Fluvoxamine. As an added bonus, 5HTP has been shown to help reduce the pain associated with fibromyalgia and migraine headaches. Finally, given its ability to help produce serotonin, which make the body feel full and content, 5-HTP is often used as a weight loss supplement. Also, 5-HTP is a precursor, or is involved in the natural production of melatonin.

Melatonin

Melatonin, a hormone produced in the brain, is an important part of the cycle of sleeping and waking up. In this role, Melatonin produces the feeling of sleepiness that sets upon us when night falls. The reason that we normally fall asleep is due to the timing of our circadian rhythms, or biological processes that regulate bodily function. Early in the evening, the pineal gland begins to secrete melatonin with its peak production hitting half way through the night. Then, it begins to taper off towards morning. Taking melatonin as a supplement before bedtime accelerates natural production so that this peak is reached earlier. This helps those with insomnia fall asleep and stay asleep. In several properly documented studies, melatonin was given to test subjects as an alternative to a class of sedatives called benzodiazepines. Common prescription drug brands in this group are Xanax, Tafil, Ativan, and Valium – many of which can become addictive. In several cases, the participants using melatonin were able to stop taking the drugs while still maintaining healthy sleep habits. This makes a powerful case for herbal supplements vs. prescription drugs. These same studies discovered that those with a history of seizures experienced more frequent incidents when taking melatonin. As such, those who have ever had seizures should not take this supplement. Also, melatonin is best used when a full night’s rest can be enjoyed. Those who cannot enjoy a full night’s sleep should not take this supplement because it is so effective and will cause drowsiness.

Remember that melatonin and 5-HTP should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet, exercise and with the knowledge of your doctor. In addition, you should not mix supplements with each other or prescription drugs. Even thought the supplements we've discussed are natural alternatives to medication for anxiety disorders, they are very effective and should be taken in the proper dosages.

Everyone wants to be able to balance life’s obligations. This is entirely possible while also taking care of personal well-being and happiness. Leading a productive existence and a low-stress life are actually complimentary and can be a reality for anyone. If you can first identify the aspects of life that are causing you emotional discomfort, then you can begin to make meaningful changes. Getting a full night of sleep or reducing the amount of stress you feel in a given situation may be the first step you take. It is very possible that one of these herbal supplements for stress and anxiety will help. Don’t delay another day - you owe it to yourself to live the best life you can.

You can buy here

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chakkorsis's weblog

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Constipation from Arachnoiditis


Arachnoiditis may result in constipation since most drugs and medicines used to treat arachnoiditis can cause constipation. The basic causes of constipation are excess dehydration of feces, relaxed or reduced bowel muscle activity and obstructions in the bowel passage.

Arachnoiditis is an incurable and dangerous condition in which inflammation occurs inside or around the spinal cord. This can damage the nerve roots. Arachnoiditis in the lumbar spine is one of the major causes for constipation. The nerve roots from the conus medullaris of the lumbar region control the nerve supply to the lower legs, bowels and bladder. The damage of the nerves controlling bowel activities (especially S3 and S4 nerves) by arachnoiditis can result in reduced muscle contractions and feces movement. This can cause constipation.

Constipation as a result of arachnoiditis has all the same symptoms as normal constipation. As the symptoms are almost the same, it will take some serious test to detect the proper cause. There will be pain at the end of the bowels and weakness in completing bowel action. The persons with arachnoiditis usually also experience the problem of urinary retention as both are regulated by nerve branches arising from same region. Often the patients? lower body parts have poor reflexes and diminished pain sensing ability.

Almost all drugs used to treat arachnoiditis can cause decreased mobility of bowel muscles. The most widely used drugs are opiates (e.g. Morphine, Pethidine (Demerol, Methadone, and Tramadol), anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Brufen, Mobic, Naproxen, and Vioxx), antidepressant drugs (e.g. amitriptyline and Prozac), anticonvulsant drugs (e.g. Tegretol, Neurontin and Vigabatrin) and muscle relaxants (e.g. Baclofen Robaxin Dantrolene and Zanaflex). As most of these drugs are pain killers, and nerve depressants, they reduce the ability of the nerves to carry impulses to respective organs. Because of this many doctors prescribe drugs for constipation along with treatments for arachnoiditis.

To minimize constipation, patients are given a chemical stimulant which performs digital stimulation for evacuation when placed inside the rectum. This is practiced once in every two days.

You can buy Zanaflex here

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chakkorsis's weblog

Abstinence Assisting Medications - Are they Effective?


