Orthodox Medicine versus herbal drugs

Herbal drugs contain a large number of compounds while orthodox medicine contains just one single active pharmacological substance. Herbal medicine is still widely patronized by a large number of people despite the availability of orthodox medicine.It is true that most people take both herbal drugs and conventional drugs concomitantly. They believe that both would work together to help them get better.
Patients do not inform their doctor or pharmacist that they use orthodox medicine alongside with their herbal medication.
The usage of both drugs at the same time can result in interactions that can lead to undesirable side effects. For example,

1. St John wort administered alongside with digoxin results in a significant decrease in the serum concentration of digoxin because the plant increases the metabolism of digoxin.
2. Warfarin administered alongside with either Gingko(Gingko biloba)or Garlic would increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin this increases the possibility of bleeding.
3. Green tea should not be taken with stimulant drugs like amphetamine. Both drugs taken together can result in increased heart rate and blood pressure. Birth control pills taken with green tea can cause bitterness, headache and fast heartbeat.
   When next you visit your health care provider, it’s important to tell them about all the medicines and supplements you take. Bring a written list of everything you take, how often you take them, and the doses you take that would help them counsel you on how best you would use your medication to prevent any possible interaction.

CAPSULES: Take as prescribed

Little wonder what capsules are? Some persons get happy when they find out that the drugs prescribed by the doctor are capsules because capsules are easier to swallow. It is important to adhere strictly to the instructions given by the pharmacist on how you should take this drug because using a capsule in a way other than the way it was prescribed would affect its effectiveness.
Capsules is a unique dosage form were the medicaments are enclosed in a shell allowing them to be used orally or as a suppository.
They could either be.

Hard gelatin capsules( contains either dry powder, small pellet or granules )

• Soft gelatin capsules- medicament enclosed in the capsules are oils.

I guess you would say these capsules have very attractive looks, Smiles. The capsules have been designed this way to be taken as a whole and not to be tempered with except stated otherwise.
Now, you would ask I have difficulty in swallowing drugs, why can’t I ignore the instructions given by the pharmacist and open up this capsules and pour the contents directly into my mouth or dissolve in water before drinking. My answer is NO. Some reasons are:

• Capsules are made to mask the bitter taste of the drug. The drug was made that way to promote patient compliance. Am sure you would dislike taking that drug again when you taste the powdered drug not encapsulated.

• Some drugs are encapsulated so that the contents of the drugs could be released beyond the stomach because they could be destroyed by the stomach acid.

• Loss of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient. Some API would be stocked to the shell so you won’t be taking the exact strength of the drug. Some capsules are designed as such to protect sensitive ingredients, for example, if the ingredients are easily degraded by air,opening such capsule would eventually cause loss of the active ingredient.

Please, when next capsules are prescribed try as much as possible not tamper with it.

A fresh Start

It’s a new year with so many expectations. Some of us already have a new year resolution. Well, that’s a great step but my question is would you be able to keep up with the resolution you have made? If I may ask, are you making any resolution on how you would try to keep fit and remain healthy this year?  A friend of my resolved to stop drinking beer and to an extent, he has been able to avoid beer for one whole year. Great! But that took a lot of commitment, dedication and consistency.
Health is wealth is a very popular saying. You need to stay healthy to be able to pursue that dream. Pay a little attention to your body.
A little suggestion
*Do a regular health check
*Exercise often
* Eat well. More fruits and vegetables, less junk food.
*wash your hands regularly.
* Try to find time and rest. It’s necessary.
I wish you all a healthy new year.

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton