Many of us suffer from sleep deprivation, regularly getting fewer hours of sleep than needed. It’s affecting our physical and mental health and possibly even shortening our lives.

“There is plenty of compelling evidence that sleep is the most important predictor of how long you will live—perhaps more important than whether you smoke, exercise or have high blood pressure or cholesterol levels,”

Yet we are sleeping less—down from about 8.5 hours a night in 1960 to fewer than 7 today. Many people are in bed only 5 to 6 hours a night on a regular basis.

Longer hours at work—and longer commutes—are what threaten sleep most. Moreover, once home, weary workers may unwisely choose TV or Internet surfing over a good night’s sleep.

Compromised sleep elevates stress hormones and impairs metabolism, which can lead to depression, obesity and life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. A 2005 survey by the National Sleep Foundation found that a third of couples have problems in their relationships because of a partner’s abnormal sleep (usually snoring). Nearly a fourth say they flee to a different bed or room and that they are just too sleepy for sex.

Here are some tips to help you get the rest you really need.
Change Your Sleeping Habits

WHAT HELPS:

Make your bedroom sleep-friendly—cool, dark, quiet, uncluttered. Go there only for sleep and/or sex—no TV, no computer, no reading in bed.
Listen to calming music or a relaxation tape or CD before bed.
Indulge in caffeine only in the morning. It can stay in your system for as long as 20 hours.
Make sure your medications aren’t interfering with sleep. Some drugs prescribed for heart conditions, blood pressure, asthma and depression—as well as some over-the-counter remedies for coughs, colds or allergies—may interrupt your sleep. Ask your doctor about comparable substitutions for your medications.
Sleeping pills. More than 40 million Americans now use prescription insomnia drugs to help them get a good night’s sleep. Your doctor can help you understand the benefits and risks of their use.
WHAT DOESN’T HELP:

Alcohol. A drink before bed initially may sedate you, but it can disrupt sleep later in the night.
Over-the-counter medications. While antihistamines might help you sleep, they can lead to daytime drowsiness and dry mouth.
Reset Your Body Clock

WHAT HELPS:

Light therapy is a promising treatment for correcting a mixed-up body clock. Studies show that even an hour’s exposure to bright light early in the day—from the sun or a 10,000-lux light box—may help bring on sleep earlier in the night. And bright light later in the day may defer sleepiness by helping to suppress the production of melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone.
WHAT DOESN’T HELP:

Sleeping in late to compensate for missed sleep. In fact, oversleeping just throws your body’s natural rhythms further out of sync.
Fix Your Snoring

WHAT HELPS:

Losing 5 to 10 pounds can improve sleep-disordered breathing in most people.
Bedmates of snorers may find relief in a good pair of noise-blocking earplugs or a loud fan.
WHAT DOESN’T HELP:

Sleeping on your back. Your tongue can fall backward and partially block your throat, making a smaller passage for air.
Sleep medications and drowsiness-inducing antihistamines can aggravate snoring.
Get Daytime Energy

WHAT HELPS:

Taking a power nap. Research shows that a 10- to 30-minute nap (longer may make you drowsier) can recharge your batteries better than a shot of caffeine. A brisk walk in the sun also can help, reminding your body that it’s daytime and revving up your circulation.
WHAT DOESN’T HELP:

Toughing it out. “You can’t adapt to sleep deprivation without a mental or physical toll,” says Harvard sleep researcher Robert Stickgold. So get some rest.

Q: If someone has the flu or a cold and coughs into his hand, and then he touches a doorknob, how long can those germs live on that doorknob?

A: The length of time that cold or flu germs can survive outside the body on an environmental surface, such as a doorknob, varies greatly. But the suspected range is from a few seconds to 48 hours — depending on the specific virus and the type of surface.

Flu viruses tend to live longer on surfaces than cold viruses do. Also, it’s generally believed that cold and flu viruses live longer on nonporous surfaces — such as plastic, metal or wood — than they do on porous surfaces — such as fabrics, skin or paper.

Although cold and flu viruses primarily spread from person-to-person contact, you can also become infected from contact with contaminated surfaces. The best way to avoid becoming infected with a cold or flu is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water or with an alcohol-based sanitizer.

Definition

Swine flu refers to a respiratory infection caused by influenza A viruses that ordinarily cause illness in pigs. Humans can catch swine flu from infected pigs, but pig-to-human transmission is unusual. Human-to-human transmission of true swine flu is also possible but infrequent.