ANTABUSE:

Antabuse, or disulfiram as it is also known, was the first medicine approved for the treatment of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is an "aversive," serving as a physical and psychological deterrent for someone trying to stop drinking. It does not reduce the person's craving for alcohol, nor does it treat any alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Research in Europe, where Antabuse is much more widely used than in the United States, has shown that long-term use of Antabuse is effective in helping some people stop drinking, producing abstinence rates of up to 50 percent. The longer people take Antabuse, the more effective it is, because they develop a "habit" of not drinking, which reinforces the establishment of alternative coping skills and behaviors.

While not generally recommending the use of Antabuse, some individuals find it effective and its use isn't ruled out completely. If you are contemplating it as an option, however, please read the following very carefully and discuss the possibilities with your physician.

Antabuse works by interfering with the bodyГўпїЅпїЅs usual metabolic processing of alcohol into toxic acetaldehyde then into harmless acetic acid. Because of this, a build up of acetaldehyde five or 10 times greater than normally occurs when someone drinks alcohol. These high concentrations can cause reactions that range from mild to severe, depending on how much Antabuse and how much alcohol is consumed, along with individual tolerance of the drug.

If you drink while taking Antabuse, you may experience flushing, nausea, copious vomiting, sweating, thirst, throbbing headaches, respiratory difficulty, chest pain, hyperventilation, tachycardia, and distress. Severe reactions can include respiratory depression, cardiovascular collapse, myocardial infarction, acute congestive heart failure, unconsciousness, arrhythmias, convulsions, and death.

CAMPRAL:

Campral is prescribed as a "post_abstinence" or "anti-relapse" support medication. It has no effect on cravings, withdrawal, or other early intervention discomforts. The results of European studies seem to indicate a modest positive effect - compared to placebos - after abstinence has been attained, with relapse prevention benefits lasting few months. There are no such benefits for people seeking to moderate their alcohol use.

While recommending neither for nor against Campral, informed decision making suggests, at this time, a very modest long-term benefit from Campral in widening a person's "window of opportunity" for making change.

For some individuals even a very small increase in results is enough reason to seek medical assistance. Again, individual responses to medications vary greatly and you should explore what works best for you.

Even Campral's manufacturers note that it's effectiveness is directly related to participation in ongoing counseling.

There are no magic cures, no pills, for alcohol related problems, only opportunities for change. Success involves coordinated efforts in a variety of areas over a year or more, and poor planning will always be expensive in time, money, health, and other costs.

Pick your method of treating your alcohol related concerns with care, stay focused, and seek qualified help with a personally compatable philosophy.

You can buy Antabuse here

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Khaoz's weblog

Friday, June 27, 2008

Five Expensive Drugs And Why You Don’t Need To Take Them


As Americans, we are spending over $200 billion a year on prescription drugs. Truth be told, you don’t really care do you? All you care about is how much money YOU are spending. If you are average, you are spending almost two hundred dollars a month out-of-pocket for your prescriptions.

Who or what is the cause for this expense? Many people see the great advertisements that big drug manufacturers use to promote their medication. The pharmaceutical companies have spent billions of dollars promoting the medications listed here.

The manufacturers are not the only ones to blame. The government allows drug companies to control the testing of their own drugs. The trials are often times designed to suit the manufacturers and not the best interest of the consumers.

HMOs and hospitals make deals with the drug companies to allow their patients access to the expensive, brand name medication. They do this because, when the patient is discharged, the doctor will write a prescription for this expensive pill when cheaper, older, and proven medications will work just as well.

Your doctor, yes YOUR doctor, lives in a world of freebies. Free dinners, free sports tickets, free golf outing, free vacations, among other things are seen as normal instead of the outrageous enticements that they are. Drug manufacturers hand out these “incentives” to your doctor, yes YOUR doctor, for prescribing their expensive medication for you.

Are you a shareholder in “big-pharma?” If so, you are inadvertently putting pressure on the drug manufacturers to turn out a big profit. If they are not making money for you on your stock purchase, you may choose to sell the stock. So these companies have to continue to churn out the big profits.

All these factors combined continue to increase your overall bill at the pharmacy. What can you do? You can start by knowing about your medication. Why are you taking it? Is there a less expensive alternate?

Are you taking any of the medications listed here? If so, you will learn why they are on this list of prescription drugs that you should not be taking.

The drug Prilosec was introduced in 1989 and soon became the most popular prescription drug in the world. Even though Prilosec is an excellent medication, advertising is what really put the medication over the top. Just before the patent on Prilosec expired, allowing generic companies to produce the medication for a fraction of the cost, Nexium was born.

