Herpes virus is a major factor in causing a number of infections. The common diseases caused by herpes are genital herpes, cold sores, shingles and chicken pox. Zovirax is an efficient antiviral medication which helps to fight the herpes virus. This medication won’t cure the disease completely rather it reduces the adverse symptoms caused by the presence of the virus in the body. Te chemical name of the medication is Acylovir.

Inorder to avoid complications, it is necessary to start using Zovirax as soon as the symptoms of the disease occur. The disease caused by herpes is easy to spread from one person to the other. So, special care is needed to be taken to avoid this. Though this drug is not dangerous to an unborn baby, the herpes virus if present in the body could spread from the mother to the child during pregnancy. As Zovirax excretes in breast milk, it is always advised to use the drug among breast feeding mothers after consulting a doctor.

Pain in the lower back, urinating less, easy bruising and bleeding, and unusual weakness are some of the serious side effects noticed in patients using Zovirax. Besides these there are serious allergies like hives; breathing trouble; swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat that are possible to occur. These side effects are to be reported to the physician and treated immediately. The medicine has to be avoided if the patient is allergic to acyclovir or valacyclovir.

Zovirax has to be taken under the prescription of a doctor. This medication can be taken with or without food. It is necessary to drink plenty of water while under the medication to avoid kidney troubles from occurring. It is to be kept in the mind that taking more or less than the required dose will lead to adverse effects.

Synthroid is a brand name for levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone responsible for bodies metabolism. Synthroid is given as a treatment for hypothyroidism, which is a disorder whereby the thyroid gland has stopped producing enough thyroid hormone.

This condition causes the body’s rate of metabolism to drop, with resulting negative effects on its reproductive system. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, swallowing difficulty, wild mood swings, hoarse voice, forgetfulness, sensitivity to cold and dry/coarse hair and skin.

Synthroid has to be cautiously prescribed by a doctor as a supplement or replacement, in order to restore the delicate balance of the thyroid hormone in your body.

When undergoing a Synthroid treatment, avoid the following food products, which can cause your body to absorb less of this synthetic hormone: infant soy formula, cottonseed meal, walnuts, and high-fiber foods. Make sure not to change brands without first asking your doctor as different brands of levothyroxine may work differently for the same patient.

Therefore, if you have a prescription refill with different looking pills inside than what you are used to, you would need to talk to your doctor or the pharmacist.

If you overdose on Synthroid, seek medical attention immediately. You will get these symptoms on overdose of this medicine: chest pain, pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath, tremor, leg cramps, confusion, vomiting, diarrhea, or seizures.

In addition, should you have missed a dose on Synthroid, do not double up on it on your next dosage. Keep to a regularly scheduled time with the prescribed dosage, never to add extra to make up for any missed dose. Your doctor may change the dosage required over time to get the best results, follow the instructions properly. Do not continue taking the dosage for longer than what the doctor prescribed.

Take Synthroid 30 minutes before eating, preferably in the morning, and remember to take it at the same time each day, according to doctor’s instructions. It is important that you take Synthroid with a full glass (8 ounces) of water, as the tablet can dissolve very quickly and swell in your throat causing gagging or choking.

You will need to schedule regular visits to your doctor for blood, liver, or kidney tests while undergoing this treatment, and do not forget these scheduled visits. You would also need to inform any other doctor or dentist you are visiting, that you are using Synthroid.

Once you are on Synthroid however, chances are high that you will continue taking it for the rest of your life. If you take levothyroxine for long periods of time, it may cause loss of bone, leading to osteoporosis. Be sure this possibility is addressed when talking to your doctor.

Other things you need to discuss before taking Synthroid include if you have any history of heart disease, coronary artery disease, anemia, diabetes, adrenal or pituitary gland problems, or blood clots.

You probably are wondering why anyone would consider a non-stimulant medication when stimulants are so effective. Surprisingly there are a number of solid reasons including less risk of side effects. Also, people with medical conditions can’t take stimulants due to the health risks involved. These would include heart problems or high blood pressure. Additionally, Strattera is not considered a controlled substance. This has led to non-stimulant medications being prescribed in situations involving substance abuse or for those in drug abuse recovery programs. So what is Strattera, how does it work, and what are some of the benefits?

* Strattera: Strattera is a non-stimulant medication regularly used as an option to stimulants such as Ritalin. Strattera which goes under the brand name Atomoxetine is not currently approved by the FDA for treating ADHD. That said, it is extremely popular in Europe for treating depression and is the first non-stimulant medication that has been tested in children, teens, and adults. Doctors usually suggest taking Strattera once or twice a day for maximum ADHD symptom management. Research suggests that it takes four to six weeks for the full benefit to be achieved.

* Strattera’s affect on the brain: Non-stimulant ADHD medications work in a different way than their stimulant counterparts. Strattera works like an anti-depressant in that it is a reuptake inhibitor; only targeting norepinephrine-containing neurons (nerve cells) and not other neurotransmitters. Some synapses in the prefrontal cortex have both norepinephrine and dopamine receptors on them. In those synapses, Strattera has an effect on dopamine (the feel good hormone).

