INTRO

Hehehehehehehe ……………..The one thing which has made a substitute for INSULIN…………….the only drug of choice for a early diagnosed and well diet controlled patient with Non insulin diabetes mellitus  ……….

Oral hypoglycemic agents commonly are referred to as sulfonylureas, a class of compounds. Sulfonylurea compounds are among the most widely prescribed medications in the world. The drugs are frequently used to treat patients with type II diabetes. Wide availability of these medications increases potential for either intentional or unintentional overdose in pediatric and adult populations.

First-generation sulfonylurea compounds became widely available in 1955. They are acetohexamide, chlorpropamide, tolazamide, and tolbutamide. First-generation agents have longer half-lives (eg, 49 hours for chlorpropamide). Second-generation sulfonylureas were introduced in 1984. Known as glipizide, glyburide, and glimepiride, second-generation sulfonylureas are more potent and have shorter half-lives than the first-generation sulfonylureas.

Other agents besides sulfonylureas are used to treat type II diabetes, including biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and troglitazone. Metformin (Glucophage in the United States) is one such agent. Even in excessive dosage, these agents do not decrease serum glucose below euglycemia; consequently, they are referred to appropriately as antihyperglycemic agents rather than hypoglycemic agents.

The Joslin Diabetes Center released a clinical guideline for the pharmacological management of type II diabetes in 2007.

CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS

1. SULFONYL UREA’S
2. BIGUANIDES
3. ALPHA GLUCOSIDASE INHIBHITORS
4. MEGLITINIDES
5. THIAZOLINEDIONES

SULFONYLUREA’S

Sulfonylureas work primarily by stimulating pancreatic insulin secretion, which in turn reduces hepatic glucose output and increases peripheral glucose disposal.

The sulfonylureas are often classified as belonging to the first or second generation.

The First generation sulfonylureas:

• Acetohexamide
• Chlorpropamide
• Tolazamide
• Tolbutamide.

The Second generation sulfonylureas :

• Glibenclamide
• Glyburide
• Glipizide
• Glicazide
• Glimepiride

The first generation sulfonylureas are rarely used now.

NEWER DRUGS ARE Glimipiride (Amaryl) and Glicazide MR and XR ………Nowadays new medicine is used vastly in the practice of longterm NIDDM cases (Non insulin dependant Diabetes Mellitus)……..

The SU class of oral hypoglycemic agents (insulin secretagogues) has been in existence since tolbutamide was introduced in 1956.

The sulfonylurea drugs have effects which are still not completely understood. Initially, they work primarily by stimulating pancreatic insulin secretion, which in turn reduces hepatic glucose output and increases peripheral glucose disposal. They are potassium channel blockers whose effect on the pancreatic beta-islet cells is to allow an influx of calcium into the cell, which causes an increase in the release of insulin.

However, after several months, blood levels of insulin return to pre-medication levels, yet blood glucose levels remain reduced. Clearly, the sulfonylurea drugs must have other effects. Several have been identified, among them: sulfonylurea medications slow the rate at which the liver releases glucose into the bloodstream, and they increase the number of insulin receptors on cell membranes, thus increasing insulin efficiency.

The efficacy of the first- and second-generation sulfonylureas is similar, although second-generation agents are better formulated and, although costlier than the older sulfonylureas, have some advantages. Second-generation sulfonylureas:

Are more potent on a per milligram basis
Tend to produce fewer side effects
In addition, the pharmacokinetics of these second-generation agents allows for more effective once-a-day dosing, which enhances compliance.

Although some consider SUs to be dated compared with the newer oral hypoglycemic drugs, there remains a large number of patients that will continue to benefit from them.

BIGUANIDES

Two drugs in this category are phenformin and metformin.