What did the manufacturer do to create Nexium? They took the molecule and turned it over. That’s right, they turned it upside down. If you turned an apple over, it’s still an apple, right? In the prescription drug world, this is called a new drug.

In the drug manufacturer’s own testing, only one study showed Nexium working better than Prilosec, and that was just a 3% increase in ulcer healing time.

You can go to your pharmacy and, with insurance, pay your brand co-pay for Nexium. This will probably be $30 to $50 depending upon your individual plan. Without insurance, Nexium will cost you about $150 a month. On the other hand, generic Prilosec, known as omeprazole, is just a fraction of the price. You will be charged your generic co-pay, typically $5 or $10. Without insurance, thirty omeprazole capsules will set you back about $50, depending where you purchase your medication.

“It’s a scam.” Those are the exact words from a former Plavix salesman. The manufacturer spent millions of dollars studying Plavix and was given approval by the FDA mainly because it is an alternative to people who are allergic to aspirin and/or warfarin.

The CAPRIE study is cited here in Journal of the National Medical Association. 98(5):711-21, 2006 May. In the trial, 19,185 patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease received either Plavix or aspirin for two years. Plavix provided an additional 8.7% relative risk reduction in ischemic stroke, myocardial infraction, or vascular death compared with aspirin.

So yes, $130 a month Plavix works better than forty cents a month aspirin. It works 8.7% better. To put it another way, cheap aspirin is 91.3% as effective as the expensive Plavix

Another reason, one study found that patients who took Plavix had 12 times as many ulcers as those who took aspirin plus a heartburn pill. This, despite the fact that up to half of patients taking Plavix take it because their doctors think it is safer for the stomach than aspirin.

The most popular brand medication of 2005 is on this list. Lipitor is a popular medication because it works. The problem here is that there are much less expensive medications that will do the same thing for you. Lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin are the generics in this class of medication.

Lipitor can easily be replaced with the three generics. All three are much cheaper and work the same way but simvastatin is the most popular choice. You won’t see any advertisements for lovastatin or simvastatin because they are generic and both have a proven track record of success.

You can further reduce the cost by cutting these tablets in half. These medications are the perfect candidates for splitting. Simply ask your doctor for twice the strength and cut them in half. A one time five dollar investment in a tablet cutter can save you twenty or thirty dollars a month.

The story of Clarinex is very similar to the story of Nexium. The manufacturer did a little tweaking of the molecule just before the patent expired. They removed an inactive part of the Claritin molecule and called it Clarinex. To make it easier to understand, they cut the fat off the steak, but it is still steak.

Now that Claritin is available over the counter, the price has dropped significantly. There are now a couple of companies making a generic version. Look for the active ingredient called loratadine.

Clarinex will not work any better for you than Claritin. There is no reason to spend almost $100 for a month’s supply of Clarinex. Spend less than $10 a month for generic over-the-counter loratadine.

Celebrex was developed several years ago because it causes much less stomach upset than the traditional anti-inflammatories. The problem with Celebrex is that it does not work any better than older, established medications. This is where the “it’s all in your head” comes into effect. When you pay $3 for this pretty capsule, your mind is going to tell you that it works. Yes, your mind is playing tricks on you, it’s called the placebo effect.

Here are a few cited studies from reputable medical journals proving this. Remember, in order to get FDA approval, a company just has to prove that their medication works better than a sugar pill.

- Comparative trials versus other anti-inflammatories failed to show that Celebrex was any more effective for pain relief, Prescrire International. 14(79):177-8, 2005 Oct.

- There was no significant difference between Celebrex and non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, except that Celebrex 200mg was less effective than ibuprofen 400mg, Journal of Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics. 29(3):215-29, 2004 Jun

- Single dose oral Celebrex is an effective means of postoperative pain relief, similar in efficacy to aspirin 650mg, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. (2):CD004233, 2003.

- Efficacy assessments showed the efficacy of 200mg per day of Celebrex to be continuous and maintained for at least the 12 weeks of the study and that it was equivalent to 400mg per day of Celebrex and 1000mg per day of naproxen, American Journal of Therapeutics. 10(1):12-20, 2003 Jan-Feb.

- Ibuprofen liquigels were a significantly more effective analgesic and provided relief significantly faster compared with Celebrex in the treatment of postsurgical pain, Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 42(8):912-9, 2002 Aug.

To sum up; Celebrex is no better than other, far less expensive anti-inflammatories, is as effective as two aspirin, is as effective as two over-the-counter naproxen taken twice a day, and is less effective than ibuprofen. You don’t need it.

