Interacting drugs- summary

+ Gluthemide

Charcoal + Gluthemide-                                                                                             charcoal reduce absorption

Gluthemide + Zalcitabine-                                                                                      associated with peripheral neuropathy 

Alcohol and CNS depressants eg barbiturates and narcotics- additive CNS effects may occur when used concomittantly used with glutethimide

Anticoagulants oral- glutethimide induces hepatic microsomal enzymes,reulting in increased metabolism of the anticoagulant and possibly a decreased anticoagulant response.

Charcoal may prevent GI absorption of glutethimide.

Short term relief of insomnia 

Skin rash, nausea, hangover, drowsiness. Vertigo, headache, depression, dizziness, ataxia, cofusion, edema, indigestion, lightheadedness.

Hypersensitivity to Glutethimide

Special precautions:

Hazardous tasks- may produce drowsiness, observe caution while driving or performing other tasks which require dexterity and alertness

Indication:

Short term relief of insomnia

Dosage:

Individualise dose, not siutable for children Adults- usual dose is 250 to 500mg at bed time

Osteomalacia- ( 1854)

The term rickets and osteomalacia are used to describe a group of disorders in whicjh there is defective mineralization of the newly formed organic matrix of the skeleton. The term osteomalacia is often reserved for the disorder of mineralization of adult skeleton in which the epiphysical growth are closed.

Drugs causing adverse reactions- ( 388 )

1. Anticonvulsants

2. Gluthemide

3. Aliminuium Hydroxide

GLUETHIMIDE- 

1. May decrease alertness or physical ability. Use caution while driving or performing tasks requiring aletness.

2. Avoid alcohol and CNS depressants

3.Allergies- tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to glutethimide or related products. Also tell your doctor if youare allergic to any other substances, such as foods, presrvatives or dyes.

4.Pregnancy - too much use of glutethimide during pregnancy may cause the baby to become dependent on the medicine. This may lead to withdrawal side efects after birth.

5.Breast feeding- glutethimide passes into breast milk and may cause drowsiness in nursing babies

6 Children - no specific information comparing the use of glutethimide in children with use in other age groups

7. Elderly- may increase the chance of side effects during treatment

8. Other medicines - Let your doctor know what other medicines you are taking, so that he can advice you accordingly.

9.Anticoagulants - glutethimide may change the amount of anticoagulant you need to take Central Nervous System CNS depressants- or Tricyclic antidepresants - using these medicines together with glutethimide may increase the CNS and other depressants effects.

10. Other medical problems - Tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems especially - Enlarged prostrate or Intestinal blockage or Irregular heartbeat or Porphyria or Stomach ulcer or Urinary tract blockage - glutethimide may make the condition worse Kidney disease - higher blood levels of glutethimide may result and increase the chance of side effects

11. Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. however, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double doses.

12. Storage - Keep out of reach of children. Store away from heat or direct sunlight. Do not store the capsule in bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places.

13. Outdated medicines - Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of reach of children.

Pharmacology:

Produces CNS depression similar to barbiturates. Glutethimide exhibits pronounced anticholinergic activity, which is manifested by mydriasis, inhibition of salivary secretion and decreased intestinal motility.

Pharmacokinetics:

Erractically absorbed in GI tract. Following a single oral 500mg dose, the peak plasma level concentrations occurs from 1 to 6 hours after administration. The average plasma half-life is 10 to 12 hours.

Reports not available

Pregnancy:

Give to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Lactation:

Excecise caution and weigh-risk benefit