Biguanides work mainly by

• Suppressing excessive hepatic glucose production
• Increasing glucose utilization in peripheral tissues to a lesser degree.
• Possibly reduce food intake and thus reduce intestinal glucose absorption

As the biguanides do not stimulate endogenous insulin secretion, hypoglycemia does not occur when they are used alone and therefore they are sometimes called anti-hyperglycemic agents rather hypoglycemic agents.

The use of phenformin has decreased considerably and it is usually metformin that is now used when a biguanide is prescribed.

The biguanides were introduced in 1957. Both phenformin and metformin have been widely used here, although in recent times, the use of phenformin has decreased significantly and most people now use metformin when a biguanide is to be used.

Metformin works mainly by suppressing excessive hepatic glucose production, although it may increase glucose utilization in peripheral tissues to a lesser degree, by decreasing insulin resistance in muscle cells. Metformin may also improve glucose levels by reducing intestinal glucose absorption.

Metformin is not metabolized and is excreted unchanged by the kidneys.

Metformin has many characteristics that are ideal for treating type 2 diabetes, including weight loss, insulin sensitization, positive lipid effect, mild hypotensive effect, and low or no incidence of hypoglycemia.

Because metformin does not stimulate endogenous insulin secretion, hypoglycemia does not occur when this dose is used alone, although hypoglycemia may occur if metformin is taken with insulin, a sulfonylurea, or an excessive amount of alcohol.

Treatment with metformin has beneficial effects on plasma lipids (it lowers triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol levels while increasing high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol) that are greater than expected from improved glucose control alone.

In addition, metformin therapy has been associated with weight loss or no weight gain. This may be particularly helpful in obese patients with type II diabetes.

Metformin is effective as monotherapy or in combination with sulfonylureas, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and insulin. The combination of metformin and troglitazone has also been shown to be safe and effective, although this combination is not an USA FDA- approved indication and extensive published data on this combination is lacking.

ALFA GLUCOSIDASE INHIBHITORS

There are Acarbose and Miglitol. Acarbose (Precose) is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor that slows down the breakdown of disaccharides and polysaccharides and other complex carbohydrates into monosaccharides. The enzymatic generation and subsequent absorption of glucose is delayed and the postprandial blood glucose values, which are characteristically high in patients with type II diabetes, are reduced with acarbose. AGIs do not prevent the absorption of carbohydrates and complex sugars, but they do delay their absorption.

Delaying the absorption of carbohydrates is a unique mechanism among oral diabetic medications for lowering HgbA1c levels. The effectiveness of this mechanism is one of the physiologic characteristics of type 2 diabetes. Patients with type 2 diabetes demonstrate a delayed or sluggish insulin response from the pancreas to a glucose (a meal) load. By delaying the absorption of glucose, the insulin response is more matched to the serum glucose, resulting in less postprandial hyperglycemia and a lowering of the HbA1c. The AGIs also demonstrate a lowering of total insulin output of the pancreas, increased insulin sensitivity, a variable but mild decrease in triglycerides, with no effect on patient weight.

One disadvantage with the use of acarbose is that it is to be taken along with the first bite of a meal. Moreover, it has to be taken three times daily with meals. These factors often lead to non compliance and a decrease in the efficacy of the drug.

MEGLITINIDES +AMINOACID DERIVATIVES

A very recent addition to the OHA group. It is a ultra short acting drug which acts directly on the the beta cells of the pancreas and increases the secretion of insulin. It also corrects the problems with the pulsatile release of insulin which is seen in Type II diabetes.

Repaglinide from the meglitinide drug class, acts like an extremely short-acting SU (an insulin secretagogue) and is potentially useful as a SU replacement. The effect of repaglinide on the pancreas is very similar to that of the SUs. Repaglinide, like the SUs, blocks the potassium channels on the pancreatic islet beta-cells, which causes an influx of calcium into the cell and increasing the secretion of insulin. There appears to be 2 similar potassium channels on islet beta-cells, one of which is predominantly affected by repaglinide and the other is predominantly affected by SUs.