You can buy Plavix here

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Lonagan's weblog

Enhance Your Sexual Pleasure With the Help of Food


Sex is something that both men and women have been so preoccupied about even during the ancient times. However, when it comes to aphrodisiacs and sexual stimulants, men usually have the upper lead. In Ancient China, men are willing to pay huge sums of money in order to acquire exotic aphrodisiacs, such as balls of tigers, bones of cobras and even dried and powdered seahorses.

Nowadays, the idea that food from animals and plants can make men more virile is still very popular. Surf the Net and you will see many online stores selling out-of-this-world contraptions and potions that promise to boost men's libido. However, only a few items or articles are available for women who are interested in increasing their sexual pleasure and arousal.

If you are one of those women who want to make use of natural ingredients to improve your sexual desire and arousal, read on and learn that some things you find in your kitchen or pantry can actually help whet your appetite for sex.

Gingko Biloba

Quite a number of studies have shown that Gingko Biloba, also called the tree of life, improves blood circulation. In fact, many believe that the leaves of this tree can help your brain function better. Its ability to promote good circulation is also what makes this herb a good aphrodisiac. With the help of Gingko, there is a marked improvement in the flow of blood to the genital areas, making women easily aroused and satisfied.

Safed Moosli

This tuber plant, whose scientific name is Chlorophytum Borivilianum, has been used for years to help treat various ailments. Nowadays, however, it is considered as a potent sex tonic, particularly in Asian countries. According to Ayurveda tradition, this plant helps rejuvenate the reproductive system of both men and women.

Chocolate

Most probably, men do not know where the tradition of giving women chocolates as a sign of love originated. Probably, the first few men who offered bars and boxes of chocolate to women realized that this bittersweet treat can improve the mood of even the most iron-hearted women.

Chocolate contains components that increase the production of serotonin in the brain. This substance is responsible for pleasure and relaxation. They say that dark chocolate is more potent in making women feel good. Men out there know that a woman who is happy is more willing and open for the possibility of being intimate in the bedroom.

Arginine

At first mention of Arginine, you probably are thinking that this substance is quite difficult to have. In reality, however, Arginine is abundant in the food you have inside your refrigerator or pantry. This amino acid is actually found in cheese, milk, meat, nuts, coconut milk and eggs. This substance is known to help enhance sensation of the clitoris, reduce dryness of the vagina, boost desire for intimacy and help in reaching climax or orgasm. What's more, Arginine is also vital in slowing down the process of aging.

Pine Nuts

Who would ever think that these small nuts could be used as a natural aphrodisiac for women? The birth rate in the Himalayan region, where pine nuts are quite popular, could be an indication that these lowly nuts can be very effective in making women more sexually active. Kidding aside, scientists believe that the protein content of pine nuts might be the one responsible for improving sex hormone levels in women. This might explain why these nuts are considered as potent aphrodisiac.

Damiana

A lot of husbands and partners will agree that women who are in the verge of menopause suddenly don't find having sex attractive. Good thing there is Damiana, a South American shrub, which is known for stimulating female sex organs and toning the membranes of the reproductive organs. Majority of women who took supplements that contain Damiana, such as Menersa, claimed that their sexual interest and pleasure were enhanced even during menopause.

You can buy Female Sexual Tonic here

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Eversore Garlaxiel's weblog

Thursday, June 26, 2008

The Facts And Risks Of Actos


Diabetes is a strange disease. To this day, we really don't know what causes it and we can't recreate it in a laboratory setting. However, we do have treatments for diabetes. One of those treatments is Actos. This article is going to explain what Actos is, how it works and what the potential risks of this drug are. Hopefully, after reading this, you will be able to make an informed decision as to whether or not Actos is something you want to take.

Actos is actually the brand name for the drug pioglitazone. It comes in tablet form in strengths of 15, 30 and 45 milligrams. The drug is manufactured by Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. It is available by prescription only and was approved by the FDA on July 15, 1999. Of course FDA approval means very little these days. If you doubt that, just take a look at the Voixx debacle.

The thing that diabetics need to know about Actos is that it is for type 2 diabetes only. This drug will not work for type 1, or juvenile diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Also, if you suffer from heart failure, have fluid retention or any kind of liver disease, Actos may not be an option for you. You'll need to check with your doctor and he will make an evaluation.

What Actos does is it improves blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Actos can be used with a variety of other drugs in combination with diet and exercise when Actos alone is not sufficient enough to keep the patient's sugar level under control.

The biggest risk from taking Actos is liver damage. In extreme cases use of this drug can lead to the liver transplant or death. Before prescribing Actos for you, your doctor will do tests on your liver to determine if it is safe for you to take the drug. Of course this is only a guess. All drug use comes with risks.

