Wednesday, July 29, 2009
JUNE 2009 NLE-PASSER
After four years of hardwork and dedication in the College of Nursing it paid off a lot when i hear about the news that i was one of those successful examinees in the JUNE 6-7 2009 NLE.I was really anxious about it before the results were released I even experienced headache,DOB, palpitations and even stable angina. But when I learned about the news all those symptoms of severe anxiety was gone. I feel so blessed that time, I was in Manila with my friends and I am very thankful with my friend named Ariane she was the one who tried to reach me and ask me about my middle name because she wasn't sure about it, and when i confirmed it to her we both shout and said Thank you Lord God."RN na kami". After that text messages from my family and friends started to fill in my inbox saying congratulations and some words of wisdom and inspirations which i was very touched. I would like to give thanks to my FAMILY and Relatives for thier everlasting support and love for me. My ALMA MATER-UNIVERSITY OF PERPETUAL HELP SYSTEM DALTA-LP CAMPUS and My PRNster FAMILY for the knowledge and wisdom that i got from them most especially from Ms.Karleen and Sir REX Quilla who tried to reach me for the last minute I salute Him, and to my real friends for the continuous care and support.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Leukotriene inhibitors;can cause hallucinations and suicide
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completed a review of possible neuropsychiatric events of leukotriene inhibitors.. They analyzed post-market case reports and reviewed manufacturers' clinical trials. The FDA found a higher rate of suicide, hallucinations, agitation, aggression anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and tremor in leukotriene inhibitors compared to placebo. These effects were not found sooner because the clinical trials done by the manufacturers were not looking for them.
Leukotriene inhibitors are a relatively-safe medication that can help control the underlying allergy symptoms that lead to an asthma attack. Because the inhibit allergy symptoms, rhinorrhea (runny nose) would actually be decreased. Leukotriene inhibitors are metabolized by the liver and have little effect on the metabolism of other drugs, but should be used with caution in patients who have liver disease. They are not metabolized by the kidneys and will not cause acute renal failure. The most common side effect of leukotriene inhibitors is headache, but stomach upset can also occur. This is not significant enough to cause peptic ulcer disease.
The take-home point is that as nurses we need to evaluate our patients who are taking leukotriene inhibitors for neuropsychiatric side effects and report them to the patient's physician promptly. Many patients are depressed, but if that depression is caused by leukotriene inhibitors it can be life threatening, because the patient may become suicidal.
From: FDA Early Communication (2009). Early Communication About an Ongoing Safety Review of Montelukast (Singulair). Accessed June 17, 2009 from http://www.fda/gov .
Leukotriene inhibitors are a relatively-safe medication that can help control the underlying allergy symptoms that lead to an asthma attack. Because the inhibit allergy symptoms, rhinorrhea (runny nose) would actually be decreased. Leukotriene inhibitors are metabolized by the liver and have little effect on the metabolism of other drugs, but should be used with caution in patients who have liver disease. They are not metabolized by the kidneys and will not cause acute renal failure. The most common side effect of leukotriene inhibitors is headache, but stomach upset can also occur. This is not significant enough to cause peptic ulcer disease.
The take-home point is that as nurses we need to evaluate our patients who are taking leukotriene inhibitors for neuropsychiatric side effects and report them to the patient's physician promptly. Many patients are depressed, but if that depression is caused by leukotriene inhibitors it can be life threatening, because the patient may become suicidal.
From: FDA Early Communication (2009). Early Communication About an Ongoing Safety Review of Montelukast (Singulair). Accessed June 17, 2009 from http://www.fda/gov .
Red Yeast Rice:an alternative herbal preparation that has been shown to be effective in lowering lipids levels
Statin drugs, such as atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin, and lovastatin, are commonly used to treat high blood lipid levels. Although many of the side effects of statins are well-tolerated, statins can cause inflammation of the muscles that can lead to muscle injury and rhabdomyolysis -- a serious condition that can cause renal failure.
Red yeast rice has been studied to determine if patients who are intolerant to statins can get the same lipid-lowering benefits from this herbal supplement as they would get from statin drugs. In a recent study by Becker, et al. the authors suggest that red yeast rice may significantly reduce LDL levels and may be a suitable alternative for statin-intolerant patients. In order to achieve these results it is important to take red yeast rice from reputable manufacturers.
St. John's Wort is used to control symptoms of depression with the same effectiveness as prescription antidepressants, but with far fewer side effects. Ginkgo Biloba is touted for its ability to increase memory, although it doesn't ward off dementia or Alzheimers Disease. Watch for bleeding, especially if your patient takes anticoagulants or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Acai berry has been touted as a dietary aid that does everything from increasing energy to weight loss to cholesterol control, however to date there are no randomized, controlled studies confirming any of these claims.
Please remember that research on the effectiveness of herbs used medical-grade herbal preparations. Most of our patients are not taking medical-grade preparations, but instead something that they got from the grocery store. Therefore, individual results will vary from one person to another based on the specific preparation of the herbal that the person used.
From: Becker, D.J., et al. (2009). Red yeast rice for dyslipidemia in statin-intolerant patients: A randomized trial. Ann Intern Med, 150: 830.
Red yeast rice has been studied to determine if patients who are intolerant to statins can get the same lipid-lowering benefits from this herbal supplement as they would get from statin drugs. In a recent study by Becker, et al. the authors suggest that red yeast rice may significantly reduce LDL levels and may be a suitable alternative for statin-intolerant patients. In order to achieve these results it is important to take red yeast rice from reputable manufacturers.
St. John's Wort is used to control symptoms of depression with the same effectiveness as prescription antidepressants, but with far fewer side effects. Ginkgo Biloba is touted for its ability to increase memory, although it doesn't ward off dementia or Alzheimers Disease. Watch for bleeding, especially if your patient takes anticoagulants or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Acai berry has been touted as a dietary aid that does everything from increasing energy to weight loss to cholesterol control, however to date there are no randomized, controlled studies confirming any of these claims.
Please remember that research on the effectiveness of herbs used medical-grade herbal preparations. Most of our patients are not taking medical-grade preparations, but instead something that they got from the grocery store. Therefore, individual results will vary from one person to another based on the specific preparation of the herbal that the person used.
From: Becker, D.J., et al. (2009). Red yeast rice for dyslipidemia in statin-intolerant patients: A randomized trial. Ann Intern Med, 150: 830.
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