The repaglinide-affected potassium channel appears to be glucose dependent, which may partially explain why repaglinide is associated with a much lower incidence of hypoglycemia.

What makes repaglinide clinically different from the SUs is its ultra-short half-life (1 hour). Repaglinide is taken just before or with meals, and the stimulation of the pancreas is limited only to a brief time around meals. Because of the short duration, the patient does not have continuous high levels of insulin and the resulting adverse effects.

Its biggest advantage over the other oral hypoglycemic medications is that it allows for flexible timing and missed meals.

Repaglinide has been approved for use with metformin, and the combination appears to be a very effective. There are no clinical trials of repaglinide with the alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and of the TZD class, only 1 clinical trial with troglitazone has been reported. There are theoretical interactions between repaglinide and the TZDs through their common metabolism in the P450 pathway, so more clinical trials are clearly needed.

THIAZOLIDINEDIONES

Thiazolidinediones are a new class of oral antidiabetic agents (commercially known as glitazones) that enhance insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. Troglitazone was the first glitazone introduced to the market, and though widely used, it has now been withdrawn from the market as its use has been linked with hepatocellular injury and death secondary to liver failure.

Rosiglitazone and Pioglitazone are now available for clinical use and are extremely potent in reducing peripheral insulin resistance.

The thiazolidinedione (TZD) class of oral hypoglycemics ( popularly known as glitazones) was developed in 1997 and offers a new mechanism for treatment of type 2 diabetes. The first, troglitazone was taken off the market in 1999 because of its association with hepatic toxicity. Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone have been available since 1999, and have recently been introduced in the Indian market.

The primary effect of TZDs is peripheral, with increasing insulin sensitivity and increased glucose uptake. The TZDs have some effect on hepatic glucose uptake and sensitivity to a lesser degree. They do not stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.

TZDs are hepatically metabolized and thus can be used safely in patients with renal dysfunction. They can be dosed once daily, although rosiglitazone works better with twice-daily dosing. Reports have suggested that rosiglitazone works better in women, but the reason for this is not known.

Both pioglitazone and rosiglitazone are approved for monotherapy and in combination with metformin, SUs, and insulin.

Besides their effect in lowering the blood glucose levels, both drugs also have notable effects on lipids. The current data show that pioglitazone has a minimal effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and a favorable effect on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Rosiglitazone has a favorable effect on HDL cholesterol levels but a negative effect on LDL cholesterol levels.

With use of glitazones, patience is required. Blood sugar levels may show a significant reduction statistically in as little as two to four weeks, but the maximum effects are not seen until two or three months have passed.

CONCLUSION

So i dont have a conclusin yet……………………Postin it soon !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

INTRODUCTION

Sri krishna Hospital is at New Military Road, Avadi, Chennai -600062 . Dr.C.Jayapal BSc MD (CARDIOLOGY) has also recieved a lot a rewards from the Institute of Diabetology and has been very very sucessful in his diabetic practice and has been receiving a lot of good outcome from most of his patients …………………I was shell shocked the first day i joined there …that was 02/01/2010 ….a day that gave my life  a big big change ……..