Another danger of taking Actos is that your blood sugar may actually get too low.This actually occurs when taking Actos with insulin. If you suspect you are suffering from low blood sugar, which is usually characterized by light headedness and fainting, call your doctor immediately.

If you're a woman taking Actos who has reached menopause, there is the possibility that Actos can start you ovulating again. If this happens and you engage in unprotected sex, you could get pregnant. Please keep this in mind.

Some of the more common side effects from taking Actos are coughs, headaches, colds, stuffy nose, sore throat, muscle pain, swelling and water retention.

They say sometimes the cure is worse than what ails us. Actos has the potential to be life threatening. If you're interested in natural treatments for diabetes, they are out there. You'll find more information in my signature.

To YOUR Health,

Steve Wagner

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Playing Mantis's weblog

Treximet - A New Migraine Medication


On May 16, Glaxo-Smith-Kline Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Imitrex, announced that they were releasing a new drug for the treatment of migraines. The new drug was to be called Treximet and according to the makers, was to be a vast improvement over Imitrex. Like Imitrex, it is made to be taken at the onset of a migraine, but is supposed to work faster and better to reduce migraine pain. GSK has spent several years and millions of dollars researching and "pre-marketing" Treximet in anticipation of FDA approval and product launch.

So what's the deal? Is this really better than Imitrex alone? From a strict treatment point of view, yes, the medication probably is better than Imitrex alone for a migraine. The reason for this is twofold. First of all, several years ago, Dr. Silberstein of the Jefferson Headache Center was able to demonstrate through research, that Imitrex combined with naprosyn taken at the onset of a migraine was better in treating that migraine than either drug alone. Such a combination is deemed synergistic, meaning basically that two plus two equals ten. Naprosyn is the prescription form of Aleve which is sold over the counter and is an anti-inflammatory. Once this research was confirmed, GSK began to develop a combination drug.

The second reason this drug might be better is something called RT technology. GSK has developed this and uses it currently for its Imitrex tablets. Think of it as "burst" technology as the tablet does burst apart when it begins to dissolve. This may speed absorption, and speed is of the essence when treating a bad migraine.

All treatment benefits aside, is Treximet really a great deal? Well for some, maybe not. One of the reasons a combination drug is usually developed is because the patent on the original drug is about to expire. And sure enough, that is what is happening to Imitrex this year. Unfortunately, samples of Imitrex are rapidly disappearing from doctor's offices. For those who have prescription coverage, the best answer is to ask for a prescription for naprosyn and take both pills at the onset of a migraine. Failing that you could just take two Aleve tablets with your Imitrex.

For those with no prescription coverage, hang in there! Two pharmaceutical companies who make generic drugs have announced that they will be manufacturing sumatriptan (generic Imitrex) by the end of 2008. Once that is available, it will open up the availability of the drug for millions of migraineurs who previously could not afford the drug. Even with no prescription coverage, the generic may be cheap enough to afford by paying cash. The downside to generics is, different fillers which are cheaper are used in manufacture. GSK still holds the patent on RT technology so it most probably will not be available in the generic sumatriptan.

As will all medications in the class of triptans, you cannot take these medications if you are pregnant, have uncontrolled hypertension or heart problems such as coronary artery disease. Check with your provider to be sure before taking any new medication and remember, treat early and treat fast to get rid of migraines.

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agra's weblog

Prednisone and Massage


One of the most often presented conditions that massage therapists encounter is chronic pain, making pain management and relief a chief goal of a massage session. Sometimes though, regular massage therapy may not be enough to relieve this kind of pain, and clients may rely on traditional Western medicine for help. The most common doctor-prescribed medications for chronic pain relief are steroids, particularly Prednisone, which is primarily used as an anti-inflammatory. Since this medication is so common, it is likely that many of your clients are taking it for pain relief. This makes it absolutely necessary for massage therapists to know and understand any and all possible contraindications with this drug.

Taking Prednisone for chronic pain may offer tremendous relief to your clients, but it is not without its share of side effects. Some of the most common side effects of this steroid include headaches, dizziness, fatigue and muscle weakness. These and other side effects are things that every massage therapist should be aware of so that they can adjust their massage accordingly, and provide the safest and most beneficial therapeutic treatment possible. Another important aspect of Prednisone to be aware of is its ability to inhibit calcium absorption, thus contributing to weak and fragile bones.

Due to the many possible side effects of this drug and, in order to ensure the client’s safety, bodyworkers treating clients taking Prednisone should opt for light, gentle massage strokes in favor of deep muscle work. It is important for you and your client to stay in close contact with the client’s physician so that he or she can monitor any developing conditions that may result from this medication.

