Medical brain notes 7

  Steroids : Steroids are used in some important, stubborn and acute diseases of neurology. These medicines are like a double-edged sword, i.e. if they are used in a proper way, in proper dose, for an appropriate period they give excellent results, save life and help in complete recovery from the disease which no other drug may be able to achieve. But if these drugs are taken inappropriately, in wrong doses without a doctor’s supervision for a long time, many serious problems can occur. The worst part is that these drugs have frequently been misused and abused instead of being appropriately used. In fact, steroids are a group of endocrine hormones produced naturally in the adrenal gland with the help of vitamin C, e.g. corticosteroid, mineralo corticoids. Steroids play the major role in regulating the functions of the various glands, organs and systems of the body, development of immunity and fighting against stress. So, it can be comprehended that in the serious diseases occurring...

  Diphenyl Hydantoin In rare cases this medicine can cause a serious allergic reaction, known  as Steven’s Johnson syndrome  which starts with erythema on skin and fever endangering life. The common side-effects of this drug are inflammation of the gums, regression of the beauty and softness of the face, unwanted hair growth, decline in memory, enlarged lymphnodes in the neck, damage to the small brain (cerebellum), or minor problems of the nerves. If the dose is high, the patient experiences double vision and vertigo. Therefore, it is important to monitor the levels of the drug in the blood regularly. This is known as “ Phenytoin Blood Level”. Blood for this test has to be taken on a fixed time just before dose or else it is useless , . If possible pregnant patients are shifted to some other drug, because 0.7% children are born with deformities due to this drug.   (i) Carbamazepine : This medicine can also cause the earlier mentioned rare Steven’s Johnson syndrome, ...

  Side-effects caused by medicines of Parkinsonism : The drugs for this stubborn disease also have to be taken lifetime, -and therefore, it is wise to note the side- effects. (i) T.H.P.H. (Padtane) : This medicine is problematic for patients of more than 65 years of age. It is a known fact that this drug can cause retention of urine, confusion, memory defects etc. Therefore, this medicine is usually given to patients before age of 60 years, who do not have problems of prostrate. (ii)    Levodopa - Carbidopa : This drug famous as Sinemet, Tidomet, Syndopa etc. is the basic drug for Parkinsonism. But the patients with heart trouble need to use this medicine cautiously. While on this medicine, it happens quite often that the patient may try to get up suddenly and fall adown due to sudden drop of blood pressure; this is known as postural hypotension. Long-term use causes abnormal movements of the limbs called dyskinesia, dystonia and chorea. If this happens the medicine has t...

  1. Extensively used medicine is aspirin, which is primarily used lifelong by neurologists in preventing paralysis, thinning of blood, and if used optimally, it is very beneficial. But a few cases of death due to serious allergy have also been recorded. Nausea, vomiting, acidity, are common side-effects and peptic ulcer can also lead to vomiting of blood. Long-term use can cause excessive bleeding and other side effects. So the doctors have to be very cautious. Another medicine to prevent paralysis is Ticlopidine. Usually in 2% to 3 % of cases decrease in blood white cells occurs apart from allergy, stomach upset, diarrhoea etc. In addition to this in some specific cases oral anticoagulant (Warfarin, Acitrom) drugs are also given to prevent coagulation of the blood. In these cases, every 7 to 15 days Prothrombin Time with INR (a blood test) is necessary to determine the extent of the thinning of the blood because if the Prothrombin Time increases over a limit, hemorrhage can occur...