Archives April 2023

Betamethasone comes in ointment, cream, lotion, gel, and aerosol (spray) in various strengths for use on the skin and as a foam to apply to the scalp. It is usually applied once or twice daily. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use betamethasone exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not apply it to other areas of your body or use it to treat other skin conditions unless directed to do so by your doctor.

Your skin condition should improve during the first 2 weeks of your treatment. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve during this time.

To use betamethasone topical, apply a small amount of ointment, cream, solution, gel, or lotion to cover the affected area of skin with a thin even film and rub it in gently.

To use the foam on your scalp, part your hair, apply a small amount of the medicine on the affected area, and rub it in gently. You may wash your hair as usual but not right after applying the medicine.

Betamethasone foam may catch fire. Stay away from open fire, flames, and do not smoke while you are applying betamethasone foam, and for a short time afterward.

This medication is only for use on the skin. Do not let betamethasone topical get into your eyes or mouth and do not swallow it. Avoid use in the genital and rectal areas and in skin creases and armpits unless directed by your doctor.

If you are using betamethasone on a child’s diaper area, do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants. Such use may increase side effects.

Do not apply other skin preparations or products on the treated area without talking with your doctor.

Do not wrap or bandage the treated area unless your doctor tells you that you should. Such use may increase side effects.

Call your doctor if the treated area gets worse or if burning, swelling, redness, or oozing of pus develops.

Before using betamethasone,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to betamethasone, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in betamethasone topical products. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the following: other corticosteroid medications and other topical medications.

tell your doctor if you have an infection or have ever had diabetes, liver disease, or Cushing’s syndrome (an abnormal condition that is caused by excess hormones [corticosteroids]). .

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using betamethasone topical, call your doctor immediately.

if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using betamethasone topical.

Betamethasone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

burning, itching, irritation, stinging, redness, or dryness of the skin

acne

unwanted hair growth

skin color changes

bruising or shiny skin

tiny red bumps or rash around the mouth

small white or red bumps on the skin

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

severe rash

redness, swelling, or other signs of skin infection in the place where you applied betamethasone

Children who use betamethasone topical may have an increased risk of side effects including slowed growth and delayed weight gain. Talk to your child’s doctor about the risks of applying this medication to your child’s skin.

Betamethasone topical may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to betamethasone.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats with atorvastatin has been shown to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.

Atorvastatin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take atorvastatin at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take atorvastatin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of atorvastatin and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 2 to 4 weeks.

Continue to take atorvastatin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking atorvastatin without talking to your doctor.

Before taking atorvastatin,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to atorvastatin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in atorvastatin tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antifungal medications such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); boceprevir (Victrelis); cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin); cobicistat-containing medications (Stribild); colchicine (Colcrys); digoxin (Lanoxin); efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); other cholesterol-lowering medications such as fenofibrate (Tricor), gemfibrozil (Lopid), and niacin (nicotinic acid, Niacor, Niaspan); certain HIV protease inhibitors such as darunavir (Prezista), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), lopinavir (in Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), and tipranavir (Aptivus); medications that suppress the immune system such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); spironolactone (Aldactone); and telaprevir (Incivek). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Other medications may also interact with atorvastatin, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.

tell your doctor if you have liver disease. Your doctor will order laboratory tests to see how well your liver is working even if you do not think you have liver disease. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take atorvastatin if you have or have had liver disease or if the tests show you may be developing liver disease.

tell your doctor if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily, if you are 65 years of age or older, if you have ever had liver disease, and if you have or have ever had muscle aches or weakness; diabetes, seizures, low blood pressure, or thyroid or kidney disease.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while you are taking atorvastatin. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you become pregnant while taking atorvastatin, stop taking atorvastatin and call your doctor immediately. Atorvastatin may harm the fetus.

do not breast-feed while you are taking this medication.

if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking atorvastatin. If you are hospitalized due to serious injury or infection, tell the doctor who treats you that you are taking atorvastatin.

ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking atorvastatin. Alcohol can increase the risk of serious side effects.

Atorvastatin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

diarrhea

heartburn

gas

joint pain

forgetfulness or memory loss

confusion

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor or get emergency medical help immediately:

muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness

lack of energy

fever

chest pain

nausea

extreme tiredness

weakness

unusual bleeding or bruising

loss of appetite

pain in the upper right part of the stomach

flu-like symptoms

dark colored urine

yellowing of the skin or eyes

rash

hives

itching

difficulty breathing or swallowing

swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

hoarseness

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests during your treatment , especially if you develop symptoms of liver damage.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking atorvastatin.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

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Lactulose comes as liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day for treatment of constipation and three or four times a day for liver disease. Your prescription label tells you how much medicine to take at each dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take lactulose exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Before taking lactulose,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lactulose or any other drugs.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antacids, antibiotics including neomycin (Mycifradin), and other laxatives.

tell your doctor if you have diabetes or require a low-lactose diet.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking lactulose, call your doctor.

if you are having surgery or tests on your colon or rectum, tell the doctor that you are taking lactulose.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Lactulose may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

diarrhea

gas

nausea

If you have any of the following symptoms, stop taking lactulose and call your doctor immediately:

stomach pain or cramps

vomiting

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

To improve the taste of lactulose, mix your dose with one-half glass of water, milk, or fruit juice.

Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.