Read more about the benefits and drawbacks of taking Prednisone for pain management, as well as the steroid’s impact on massage, by reading this entire article here.

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Kaydis's weblog

Folliculitis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment


Folliculitis is the name given to a group of skin conditions. Folliculitis is defined histologically as the presence of inflammatory cells. Folliculitis is the infection of hair follicles. This can occur anywhere on the skin or scalp. It may be superficial or deep, and it causes the formation of a pustule or inflammatory nodule surrounding the hair. The inflammation can be either limited to the superficial aspect of the follicle with primary involvement of the infundibulum or the inflammation can affect both the superficial and deep aspects. Severe cases may cause permanent hair loss and scarring, and even mild folliculitis can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Folliculitis may arise as hairs regrow after shaving, waxing, electrolysis or plucking. Swabs taken from the pustules are sterile i.e. there is no growth of bacteria or other organisms.

It is usually caused by bacteria. Common superficial form of infectious folliculitis is known as impetigo of Bockhart or barbers itch and is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. It can also be caused by yeast and another type of fungus. Folliculitis caused by a fungus is most often seen in people who have trouble fighting infections because they have an impaired immune system. There are also forms of folliculitis which are non-infectious such as those caused by tars, oils and greases that come into contact with the skin. The lesions are seen in the bearded area, often on the upper lip near the nose, as erythematous follicular-based papules or pustules that may rupture and leave a yellow crust. The pustule is often pierced by a hair that is easily extracted from the follicle. This form of folliculitis may occur more commonly in staphylococcal nasal carriers.

Causes of Folliculitis

1. Friction from shaving.

2. Follicular trauma.

3. Excessive perspiration.

4. Occlusion.

5. Inflammatory skin conditions.

Symptoms of Folliculitis

1. Pain.

2. Erythema (inflammation and redness of the skin).

3. Edema.

4. Yellow pus-filled lesions.

5. Small pimples.

Treatment of Folliculitis

Hot tub folliculitis rarely requires treatment, although your doctor may prescribe an oral or topical medication to help relieve itching (anti-pruritic). If the patient is immunocompromised or the lesions are persistent oral ciprofloxacin may be given. Topical antibiotics, such as bacitracin with polymyxin B, may be administered. Fusidic acid is available both as a cream and as an ointment. You should apply it thinly on to the infected area 3-4 times daily.Mupirocin is available both as a cream and an ointment. You should apply it thinly on the affected area 3 times a day for up to 10 days. It may be used on all ages except for in the USA where the Bactroban nasal ointment is not recommended for children under the age of 12. Eosinophilic folliculitis therapies are effective against eosinophilic folliculitis, but topical corticosteroids are often the treatment of choice. Applying moist heat compresses to the local area helps promote vasodilation (dilation of the blood vessels) and drainage from the lesions. Keeping skin clean, dry, and free from abrasions or irritation can help prevent folliculitis. More severe cases may require treatment with isotretinoin (Accutane) for several months.

You can buy Bactroban here

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Drathuu's weblog

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Exelon VP Thanks Speculators for Uranium Price Rise


We thought by now we’d heard it all. But the quote which follows, given to us in a tape-recorded telephone interview by the man who obtains nuclear fuel for the largest nuclear utility in the United States, surprised even us.

“From the point of view of today’s price, they did us a favor by sending a really strong signal to the production-side community that it was time to get out there and start looking to get stuff back into production,” Exelon Corp nuclear fuels vice president James Malone told StockInterview. Malone was referring to the uranium speculators and financial community, who have driven long-term uranium contracts to US$85/pound and the weekly spot price to $125/pound. “It may not have happened as quickly without this strong signal.”

And then we talked about the widening spread between the weekly spot and long-term uranium price.

“I think the sellers have the perception that prices should be higher in the spot market, but obviously the buyers aren’t sharing that perception right now,” Malone told us. Hence the pricing stalemate. “There isn’t any long-term activity to base a change in that price. It’s been flat for several weeks.”

Although the spot uranium price continues to set new records, many utilities are comfortable with the amount of U3O8 equivalent they have stockpiled. In his previous media interviews, Malone gave the impression that Exelon did not lack for the nuclear fuel to power the company’s 17 reactors, which produce about 20 percent of the U.S. nuclear electricity.

We asked if this were true. “That’s correct,” he responded. Others such as Entergy and FPL may not be as fortunate. The rumored scramble by at least three utilities for uranium equivalent could be one driver for the higher spot price.

