Drug Information

Generic Name: alendronate (a LEN droe nate)

Brand Name: Fosamax

Fosamax is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, the brittle bone disease, in postmenopausal women. It is also used to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis, and is prescribed for both men and women who have developed a form of osteoporosis sometimes caused by steroid medications such as prednisone. This drug can also be used to relieve Paget's disease of bone, a painful condition that weakens and deforms the bones.

Side effects:

More common side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, bone and joint pain, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, muscle pain, nausea

Less common side effects may include:
Abdominal distention, acid backup, difficulty in swallowing, esophageal ulcers, gas, headache, stomach ulcers, vomiting

Rare side effects may include:
Changes in taste, esophageal blockage or perforation, eye pain, hives, inflammation of the stomach, mouth sores, muscle cramps, rash, skin redness, swollen face and throat

GENERIC NAME: NAPROXEN

BRAND NAME: Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn, Aleve

These drugs are used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. They work by reducing the levels of prostaglandins, chemicals that are responsible for pain, fever and inflammation. Naproxen blocks the enzyme that makes prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase ), resulting in lower concentrations of prostaglandins. As a consequence, inflammation, pain and fever are reduced.

Side effects:

The most common side effects from naproxen are rash, ringing in the ears, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness,abdominal pain, nausea, diarhea, constipation, heartburn, fluid retention and shortness of breath. Naproxen also may cause stomach and intestinal bleeding and ulcers. Sometimes, stomach ulceration and intestinal bleeding can occur without any abdominal pain. Black tarry stools, weakness, and dizziness upon standing may be the only signs of the bleeding. People who are allergic to other NSAIDs should not use naproxen.

GENERIC NAME: Ibuprofen

BRAND NAME: Advil, Children's Advil/Motrin, Medipren, Motrin, Nuprin, Pediacare Fever etc.

Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs called non- steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs (NSAIDS). Other members of this class include naproxen (Aleve), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen) and several others. These drugs are used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. Prostaglandins are chemicals that are made by the body and are responsible for causing pain, fever and inflammation. Ibuprofen blocks the enzyme that makes prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase), resulting in lower levels of prostaglandins. As a consequence, inflammation, pain and fever are reduced. The FDA approved ibuprofen in 1974.

Side effects:

The most common side effects from ibuprofen are rash, ringing in the ears, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea , constipation, and heartburn. Ibuprofen may cause ulceration of the stomach or intestine, and the ulcers may bleed. Sometimes, ulceration and bleeding can occur without abdominal pain, and black tarry stools, weakness, and dizziness upon standing (orthostatic hypotension) may be the only signs of a problem. NSAIDs reduce the flow of blood to the kidneys and impair function of the kidneys. The impairment is most likely to occur in patients with preexisting impairment of kidney function or congestive heart failure, and use of NSAIDs in these patients should be done cautiously. People who are allergic to other NSAIDs, including aspirin, should not use ibuprofen. Individuals with asthma are more likely to experience allergic reactions to ibuprofen and other NSAIDs.

GENERIC NAME: Omeprazole

BRAND NAME: Prilosec

Prilosec is prescribed for the short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks) of stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer (near the exit from the stomach), and erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), and for the treatment of heartburn and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (backflow of acid stomach contents into the canal leading to the stomach). It is also used to maintain healing of erosive esophagitis and for the long-term treatment of conditions in which too much stomach acid is secreted, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, multiple endocrine adenomas (benign tumors), and systemic mastocytosis (cancerous cells).

Side effects:

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting. Abdominal swelling, abnormal dreams, aggression, anemia, anxiety, apathy, back pain, breast development in males, blood in urine, changes in liver function, chest pain, confusion, constipation, cough, depression, difficulty sleeping, discolored feces, dizziness, dry mouth, dry skin, fatigue, fever, fluid retention and swelling, fluttery heartbeat, frequent urination, gas, general feeling of illness, hair loss, hallucinations, hepatitis, high blood pressure, hives, irritable colon, itching, joint and leg pain, loss of appetite, low blood sugar, muscle cramps and pain, nervousness, nosebleeds, pain, pain in testicles, rapid heartbeat, rash, ringing in ears, skin inflammation, sleepiness, slow heartbeat, stomach tumors, taste distortion, tingling or pins and needles, throat pain, tremors, upper respiratory infection, urinary tract infection, vertigo, weakness, weight gain, yellow eyes and skin.

When taken with Biaxin, side effects also may include:

Flu symptoms, nasal inflammation, sore throat, taste alteration, tongue discoloration.

When taken with amoxicillin and Biaxin, side effects also may include:

Diarrhea, headache, taste alteration

Generic name: Isometheptine, Dichloralphenazone, Acetaminophen

Brand Name: Midrin

Isometheptene, dichloralphenazone, and acetaminophen (eye-soe-meth-EP-teen, dye-klor-al-FEN-a-zone, and a-seat-a-MIN-oh-fen ) combination is used to treat certain kinds of headaches, such as “tension” headaches and migraine headaches. This combination is not used regularly (for example, every day) to prevent headaches. It should be taken only after headache pain begins, or after a warning sign that a migraine is coming appears. Isometheptene helps to relieve throbbing headaches, but it is not an ordinary pain reliever. Dichloralphenazone helps you to relax, and acetaminophen relieves pain.Generic name: Isometheptine, Dichloralphenazone, Acetaminophen

Side effects:

Less common: Unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare: Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; pinpoint red spots on skin; skin rash, hives, or itching; sore throat and fever; unusual bleeding or bruising; yellow eyes or skin

Symptoms of dependence on this medicine:

Headaches, more severe and/or more frequent than before

Symptoms of acetaminophen overdose

Diarrhea; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea or vomiting; pain, tenderness, and/or swelling in the upper abdominal (stomach) area; stomach cramps or pain

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common: Drowsiness

Rare: Dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat

Isometheptene, dichloralphenazone, and acetaminophen (eye-soe-meth-EP-teen, dye-klor-al-FEN-a-zone, and a-seat-a-MIN-oh-fen ) combination is used to treat certain kinds of headaches, such as “tension” headaches and migraine headaches. This combination is not used regularly (for example, every day) to prevent headaches. It should be taken only after headache pain begins, or after a warning sign that a migraine is coming appears. Isometheptene helps to relieve throbbing headaches, but it is not an ordinary pain reliever. Dichloralphenazone helps you to relax, and acetaminophen relieves pain. Generic name: Isometheptine, Dichloralphenazone, Acetaminophen