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Drug Side Effects & Clinical
Trials Blog

The Drug Side Effects and Clinical Trials Blog is where I take it free style. Here you'll...

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Feb 4, 2010, Casodex or Kapidex...Do You Know Which One You're Taking?

The names are so close that mistakes are being made by some pharmacies, hospitals, and other medical institutions and dispensing one in place of the other. Obviously this isn't good...

Kapidex (Dexlansoprazole) is used to treat GERD (acid reflux) and erosive esophagitis
Casodex (Bicalutamide) is used to treat prostate cancer in when combined with certain other medications

Depending on which you get, you'll likely experience the side effects of that particular medication.

Casodex should NEVER be taken by women... especially women of child-bearing age who are or may become pregnant. Casodex can cause serious harm to your unborn baby.

So how can you tell which is which?

Casodex is a white, film-coated tablets with "CDX50" on one side and the "CASODEX" logo on the other.Kapidex comes in two strengths - 30mg and 60 mg. The 30mg capsule is an opaque blue and gray capsule with TAP and "30" printed on the capsule. The 60 mg capsule is blue opaque with TAP and "60" printed on it.

If you have to take either one of these medications be sure you check to make sure that you are getting the right one before leaving the pharmacy, or hospital or doctor's office.

Feb 3, 2010, Lithium Side Effects

Lithium is a mood stabilizer that has been used for many years to treat psychotic conditions and certain other mental health conditions. Find out what all the lithium side effects are right here.

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Feb 2, 2010, Side Effects of Drugs

The side effects of drugs are one of the major concerns for most people who have to take them. Just about every drug on the market has some side effects, find out what they are right here.

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Nov 18, 2009, New Prilosec-Plavix Drug Interaction Alert

On November 17th 2009, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they want to alert the public about a new drug interaction discovery between Prilosec (used to reduce stomach acid) and Plavix (used to prevent blood clotting).

In a nutshell, Prilosec reduces the effectiveness of Plavix because it blocks the particular enzyme the body uses to break down the Plavix into its active form. Taking these two drugs together results in Plavix being approximately 50% less effective. This is a major drug interaction because Plavix users who are at risk of heart attacks or strokes will NOT get the full protective effect of the drug if they take it with Prilosec.

So can you just space out the time between when you take both drugs? No... the drug had an equal diminished effect when taken together as when taken up to 12 hours apart.

If you are taking Plavix, then you should avoid other drugs that also block this enzyme because it is very likely that the result (decreased effectiveness of Plavix) will be the same as with Prilosec. Here is a list of other drugs that block that particular enzyme (and thus should be avoided as well):

Nexium
Tagamet, Tagamet HB
Diflucan
Nizoral
VFEND
Intelence
Felbatol
Prozac, Serafem, Symbyax
Luvox
Ticlid

...all generic forms of the above medications should be avoided as well.

Nov 16, 2009, Singulair Side Effects

Whether you're using it for allergies, asthma prevention, or to improve your exercise tolerance, you'll want to read up on all the Singulair side effects right here to keep yourself well informed.

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Oct 25, 2009, Lipitor Side Effects

Lipitor is used to control cholesterol in patients who have or at risk for certain heart problems. Find out more about all the lipitor side effects you'll need to be aware when using this medication.

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Oct 15, 2009, Buspar Side Effects

If you're taking BuSpar for anxiety then you'll want to check here for what the BuSpar side effects are.

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Oct 12, 2009, Nasonex Side Effects

Taking Nasonex for your seasonal allergies? Curious about what the Nasonex side effects are? Find out here.

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Oct 12, 2009, Claritin Side Effects

If you have allergies and are taking Claritin, a non-drowsy antihistamine, then you'll want to check out the Claritin side effects here to get the full picture.

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Oct 11, 2009, Vytorin Side Effects

Wondering about Vytorin side effects? If you're taking Vytorin to lower your cholesterol then look up all the potential side effects right here.

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Oct 11, 2009, Prevacid Side Effects

Prevacid is a proton pump inhibitor used to treat and prevent various types of stomach ulcers as well as reflux disease. Read about all the Prevacid side effects right here.

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Oct 10, 2009, About Site Build It! (SBI!)

Read all about Site Build It! (SBI!) - and how I used it to help me build this website.

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Oct 2, 2009, Children's & Infant's Tylenol Recall

Click on the link below to see a list of the affected lot numbers of the Children's & Infant's Tylenol products that were voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer - McNeil Consumer Healthcare. Want more info? Check out this month's Armchair Pharmacist video newsletter where the entire story is covered in full detail. While you're there be sure to subscribe to our free monthly newsletter - The Armchair Pharmacist - so you'll always be on top of all the latest goings-on in the world of medications!

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