And this brought us back to the uranium speculators. In late April, Malone wrote a guest commentary, which appeared in Fuel Cycle Week. In that issue Malone contended uranium speculators were driving up the spot price of uranium to make their investments in mining stocks more valuable.

We confirmed he continued to believe this. “I am not knocking the guys who are in it for financial gain. I can’t blame them for wanting to make money, but you have to understand what it is they are doing,” he said.

Malone cited the strong correlation between the stocks of junior mining companies and the uranium price. “The R squared is somewhere around 0.95,” he explained. R-square is a statistical coefficient of determination, which provides information about the validity of a model. This compares with TradeTech’s evaluation of the relationship to uranium stock share prices to the uranium price, which Gene Clark explained in an interview about a year ago.

Again he surprised us, having taken the time to meticulously study the ‘sell-side’ of the uranium market. But Malone admitted, “We didn’t look at all 450 of them.”

And why should he? Malone agreed with our premise that more than 90 percent of the ‘uranium’ companies are likely to disintegrate at some point. “Some of the smaller folks that are out there, really shouldn’t be there because they are not going to make it,” he said. “The other folks are going to fill the gap so that we’ll get a last marginal pound in at a reasonable price.”

When would we reach this ‘reasonable’ price? “It depends upon how some things like Cigar Lake come back to life because that’s such a large component of production,” Malone said. “Whether Shea Creek comes in during that timeframe – which will pretty much make a big dent – there’s several smaller ones. There’s a raft of properties people want to bring back into production. They may be able to only produce one or two million pounds a year.”

He agreed with our evaluation that many of those projections are falling short, especially on the smaller projects. But what about BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam? “I think Olympic Dam is so big that they can’t rush it,” he said. After we pointed out this could become the biggest open crater on earth, we both broke into laughter. “I think they’ve got to be reasonable in their approach to it,” he added.

We speculated about when hedge funds might begin selling uranium. Over the next few weeks, both Mestena Uranium LLC and an unnamed hedge fund plan to offer the largest amount of spot U3O8 and equivalent into the market in any single instance since last September. Dr. Robert Rich, a director of Yellowcake Mining, cautioned of a uranium ‘price adjustment’ at an unspecified time. “Bob and I used to share an office together when we were young and worked at Yankee Atomic,” Malone said.

He agrees there could be an adjustment. “It could be a two-phase thing. Some of the hedge funds may exit and just move on. Others may hang on and the market could stay above where it ought to be because it’s not yet fully rationalized with respect to the balance between supply and demand.” He added, “But, you could see some kind of adjustment that would bring it down a bit, and then take a longer time for it to reach a true rational equilibrium level.”

Malone’s conclusion? “The market fundamentals, if you simply look at the macro situation of supply and demand, it simply doesn’t support those kinds of numbers, especially in that time frame,” he said. “It is really a puzzle why some people have such a strong bullish position.”

And what does Malone believe is wrong with the time frame?

BOTTLENECK IN THE NUCLEAR RENAISSANCE?

Malone doesn’t think the nuclear renaissance is as imminent as many have forecast. “This is one of the things that frustrates me a little bit,” he started. “I think people need to understand: There’s an expectation of a tremendous number of plants around the world coming online real fast, and therefore driving demand up. Eventually, there will be that many plants. I just don’t think they can come on as fast as some people think they can.”

Where, then, is the obstacle? “You’ve got to get the forging to build the power plants,” Malone pointed out. “There are only a few places in the world that can do that right now.” He cited Japan Steelworks as the predominant supplier, and two others – one is South Korea and another in France. “There’s nobody in the U.S.,” he said.

“It’s a long haul to get all the pieces,” Malone explained. “Japan Steelworks is putting out a slightly greater than 100 percent increase in their capacity to produce the forgings. The process is going to take several years, probably on the order of five to ten to get the real production up to where we want it to be.”

Since 1974, Japan Steelworks (JSW) has manufactured the forgings of components found in nuclear plants. The company has manufactured about 130 reactor vessels now used around the world – nearly 30 percent.

The company recently announced it would increase investments in manufacturing capacity to meet the global demand. One of the company’s main targets is to supply new nuclear pressure vessels to the U.S. and Chinese markets. JSW anticipates orders for 25 pressure vessels and 31 from the U.S. Some wonder about the challenges increased activity in the nuclear sector holds for the supply chain’s growing demand for heavy forgings and other major components.

According to the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), license applications for more than 18 new reactors could be filed by a dozen energy companies by 2009.

