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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

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

17. 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

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

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