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Diethylstilbestrol

General information For a complete account of the adverse effects of estrogens, readers should consult the following monographs as well as this one: Estrogens; Hormonal contraceptives—emergency contraception; Hormonal contraceptives—oral; Hormone replacement therapy—estrogens; Hormone replacement therapy—estrogens + androgens; Hormone replacement therapy—estrogens + progestogens. Diethylstilbestrol and other non-steroidal estrogens came into vogue at a time when the cost of producing steroidal estrogens, whether synthetic or of natural origin,…

Diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid

General information Diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (DTPA) is a chelating agent that has been used in radiolabeled form as a tracer. It has been used in the following combinations: DTPA: to assess iron body stores [ ]; 111 indium-DTPA: to label proteins, such as albumin [ ] and monoclonal antibodies [ ], for the radiodetection of cancers; 99m technetium-DTPA: for scanning organs such as the kidneys […

Diethylcarbamazine

General information Diethylcarbamazine is an antihelminthic drug used in the treatment of filarial infections, in particular for Loa Loa infections and lymphatic filariasis caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi . With some infecting species it is effective in both the adult and microfilarial stages, whilst with others it is active only against the microfilarial stages and does not eradicate the infection. It can be associated…

Diethyl sebacate

General information Diethyl sebacate is an emulsifier used in cosmetics and topical medicaments. In contrast to the emulsifying agents stearyl alcohol, stearic acid, and glyceryl stearate, diethyl sebacate is considered to be a rare sensitizer. 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

Didanosine

See also Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) General information Didanosine (2′,3′-dideoxyinosine, ddI) is a purine analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor. The major clinical adverse effects reported during the first years of use of didanosine were acute pancreatitis and a painful neuropathic syndrome (due to a peripheral neuropathy), which appeared to be related to both dosage and cumulative dose [ ]. However, the incidence of acute pancreatitis…

Dicycloverine

See also Anticholinergic drugs ; Doxylamine General information Dicycloverine, in the doses generally used (up to 450 mg/day), is of disputed value. It may have a non-specific relaxant action on the gastrointestinal muscle. The evidence of its effects is meager and it seems to be an anticholinergic drug that which has been promoted in doses that are often too low to result in either a useful…

Diclofenac

General information The overall incidence of adverse reactions to diclofenac is about 30%, but less than 1% of patients have to have treatment withdrawn for this reason. The manufacturers’ analysis of 1966 adverse effects in 987 patients over about 6 years, when over 30 million patients had been treated, provided some interesting quantitative data. Of the total number of adverse reactions, 34% were gastrointestinal and 16%…

Dichlorophen

General information Dichlorophen is an antihelminthic drug that was used in the treatment of tapeworm infections but has been superseded by praziquantel and niclosamide. It also has antifungal and antibacterial activity and has been used topically in the treatment of fungal infections and as a germicide in soaps and cosmetics [ ]. During the first few hours after taking a single oral dose one-third of patients…

Dibromopropamidine

General information Dibromopropamidine in a cream base is used to treat herpesvirus skin lesions. 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

Dibenzepin

General information Dibenzepin is a 6,7,6 tricyclic compound of the dibenzodiazepine type. A comparison with imipramine was said to show equal efficacy; adverse reactions were comparable in type and degree [ ]. 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

Diazoxide

General information Diazoxide is a direct vasodilator that acts on vascular smooth muscle to produce systemic vasodilatation. As a result there is baroreceptor-mediated activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin–angiotensin system. Vasodilators (as monotherapy) are associated acutely with flushing, headache, dizziness, reflex tachycardia, and palpitation. Chronic treatment can be complicated by fluid retention. Organs and systems You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree…

Diazepam

General information Diazepam produces less sedation in cigarette smokers, and higher doses may be required for the same sedative or anxiolytic effect. Owing in part to its continued widespread use, several unusual adverse effects of diazepam continue to be reported. These include cases of urinary retention and compartment syndrome, which are not explicable by its pharmacology. On the other hand, accumulation of diazepam and attendant complications…

Diamorphine (heroin)

General information Heroin is a potent opioid that offers no substantial advantages over morphine. In the UK it is the preferred parenteral opioid for subcutaneous administration to cachectic cancer patients, because of its high solubility. The prevalence of heroin as a drug of abuse has been reviewed [ ]. There are over 1 million heroin addicts in the USA. The lifetime prevalence among those aged 12–25…

Diaminopyridine

General information Diaminopyridine (3,4-diaminopyridine), now also known as amifampridine, blocks calcium-dependent potassium channels and prolongs the duration of the action potential at motor nerve terminals; this enhances calcium influx into nerve endings and causes release of acetylcholine [ ]. It has been used to treat Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome in patients with no other treatment alternatives [ , ]. Adverse reactions that have been reported include anxiety,…

Dialysis fluids

General information Dialysis fluids are solutions of electrolytes formulated in concentrations similar to those of extracellular fluid or plasma. They contain, or may contain: sodium; chloride; bicarbonate or lactate; calcium; magnesium; potassium; glucose; amino acids; icodextrin. Dialysis fluids are provided in a sterile concentrated form for dilution with water before use; the water used need not be sterile. Icodextrin Icodextrin (rINN) is a maltodextrin glucose polymer…