LEARN ENGLISH

DRUGS or MEDICINE

                A medicine is a substance which can cure or prevent disease,replace vital substances that the body lacks and suppres or relieve symptoms. All drugs possesss a potential benefit and a potential risk.

                Drugs used for minor complaints generally have obvious benefit and negliglible risk,; otherwise,most of us would prefer to put up with the complaint. For more serious diseases more powerful drugs are required and the risk of adverse reaction is usually higher, but well worth taking. With dangerous diseases like cancer, the benefits x ratio becomes a major consideration. Often unwated side effect, such as loss of hair, have to be accepted to gain the benefits.

                Adverse reaction to drugs takes many forms. Some happen yo every one; some affect only certain people, such as those with liver disease. Xerostomia (dryness of the mouth), drowsiness, skin rash,itchiness are minor reactions that may occasionally be fatal.

                Drugs often have two names, a general name and brand name which the manufacturer givesto his product. For example, the painkiller, paracetamol is also called panadol. Tempra depending on which drug company makes and markets it.

The following is a list some drugs commonly given:

·         Drugs against bacterial infections:

1.       Penicillines : Ampicillin, Amixil, Binotal, Augmentin

2.       Cephalosporin : Velosef, Duricef

3.       Aminoglycosides : Garamycin, Kaomycin, Erythocin, Fucidin

4.       Sulphonamides : Septrin, Bactrim, Tetracycline, Steclin, Chloramphenicol-Kemicetin

·         Drugs against fungal infection : Nizoral, Daktarin

·         Drugs against viral infections: At present only very few viral diseases (herpes simpleks and herpes zoster) can be treated with antiviral agents like Acyclovir.

·         Drugs against malaria : Fansidar

·         Drugs for breathing disorder:

1.       Bronchodilators : Bricasma, Ventolin, Alupent

2.       Corticosteroids : Oradexon, Corton, Prophylaxis (Preventive Treatment Of Asthma)

3.       Cough Medicines : Silomat Compositum, Codipront, Transpulmin.

·         Drugs for disgestive disorders:

1.       Antacids : Gelusil, Mylanta

2.       Antispasmodics : Buscopan, Systabon

3.       Anti Muscarinic : Gastrozepin

4.       Antidiarrhoel : Lomotil, Imodium

5.       Laxatives : Ducolac, Microlac

·         Drugs for brain and nerve disorders:

1.       Sedative : Dalmadorm, Magadon, Valium

2.       Analgesics : Dilantin, Tegretol, Antalgin, Rivotril