ABT THE PRACTICE THERE

All patients there are interesting xcept for a few malingering cases ……………..the first case of my life was a TB patient at BH(Bombay hospital) a very well pronouned Hospital in the world ……………..but a lot of cases die out of poor patient care by the staff nurses ……bcoz the docs are trained better there and the nurses are not upto the mark…………………His name was Trilok /45/m from wadala(mumbai)…………..he was a businessman and suffered from TB ….Non smoker / Non drinker and also  a Vegeterian……….But he only survived of a very innate care take by Dr.K.Ramamoorthy MD the messiah of the Hospital………But here the story stands all behind the sucess of a single hero who has made his life so long in the history of medicine and who has dedicated himself to medicine ……………………..He is Dr.C.Jayapal MD from Krishna Hospital …..“Its like everyday learning hahahha ” the same words ……I just stole it from his mouth ….Looks nice to hear ….but more nicer  to xperience ………he always makes  a proper History taking and Xamines every single patient from hair to toe nail …….and also follows the course of the disease and treats according to the disease and not according to the symptom…….Bcoz it may cost him a lot of workin hours ……He is also a great devotee of Lord krishna and a life member of the ISKON trust ….and also has his own temple abt a 2 km   from Avadi. …..So he has a very good power on Speech and thought and learn like no 2 moro…..and teaches like the god krishna himself ,,,,,,,But the class he follows is very very simple …….he is like a 2nd yr MBBS student xaminig each case thoroughly very rarely missin any …….but his staffs are also not upto mark ……so his maintanence of inpatients has been not that sucessful compared to his blaring practice ….there are patients from even differents states and districts …….But his teaching has been a very good mark on my medical life ….Im very happy to inform u that he is my Chacha (chitappa, Kochuacchan, Fathers yunger brother )……

NEW IDEAS IN ME

This wondrful xperience of my life shud be shared by my frens and fellow viewers and also my dear readers and my patients and his patients too ….so plannin to write Blogs on Diabetes Mellitus ………………………………. and have to make a safe world and better country …………………………we are leading in oral cancers in the world 80% and next in DM 40 % and mostly in the developed states of the country ……….So there shud be proper education for the pople and the doctors to be well developed in their methods of proper learning abt the disease and the symptom…………………..understand its not the symptom creating the problem its the disease …………………same  way there is no proper treatment without necessary investigations and there is no proper treatment without management of the disease itself …………………………….

Regards

urs always DR.LOKKU (LOGARANGAN MUTHURANGAN)

Y suffer when u know the Better

What is gonorrhea ?????

A sexually transmitted Disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoea. Although gonorrhea is known primarily as a sexually transmitted Disease (STD), it is not exclusively so, but can also be transmitted to the newborn during the birthing process.

What was it called Before ????

Gonorrhea is sometimes also known as “the clap”. This moniker may seem a bit strange but is has actually been around since 1587. It comes from the French word “clapoir” which was commonly used to describe gonorrhea in the late sixteenth century.

How is it spread????

Contrary to popular belief, gonorrhea cannot be transmitted from toilet seats or door handles. The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhea requires very specific conditions to grow and to reproduce. It cannot live outside the body for more than a few minutes at most, nor can it live on the skin of the hands, arms, or legs. It survives only on moist surfaces within the body and is found most commonly in the vagina and, especially the cervix. The bacterium can also live in the urethra. Gonorrhea can even exist in the back of the throat (from oral-genital contact) and in the rectum.

Gonorrhea is not a small problem ????

Left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to a severe painful pelvic infection with inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, a form of pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID. Symptoms of PID include fever, pelvic cramping, abdominal pain, and pain with intercourse. PID can lead to difficulty in becoming pregnant or even sterility.

Can Gonorrhea Complicate ????

The complications of gonorrhea can include inflammation of the heart valves, arthritis, and eye infections. If the infection is severe enough, a localized area of infection and pus (an abscess) forms, and major surgery may be necessary and even life-saving. Gonorrheal infection in people with diminished immune function, such as from chemotherapy or AIDS, can also be extremely serious.

Gonorrhea can also cause eye Infections !!!!!

Gonorrhea can cause eye infections in babies born to infected mothers, even if the mother has no symptoms at the time of delivery. Chlamydia can also be passed from mother to child during birth. Infected newborn infants develop drainage from the eyes within 2 weeks of birth and the eyelids become puffy, red, and tender. Gonorrhea may cause perforation of the cornea and very significant destruction of the deeper eye structures while chlamydia is somewhat less destructive. Hospitals require silver nitrate or, more often today, antibiotic drops in a newborn’s eyes to prevent these diseases.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea ???