The recent outbreak of what is being called swine flu involves a new H1N1 type A influenza strain that’s a genetic combination of swine, avian and human influenza viruses. It’s capable of spreading from human to human.

In June 2009, based on its wide spread to many nations, the World Health Organization declared the swine flu outbreak a global pandemic.

This new swine flu strain is being called by a number of names, including: swine-origin influenza A, swine influenza A (H1N1), influenza A/California/H1N1, swine origin influenza virus, North American flu and influenza A (H1N1).

The best approach you can take is to try to avoid infection. If you do develop symptoms of swine flu, seek prompt medical attention so that you have the best chance of antiviral drugs providing you with successful treatment.

Symptoms

The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to those of infection with other flu strains.

Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Body aches
Headache
Chills
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Symptoms develop three to five days after you’re exposed to the virus and continue for about another week. You can pass the virus to other people for about eight days, starting one day before you get sick and continuing until you’ve recovered.

When to see a doctor
See your doctor immediately if you develop flu symptoms, such as fever, cough and body aches, and you have recently traveled to an area where H1N1 swine flu has been reported. Be sure to let your doctor know when and where you traveled.

Also see your doctor if you develop respiratory symptoms after you’ve been in close contact with someone who may have been exposed to H1N1 swine flu.

Doctors have rapid tests to identify the flu virus, but there is no rapid test to differentiate swine influenza A H1N1 from other influenza A subtypes.

Causes

Influenza viruses infect the cells lining your nose, throat and lungs. You can be exposed to swine flu virus if you have contact with infected pigs. The virus enters your body when you inhale contaminated droplets or transfer live virus from a contaminated surface to your eyes, nose or mouth on your hand.

Risk factors

Swine farmers and veterinarians have the highest swine flu risk because of their exposure to pigs.

If you’ve traveled to an affected area, you may have been exposed to human swine influenza A H1N1, particularly if you spent time in large crowds.

Complications

Influenza complications include:

Worsening of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma
Pneumonia
Respiratory failure

Severe complications of human swine flu H1N1 seem to develop and progress rapidly.

Treatments and drugs

Most cases of flu, including human swine flu, need no treatment other than symptom relief. If you have a chronic respiratory disease, your doctor may prescribe additional medication to decrease inflammation, open your airways and help clear lung secretions.

Antiviral drugs can reduce the severity of symptoms. There are two classes of antiviral medication used to reduce symptoms and duration of the flu — adamantane antivirals and neuraminidase inhibitors — but flu viruses can develop resistance to them.

Human swine flu H1N1 is sensitive to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), both of which are neuraminidase inhibitors. It’s important to start treatment as soon as possible after you become ill. These antiviral medications are most effective if treatment begins within 48 hours of developing symptoms.
Lifestyle and home remedies

If you come down with any type of flu, these measures may help ease your symptoms:

Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration. Drink enough so that your urine is clear or pale yellow.
Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection.
Consider pain relievers. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) cautiously, as needed. Remember, pain relievers may make you more comfortable, but they won’t make your symptoms go away any faster and may have side effects. Ibuprofen may cause stomach pain, bleeding and ulcers. If taken for a long period or in higher than recommended doses, acetaminophen can be toxic to your liver. Talk to your doctor before giving acetaminophen to children. And don’t give aspirin to children or teens because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease.

Prevention

These measures may help prevent flu:

Stay home if you’re sick. If you do have swine flu, you can give it to others starting about 24 hours before you develop symptoms and ending about seven days later.
Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Use soap and water, or if they’re unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Flu viruses can survive for two hours or longer on surfaces, such as doorknobs and countertops.
Avoid contact. Stay away from crowds if possible.
Reduce exposure within your household. If a member of your household has swine flu, designate one other household member to be responsible for the ill person’s close personal care.

In the U.S., on April 27, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Emergency Use Authorizations to make available Relenza and Tamiflu antiviral drugs to treat the swine influenza virus in cases for which they are currently unapproved. The agency issued these EUAs to allow treatment of patients younger than the current approval allows and to allow the widespread distribution of the drugs, including by non-licensed volunteers.

Vitamin A is found in food from animal sources and it is also produced synthetically. Vitamin A is important for the eyes and skin, and for normal growth.

Vitamin A is used to treat vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin A may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take vitamin A?

Before taking vitamin A, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have any other medical conditions, allergies, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements.

 Do not take a vitamin A supplement without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Although some vitamin A is necessary for the normal development of a baby, doses in excess of the U.S. recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 5,000 USP units per day may cause birth defects.
 Do not take a vitamin A supplement without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take vitamin A?

Take vitamin A exactly as directed by your doctor or as directed on the package. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

 Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Measure the liquid forms of vitamin A with the dropper provided.

 Do not take more vitamin A than is prescribed for you or than is recommended on the package. Too much vitamin A can be dangerous.
 Store vitamin A at room temperature away from light, moisture, and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of vitamin A.

What happens if I overdose?
 Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a vitamin A overdose include tiredness, discomfort, lethargy, upset stomach, decreased appetite, vomiting, slow or decreased growth, joint soreness, irritability, headache, drying and cracking of the lips and skin, hair loss, and yellowing of the skin.

What should I avoid while taking vitamin A?
 Avoid prolonged use of mineral oil while taking vitamin A.

There are no other restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while you are taking vitamin A unless otherwise directed by your health care provider.

What are the possible side effects of vitamin A?
 Stop taking vitamin A and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

Other, less serious side effects may occur with large doses or prolonged use of vitamin A. Notify your doctor if you experience

tiredness;
nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;
irritability;
headache;
dryness or cracking of the lips or skin; or
hair loss.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect vitamin A?

Before taking vitamin A, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

oral birth control pills,
cholestyramine (Questran), or
mineral oil.
You may not be able to take vitamin A, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with vitamin A. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines or herbal/health supplements.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider may have more information about vitamin A.

Crotamiton is available as a lotion or cream.

Crotamiton can kill the  scabies mite and also may relieve itching.

The medicine will come with instructions, and your doctor will also give you a treatment schedule. The National Institutes of Health recommends the following:

• If you take a bath or shower before using this medicine, dry the skin well before applying crotamiton.
• Apply enough medicine to cover the entire skin surface from the chin down, and rub in well. This applies especially to folds and creases in the skin and to the hands and feet (including the soles), between fingers and toes, and in moist areas (such as underarms and groin).
• Do not wash off the first coat of this medicine.
• Apply a second coat of this medicine 24 hours after the first one.
• The next day, put on freshly washed or dry-cleaned clothing and change bedding in order to prevent reinfection.
• Then, 48 hours after the second application of this medicine, take a cleansing bath to remove the medicine.
• Your sexual partners, especially, and all members of your household may need to be treated also, since the infection may spread to persons in close contact with you. If these persons are not being treated or if you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

National Institutes of Health information available online: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202170.html.

Why It Is Used

Crotamiton is used to kill scabies mites and their eggs. It is less commonly used to treat scabies than are other available medications. Permethrin is the treatment of choice.¹

How Well It Works

A medication to treat a scabies infestation is successful when it kills all scabies mites and eggs. Crotamiton frequently fails to cure scabies.¹ For this reason, permethrin or other medication is usually preferred.

Side Effects

Crotamiton’s side effects have not been well studied. Skin irritation is sometimes reported as a side effect.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Crotamiton generally is not used to treat scabies.

It is common for itching to continue for up to several weeks after using a scabies medication. This does not mean that the scabies mites are still alive; it means that the body is still reacting to the mites and their feces. Unless your health professional recommends it, do not apply scabies medications more than once. Overuse of scabies medications (such as reapplying the cream when only a single use is prescribed) can irritate the skin and may make itching worse.

Teens may try a number of substances, including cigarettes, alcohol, household chemicals (inhalants), prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and illegal drugs. Marijuana is the illegal drug that teens use most often.

Why do teens abuse drugs and alcohol?
Teens use alcohol and other drugs for many reasons. They may do it because they want to fit in with friends or certain groups. They may also take a drug or drink alcohol because they like the way it makes them feel. Or they may believe that it makes them more grown up. Teens tend to try new things and take risks, and they may take drugs or drink alcohol because it seems exciting.

Teens with family members who have problems with alcohol or other drugs are more likely to have serious substance abuse problems. Also, teens who feel that they are not connected to or valued by their parents are at greater risk. Teens with poor self-esteem or emotional or mental health problems, such as depression, also are at increased risk.

What problems can teen substance abuse cause?
Substance abuse can lead to serious problems such as poor schoolwork, loss of friends, problems at home, and lasting legal problems. Alcohol and drug abuse is a leading cause of teen death or injury related to car accidents, suicides, violence, and drowning. Substance abuse can increase the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV, because of unprotected sex.

