General information Topical calcipotriol (a vitamin D analogue) is an effective and safe treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis vulgaris. Its mode of action is identical to that of 1,25-dihydroxycolecalciferol (calcitriol). Organs and systems 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

General information Calabash chalk is a mineral that is mainly composed of fossilized seashells. It is also known as Calabar stone, La Craie or Argile in French, Nzu by the Ibo of Nigeria, and Mabele by the Lingala speaking people of Zaire. In some African communities it is eaten by pregnant women to relieve morning sickness. Calabash chalk should not be confused with other terms containing…

See also Theophylline and related compounds . General information Caffeine is a methylxanthine used to stimulate the central nervous system in combating fatigue and drowsiness. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, skeletal muscle contraction and gastric secretion. It acts to a lesser extent on the kidney, producing a diuresis. Most of its adverse effects result from accentuated pharmacological actions, including those described above, and they may…

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General information Cabergoline is an ergoline derivative that has been used in patients with hyperprolactinemia [ ], but is used nowadays in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Adverse reactions include nausea, hypotension, headache, gastric pain, dizziness, and weakness, which as a rule resolve over time. It is almost universally accepted that directly acting dopamine receptor agonists have less efficacy than levodopa, although the reasons are not clear.…

General information C31G is a mixture of two synthetic amphoteric surface-active compounds, cetyl betaine and myristamine oxide, and has being studied as a contraceptive and microbicide. In in vitro testing C31G reduces total sperm count and sperm motility [ ]. It has broad-spectrum in vitro activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including a range of antibiotic-resistant strains, a wide range of fungi and yeasts, and…

General information Hereditary angioedema, which is characterized by episodic bouts of swelling of submucosal and subcutaneous tissue, is due to a hereditary abnormality of C1 esterase inhibitor, either a deficiency of the normal enzyme or more rarely the presence of an abnormal enzyme. If C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency can be demonstrated, infusion of concentrated C1 esterase inhibitor is effective in treating the attack. In three studies,…

See also Cresols General information Butylated hydroxytoluene, a cresol derivative, is an additive used as an antioxidant in foods, such as packet cake mixes, potato crisps, salted peanuts, and dehydrated mashed potatoes. In March 1990 the Danish Product Register included 440 products containing butylated hydroxytoluene; the content was below 50 ppm in 66% of these products; the main categories were paints/lacquers and hardeners for paints, glues,…

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General information Butorphanol is a synthetic 14-hydroxymorphinan analogue with a low dependence potential and a low propensity to cause opioid adverse effects [ ]. It is a synthetic KOR (OP2, κ) receptor agonist and MOR (OP3, μ) receptor antagonist. General adverse effects and adverse reactions In some patients, effective doses cause troublesome effects. For example, in a randomized study of patients with sickle-cell crisis who received…

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See also Cytotoxic and immunosuppressant drugs General information Busulfan is an alkylating agent that is used to treat myeloproliferative disorders and to produce myeloablation before bone marrow or stem cell transplantation. Busulfan is metabolized by hepatic glutathione S -transferase, the activity of which correlates negatively with busulfan maximum and minimum concentrations and positively with busulfan clearance [ ]. General adverse effects and adverse reactions Leukemic patients…

General information Buspirone, an azapirone drug, similar to its analogues ipsaperone and tandospirone, is chemically and pharmacologically dissimilar to the benzodiazepines and is useful in both generalized anxiety and depression [ ]. In contrast to benzodiazepines, buspirone has an antidepressant-like therapeutic latency [ ], and for this reason it needs to be given with considerable education and encouragement. It is effective in children with anxiety disorders…

General information The genera in the family Burseraceae ( Table 1 ) include olive and myrrh. Table 1 The genera of Burseraceae Boswellia (boswellia) Bursera (bursera) Canarium (olive) Commiphora (myrrh) Dacryodes (dacryodes) Tetragastris (tetragastris) 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

General information Bupropion (formerly called amfebutamone) is an amphetamine-like drug. It is structurally and pharmacologically distinct from other antidepressants, and apparently enhances both dopamine and noradrenaline function in the brain [ ]. Bupropion is used to encourage smoking cessation and in some countries as an antidepressant. In some respects its adverse reactions profile is similar to that of the SSRIs: insomnia, agitation, tremor, and nausea are…

General information Buprenorphine is a partial agonist at MOR (μ, OP3) opioid receptors and an antagonist at KOR (κ, OP2) receptors. In a double-blind, randomized study of three groups of 18 patients having abdominal surgery who received single doses of either intramuscular pethidine 75 mg, with sublingual buprenorphine 400 micrograms, or buprenorphine 300 micrograms alone, sedation and nausea were the most common adverse effects in all…

See also Anesthetics, local General information Bupivacaine is a long-acting aminoamide local anesthetic with significantly more systemic toxicity than lidocaine. In a randomized controlled study after total knee arthroplasty in 14 patients the effects of a continuous infusion of intra-articular bupivacaine were examined [ ]. The patients were randomized to three groups who received 4 ml/hour of isotonic saline, bupivacaine 0.25%, and bupivacaine 0.5%. Opioid-sparing effects…

See also Diuretics General information Bumetanide is very similar in most respects to furosemide, although it is more potent mole for mole. An oral dose of 1–4 mg often suffices for ordinary use compared with 40–160 mg of furosemide. Most adverse reactions to bumetanide are the same as with furosemide. However, it is less ototoxic and can cause muscle cramps, which furosemide does not. Organs and…

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General information Buflomedil hydrochloride is a vasoactive drug with a variety of actions. It is an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist and a weak calcium channel blocker. It inhibits platelet aggregation and improves erythrocyte deformability. However, its mechanism of action in peripheral vascular disease is not known. Buflomedil has generally been well tolerated by most patients in clinical trials [ ]. The most frequently reported adverse effects include flushing,…