Vitamins, OTC Supplements, Antidotes, and Miscellaneous Topics Chapter 17 Vitamins, OTC Supplements, Antidotes, and Miscellaneous Topics

Medical Foods Not FDA approved Manufacturer may determine that medical food must have Rx to be dispensed, but no FDA review required Used for burn victims, kidney dialysis patients, or patients with CV disease or osteoporosis

Probiotics Stimulate the growth of beneficial (“good”) bacteria in the body Most common probiotic products and use acidophilus: diarrhea, vaginitis Activia: constipation Align: IBS Culturelle: diarrhea Flora-Q: IBS Lactinex: diarrhea, cold sores

Water Deficits Caused by loss of body fluids resulting from disorders such as vomiting diarrhea edema large urine output excessive sweating from fever acute weight loss

Electrolytes Compounds that form ions when dissolved in water Ions are electrically charged particles sodium and water = blood volume and blood pressure = circulatory collapse

Electrolytes Na+ - acid-base & water balance, electroactivity K+ - acid-base & water balance, nervous system function Ca++- bone formation, coagulation, contractility Mg++- normal nerve and muscle function

IV Therapy An isotonic solution has the same level of each type of particles as the body fluids, e.g. 0.9% NaCl

Enteral Nutrition Patients fed through a tube leading to the GI system (stomach or small intestines) Preferred method over IV therapy because GI system will remain functional

Parental Nutrition Parental nutrition (PN): patient fed through a view Total parenteral nutrition (TPN): provides patient with all nutritional requirements through the parental route

Alternative Supplements Use of herbs to treat various complaints Herbs were the original source of many important drugs Herbs have served as models for many synthetic drugs

Safety Issues Many people think herbals products are nontoxic and safe, but this is not completely true FDA prevents relatively poisonous plants from being on the market, however safety issues still exist

Three Particular Safety Concerns One herb may be mistaken for another Could result in serious side effects or allergic response Potential for interactions with other herbs and drugs Patient may try to treat themselves with herbal products and forgo effective treatment

Some Problems With Herbal Supplements Lack of regulation and standardization No FDA quality control Content of herbal products varies widely Accurate information is hard to find Determining toxicity Some of the most toxic chemicals are obtained from plants

Alternative Supplements Chamomile- anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic Chondroitin- arthritis chromium picolinate- weight loss, improve insulin metabolism coenzyme Q10- CHF dong quai- menstrual cramps Echinacea- common cold enada, NADH- mental clarity, fatigue

Alternative Supplements Feverfew- migraine prophylaxis Garlic- HTN and hyperlipidemia Ginger- antiemetic Ginkgo- circulatory stimulant Ginseng- energy Glucosamine- arthritis Hawthorn- cardiovascular problems

Alternative Supplements Kava- anxiety, psychosis, induces relaxation Melatonin- sleep saw palmetto- prostate St. John’s wort- depression Valerian- sleep Yohimbe- impotence

Poisons and Antidotes Children under 6 at high risk of accidental poisoning Common drugs that cause the most childhood poisonings Iron tablets TCAs Calcium channel blockers Opiates Aspirin Alcohol

Klor-Con/Potassium Chloride Used to prevent or to treat low levels of potassium Category C

Folvite/Folic Acid B vitamin Produce & maintain new cells, prevent changes to DNA Tx: anemia, folic acid deficiency Preg. Cat A