Brand Name: ReoPro

Abciximab is a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor and binds to glycoprotein IIb/IIIA receptors on the surface of platelets, thereby preventing platelet aggregation and hence used as blood thinner during various procedures used to open up the blood vessels in the heart. Abciximab (ReoPro) is the Fab fragment of a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the ?IIb?3 receptor. It also binds to the vitronectin receptor on platelets, vascular endothelial cells, and smooth-muscle cells.Abciximab (ReoPro) is the Fab fragment of a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the ?IIb?3 receptor. It also binds to the vitronectin receptor on platelets, vascular endothelial cells, and smooth-muscle cells.

Uses of Abciximab IV (ReoPro)

It is used as an adjunct to precutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to prevent ischemic complications in patients at high risk of abrupt closure of the treated vessel. It is contraindicated in active internal bleeding. The antibody is used in conjunction with percutaneous angioplasty for coronary thromboses, and when used in conjunction with aspirin and heparin, has been shown to be quite effective in preventing restenosis, recurrent myocardial infarction, and death.

How to use Abciximab IV (ReoPro)

This medication is given by injection into a vein by a health care professional, usually 10 to 60 minutes before your procedure, then given slowly into a vein for up to 12 hours or as directed by your doctor.

The recommended dosage of Abciximab in adults is a 0.25 mg/kg  IV bolus administered 10-60 minutes before the start of PCI, followed by a continuous intravenous infusion of 0.125 µg/kg/min (to a maximum of 10 µg/min) for 12 hours.Patients with unstable angina not responding to conventional medical therapy and who are planned to undergo PCI within 24 hours may be treated with an Abciximab 0.25 mg/kg intravenous bolus followed by an 18- to 24-hour intravenous infusion of 10 µg/min, concluding one hour after the PCI.

Special precautions & Abciximab IV (ReoPro)

• Pregnancy: Category C.
• Lactation: Undetermined.
• Children: Safety and efficacy not established.
• Readministration: Abciximab may cause antibody development. Readministration may be associated with allergic reactions.
• Bleeding: Because risk of bleeding is increased, use cautiously, if at all, with thrombolytics, oral anticoagulants, NSAIDs, dipyridamole, and ticlopidine. Institute bleeding precautions.
• Thrombocytopenia: Monitor platelet counts.
• report any bleeding or bruising to health care provider immediately

Side Effects of Abciximab IV (ReoPro)

• CARDIOVASCULAR: Hypotension; bradycardia; atrial fibrillation; pulmonary edema; AV block; supraventricular tachycardia.
• CNS: Hypesthesia; headache; confusion; dizziness.
• EENT: Abnormal vision.
• GI: Nausea, vomiting.
• HEMATOLOGIC: Bleeding; thrombocytopenia; anemia; leukocytosis.
• RESPIRATORY: Pleural effusion; pneumonia.
• OTHER: Pain; peripheral edema.

The major side effect of abciximab is bleeding, and the contraindications to its use are similar to those for fibrinolytic agents.

Why is Abarelix Prescribed?

Abarelix suppresses luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone secretion, thereby reducing the secretion of testosterone by the testes. Abarelix is used in the treatment of advanced symptomatic prostate cancer in men in whom luteinizing hormonereleasing hormone agonist therapy is not appropriate and who refuse surgical castration.

How should Abarelix  be used?

Plenaxis Injectable Suspension contains 113 mg of gonadotropin- releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist. It is injected intramuscularly, reaching a peak plasma concentration of 40.0 mg/ml three days after injection.

This medication is given by injection into your buttock muscle (intramuscularly-IM) by a healthcare professional. It should be mixed in the proper solution provided in the package. Abarelix is usually given every 2 weeks for the first 3 doses, then once every 4 weeks thereafter, or as directed by your doctor.

Other uses of Abarelix

An extended release form of the GnRH antagonist abarelix (Plenaxis) is approved for treating prostate cancer. Because abarelix does not transiently increase sex steroid production, this preparation may be especially useful in prostate cancer patients in whom any stimulus to tumor growth might have serious adverse consequences, such as patients with spinal cord metastases in whom increased tumor growth could cause paralysis.

Abarelix and Special Precaution

The maximum tolerated dose of abarelix has not been determined. The maximum dose used in clinical studies was 150 mg. There have been no reports of accidental overdose with abarelix.

Side effects of Abarelix

Only singlr study performed which shows following side effects with reducing frequency: Hot flushes, Sleep disturbance, Pain, Breast Enlargement, Breast pain/nipple tenderness, Constipation,Dizziness,Headache

Class: Anti-infective, Antiviral

Why is Abacavir Prescribed?

Abacavir inmainly indicated in Treatment of HIV-1 in combination with other antiretroviral agents. Abacavir is in a class of medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). It is  converted by cellular enzymes to carbovir triphosphate, which inhibits HIV-1 transcriptase and interferes with DNA synthesis. remmebr it only slows down HIV infection but can never cure it.
How should Abacavir be used?
Tablets: 300 mg
Oral solution: 20 mg/mL
Other uses of Abacavir
Take abacavir at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take abacavir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Route/Dosage
Adults: PO 300 mg bid in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

Adolescents and Children 3 mo to up to 16 yr: PO 8 mg/kg bid (max dose, 300 mg bid) in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

Store the oral solution at room temperature (68° to 77° F). The solution may be refrigerated but do not freeze.  Administer with or without meals.  Always give in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

Abacavir and Special Precaution

• Pregnancy: Category C.
• Lactation: Undetermined; however, HIV-infected mothers should not breastfeed infants.
• Children: Safety and efficacy not established in children under 3 mo.
• Elderly: Select dose with caution, reflecting greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and comorbidity. Hypersensitivity: Fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been associated with therapy.
• Lactic acidosis/Severe hepatomegaly with steatosis: Lactic acidosis/severe hepatomegaly with steatosis have been reported.

Side Effects of Abacavir

Nervous System: Insomnia; sleep disorders; headache (children).

Gastro Intestinal Side effects: Nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; loss of appetite; anorexia; pancreatitis.

Skin side effects: Skin rashes (children).

Metabolic side effects: Elevated blood glucose; elevated triglycerides.

OTHER: Hypersensitivity reactions (eg, fever, rash, fatigue, GI symptoms, malaise, lethargy, myalgia, arthralgia, edema, shortness of breath, paresthesia, hypotension, death); fever (children).

Special informations for Abacavir

• Abacavir tablets and oral solution are for oral ingestion only.
• Take abacavir at the same time each day as prescribed in combination with another antiviral agent and to not skip a dose, which could increase the viral load.
• Avoid OTC medications, unless prescribed by primary health care provider.
• Abacavir is not a cure for the HIV infection and he/she may continue to develop opportunistic infections and other complication of the HIV infection, and to remain under close observation by health care professionals experienced in the treatment of patients with HIV-associated diseases.
• Long-term effects of abacavir and results from controlled-clinical trials evaluating therapeutic and adverse effects are not known. Therefore, report any problem to heath care provider.
• Notify health care provider immediately if signs of a rash or a rash accompanied by fever, blistering, oral lesions, conjunctivitis, swelling, muscle or joints aches, or general malaise, infection (eg, sore throat, fever, cough), and respiratory congestion occur.
• Potential adverse or toxic effects if taken with alcohol, as alcohol decreases the elimination of the drug.
  Abacavir has not been shown to reduce the risk of passing HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination. Encourage patient to abstain or practice safe sex and not share needles.
• Women of childbearing age to inform health care provider if planning to become pregnant.
  Comply with the treatment regimen and to take exactly as prescribed.

Ingrowing Nail is also called Onychocryptosis and Unguis Incarnatus is one of the most common complication of nails and leads to great amount of dicompfort and pain if left untreated. In this condition, nail starts to grow beyond the nail bed and cuts the neighboring skin. As such the frequent site is toe nail but can occur in finger nails also. For the convinience we will use Ingrown Toenail and Ingrown Fingernail to differentiate between them in this topic.

As such it seems to be more common in teenage but can occur at any age even in children but with less frequency. Sometimes, if left untreated, it gets infected (Infected ingrowun nail) and form abcess which can be very painful.

Acoustic Neuroma is a noncancerous tumor (benign)  of the eighth cranial (vestibulocochlear) NERVE which is one of the ten nerves connected directly with brain. As such it is one of the very slow growing tumor and some times acoustic neuromas typically grow over years to decades and in some people cause no symptoms. Majority of times doctors incidently diagnose them during routine examination.

In general Acoustic neuroma is benign one and usually does not spread very fast and hence it is very rare that it becomes so huge that starts to put pressure on the structures of the brainstem. Most often doctors do not know why acoustic neuromas develop and classify them as idiopathic (of unknown cause). Acoustic neuromas sometimes occur with neurofibromatosis type 2, a rare hereditary disorder in which fibrous growths develop in the CRANIAL NERVES and SPINAL NERVES.

We constantly lament that life has become very hectic; people don’t have time for basic things like manners, for enquiring upon each other’s health, for lending a helping hand in times of need. We may be at times more concerned about wealth than our well-being. It’s time we admitted that there’s more to life than money. “Well-being” implies improved health and happier people and can’t be measured by money. It’s about the beauty of our surroundings, the quality of our culture and, above all, the strength of our relationships.

Some kinds of relationship skills – like communication skills and teamwork – act to support social relationships, and investment in these skills is reflected in the form of our growth. If we elaborate more on soft skills, these are the ones that define our approach towards work, life, problems, etc. They refer to the cluster of personality traits, social graces, and facility with language, personal habits, friendliness and optimism that mark people to varying degrees. Soft skills complement hand skills, which are the technical requirements of a job. The most valued soft skills include communications (both verbal and written), interpersonal skills, teamwork, problem solving, time-management, analytical and adaptability. Basic training in soft skills generally covers communication, self-awareness, empathy, social etiquettes, and creativity, leadership and presentation skills.

