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  • Dr. Nabeera
  • May 1
  • 3 min read

کیلن گولی


Written by Dr. Nabeera [PharmD, DOW University Of Health Sciences (DUHS)], Karachi, Pakistan.


murtazacommunitypharmacy image showing calan tablet box

Brand name:

Calan


Generic name:

Verapamil HCl


Available dosage forms and their doses:

Available in tablet form in 40 mg and 80 mg doses.


Price:

  • 40 mg 1 bottle, which contains 50 tablets, price is Rs. 172.5

  • 80 mg tablet box

  • 240 mg tablet box (calan SR)


Therapeutic class:

Calcium channel blocker (non-dihydropyridine)


Pharmacological class:

L-type calcium channel blocker in the heart and blood vessels.


Manufacturer:

The Searle Company Ltd


Storage:

  • To be stored below 30 degrees Celsius.

  • Protect from light, moisture, and heat.

  • Keep out of children’s reach.


Prescription drug?

Yes


Mechanism of action:

Inhibition of calcium ion influx through channels into conductive and contractile myocardial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells.


Indications and dosages:

  • Hypertension (mild to moderate)

  • Renal hypertension

  • Management and prophylaxis of Angina Pectoris

  • Treatment and management of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia

  • To reduce the ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation/flutter


For Hypertension:

Initially, 120 mg two times a day, increasing to 160 mg two times a day (if necessary). For

some cases, up to 480 mg daily divided dose is also used.


For Angina:

120 mg three times a day. If patients have angina of effort, then an 80 mg dose three times a day can also be sufficient. For variant angina, less than 120 mg three times a day may not be effective.


Supraventricular tachycardia:

40-120 mg three times a day.


Pediatric population:

Up to 2 years: 20 mg two to three times a day.

Above 2 years: 40-120 mg two to three times a day.


murtazacommunitypharmacy image showing calan tablet box with a strip


Elderly: -

The above-recommended dose, unless they have renal or liver function impairment.


Side effects:

  • Immune system disorders: allergic reactions

  • Nervous system disorders: headache, dizziness, paraesthesia, tremor,

extrapyramidal syndrome, dystonia

  • Ear and labyrinth disorders: vertigo, tinnitus

  • Cardiac disorders: bradycardic, arrhythmias, 2nd, and 3rd-degree AV block,

palpitations, tachycardia, development of heart failure, hypotension

  • Vascular disorders: flushing, peripheral edema

  • GI disorders: nausea, vomiting, constipation, ileus, abdominal pain

  • Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: alopecia, ankle edema, Quincke’s

edema, Steven-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, erythromelalgia,

purpura

  • Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorder: muscle weakness, myalgia and

arthralgia

  • Reproductive system and breast disorder: erectile dysfunction, gynaecomastia

  • General disorder: Fatigue


Interactions:

  • Alcohol

  • Acetyl salicylic acid

  • Alpha-blockers (Prazosin and Terazosin)

  • Antiarrhythmics (Flecainide, Quinidine,

  • Anticonvulsants (Carbamazepine and Phenytoin)

  • Antidepressants (Imipramine)

  • Antidiabetics (Glibenclamide)

  • Antihypertensives, diuretics, and vasodilators

  • Anti-infectives (Rifampicin, Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Telithromycin)

  • Antineoplastics (Doxorubicin)

  • Barbiturates (Phenobarbital)

  • Benzodiazepines and other anxiolytics (Buspirone and Midazolam)

  • Beta-blockers (Metoprolol and Propranolol)

  • Cardiac glycoside (Digitoxin and Digoxin)

  • Colchicine

  • H2 receptor antagonist (Cimetidine)

  • HIV antiviral agents (Ritonavir)

  • Immunosuppressants (Ciclosporin, Everolimus, Sirolimus, and Tacrolimus)

  • Inhaled anesthetics

  • Lipid-lowering agents (Atorvastatin, Simvastatin and Lovastatin)

  • Lithium

  • Metformin

  • Neuromuscular blocking agents

  • Serotonin receptor agonists (Almotriptan)

  • Theophylline

  • Uricosurics (Sulfinpyrazone)

  • Anticoagulants (Dabigatran etexilate)

  • Other cardiac therapy (Ivabradine)

  • Others (St. John’s Wort and Grapefruit)



murtazacommunitypharmacy image showing calan tablet bottle


Pregnancy:

Avoid in the first trimester, unless essential.


Lactation:

Only use if essential, otherwise, avoid.


Precautions:

  • For patients with liver disease, careful dose titration is recommended.

  • For renal impairment patients, monitoring should be done.

  • For patients with bradycardia or first-degree AV block, it should be used with

caution.

  • For patients with incipient cardiac failure, Verapamil should be given only after

controlling cardiac failure.

  • For hypertension treatment, the blood pressure should be monitored at regular

intervals.

  • For patients taking HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, caution should be exercised.

Start with the lowest possible dose.

  • For patients with neuromuscular transmission diseases, caution should be

exercised.

