General information Paraffin is a name that is commonly used to denote a group of saturated alkane hydrocarbons with the general formula C n H 2n+2 , where “n” is greater than 20. They take both solid and liquid forms. The solid form known as paraffin wax was discovered by Karl Reichenbach in 1830. Paraffins are mostly obtained from petroleum. Paraffin oil, used as a fuel,…

General information More than a century after its introduction, acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is by far the most commonly used analgesic, sharing its leading position with the relative newcomer paracetamol (acetaminophen), and notwithstanding the fact that other widely used compounds, such as ibuprofen, have in recent years been introduced in over-the-counter versions. Both are also still prescribed by physicians for mild to moderate pain, fever associated with…

General information Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid) are used as preservatives in concentrations of 0.1–0.3% in pharmaceutical formulations and in concentrations of 0.01–0.1% in cosmetics and foods. In such concentrations they are devoid of systemic adverse effects, but allergic reactions have been reported. You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited articles Become membership…

General information Papaverine is an alkaloid present in opium, but it is not related chemically or pharmacologically to other opium alkaloids. It has a direct relaxant effect on smooth muscle, partly attributable to inhibition of phosphodiesterase. Systemic adverse reactions reported are hypotension and dizziness and, in rare cases, abnormal liver function tests [ ]. Organs and systems Cardiovascular Severe hypotension has been reported after intracisternal instillation…

See also Opioid receptor agonists General information Papaveretum (Omnopon, Pantopon) is a mixture of several opium alkaloids. Organs and systems Urinary tract Renal insufficiency has been reported in a 60-year-old patient after the use of papaveretum for perioperative analgesia [ ]. You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited articles Become membership If you are a member. Log in…

General information The genera in the family of Papaveraceae ( Table 1 ) include a variety of poppies and the greater celandine. Table 1 Genera of Papaveraceae Arctomecon (bear poppy) Glaucium (horn poppy) Platystigma (queen poppy) Argemone (prickly poppy) Hunnemannia (hunnemannia) Roemeria (roemeria) Bocconia (bocconia) Macleaya (macleaya) Romneya (Matilija poppy) Canbya (pygmy poppy) Meconella (fairy poppy) Sanguinaria (bloodroot) Chelidonium (celandine) Papaver (poppy) Stylophorum (stylophorum) Dendromecon (tree…

See also Vitamins General information The pantothenic acid derivatives include pantothenic acid, pantothenol, dexpanthenol, and hopantenic acid. Pantothenic acid (vitamin B 5 ) has been proposed as a treatment for hair loss. It has been used to treat pantothenic acid deficiency, acne, and rheumatoid arthritis. Over the past 30 years, only mild adverse reactions, such as rash and diarrhea, have been reported. Hopantenate (calcium d -(+)-4-(2,…

See also Proton pump inhibitors General information Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor. Drug studies You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited articles Become membership If you are a member. Log in here

See also Neuromuscular blocking drugs, non-depolarizing General information Pancuronium bromide is a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant [ ] with two quaternary ammonium groups on a steroid (androstane) skeleton. It is about 5–7 times as potent as d -tubocurarine. Protein binding occurs to both albumins and globulins, probably only to a relatively slight extent (10–20%), although reports vary from 10% to 90%. In contrast to most other non-depolarizing…

General information Pancreatic enzyme supplements are used to treat people who lack pancreatic secretions. Pancreatin is an extract of pancreas, and contains enzymes with proteinase, amylase, and lipase activity; most commercial formulations are similar or identical [ ]. Drug studies Observational studies The effect of oral pancreatic enzyme supplementation (Creon 10 000 in a dose of 1000 units of lipase per gram of ingested dietary fat)…

See also Monoclonal antibodies General information Palivizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits an epitope at the A antigenic site of the F protein of respiratory syncytial virus subtypes A and B [ , ]. The most common adverse reactions to palivizumab (over 5%) are rhinitis, cough, fever, pharyngitis, bronchiolitis, and diarrhea [ ]. You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full…

See also Neuroleptic drugs General information Paliperidone, or 9-hydroxyrisperidone, is the major active metabolite of risperidone. It binds to both dopamine D 2 and serotonin 5HT 2A receptors, and antagonism at these receptors is thought to account for its therapeutic activity in schizophrenia. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2007 for acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia; it is available in…

See also Cytotoxic and immunosuppressant drugs General information Paclitaxel is a complex plant product derived from the bark of the yew tree, Taxus brevifolia . It has been used for the treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the ovary and breast. It has also been investigated in the treatment of other carcinomas, including non-small-cell lung cancer, malignant melanoma, head and neck cancers, acute leukemias, and Kaposi’s sarcoma.…

General information Oxytocin is a hypothalamic nonapeptide that selectively stimulates the smooth muscle of the uterus and mammary glands. It is used in the induction or augmentation of labor and to prevent postpartum hemorrhage, and is well tolerated and effective in a wide range of infusion rates and concentrations. Contraindications to its use include placenta previa or vasa previa, a previous classical uterine incision, pelvic structural…

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General information Oxymetazoline and xylometazoline are alpha-adrenoceptor agonists used topically as nasal decongestants [ ]. They have higher affinities for most α-adrenoceptor subtypes than adrenaline and noradrenaline. Oxymetazoline has a significantly higher affinity for α 1A receptors than xylometazoline but a lower affinity for α 2B receptors. Drug studies Observational studies During a period of 32 months, 101 cases of xylometazoline exposure were observed in children…

General information The duration and extent of hyperoxygenation during anesthesia are generally limited. However, in intensive care, a patient’s exposure to oxygen can become prolonged and dangerous. Oxygen toxicity can cause adverse effects in numerous tissues, including the lungs, nervous system, eyes, red blood cells, and liver, because of their susceptibility to chemical toxicity by mechanisms such as lipid peroxidation [ ]. Organs and systems You’re…

General information Oxyfedrine is a vasodilator that has been used in angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited articles Become membership If you are a member. Log in here