As soft skills are people skills, the best part about mastering them is that their application is not limited to our profession. Their scope extends to all aspects of life. This attitude difference helps us maintain focus and results in higher levels of quality work. Organizational changes seem to be increasing our requirement for “soft” skills such as communication, teamwork, time management and flexibility.

Though most of us agree that these skills are important, very few of us give these skills high priority. The effort towards acquiring soft skills should begin with our recognition of the lack of it. At times, we might assume that we don’t need to improve. Therefore, an honest introspection is a must.

Barely after two weeks of attendance in Communication Training, one of the fellow employees paid me the biggest compliment by saying that in his recent official tour, he was able to converse confidently in English with officials unlike his previous hesitant efforts. His beaming face was proof of his raised level of confidence. If a few days of training can make such a difference, imagine what can be achieved through regular sessions.

Hearing such works of newfound confidence have since become a regular experience. As most of the departments have now become involved in the training process, it’s common practice for people to voice their joy in being able to communicate better. I bask in the warmth of the glow of satisfaction on their faces. The fast that more and more people are opting voluntarily for the training proves that we have successfully communicated the importance of soft skills.

Finally, we can say that competition being very stiff, only those, who are hardworking, honest and competent individuals with soft skills to match, are the ones who succeed. They are the ones, who not only find a place, but also retain their jobs and grow. This job stability and economic security gives us a feeling of contentment and well-being.

(Via: KS Oil)

Cancer in general means uncontrolled cell division because of any reason. Cervical cancer means cancer in the tissues which forms the cervicx. Cervix is an organ which connects vagina to the uterus. It is lower end of Uterus which opens in Vagina and provide portal of entry for sperms to enter and fetus to come out in the world.

Epidemiology of Cervical Cancer

It is one of the most common cancer in female. It is estimated that in the year 2008 only there are approximately 11,070 new patients of cervical cancer and out of that 3,870 have been died. Thus Cervical cancer mortality is also very high.

Recently researchers from Mayo clinic has come up with an idea to keep your child stick to TV and Video games but with activity component. They did a study and 25 children were followed Fifteen children were of normal weight for their height and frame; and 10 were mildly obese. Both groups were tested while sitting and watching television, playing a traditional video game, playing two types of activity-required video games, and watching television while walking on a treadmill.

The results clearly showed that watching television with sitting and playing traditional video games uses similar energy while when you add a component of activity to it like treadmill during watching television and putting them in video games like catching balls uses more than triple energy.

Interpretation of study by Mayo clinic researchers is that putting more of activity related components in video games may be the best possible approach to avoid rising obesity in young generation and also to limit the time spent behind these activities to max 2 hrs a day.

Computers and video games has definitely important role in developement of child in many ways but importance of outdoor games should not be neglected for fiteness and healthy life of young generation.

Tobacco is the only legally available consumer product which kills people when it is used as directed.Tobacco use is the second leading cause of death. It is the fourth leading cause of disease. Globally, 5 million people one in ten adults die of tobacco use each year. If current smoking patterns continue, it will cause some 10 million deaths each year by 2020.

Half the people that smoke today about 650 million people will die of a tobacco-related disease.
In India, on million people die of smoking-related disease each year.
Smoking causes about 30 per cent of all cancer deaths (including 90 per cent of lung cancer deaths), 17 per cent of all heart disease deaths and 1at least 8- per cent of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema.
Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds, which are present either as gases or as tiny particles, These include:
Nicotine is an addictive substance that stimulates the central nervous system, including the heartbeat rate and blood pressure. In large quantities nicotine is extremely poisonous.
Tar is deposited in the lungs and respiratory system and gradually absorbed. It is a mixture of many different chemicals, including formaldehyde, arsenic, cyanide, benzo[a]pyrene, benzene, toluene, acrolein.
Carbon monoxide binds to haemoglobin in the blood more easily than oxygen does, thus reducing the amount of oxygen circulating in the body.

These are the facts published in a leading newspaper of India- Hindustan Times.

We all know that smoking can adversely affects your health and has been associated woth many of the chronic and severe diseases, in many of the developing countries there still not enough awareness about dangers of smoking. And according to one publication of WHO almost 50 percent of smokers die prematurely due to nicotine related problems.

Dr. Kasliwal director, cardiology, Escorts heart institute and Research Centre said to Hindustan Times ” Smoking is one of the leading causes of heart attacks among people in their thirties and forties, but unfortunately, patients seek help only after they develop health problems and are advised to quit.That is one reason why we have set up a Centre of Early Detection of Cardiovascular Disease Escorts to help identify risk factors among the young so that they can take preventive measures such as quitting smoking early in life.”

According to experts many of the smokers do not require any help to quit smoking. But for those who find it difficult to quit can always take help of various deaddiction centers and try any of the hndreds of remedies which we will be covering in our future posts here.

So if you are the one who is trying to quit smoking but finding it difficult, stay tune on Healthline99.com for latest remedies that you can try.