Overdose of medication

Question:

A friend was given an overdose of Lamictal at the same time she was receiving Levaquin. How long does it take for each of these drugs to be eliminated from the body? How long is she likely to suffer from effects of the overdose? Thank you very much.

Answer:

The lamotrigine (Lamictal) will take about 5 days to clear from the body. The levofloxacin (Levaquin) will take about 2 days. The speed at which she recovers from symptoms of the overdose will depend on how much she received and which effects she is experiencing.

Caffeine as medication?

Question:

Dear Pharmacist,

In the content of some pain killer like anti-migrain, coffein is one of the ingredient. Is Caffein in the drug the same as the one from coffee? If so, can we drink coffee for relieving pain?

Answer:

Caffeine is the same whether it is in an anti-migraine medication, or in a cup of coffee or tea. The amount of caffeine is different, though. Typical over-the-counter migraine medications contain about 65 mg of caffeine. The typical cup of coffee contains 60-200 mg of caffeine.

Taking medication together

Question:

Can amitriptyline am and Temazepam pm be taken together. if so are there side affects.

Answer:

Thank you for visiting NetWellness. It sounds as though you are taking amitriptyline once a day in the morning and temazepam once a day in the evening and are wondering if you could take both pills together in the evening.

Amitriptyline was developed as an antidepressant, but is used for many different things including pain, anxiety, and sleep. Temazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines, which are used for anxiety and sleep. Temazepam specifically is used to help people who are having trouble sleeping.

Understanding Medication Errors One Way To Help Improve Quality Of Care

Urologic nurses must possess a basic understanding of how to analyze and report medication errors. In the December 2008 issue of Urologic Nursing, Rodney W. Hicks, Shawn Coniff Becker and Dorothy Greene Jackson discuss tools available for evaluating and reporting medication errors.

The National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCC MERP) Taxonomy of Medication Errors, a comprehensive tool for evaluating medication errors, and several national medication error reporting programs are used to understand why and how medication errors occur, report Hicks and co-authors.

Pain medication

Question:

can dilaudid be mixed with fentynal,percocet and xanax

Answer:

Thank you for contacting Net Wellness. The combination of these medications can be used together; however, they need to be used with a high degree of caution and causes some concern if not used appropriately.

Each of these medications can slow the function of the central nervous system (CNS), which controls breathing, balance, consciousness, and strength. Any combination of two or more of these medications increases the risk of CNS function.

Pradaxa – First New Oral Medication To Stop Blood Clotting In Over 50 Years Launched In Ireland Today

The first new oral medication to stop blood  clotting  since  the  launch of warfarin in the early 1950s has been launched  today.   Pradaxa*  (dabigatran  etexilate)  is the first of a new class  of  oral  anticoagulants  – a direct thrombin inhibitor – to be made available  in  Ireland  by  Boehringer Ingelheim.  One of the most commonly used  anti-clotting agents in this patient group currently is low molecular weight  heparin (LMWH), which must be administered – often by the patient – as  an  injection.   As  Pradaxa*  is  given  as an oral dose it avoids the patient  having  to  get an injection and can be taken conveniently both in and  out  of  the  hospital  setting. In addition Pradaxa* does not require coagulation  monitoring**,  so  a  patient  does not have to go for regular blood  tests  to  determine  that  the  clotting tendency of their blood is within the appropriate limits.

Any medication interaction problems?

Question:

I am on metoprolol 75mg BID, hydrochlorathiazide 25mg Daily, claritin 10mg daily, flonase 2 sprays daily, patanol 2 drops each eye daily, I also take advil cold and sinus about 4 times a week, motrin at times, vicodin at times, and am wanting to start back on Paxil CR 12.5mg daily. Will there be any problems I may encounter with this mixture? Thank you for your time.

Answer:

After reviewing this entire medication list, a few moderate drug interactions were found. These interactions may not be noticed immediately after starting a new medication, but may be more noticeable with time.

Any medication interaction problems?

Question:

I am on metoprolol 75mg BID, hydrochlorathiazide 25mg Daily, claritin 10mg daily, flonase 2 sprays daily, patanol 2 drops each eye daily, I also take advil cold and sinus about 4 times a week, motrin at times, vicodin at times, and am wanting to start back on Paxil CR 12.5mg daily. Will there be any problems I may encounter with this mixture? Thank you for your time.

Answer:

After reviewing this entire medication list, a few moderate drug interactions were found. These interactions may not be noticed immediately after starting a new medication, but may be more noticeable with time.

Medication mixing

Question:

I`m going through a divorce and just cannot deal with my emotions any longer. I was wondering if taking valium with cymbalta will help me sleep, calm my nerves and help me chill during the day or will it cause bad reactions?? I really need to know pretty soon… Signed, Losing It!

Answer:

Dear Losing It,

Obviously, you are going through a difficult time with your pending divorce. Medications can play a role depending on exactly how all of this is affecting you.

Medication mixing

Question:

I`m going through a divorce and just cannot deal with my emotions any longer. I was wondering if taking valium with cymbalta will help me sleep, calm my nerves and help me chill during the day or will it cause bad reactions?? I really need to know pretty soon… Signed, Losing It!

Answer:

Dear Losing It,

Obviously, you are going through a difficult time with your pending divorce. Medications can play a role depending on exactly how all of this is affecting you.