LESSON 2-3

• Top 4 medications prescribed around the Philippines: Antibiotics, Metformin, Albuterol, Antihistamines
• Oploids - used to relieve pain, such as Vicodin, OxyContin, or codeine
• Depressants - used to relieve anxiety or help a person sleep, such as Valium or Xanax
• Stimulants - used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) such as Adderall and Ritalin
• Antibiotics - Common side effects:

  diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, yeast infections, and black or hairy tongue. If you develop allergy symptoms such as rash, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing after taking antibiotics, seek medical help right away.
• Metformin - Warnings: should not be taken if you have severe kidney disease, metabolic acidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis. Though extremely rare, you may develop LACTIC ACIDOSIS, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Get emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.
• Metformin - Common side effects: low blood sugar, nausea, upset stomach or diarrhea allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat lactic acidosis: unusual muscle pain; feeling cold; trouble breathing; feeling dizzy, light-headed, tired, or very weak; stomach pain, vomiting; or slow or irregular heart rate
• Albuterol - It is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs. It is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm, or narrowing of the airways in the lungs, in people with asthma or certain types of COPD.
• Albuterol - overdose can be fatal
• Albuterol - Common side effects:  chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats; upset stomach, vomiting; dizziness; painful urination; feeling shaky or nervous; headache, back pain, body aches; or cough, sore throat, sinus pain, runny or stuffy nose.
• Antihistamines - They block histamine release from histamine-1 receptors and are mostly used to treat allergies or cold and flu symptoms, although some first-generation may be used for  nausea or motion sickness.
• Some Commonly Prescribed Drugs in the Philippines:

  1.VICODIN (HYDROCODONE/ACETAMINOPHEN)

  2.SIMVASTATIN (ZOCOR)

  3.LISINOPRIL (PRINIVIL OR ZESTRIL)

  4.LEVOTHYROXINE ( thyroid hormone)

  5.AZITHROMYCIN (ZITHROMAX)

  6.METFORMIN (GLUCOPHAGE)

  7.LIPITOR (ATORVASTATIN)

  8.AMLODIPINE (NORVASC)

  9.AMOXICILLIN

  10.HYDROCHLOROTHIAZID (diuretic (water pill)
• Vicodin - is a popular drug for treating acute or chronic moderate to moderately severe pain.
• Vicodin - Its most common side effects are lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, and vomiting
• Vicodin - can reduce breathing, impair thinking, reduce physical abilities, and is habit forming
• Simvastatin - Its most common side effects are headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and muscle pain
• Simvastatin - it can cause muscle breakdown
• Lisinopril (Prinivil or Zestril) - side effects include dizziness, nausea, headaches, drowsiness, and sexual dysfunction
• Levothyroxine (synthroid) - A man-made thyroid hormone for treating hypothyroidism
• Levothyroxine (synthroid) - side effects (from high levels of thyroid hormone): chest pain, increased heart rate, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, nervousness, headache, and weight loss.
• Azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak) - An antibiotic used for treating ear, throat, and sinus infections as well as pneumonia, bronchitis, and some STDs
• Azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak) - common side effects: loose stools, nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting.
• Azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak) - Rare side effects: abnormal liver tests, allergic reactions, nervousness, and abnormal heart beats
• Metformin (Glucophage) - It is used alone or in combination with other drugs for treating type 2 diabetes in adults and children. 
• Metformin (Glucophage) - The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
• Lipitor (Atorvastatin) - is a "statin" (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) for treating high cholesterol.
• Lipitor (Atorvastatin) - It also prevents chest pain, stroke, heart attack in individuals with CAD.
• Lipitor (Atorvastatin) - minor side effects: constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, gas, heartburn, and headache. it can cause muscle pain and muscle break down.
• Amlodipine (Generic for Norvasc) - It is a calcium channel blocker used for treating high blood pressure and chest pain.
• Amlodipine (Generic for Norvasc) - most common side effects: headache and swelling of the lower extremities.
• Amlodipine (Generic for Norvasc) - It can also cause dizziness, flushing, fatigue, nausea, and palpitations.
• Amoxicillin - is a penicillin type antibiotic used for treating several types of bacterial infections such as ear, tonsils, throat, larynx, urinary tract, and skin infections.
• Amoxicillin - Its side effects are diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, itching, vomiting, confusion, abdominal pain, rash, and allergic reactions.
• Hydrochlorothiazide = is a diuretic (water pill) used alone or combined with other drugs for treating high blood pressure.
• Hydrochlorothiazide - side effects include weakness, low blood pressure, light sensitivity, impotence, nausea, abdominal pain, electrolyte disturbances, and rash.
• Non-prescribed medicines, on the other hand, are generally formulated to a strength deemed "safe and effective" by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If dosing instructions are followed properly, many non-prescribed medicines can be used together without fear of dangerous interactions or overdoses.
• Most over-the-counter drug formulas are no longer proprietary secrets, so a number of companies can produce aspirin or cough syrup and compete side-by-side on store shelves.
• ACETAMINOPHEN

  Common brand names: Tylenol, Panadol, and Tempra

  It is the most commonly recommended OTC medication for fever. It works well for minor aches and pains, especially for people who cannot tolerate anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin
• Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

  Common brand names: Motrin, Advil, Mefenamic Acid

  It is used to treat inflammation, fever, and pain are available OTC. OTC ibuprofen  is often recommended to decrease pain and inflammation from minor orthopedic injuries.
• DEXTROMETHORPHAN

  Common brand names: (Robitussin, Scot-Tussin, Theraflu, Vicks 44)

  It is an antitussive used to control cough. Antitussives are medicines that suppress coughing. They are thought to work by inhibiting a coordinating region for coughing located in the brain stem, disrupting the cough reflex arc; although the exact mechanism of action is unknown.