| Over-the counter heartburn drug could save consumers thousands
The over-the-counter drug omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) is just as effective in easing heartburn and acid reflux as costlier prescription medicines--and could save consumers up to $2,000 a year, according to an updated report from Consumer Reports' Best Buy Drugs initiative.
Prilosec OTC and prescription versions of similar drugs, such as lansoprazole (Prevacid) and esomeprazole (Nexium), belong to a class of drugs called proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). They are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the country, and manufacturers have put a great deal of marketing muscle into steering consumers to their brands. Nexium, for example, was the second-most advertised drug in 2005, with a $205 million direct-to-consumer ad campaign.
But according to the Consumer Reports' Best Buy Drugs report, none of the PPIs are significantly more effective than the others, with the only real difference being price.
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"Union is impatiently waiting for the coming of the director and the secretary education to Srinagar to extend them felicitations and to request them for the resolution of others demands as well," he said.The Union regretted that some elements, through press, had vainly tried to take the credit of the success while the fact remains that the ZPRs and CRPs observed strike for four days to press for the fulfillment of the their demand and finally their struggle came to fruition. Besides Union office-bearers, the yesterday?s meeting was also attended by the representatives from all the districts. They hailed the efforts of the Union for getting the orders on genuine demand issued. The Union is organizing a meeting on January 18, Thursday, at 11 a.m. at GHSS, Kothi Bagh, here. PET pays tributes to Prof Dhar Srinagar, Jan 15: Jammu and Kashmir People?s Educational Trust has paid rich tributes to Professor Abdul Aslam Dhar on his sixth death anniversary.
People's Pharmacy: Toprol could ease migraines
Toprol (metoprolol) is a beta-blocker. This type of medicine is often used to treat heart problems or high blood pressure. It is also prescribed to prevent migraine headaches. Q: I have seen full-page ads for Fosamax Plus D in my local newspaper. Why is Merck spending so much money advertising this osteoporosis drug? Could it be that the company is worried people will quit this medicine after learning that the benefits persist even after stopping it? I was also intrigued to read that acid-suppressing drugs like Nexium and Prilosec may be linked to hip fractures. Drugs like Fosamax can cause symptoms of heartburn, for which people would take acid suppressors. Could this create a vicious cycle? Answer: Two articles in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Dec.
Easy-to-stomach pain relief
THE gastrointestinal tract is quite amazing. Measuring about 23ft from the lips to the anus, its responsible for the digestion and absorption of the food we take in everything that we eat has to pass through this organ. Essentially we are what we eat; and absorb. But inadequate or faulty digestive processes can lead to a variety of disorders. And these gastrointestinal disorders have a major impact on health. Some common gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are bloating, belching, burning, flatulence, indigestion, diarrhoea and constipation. This complex host of symptoms can be due to a variety of reasons. In the course of treating patients both young and old, great care needs to be practised so that the root of the gastrointestinal problem is correctly diagnosed and addressed.
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