Even casual use of certain drugs can cause severe medical problems, such as an overdose or brain damage. Many illegal drugs today are made in home labs, so they can vary greatly in strength. These drugs also may contain bacteria, dangerous chemicals, and other unsafe substances.

What are the signs of substance abuse?
It’s important to be aware of the signs that your teen may be abusing alcohol, drugs, or other substances. Some of the signs include:

Red eyes and health complaints, such as being overly tired. If your teen often uses over-the-counter eyedrops, he or she may be trying to cover up red eyes caused by smoking marijuana.
Less interest in school, a drop in grades, and skipping classes or school altogether.
New friends who have little interest in their families or school activities.
Chemical-soaked rags or papers, which may mean that your teen is inhaling vapors. Another sign of using inhalants is paint or other stains on your teen’s clothing, hands, or face.
What should you do if you find out that your teen is using alcohol, tobacco, or drugs?
If your teen is using alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, take it seriously. One of the most important things you can do is to talk openly with your teen about the problem. Urge him or her to do the same. Try not to use harsh, judging words. Be as supportive as you can during this time. In most cases, a hostile, angry face-to-face meeting pushes your teen away from the family. If you do not know what to do or if you feel uncomfortable, ask for help from a pediatrician, psychologist, or a psychiatrist.

The type of treatment your teen needs depends on the level of substance abuse. For example, if a teen has tried drugs or alcohol only a few times, talking openly about the problem may be all that you need to do to help your teen stop his or her substance use. But if a teen has a substance abuse problem, then he or she needs to be seen by a doctor and/or by a counselor. If your teen is addicted to a drug or alcohol, he or she may need to have detoxification treatment or a treatment that replaces the substance with medicine. Medicine works best if it is combined with one-on-one or family counseling, or both.

Returning to substance abuse, called relapse, is common after treatment. It is not a failure on the part of your teen or the treatment program. Recovery from addiction is hard and takes time. Know that there may be setbacks that your teen will need to overcome one step at a time.

Can teen substance use and abuse be prevented?
Talking openly and honestly with your teen and keeping a healthy home life may prevent your teen from trying alcohol and drugs.

You can help prevent substance use by using these tips:

Talk to your child early about what you expect in his or her behavior toward alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. If your teen thinks that you will allow substance use, he or she is more likely to try drugs or alcohol.
Keep your teen busy with meaningful activities, such as sports, church programs, or other groups.
Expect your teen to follow the household rules. Set reasonable penalties for bad behavior, and consistently carry them out.
Keep talking with your teen. Praise your teen for even the little things he or she does well.
Know your child’s friends. Having friends who avoid cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs may be your teen’s best protection from substance abuse.

Pronunciation: BEN zoyl per OX ide
Brand: Acne Treatment, Acne-Clear, Benzac AC, Benzac W, Benzagel-5, Benzashave 10, Benzashave 5, Benziq, Benziq LS, Benziq Wash, Brevoxyl, Brevoxyl Acne Wash Kit, Brevoxyl Creamy Wash, Clearplex, Clearskin, Clinac BPO, Desquam-E, Desquam-X 10, Desquam-X 5, Desquam-X Wash, Ethexderm, Fostex Bar 10%, Fostex Gel 10%, Fostex Wash 10%, Inova, Lavoclen-4, Lavoclen-4 Creamy Wash, Lavoclen-8, Lavoclen-8 Creamy Wash, Loroxide, NeoBenz Micro, NeoBenz Micro SD, Neutrogena Acne Mask, Neutrogena On Spot Acne Treatment, Oscion, Oscion Cleanser, Oxy 10 Balance, Oxy Balance, Oxy Daily Wash Chill Factor, Oxy-10, Panoxyl 10, Panoxyl 5, Panoxyl Aqua Gel, PanOxyl Maximum Strength Foaming Acne Wash, Persa-Gel, Seba-Gel, Triaz, Triaz Cleanser, Zaclir
What is the most important information I should know about benzoyl peroxide topical?
 Do not use benzoyl peroxide topical while you are also using tretinoin (Altinac, Avita, Renova, Retin-A, Tretin-X). Using these medications together could cause severe skin irritation.

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

 Avoid getting this medication in your mouth or eyes. If it does get into any of these areas, rinse with water. Do not use benzoyl peroxide topical on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin. Also avoid using benzoyl peroxide topical on wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have healed before using this medication.

Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps, shampoos, or skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime. Do not use other medicated skin products unless your doctor has told you to.

Benzoyl peroxide may bleach hair or fabrics. Avoid allowing this medication to come into contact with your hair or clothing.

 It may take several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
What is benzoyl peroxide topical?

Benzoyl peroxide has an antibacterial effect. It also has a mild drying effect, which allows excess oils and dirt to be easily washed away from the skin.

Benzoyl peroxide topical is used to treat acne.

Benzoyl peroxide topical may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using benzoyl peroxide topical?
 Do not use benzoyl peroxide topical while you are also using tretinoin (Altinac, Avita, Renova, Retin-A, Tretin-X). Using these medications together could cause severe skin irritation.
 FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
 It is not known whether benzoyl peroxide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use benzoyl peroxide topical?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

 Wash your hands before and after applying this medication.
 Shake the lotion well just before each use.

Clean and pat dry the skin to be treated. Apply benzoyl peroxide in a thin layer and rub in gently.

 Do not cover the treated skin area unless your doctor has told you to.

Benzoyl peroxide topical is usually applied one to three times daily. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Benzoyl peroxide may bleach hair or fabrics. Avoid allowing this medication to come into contact with your hair or clothing.

 It may take several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
 Store benzoyl peroxide topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to apply the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?
 Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. 

An overdose of benzoyl peroxide applied to the skin is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while using benzoyl peroxide topical?
 Avoid getting this medication in your mouth or eyes. If it does get into any of these areas, rinse with water. Do not use benzoyl peroxide topical on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin. Also avoid using benzoyl peroxide topical on wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have healed before using this medication.

Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps, shampoos, or skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime. Do not use other medicated skin products unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid using sunscreen containing PABA on the same skin treated with benzoyl peroxide, or skin discoloration may occur.

What are the possible side effects of benzoyl peroxide topical?
 Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
 Stop using benzoyl peroxide and call your doctor at once if you have severe stinging or burning of your skin.

Less serious side effects may include:

mild burning or stinging;
itching or tingly feeling;
dryness or peeling of treated skin; or
redness or other irritation.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect benzoyl peroxide topical?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied benzoyl peroxide. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about benzoyl peroxide topical.

Lee had denied his requests, but feared that he’d been able to secure the drug—which must be administered intravenously—from someone else. According to Lee, someone from Jackson’s staff called her on Sunday, June 21 in a state of panic, relaying symptoms that indicated his nervous system had been impacted in some way. She recalls that he was complaining that one side of his body was very hot and the other very cold. She advised him to go to the hospital.

Four days later, Michael Jackson died. Of course, the cause of death can only be determined by the toxicology report and autopsy findings, still to come.

The drug Diprivan (propofol) reduces anxiety and promotes sleep and is typically used to relax patients before and after surgery.  After injection, the patient falls asleep very quickly. According to the FDA, heart function, blood pressure, and breathing should be monitored when someone is under the effects of this drug.

Risks associated with this drug include weak or shallow breathing and/or fast or slow heart rate.  The dosage recommendations on this drug are critical. In a 2008 study conducted by researchers at The Mayo Clinic, propofol was tied to cardiac arrest in patients along with prolonged seizures.  The Mayo Clinic also reported that propofol toxicity can occur even with brief exposure to the drug.

According to Howard LeWine, M.D., of Harvard Medical School and Medical Advisor to MSN Health, “The drug is only available in injectable form and in the hospital is used intravenously with very close monitoring before a procedure or surgery. It is used by anesthesiologists – the only [medical providers] I believe should be using the drug.” He adds, “As an internist, I have never used it. And have never seen any of my internal medicine colleagues use it.”

Whether Jackson’s death is tied to this drug remains to be seen. If he was experiencing difficulties sleeping, he’s like many Americans who seem to be overwhelmed, stressed, and tired. As a population, our need for medical intervention for these symptoms is on the rise. Prescriptions used to treat anxiety, tension, and insomnia increased by nearly 50 percent from 2003 to 2004.

