Posts Tagged ‘cardiac damage’

dornase alfa A recombinant form of human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase) used in cystic fibrosis. The viscous purulent airways secretion of that disease is due to the presence of large amounts of extra-cellular DNA from degenerating leucocytes. Dornase alfa breaks down the DNA and reduces the sputum viscosity. Dose: 2500 units daily by inhalation from it jet nebulizer. Daily treatment is necessary to maintain the response. (Ptilillozvme).
dorzolamide An inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase that reduces the amount of sodium bicarbonate in the aqueous humour of the eye. It is used as eye drops (2%) 2 or 3 times a day as adjunctive therapy in ocular hypertension when beta-blockers are unsuitable or ineffective. (Trusopt). See page 138 and Table 16.
dothiepin (dosulepin) A tricyclic antidepressant with the uses and side-effects of antitriptyline. It is used in the treatment of depression when a sedative action is also indicated.
Dose: 75-150 mg daily. It may also be given as a single nightly dose to reduce daytime drowsiness. (Prothiaden). See page 128 and Table 11.
doxapram A respiratory stimulant useful in postoperative respiratory failure under expert control.
Dose: by i.v. injection 1-1.5 nig1kg according to need. It is also given by i.v. infusion in doses controlled by arterial food gas studies. Side-effects include hypertension, Ypertension, bronchospasin and tachycardia. (Dopram).
doxepin An antidepressant with the actions, uses and side-effects of dothiepin.
Dose: 30–300 nig daily; a single dose of I Ito mg is sometimes given at night. (Sinequan). See page 128 and Table 11.
doxorubicin A cytotoxic antibiotic widely used in leukaemia, lymphosarcoma, breast and lung cancer.
Dose: by fast i.v. infusion 60-75 nigIm’ at intervals of 3 weeks, or 20-25 mg/m’ daily for 3 days. It is also used by bladder installation (50 mg in 50 nil of saline solution) for superficial bladder tumours. Side-effects include bone marrow depression, cardiac damage, alopecia, buccal ulceration and nausea. Doxorubicin is it skin irritant, and should he handled with care. See page 122 and Table 8.
doxycycline A long-acting tetracycline. Dose: 200 mg initially, followed by 100 ing its a single daily (lose. In acne, a dose of 50 mg daily is given for some weeks. It should be taken with adequate fluid, with the patient in a sitting or standing position. (Nordox; Vibramycin).
droperidol A tranquillizer with unusual properties. It is given in severe psychotic conditions such as mania, in drug-induced nausea and vomiting and for preoperative sedation. It is also given with fentanyl to produce a state of detachment (neuroleptanalgesia).
Dose: 20-120 ing daily; 5-10 ing by injection; in cancer therapy induced vomiting (loses of 1-3 nig/hr have been given by continuous i.v. infusion. Side-effects are those of chlorpromazine and haloperidol. (Droleptan).
doxazocin An alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent of the prazosin type, but with a longer action that permits a single daily dose.
Dose: in hypertension I mg initially, slowly increased after 7-14 days to 2 mg daily, up to a daily maximum of 16 ing, usually in association with other amihypertensive drugs. It is also used in Iliesymptcunitic treatment ofbenign prostatic . P
hy erplasia. Side-effects are
dydrogesterone An orally active progestogen that is virtually free from
any oestrogenic or androgenic side-effects. It is used in amenorrhoea, endometriosis, functional uterine bleeding, and threatened abortion.
Dose: 10-30 mg daily. (Ouphastort).

econazole An antifungal agent similar in actions and uses to clotrimazole. (Ecostatin; Pcvaryl).
ecothiopate A potent and long-acting iniotic that has been used in glaucoma as eye drops of 0.03-0.25%. It may cause cataract; its availability is strictly limited.
edrophonium A very short-acting drug of the neostigniine type. It is used in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis.
Dose: 2-10 nig by i.v. injection, which causes a marked but transient increase in muscle power if myasthenia gravis is present.
eformoterol A selective P2 stimulant (agonist) with a rapid initial action, used as supplementary treatment in patients receiving other bronchodilator therapy for reversible airway obstruction.
Dose: by inhalation: 12µg twice daily, doubled if necessary. (.are is necessary in ischaernic heart disease and diabetes. Not to be used for acute attacks. (Foradil). Sec page 118 and Table 6.
enalapril An ACE inhibitor used in the treatment of all types of hypertension, and in congestic heart failure, often together with a diuretic.
Dose: i ing daily initially, increase(] as required up to 40 mg daily, and often given as a single dose. Dizziness, hypotension and loss of taste are some side-effects. ! I imov.i, :. See page 148 and Table 21.
enflurane An inhalation anaesthetic with the actions and uses of halothane, but less potent.
epoetin alfa and beta Recombinant fornis of human erythropoietin. (Eprex; Recormon). See erythropoietin.
epoprostenol A prostaglandin present in the walls of blood vessels that inhibits platelet aggregation. It is used to prevent platelet aggregation during cardiopulmonary bypass and charcoal haemoperfusion, and as an alternative to heparin in renal dialysis.
Dose: 10-20 ng1kShnin by continuous i.v. infusion. Smaller doses in renal dialysis. It is also a vasodilator, and side-effects are flushing and hypotension. (Flolan).
enoxaparin A low-molecular weight and longer acting form of heparin. It has the general properties of heparin, but with less effect on blood platelet activity. It is used in the prevention of venous thrombosis. Dose: 20 mg by sx. injection once daily ( I hour before surgery) for 7-10 days. (Clexane). See certoparin, dalteparin and tinzaparin.
enoximone An inhibitor of the enzyme phosphodiesterase. It has a digoxin-like action on the myocardium and is used in
eptacog alfa See Factor VIIa.
ergocalciferol See calciferol.
ergometrine The principal alkaloid of ergot. It promotes uterine contraction and is used for the rapid control of postpartum haemorrhage. Dangerous in the early stages of labour.
Dose: 05-1 nig orally; or 200-500 jig by injection. It is often used together with oxycytocin as Syntometrine. Side-effects are nausea and transient hypertension.

ergot A fungus that develops in rye and replaces the normal grain. The active principles include ergometrine and ergotamine. Chronic toxic effects characterized by gangrene of the extremities have followed the use of ergot-contaminated rye bread.
ergotamine Air alkaloid of ergot that constricts the cranial arteries, and is used solely for the relief of migraine not responding to analgesic therapy. Early treatment evokes the best response.
Dose: 2 mg initially up to 6 ing during an attack, not to be repeated until after an interval of some days.”I oral dose in I week: 10– 12 mg. It is also given by oral inhalation in doses of 360pg ( I puff), repeated after 5 minutes, up to a maximum of 6 puffs daily. Side-effects include headache and nausea, and the drug should be withdrawn if tingling of the extremities occurs.
trot suitable for prophylaxis because of the risks of toxicity. (Lingriine). Sec page 154
erythromycin Air antibiotic, resembling penicillin in its general range of activity, with the advantage of being active orally. It is useful in streptococcal and respiratory infections and in penicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections. Erythromycin is also of value in penicillin-sensitive patients. It is also given as a prophylactic before dental surgery. Dose: up to 4 g daily; in severe infections it may lie given by slow i.v. infusion in closes of 50 mg/kg daily. Side-effects include nausea and vomiting, and diarrhoea may occur after high doses. Gore is necessary in hepatic impairment. Preparations of erythromycin estolate are contraindicated in liver disease. Erythromycin may potentiate the action of warfarin. It should not be given with aslenii/.ole or terfenadine.
erythropoietin (epoetin) A renal hormone that regulates blood cell production in the bone marrow. Patients with renal failure maintained by haemodialysis do not
produce epoetin, and so become anaemic. A recombinant form of erythropoietin is available for replacement therapy.
Dose: 20-50 units/kg 3 times a week by s.c. or i.v. injection under haematological control. Side-effects include headache and hypertension, but a sudden migraine-like pain may indicate air impending hypertensive crisis. (Eprex; Itecormon).
eserine See physotiginine.
esmolol A very short-acting betaadrenoceptor blocker used in the emergency treatment of supra-ventricular arrhythmias, tachycardia and perioperative hypertension.
Dose: by i.v. infusion 50-200pg/kg/rniri under close control. (Brevibloc).
estramustine A compound of oestradiol and inustine, designed to release mustinc at oestrogen-receptor sites. It has a more localized action and so causes less myelodepression. It is used mainly in prostatic carcinoma, especially when resistant to other therapy.
Dose: 0.56-1.4 g daily. It should not be taken with food or milk products. Side-effects include gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea and gynaccomastia. (Fstracyt). See page 122 and Table 8.
ethacrynic acid A loop diuretic with a rapid and intense action used mainly in oliguria due to renal failure.
Dose: 50 ing daily initially, increased as required up to a maximum of400rng daily or on alternate days. Ethacrynic acid is also given by slow i.v. iniection in doses of 50-100 mg in acute or refractory conditions. Side-effects include nausea, diarrhoea and deafness. Some hypotension may occur initially. (Edecrin).
ethambutol An antitubercular drug.
Dose: 15 mg/kg daily, together with i i lo i i ipic in or isoniazid. Lower doses should be given in renal damage. It may cause visual disturbances with loss of acuity, but recovery is usually complete on withdrawal of the drug. (Myarnbutol). See page 170 and Table 31.
ethamsylate A haemostatic used in the prophylaxis and treatment of periventricular haemorrhage in low birth-weight infants.
Dose: 12.5 mg/kg by injection 6-hourly within 2 hours of birth and continued for 4 days. It is also used orally in menorrhagia. Dose: 2g daily. (Dicynene).
ethanolamine oleate A sclerosing agent used for varicose veins and bleeding oesophageal varices.
Dose: by local i.v. injection, 2-5 nil.
ether A colourless inflammable liquid, once widely used as a general anaesthetic but now replaced by halothane.