The early symptoms of gonorrhea often are mild, and some people who are infected have no symptoms of the disease; this is one reason why it is so readily transmitted. If symptoms of gonorrhea develop, they usually appear within 2 to 10 days of sexual contact with an infected partner, although a small percentage of patients may be infected for several months without showing symptoms.

The initial symptoms in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating or a yellowish vaginal discharge. More advanced symptoms include abdominal pain, bleeding between menstrual periods, vomiting, or fever.

Men usually have a whitish-yellowish discharge from the penis and a burning sensation during urination that may be severe. Symptoms of rectal infection include anal itching, and sometimes painful bowel movements.

Diagnosis of gonorrhea ???

Testing for gonorrhea is done by swabbing the infected site and culturing the bacteria on the swab in the laboratory. The culture is positive when the gonorrhea bacteria are found to be growing on a culture plate. A newer test can detect both gonorrhea and chlamydia in a urine sample. Up to 40% of women with gonorrhea are also infected with chlamydia.

How silent is it ???

Gonorrhea is often silent in women. Over half of infected women have no symptoms in the early stages of gonorrheal infection. If symptoms do occur, there may be burning on urination, frequent urination, yellowish vaginal discharge, redness of the genitals, swelling of the genitals, and a burning or itching of the vaginal area.

Treatment ?????

Because a high proportion of men and women who have gonorrhea also have chlamydia, the goal of treatment is to cure both infections. Your partner(s) should be treated at the same time you are.

Treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhea consists of antibiotics, including ceftriaxone, cefixime, ciprofloxacin, or ofloxacin for gonorrhea along with azithromycin, doxycycline, or erythromycin for chlamydia.

Prevention Of Gonorrhea ???

All sexually active persons should consider using latex condoms to prevent STDs and HIV infection, even if they are using another form of contraception. Latex condoms used consistently and correctly are an effective means for preventing disease (and pregnancy). Talk openly with your partner about STDs, HIV, and hepatitis B infection, and the use of contraception.

Can i treat a Pregnant woman with Gonorrhea ????

If you become infected with gonorrhea while you are pregnant, it is important that you seek treatment quickly. Not only is it possible to transmit the infection to your child during childbirth, but this common sexually transmitted disease can also cause complications in your pregnancy.

Questions U can ask ur Family Doctor!!!

1. Should the sexual partner be alerted so that they can be tested?
2. Has the gonorrhea progressed into Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?
3. Can the gonorrhea come back without additional exposure?
4. Do any of the internal contraceptive gels, ointments, devices, etc. help prevent gonorrhea?
5. What type of medication will you be prescribing?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Can I tell if a sexual partner has gonorrhea before having sexual intercourse?

From My Personal Experience  !!!

Narcotics have been a heavy substance at present in the international market . And wit me being Indian , Im proud India is a bit brilliant in narcotic issues . narcotics are Less told and More sold here . I being a reasearcher of Medicine was also a occasional user of narcotics during my college days . But the glamour behind the story is ……………i Lost interest , sorry i lost my personality at first then my character a bit tooo…..Its not just that there are more harms ……Frankly speakin i have had just some weed bfore and thats not the end …..i was a occasional user too . I had a gr8 fren from US who use to do most of the drugs on the plane. But now he has stopped all ….not bcoz he was told to , He realized and changed a lot ……………….All bcoz of a guy we met in the streets ….he was a middleaged man from souther parts of India …he wore a dress wit rags and rails all over it …….he had a body lookin lean like a Anorexia patient …….then he stood some 6 ft tall from the ground ………….and was talkin in english to my suprise ….bcoz he looked more bad than a normal Beggar in the country …..i asked him where are u from …..he quickly answered “can i have some money !!! some 10 rs will do ” ……….on those days we lived bachelor lives (no money but waiting for honey ) ……But still i paid a sum of 20 to him he said thanks happily …………….and then said his story…………………….He was Mr.X a son of a very famous businessman in the state of kerala ………he was 38 at that time …………..he has spend almost all the money which his father has left behind by the help of a few bad frens ……………… he was 20 when he was drugged first wit the help of few frens ……..then he was obsessed wit it when he was just 21 and he has been a regular drug addict from that day …….He has lost his frstrated father when he was 24 and then had no good marks to passs………….failed in studies …….got married at 28 ……failed in marriage when he was 30 doubting on his beautiful and tolerating wife ………………………no kids too………..failed in money making and had no money to save …………..got loans from almost all the banmks and atlast was in road………………..he has lost everything in his life including his mother but has gained a lot a bad names ………..After having a small chat wit him …..we came home and my fren like almost cried and told me he will never use drugs again in his life ……………And atlast he did it STOPPED EVERYTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!……………………ALL THE DRUGS HE KNEW……AND NOW HE IS A SUCESSFUL DOCS IN THE US…………………………….so i please advice u people who have finished reading the entire issue to stop any narcotic drugs u are abused to……….plZ FRENS ….