* Benefits: Non-stimulants work through a different mechanism than stimulants and may be helpful for those who failed to achieve the results hoped for with their stimulant medications. As briefly discussed above they may be preferred for those with high blood pressure or heart conditions. Additionally, those with drug abuse, problems (past and/or current) and eating disorders should consider alternatives to stimulants.

In summary, all prescription ADHD medications carry some risk for side effects and drug abuse problems. The flip side is that both stimulant and non-stimulant drugs (Strattera) have been shown to be effective in treating many problematic ADHD symptoms. Because there seem to be no easy answers many people are opting for a more natural ADHD treatment option, homeopathy. Homeopathic, remedies have been shown to be very safe and are worth considering before committing to any medication that has potentially serious side effects.

Abilify is a prescription medication used to treat acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder. It also maintains efficacy in patients with Bipolar Disorder with a recent manic or mixed episode who had been stabilized and then maintained for at least 6 weeks.

Eventhough there is no cure, bipolar disorder is a treatable condition. Many people with the condition have found that a treatment plan of medicine, education, and psychotherapy has helped them move forward with their lives.

How does Abilify work?

How Abilify works is still unknown, but experts believe that it works by adjusting dopamine, instead of completely blocking it, as well as affecting serotonin.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

As explained in the dictionary, bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder marked by alternating episodes of mania and depression. People who have this illness may experience extreme mood swings, along with other specific symptoms and behaviours. Commonly known as “episodes”, these mood swings can take three forms: manic episodes, depressive episodes, or “mixed” episodes.

What are the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder episodes?

Symptoms of a manic episode often include:

An elevated mood – extreme happiness

Extreme irritability and anxiousness

Talking too fast and too much

An unusual increase in energy

A reduced need for sleep

Acting impulsively – engaging in risky behaviour or regretable actions like shopping sprees

Trouble with delusions and hallucinations – they may think they have a relationship with someone famous, claim to be an expert in an area they really know nothing about, feel paranoid (unusually fearful), or hear voices that are not there.

Symptoms of a depressive episode include:

An overwhelming feeling of emptiness or sadness

Lack of energy

A loss of interest in things

Trouble concentrating

Changes in normal sleep or appetite

And/or thoughts of suicide or dying

A mixed episode includes symptoms that are both manic and depressive.

What causes bipolar disorder symptoms?

The symptoms of bipolar disorder are thought to be caused by an imbalance of key chemicals in the brain. The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that move a constant stream of information from one to the other. To keep the information flowing, the cells release chemicals known as “neurotransmitters.” Two key neurotransmitters that are needed for brain function are dopamine and serotonin, which play an important role in emotional health.

Many scientists believe that when the levels of these neurotransmitters are imbalanced, it may result in bipolar disorder. For instance, too much dopamine in certain parts of the brain can cause symptoms such as delusions, while too little dopamine in other parts of the brain can cause symptoms such as a lack of emotion and energy.

How can medicine help me?

Abilify or other bipolar medicines can play an important role in helping you take control of your symptoms and extreme mood swings. It can also help make your behaviour more level and predictable. Once this is achieved, your doctor may recommend continuing the medicine (along with psychotherapy and support from your family and friends) to help you stay stable.

Are there any side effects associated with Abilify?

Lightheadedness or faintness caused by a sudden change in heart rate and blood pressure when rising quickly from a sitting or lying position has been reported with Abilify

Bipolar medicines like Abilify can affect your judgment, thinking, or motor skills. You should not drive or operate hazardous machinery until you know how Abilify affects you

Since medicines like Abilify can impact your body’s ability to reduce body temperature, you should avoid overheating and dehydration

Bipolar disorder medicines have been associated with swallowing problems (dysphagia). If you had or have swallowing problems, you should tell your doctor.

If you have suicidal thoughts, you should tell your doctor right away

Other common side effects include: constipation, an inner sense of restlessness or need to move, headache, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, sleepiness, lightheadedness, and tremor.

While taking Abilify, avoid:

Drinking alcohol

Breast-feeding an infant

Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures, or are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, and about all prescription and non-prescription medicines you are taking or plan to take.

Important information

Tell your doctor right away if you have conditions or side effects, including the following:

Very high fever, rigid muscles, shaking, confusion, sweating, or increased heart rate and blood pressure. These may be signs of a condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a rare but serious side effect which could be fatal

Abnormal or uncontrollable movements. These may be signs of a serious condition called tardive dyskinesia which may be permanent

Elderly: An increased risk of stroke and ministroke has been reported in a clinical study of elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis

Diabetes, risk factors for diabetes (for example, obesity, family history of diabetes), or unexpected increases in thirst, urination, or hunger. Increases in blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), in some cases serious and associated with coma or death, have been reported in patients taking medicines like Abilify. Ask your doctor about the need to monitor your blood sugar level before and during treatment