 
 
 
  • Dr. Khadija Hamza
  • May 1
  • 2 min read

ریپکورٹ سیرپ کا استعمال


Written by Dr. Khadija Hamza [PharmD, DOW University Of Health Sciences (DUHS)], Karachi, Pakistan.



murtazacommunitypharmacy image showing rapicort syrup bottle

BRAND NAME :

RAPICORT


GENERIC :

Prednisolone


AVAILABLE DOSAGE FORM :

  • Tablet

  • Syrup


PRICE :

218.66 rs


DOSES :

  • The initial dose is 5 to 60 mg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses

  • Maximum dose is 80mg daily

  • The dose may be adjusted according to the patient's condition


MANUFACTURER :

Tabros Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd


THERAPEUTIC CLASS :

Steroids


PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASS :

Corticosteroids


PACK SIZE :

  • 1 pack = 10 strips

  • 1 strip = 10 tablets


STORAGE :

  • Store at room temp.

  • Keep away from children, heat, sunlight, moisture, etc.


PRESCRIPTION DRUG :

Yes


MECHANISM OF ACTION :

  •  Binds to glucocorticoid receptors, inhibitory pro-inflammatory signals & and promoting anti-inflammatory signals.

  • Short duration of action.

  • Half life is 2 to 3 hrs.

  • Wide therapeutic window

  • Lower doses provide anti-inflammatory effects whereas higher doses are immuno-suppressive


INDICATION :

  • It is indicated as an anti-inflammatory and; immunosuppressive drug for allergies, renal, infectious, and respiratory conditions as well as organ transplants.

  •  Use to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, lupus & psoriasis

  • Use to treat allergic reactions

  • In COPD, reduces inflammation and; improves breathing.



SIDE EFFECT :

  • Weight gain

  • Vertigo

  • headache

  • Blood clotting

  • Dizzines

  • Shortness of breath

  • Acne

  • Stomach ulcer

  • Cataract


INTERACTION :

DRUG INTERACTION :

  • Blood thinners

  • accines

  • Antifungal

  • NSAIDS

  • Diabetic medicines

  • Cyclosporines


DISEASE INTERACTION :

  • Diabetis

  • Liver disease

  • Infection

  • High Blood pressure

  • Ulcer


FOOD INTERACTION :

  • Avoid alcohol


PREGNANCY and LACTATION :

Pregnant; and lactating women should avoid consuming rapicort.



PRECAUTION :

  • Steroids slow the normal growth of children’s

  • Do not take rapicort if u are allergic to prednisolone or suffering from any kind of

        infection.


COUNSELING POINTS :

  • Take as per the doctor's prescription

  • Administer through mouth with a glass of water.

  • Take the tablet at the scheduled time to get benefits.

 
 
 
  • Dr. Khadija Hamza
  • May 1
  • 2 min read

rapicort گولی کا استعمال


Written by Dr. Khadija Hamza [PharmD, DOW University Of Health Sciences (DUHS)], Karachi, Pakistan.


murtazacommunitypharmacy image showing rapicort tablet box

BRAND NAME :

RAPICORT


GENERIC :

Prednisolone


AVAILABLE DOSAGE FORM :

  • Tablet

  • Syrup


PRICE :

340Rs / strip


DOSES :

  • The initial dose is 5 to 60 mg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses

  • Maximum dose is 80mg daily

  • The dose may be adjusted according to the patient's condition


MANUFACTURER :

Tabros Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd


THERAPEUTIC CLASS :

Steroids


PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASS :

Corticosteroids


PACK SIZE :

  • 1 pack = 10 strips

  • 1 strip = 10 tablets


STORAGE :

  • Store at room temp.

  • Keep away from children, heat, sunlight, moisture, etc.


PRESCRIPTION DRUG :

Yes


MECHANISM OF ACTION :

  • Binds to glucocorticoid receptors, inhibitory pro-inflammatory signals & and promoting anti-inflammatory signals.

  • Short duration of action.

  • Half life is 2 to 3 hrs.

  • Wide therapeutic window

  • Lower doses provide anti-inflammatory effects whereas higher doses are immuno-suppressive


INDICATION :

  • It is indicated as an anti-inflammatory and; immunosuppressive drug for allergies, renal, infectious, and respiratory conditions as well as organ transplants.

  • Use to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, lupus & psoriasis

  • Use to treat allergic reactions

  • In COPD, reduces inflammation and; improves breathing.


murtazacommunitypharmacy image showing rapicort tablet box with strips

SIDE EFFECT :

  • Weight gain

  • Vertigo

  • headache

  • Blood clotting

  • Dizzines

  • Shortness of breath

  • Acne

  • Stomach ulcer

  • Cataract


INTERACTION :

DRUG INTERACTION :

  • Blood thinners

  • accines

  • Antifungal

  • NSAIDS

  • Diabetic medicines

  • Cyclosporines


DISEASE INTERACTION :

  • Diabetis

  • Liver disease

  • Infection

  • High Blood pressure

  • Ulcer


FOOD INTERACTION :

  • Avoid alcohol


PREGNANCY and LACTATION :

Pregnant; and lactating women should avoid consuming rapicort.



PRECAUTION :

  • Steroids slow the normal growth of children’s

  • Do not take rapicort if u are allergic to prednisolone or suffering from any kind of

infection.


COUNSELING POINTS :

  • Take as per the doctor's prescription

  • Administer through mouth with a glass of water.

  • Take the tablet at the scheduled time to get benefits.

 
 
 

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