DEFINITION????

An addictive drug, such as opium, that reduces pain, alters mood and behavior, and usually induces sleep or stupor. Natural and synthetic narcotics are used in medicine to control pain.

HISTORY???

Narcotics are the oldest as well as the strongest analgesics, or pain-relieving drugs, known to humans. Ancient Sumerian and Egyptian medical texts dated as early as 4000 B.C. mention the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) as the source of a milky fluid (opium latex) that could be given to relieve coughs and insomnia as well as ease pain. Traditional Chinese medicine recommended the opium poppy, known to Chinese physicians as ying su ke, for the treatment of asthma, severe diarrhea, and dysentery as well as chronic pain and insomnia. Opium latex contains between 10 and 20 percent morphine, which in its purified form is a white crystalline powder with a bitter taste.

Narcotics are central nervous system depressants that produce a stuporous state in the person who takes them. These drugs often induce a state of euphoria or feeling of extreme well-being, and they are powerfully addictive. The body quickly builds a tolerance to narcotics in as little as two to three days, so that greater doses are required to achieve the same effect. Because of the addictive qualities of these drugs, most countries in the twenty-first century have strict laws regarding the production and distribution of narcotics. These laws became necessary when opium addiction in the nineteenth century became a widespread social problem in the developed countries. Opium, which was the first of the opioids to be widely used, had been a common folk remedy for centuries that often led to addiction for the user; in fact, many popular Victorian patent medicines for “female complaints” actually contained opium. The invention of the hypodermic needle in the mid-nineteenth century, however, increased the number of addicts because it allowed opioids to be delivered directly into the bloodstream, thereby dramatically increasing their effect.

TYPES???

As of the early 2000s, narcotics are commonly classified into three groups according to their origin:

• Natural derivatives of opium: Narcotics in this group include morphine itself and codeine.
• Partially synthetic drugs derived from morphine: These drugs include heroin, oxycodone (OxyContin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and oxymorphone (Numorphan).
• Synthetic compounds that resemble morphine in their chemical structure: Narcotics in this group include fentanyl (Duragesic), levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran), meperidine (Demerol), methadone, and propoxyphene (Darvon).

Narcotics are available in many different forms, ranging from oral, intramuscular, and intravenous preparations to patches that can be applied to the skin (fentanyl). Illegal street heroin can be taken by inhalation as well as by injection.

EFFECTS??????

Drug effects depend heavily on the dose, route of administration, previous exposure to the drug, and the expectation of the user. Aside from their clinical use in the treatment of pain, cough suppression and acute diarrhea, narcotics produce a general sense of well-being known as euphoria by reducing tension, anxiety, and aggression. These effects are helpful in a therapeutic setting and contribute to their popularity as recreational drugs, as well as helping to produce dependency.