Statins
Brand Name: Lipitor
Generic Name: atorvastatin
Brand Name: Lescol, Lescol XL
Generic Name: fluvastatin
Brand Name: Altoprev, Mevacor
Generic Name: lovastatin
Brand Name: Altocor
Generic Name: lovastatin, extended-release
Brand Name: Pravachol
Generic Name: pravastatin
Brand Name: Crestor
Generic Name: rosuvastatin
Brand Name: Zocor
Generic Name: simvastatin
Statin combinations
Brand Name: Caduet
Generic Name: atorvastatin and amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker for high blood pressure
Brand Name: Advicor
Generic Name: lovastatin and extended-release niacin
Brand Name: Vytorin
Generic Name: simvastatin and ezetimibe, a cholesterol absorption inhibitor

How It Works

Statins block an enzyme the body needs to produce cholesterol. As a result, LDL (”bad”) cholesterol levels in the blood go down, thereby lowering total blood cholesterol levels.

Statins may be taken alone or taken with other cholesterol medicines such as fibric acid derivatives, bile acid sequestrants, or nicotinic acid. Statins may also be combined with other types of medicines into one drug. For example, Vytorin is a combination medicine that lowers cholesterol in two ways: with a statin, which blocks the production of cholesterol in the liver; and with ezetimibe, which reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the intestines.

Why It Is Used

Statins are used to lower LDL cholesterol. Statins have been shown to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in people who are at high risk of a heart attack or stroke.1

How Well It Works

Studies show that statins lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in people who have taken these medicines to lower their cholesterol.

Studies show that intensive cholesterol-lowering therapy decreases the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD), compared with standard treatment.2, 3 In the PROVE IT study, people who recently had episodes of unstable angina or heart attacks received higher-than-standard doses of cholesterol-lowering drugs and had fewer subsequent heart attacks and strokes, and there were fewer deaths. This large study suggests that intensive statin therapy could save lives. The U.S. National Cholesterol Education Panel guidelines include more intensive treatment with statins as an option for people who are at moderate to high risk of heart attack.4
A review of large clinical studies showed that statins may lower the risk of stroke in people who are at high risk of a heart attack or stroke.1
LDL can be reduced by 18% to 55%.5 The newer, more potent statins can reduce LDL levels even further. These statins include atorvastatin (Caduet, Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor).
HDL can be increased by 5% to 15%.5
Triglycerides can be reduced by 7% to 30%.5 The newer, more potent statins may lower triglyceride levels even more.
Two studies show that intensive statin treatment also lowers levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biochemical marker associated with an increased risk of CAD and heart attack. Lowering CRP along with LDL significantly reduces heart attack and death in those who have had a previous heart attack or unstable angina.6, 7
Side Effects

Most people do not have side effects with statins. But possible side effects include:

Fatigue.
Upset stomach.
Gas.
Constipation.
Stomach pain or cramps.
Minor muscle aches (not severe pain).
Severe muscle pain (not common). Severe muscle pain can be a sign of a very serious side effect. Immediately report to your doctor any severe muscle pain, weakness, or brown urine. Your doctor may want to do a blood test. Muscle pain or weakness can be a sign of a severe muscle reaction (rhabdomyolysis) and should be evaluated by your doctor.
Slight rise in liver enzymes called transaminases. Most of the time you do not need to stop taking the statin, unless the enzymes rise 3 or more times their normal levels. Regular blood tests are needed to check liver function while taking statins.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

These drugs do not cause side effects for most people who take them.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about drinking grapefruit juice while you are taking a statin medicine. Grapefruit juice can increase the level of these medicines in your blood. Having too much medicine in your blood increases your chances of having serious side effects.8

Studies are focusing on combinations of statins and other medicines, such as nicotinic acids or fibric acid derivatives. These combination medicines are useful for lowering LDL and triglyceride levels. Statin and nicotinic acid combinations, such as the combination drug with niacin and lovastatin (Advicor), may also raise beneficial HDL levels in people who are at risk for CAD because of low HDL.9, 10

Some medicines can cause harm when taken with other medicines. People who are taking combination statin medicines should tell their doctors if they are taking other medicines to treat high cholesterol or triglycerides. Also, tell your doctor if you are taking antibiotics or antifungal drugs.

The side effects of statin medicines are more likely when higher doses are used.

Regular blood tests to check liver function are recommended, but the frequency of testing may decrease over time. People who are taking high doses of statins, though, should be checked more frequently. People who have liver disease should talk to their doctors before taking these medicines.

People who are using statins should not take large amounts of niacin (a vitamin supplement) without telling their doctors.

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding and anyone younger than 18 should not take statins.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking before using any medicine for the first time.