On Wednesday, Richmond, Virginia-based Dominion Resources reportedly asked Hitachi and General Electric to build its third nuclear-powered electric generating unit at the company’s North Anna power station in Mineral, Virginia. Earlier this month, Dominion awarded GE Energy’s nuclear business a contract to secure critical, ‘long-lead’ components for the nuclear power unit. This order included large forgings required for GE’s ESBWR reactor design. The forgings would likely come from Japan Steelworks.

A long lead time is required for the forgings. “It’s a long haul to get all the pieces,” Malone told us. “Right now, the facilities even for assembling a reactor in the United States are limited in their capabilities.”

A bottleneck could result in obtaining heavy forgings as well as assembling them. In August 2006, Constellation Energy announced it had entered into an agreement with AREVA to procure 44 heavy forgings – needed for the reactor pressure vessel and steam generators – to construct the first potential nuclear power plant of a planned U.S. EPR fleet. The forgings will reportedly be manufactured into the final components at the BWX Technologies facility in Mount Vernon, Indiana or AREVA’s facility in Chalon-St. Marcel.

Construction on the Dominion plant could start as early as 2010. It could go into production by 2014. This matches the timetable Malone cautioned us about. He pointed to progress made by NRG Energy made at the company’s South Texas project.

On April 27th, NRG announced an agreement with Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to help develop the combined construction and operating license for NRG Energy’s application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission later in 2007. “The good news is that the ABWR (Advanced Boiling Water Reactor) has been built in Japan and is under construction in Taiwan,” Malone said. The NRC has already certified General Electric’s ABWR design. “It’s a known entity and licensed in the United States,” Malone explained.

Doesn’t this appear like enormous momentum moving forward? “I think it’s going to be a slow build up,” he told us. “It’s like one of those curves that’s kind of slow, then has the knee out there – the hockey stick – and then it starts to go up.” But he also warned, “We have to have the folks to operate them. We have to have the infrastructure to build them. We have to have the regulatory oversight. If we go at it the right way as an industry, I think it can be terribly successful.” He believes the renaissance will emerge several years down the road. “Probably on the order of five to ten years to get the real production to where we want it to be,” Malone said.

Malone firmly believes there will be a nuclear renaissance in the United States. “We need electricity, there’s a tremendous amount of emotion with respect to greenhouse gases, and nuclear can be base load electricity without the greenhouse gases,” he told us. “A lot of people are realizing that now, especially when James Lovelock takes the position that nuclear power is a good thing to do for electricity production. I think he’s got the right message.”

Our final surprise was that Malone had a copy of Investing in the Great Uranium Bull Market. “I was impressed by the fact that he (James Lovelock) was right in the foreword.” Dr. Lovelock actually wrote the foreword for this publication and personally endorsed our book, writing, “'I unhesitatingly recommend it to politicians, environmentalists and all those concerned about our future.”

And finally we asked whether or not Exelon Corp would participate in NYMEX futures trading. “That’s too early to say,” Malone responded. “My position on that is we need to digest what we were told, learn how it works, observe it – and if we believe there’s some advantage or some useful purpose for us participating, then we would consider it.”

And finally we asked whether or not Exelon Corp would participate in NYMEX futures trading. “That’s too early to say,” Malone responded. “My position on that is we need to digest what we were told, learn how it works, observe it – and if we believe there’s some advantage or some useful purpose for us participating, then we would consider it.”

But what about the safety of nuclear reactors, especially from terrorist attacks? After September 11th the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission mandated new security measures at U.S. nuclear power plants. These measures included altered or new physical barriers, increased security personnel, training enhancements and additional surveillance equipment. According to Exelon Corp’s website, the total cost of these enhancements exceeded $150 million in capital spending and now includes approximately $20 million in additional annual operating expenses each year.

How do these enhancements hold up?

In a recent note from the Nuclear Energy Institute, legendary actor Paul Newman (and now also becoming a legend for his line of food products) toured Entergy’s Indian Point nuclear plant outside New York City this past Monday (by the way, Paul Newman also has our book, Investing in the Great Uranium Bull Market). Mr. Newman reported as follows:

“I recently toured the Indian Point nuclear plant and I expected to be shown safety and security at the plant. But what I saw exceeded my expectations. No Army or Navy base I’ve ever visited has been more armored and I couldn’t walk 30 feet inside the plant without swiping my key card to go through another security check point. There was security at every turn, and the commitment to safety is clear.”

We agree with both Mr. Malone and Mr. Newman that nuclear power will be more important for the anticipated dramatic electricity growth in the future. And no one really knows precisely how much longer the spot uranium price could continue higher, where it will peak and at which price level would be sustainable. But everyone likes to guess about these matters.

COPYRIGHT© 2007 by StockInterview, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Kaydis's weblog