Narcotic use is associated with a variety of effects including drowsiness, itching, sleeplessness, inability to concentrate, apathy, lessened physical activity, constriction of the pupils, dilation of the subcutaneous blood vessels causing flushing of the face and neck, constipation, nausea and vomiting and, most significantly, respiratory depression. As the dose is increased, the subjective, analgesic, and toxic effects become more pronounced. Except in cases of acute intoxication, there is no loss of motor coordination or slurred speech as occurs with many depressants.

ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS ?????

AIDS, Addiction, Cocaine, Controlled Substances Act, Greek, HIV, Hard and soft drugs, Heroin, Narcissus, Narcoterrorism, Narcotics Anonymous, Opioids, Pethidine/Meperidine, U.S., aggression, analgesia, anxiety, coca, contaminants, drug legalization, endocarditis, euphoria, hepatitis, heroin, legalization, morphine, nitrogen, nitrogen narcosis, opioid, opium, scuba diving, sedation, syringes…

POSITIVE EFFECTS????????

For severe episodes of low back pain, narcotic pain medications may be prescribed. Clearly, narcotic agents are strong and potentially addictive forms of medication and should only be administered by a physician.

All narcotic agents have a dissociative effect that helps patients manage pain. It does not actually deaden the pain, but works to dissociate patients from the pain. Commonly used narcotics, listed in ascending order of potency (strength) include:

• codeine (e.g. Tylenol #3)
• propoxyphene (e.g. Darvocet)
• hydrocodone (e.g. Vicodin)
• oxycodone (e.g. Percocet, Oxycontin)

HOW CAN I FORGET MORPHINE ????

Morphine is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It works by dulling the pain perception center in the brain. Short-acting formulations are taken as needed for pain. Extended-release formulations are used when around-the-clock pain relief is needed. Morphine is not for treating pain just after surgery unless you were already taking it before the surgery.

Before using morphine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
• liver or kidney disease;
• underactive thyroid;
• curvature of the spine;
• a history of head injury or brain tumor;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• low blood pressure;
• gallbladder disease;
• Addison’s disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
• enlarged prostate, urination problems;
• mental illness; or
• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

These effects include, but are not limited to:

• Pain relief
• Cough suppression
• Drowsiness
• Anxiety relief
• Unusual unpleasant feelings (dysphoria) or unusual pleasant feelings (euphoria)
• Decreased breathing (slow or shallow breathing)
• Certain changes in the circulatory system
• Slowing of the digestive tract
• Release of histamine (which often causes itching)
• Physical dependence.

(See Morphine Uses for more information.)

MORPHINE SIDEFFECTS !!

As with any medicine, morphine can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. Most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.

Common side effects of this drug include, but are not limited to:

• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• An unusual unpleasant feeling (dysphoria) or an unusual pleasant feeling (euphoria)
• Constipation

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF NARCOTIC USE

Narcotics users can develop tolerance, as well as psychological and physical dependence to opioids when they take them over an extended period of time.

• Tolerance refers to a decreased response to a drug, with increasing doses required to achieve comparable effects.

• Psychological dependence refers to compulsive drug use in which a person uses the drug for personal satisfaction, often in spite of knowing the health risks.

• Physical dependence occurs when a person stops using the narcotic but experiences a withdrawal syndrome (or set of symptoms).

• Signs and symptoms of narcotic abuse
  • analgesia (feeling no pain),

• • sedation,

• • euphoria,

• • respiratory depression (shallow breathing),

• • small pupils, bloodshot eyes,

• • nausea, vomiting,

• • itching skin, flushed skin,

• • constipation,

• • slurred speech,

• • confusion, poor judgment, and

• • needle marks on the skin

WITHDRAWAL EFFECTS OF NARCOTIC USE !!!!!

