INTRODUCTION
Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-flammatory drug (NSAIDs) which are a group of drugs to treat pain and/or inflammation. It is an only prescription drug and is available for individuals who have tenderness, swelling and pain caused by the inflammation of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. Meloxicam functions by inhibiting the effect of chemicals called cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes which are used to make prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are the chemicals that cause pain and inflammation, known as inflammation mediators. By inhibiting the COX enzymes, fewer prostaglandins are produced, resulting in relief of pain. As there are many conditions that has to be followed up when prescribing a drug, this essay will discuss the following based on Meloxicam:
• Absorption and distribution of the drug
• Use of drug in pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Use of drug in renal and hepatic impairment
Absorption and distribution of the drug
The absorption of Meloxicam through oral administration is from the gastrointestinal tract which results in a high availability of 89%. This can be in the form of tablets, oral suspension and capsules and will produce the same bioavailability. However, with different forms of Meloxicam, there will be a difference in the time taken for the mean maximum plasma concentrations to be achieved. Following a single dose of taking Meloxicam in oral suspension form, the mean maximum plasma concentration is achieved in 2 hours whereas for capsules and tablets, it takes about 5-6 hours. This is more effective when taking a single oral dose of 30mg compared with 30 mg IV bolus injection. Dose proportional pharmacokinetics were shown in the range of 5mg to 60 mg when taking single intrave...
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Despite the obvious health risks, in February of 2005, government advisers concluded that the benefits of Vioxx outweighed the dangers and that it was the patients decision whether or not to keep using the drugs. They stated that the prescription products should ...
Polypharmacy is the “concurrent use of several differ drugs and becomes an issue in older adults when the high number of drugs in a medication regimen includes overlapping drugs for the same therapeutic effect”(Woo & Wynne, 2011, p. 1426). The patient is currently taking several medications that can potential interact with each other, perform the same therapeutic effect, and creating side effects. The following is a list of her medications and their indications:
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Pharmacokinetics of a drug depends on patient-related factors as well as on the drug’s chemical properties, some patient related factors (e.g., renal function, genetic makeup, sex, age, obesity, hepatic failure, dehydration) can be used to predict the pharmacokinetic parameters in populations (Le, 2016). In an individual with healthy hepatic function, biotransformation of a drug would occur more quickly than that of a person with liver failure. Similarly, liver function decreases with age so the elderly patient would need different dosing of a medication than a healthy young adult. Because of individual differences, drug administration must be based on each patient needs (Le, 2016).
Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication for your condition.
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Some supplements increase or decrease the effects of a medication, while others inactivate medications all together. For instance, medicinal herb, St John’s wort, is said to make drugs for heart disease, depression, HIV/AIDS, birth control pills, etc. less potent. Another example is vitamin k, which can lessen the effectiveness of blood thinners. Robert Mozersky, a medical officer at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), says, “Certain dietary supplements can change absorption, metabolism, or excretion of a medication and therefore affect its potency. “You may be getting either too much or too little of a medication you
Opioids are a class of drugs which have been used since ancient times to reduce pain.
In today’s healthcare, treatment has become more effective in its nature due to the growing knowledge of medicine. Improved medication results in reduced side effects...
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Taunna, you have provided a great example of a simple medication that was significantly complicated by the adverse effects of the drug. I thought the approach you did to the patient then was significant despite some apparent stumbling block in the extent of our clinical practice.