Diazepam

indication for use

Short-term (two to four weeks only) treatment of severe anxiety that is disabling or subjecting the individual to unacceptable distress.

Short-term (two to four weeks only) treatment of severe insomnia that is disabling or subjecting the individual to extreme distress (oral forms of diazepam only).

Night terrors and sleepwalking in children (oral forms of diazepam only).

Relieving anxiety and causing sedation before surgery or medical procedures (pre-med).

Managing symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol (used in combination with other treatment for alcoholism).

Controlling convulsions (fits) caused by poisoning (intravenous and rectal forms of diazepam only).

Controlling repeated fitting with no recovery of conciousness between seizures (status epilepticus) (intravenous and rectal forms of diazepam only).

Fitting associated with fever (febrile convulsions).

Controlling muscle spasms due to tetanus or poisoning.

Not to be used in

• A sudden worsening of any underlying lung disease (acute pulmonary insufficiency).
• Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression).
• Syndrome involving short spells when breathing stops during sleep (sleep apnoea syndrome).
• Long-term psychotic illness.
• Phobias or obsessional states.
• Severely decreased liver function.
• Breastfeeding.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

• This medicine may be harmful to a developing baby and it should be avoided during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. This is particularly important during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy and before or during labour. Regular use during pregnancy should especially be avoided, as the baby could become dependent on the medicine and then suffer withdrawal symptoms after the birth. If this medicine is used in late pregnancy or during labour it may cause floppiness, low body temperature and breathing or feeding difficulties in the baby after birth. Ask your doctor for further information.
• Significant amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk. It should not be used by breastfeeding mothers as it may be harmful to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Drowsiness.
• Drowsiness and lightheadedness the next day.
• Confusion.
• Shaky movements and unsteady walk (ataxia).
• Loss of memory (amnesia).
• Unexpected increase in aggression (paradoxical aggression).
• Muscle weakness.
• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Slurred speech.
• Tremor.
• Skin rashes.
• Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain.
• Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention).
• Urinary incontinence.
• Visual disturbances such as blurred vision.
• Changes in sex drive.
• Low blood pressure (hypotension).
• Blood disorders.
• Jaundice.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Read more: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/depression/medicines/diazepam.html#ixzz2HICGpEsY 

Continue

Epinephrine

indication for use

Epinephrine injection is used along with emergency medical treatment to treat life-threatening allergic reactions caused by insect bites or stings, foods, medications, latex, and other causes. Epinephrine is in a class of medications called alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists (sympathomimetic agents). It works by relaxing the muscles in the airways and tightening the blood vessels.

How should this medicine be used?

Epinephrine injection comes as a pre-filled automatic injection device containing a solution (liquid) to inject under the skin or into the muscle in the outer side of the thigh. It is usually injected as needed at the first sign of a serious allergic reaction. Use epinephrine injection exactly as directed; do not inject it more often or inject more or less of it than prescribed by your doctor.

You should inject epinephrine injection as soon as you suspect that you may be experiencing a serious allergic reaction. Signs of a serious allergic reaction include closing of the airways, wheezing, sneezing, hoarseness, hives, itching, swelling, skin redness, fast heartbeat, weak pulse, anxiety, confusion, stomach pain, losing control of urine or bowel movements, faintness, or loss of consciousness. Talk to your doctor about these symptoms and be sure you understand how to tell when you are having a serious allergic reaction and should inject epinephrine.

Keep your automatic injection device with you or available at all times so that you will be able to inject epinephrine quickly when an allergic reaction begins. Be aware of the expiration date stamped on the device and replace the device when this date passes. Look at the solution in the device from time to time. If the solution is discolored or contains particles, call your doctor to get a new injection device.

Epinephrine injection helps to treat serious allergic reaction but does not take the place of medical treatment. Get emergency medical treatment immediately after you inject epinephrine. Rest quietly while you wait for emergency medical treatment.

Most automatic injection devices contain enough solution for one dose of epinephrine. One type of automatic injection device (Twinject) can be used according to the package directions to inject two doses of epinephrine if needed to treat an allergic reaction. If your doctor has prescribed this device for you, be sure that you know how to inject the second dose and how to tell whether you should inject a second dose.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you or the person who will be injecting the medication how to inject it. Before you use epinephrine injection for the first time, read the patient information that comes with it. This information includes directions for how to use the pre-filled automatic injection device. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about how to inject this medication.

Epinephrine should be injected only in the middle of the outer side of the thigh, and can be injected through clothing if necessary in an emergency. Do not inject epinephrine into the buttocks or any other part of your body.

After you inject a dose of epinephrine injection, some solution will remain in the injection device. This is normal and does not mean that you did not receive the full dose. Do not use the extra liquid; dispose of the remaining liquid and device properly. Take the used device with you to the emergency room or ask your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider how to throw away used injection devices safely.

Do not put your thumb, fingers, or hand over the needle area of the automatic injection device. If epinephrine is accidently injected into the fingers, hands, toes, or feet, get emergency medical treatment immediately.

side effects

Epinephrine injection may cause side effects. When you get emergency medical treatment after you inject epinephrine, tell your doctor if you are experiencing any of these side effects:

• difficulty breathing
• pounding, fast, or irregular heartbeat
• nausea
• vomiting
• sweating
• dizziness
• nervousness, anxiety, or restlessness
• weakness
• pale skin
• headache
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body

Continue