Osteoporosis Medications and Alternative Osteoporosis Treatments
Osteoporosis medications Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva are a class of drugs called biphosphonates which destroy the osteoclast cells so they won’t break down bone. Osteoblasts are cells which build new bone. When more old bone is taken and not enough new cells are available to the body to rebuild bone, thinning and osteoporosis is the result. These drugs can cause muscle and joint pain that can not be helped with pain relievers and can cause even weaker bones that will not heal.
Evista is another class of drugs called Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators or SERMS. All the SERMS drugs work by attaching to estrogen receptors on tissues. They have a slight estrogen effect causing a positive effect on bone building. Like all drugs they too have side effects and shouldn’t be used by certain people.
read moreADHD New Medication
Many people are glad to see ADHD new medication options become available as they provide more treatment choices for patients. For decades about the only prescription medication options for ADHD were Ritalin or it’s generic equivalent. Stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall are still considered first-line treatment medicines. Since there is no definite relationship between body weight and dosage for these stimulants, dosages tend to start small and increase until drug effectiveness is seen. Side effects of stimulant medications for ADHD include decreased appetite, headaches, stomachaches, trouble getting to sleep, and social withdrawal. These effects can usually be reduced or eliminated by adjusting dosage. Children on too high a dosage may appear dull or zoned-out. A timed release version of Adderall, called Adderall XR has become available. Sustained release, or long-acting versions of Ritalin, like Ritalin LA, Concerta and Metadate CD have also come out on the market.
Most recently the FDA has approved a new stimulant drug called Vyvanse. Vyvanse will have the same warnings of other stimulant drugs for ADHD, among these are warnings of heart-related problems, including sudden death, and new or worsening psychiatric problems. Vyvanse will be a controlled substance because it’s use can lead to abuse or dependence. Vyvanse was developed by New River Pharmaceuticals, currently owned by the drug company Shire. Studies have show Vyvanse to be effective for ADHD symptoms in children above five and up to twelve years old.
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