• Signs and symptoms of narcotic withdrawal: The withdrawal syndrome from narcotics generally includes signs and symptoms opposite of the drug’s intended medical effects. The severity of the withdrawal syndrome increases as the drug dose increases. The longer the duration of the physical dependence to the narcotic increases, the more severe the withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms of heroin withdrawal generally appear 12-14 hours after the last dose. Symptoms of methadone withdrawal appear 24-36 hours after the last dose. Heroin withdrawal peaks within 36-72 hours and may last seven to 14 days. Methadone withdrawal peaks at three to five days and may last three to four weeks. Although uncomfortable, acute narcotic withdrawal for adults is not considered life-threatening unless the person has a medical condition that compromises their health (for example, if someone has severe heart disease). Some of the signs and symptoms of narcotic withdrawal are listed below:
  • Anxiety

• • Irritability

• • Craving for the drug

• • Increased respiratory rate (rapid breathing)

• • Yawning

• • Runny nose

• • Salivation

• • Gooseflesh

• • Nasal stuffiness

• • Muscle aches

• • Nausea or vomiting

• • Abdominal cramping

• • Diarrhea

• • Sweating

• • Confusion

• • Enlarged pupils

• • Tremors

• • Lack of appetite

COMPLICATIONS ????

• Signs and symptoms of narcotic withdrawal: The withdrawal syndrome from narcotics generally includes signs and symptoms opposite of the drug’s intended medical effects. The severity of the withdrawal syndrome increases as the drug dose increases. The longer the duration of the physical dependence to the narcotic increases, the more severe the withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms of heroin withdrawal generally appear 12-14 hours after the last dose. Symptoms of methadone withdrawal appear 24-36 hours after the last dose. Heroin withdrawal peaks within 36-72 hours and may last seven to 14 days. Methadone withdrawal peaks at three to five days and may last three to four weeks. Although uncomfortable, acute narcotic withdrawal for adults is not considered life-threatening unless the person has a medical condition that compromises their health (for example, if someone has severe heart disease). Some of the signs and symptoms of narcotic withdrawal are listed below:
  • Anxiety

• • Irritability

• • Craving for the drug

• • Increased respiratory rate (rapid breathing)

• • Yawning

• • Runny nose

• • Salivation

• • Gooseflesh

• • Nasal stuffiness

• • Muscle aches

• • Nausea or vomiting

• • Abdominal cramping

• • Diarrhea

• • Sweating

• • Confusion

• • Enlarged pupils

• • Tremors

• • Lack of appetite

NARCOTICS IN PREGNANT WOMAN !!!

A retrospective analysis has been made of the outcome of pregnancy in 174 women abusing narcotics, managed by a specialist team from a drug-dependency antenatal clinic. These women were cared for through 182 pregnancies of greater than 20 weeks’ gestation, resulting in 183 live and 5 stillbirths. The majority of patients were enrolled in a methadone programme and stabilized on the drug before the third trimester. The group was characterized by a high prevalence of previous obstetric and medical problems. The most common antenatal complications were preterm labour (24%) and anaemia (12%). Preterm delivery and small-for-gestational-age each occurred in a quarter of pregnancies. The mean birth-weight for the group was 2,746 g +/- 721 g; mean +/- S.D. Eight perinatal deaths occurred (5 stillbirths, 3 neonatal deaths), giving a perinatal mortality rate of 43/1,000. The data on narcotic abusers have been compared with similar data obtained from randomly selected public antenatal clinic patients who delivered during the same period.

FATAL EFFECTS OF NARCOTICS

Respiratory arrest is a common cause of death from cocaine overdose. It is more likely to occur if a depressant drug such as heroin has also been taken. Death can also result from events as varied as abnormal rhythms of the heart, ruptured blood vessels, very high body temperature, and gangrene of the intestine.Although most deaths have followed intravenous injection, they have also occurred after smoking, snorting, or oral use. The lethal dose of cocaine is not known, but is probably quite variable. Death has resulted from doses as low as 30 mg snorted and 20 mg injected, yet users have survived doses of several grams (several thousand milligrams). Virtually no dose, no matter how small, can be guaranteed safe. Impurities in street cocaine can also produce fatal allergic reactions.

MJ\’s fatal drug overdose

Garth Prison durgs