Didrex

We have discussed lots of topics in the ConsumerHealthDigest.com weight loss forum—diet, exercise, stress, anxiety, pms, menopause, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease. But one topic that is sure to turn up week after week is appetite suppression. So many people just cannot gain control over their appetite, and we now know that more than just will-power is required to fight the battle of the bulge –and win. Unfortunately, human beings have been hard-wired with large appetites for the purpose of increasing the chance of survival in ancient times. In times of scarcity, this trait was necessary for the survival of our ancestors. However, in modern times, where most of us encounter an excess of accessible, relatively inexpensive, calorically dense foods, this trait causes considerably more harm than good. Large appetites, combined with the excess accessibility of inexpensive, calorically dense foods, unfortunately for us, is a formula for disaster. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and continues to grow in size and severity. And we know that obesity leads to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes, as well as a number of other serious health conditions which can have drastic implications. So what can we do on our end to silence the call of our ravenous, often out of control appetites and finally put an end to weight gain? In light of the recent obesity epidemic, a number of products have appeared on the market aimed at weight loss and appetite suppression. These products include vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements, as well as prescription pharmaceutical medications which can only be obtained under a doctor’s recommendation. A solution may now be available for you. By using an appetite suppressant, and finding ways to restore normal, balanced eating habits, it may be possible to lose weight as well as the stress of dieting through willpower alone, and get your life back on track. Prescription Drug Didrex® Benzphetamine hydrochloride, generic name for the appetite suppressant Didrex®. Didrex® is indicated only for the short-term (few weeks) management of obesity. Tolerance to the appetite suppressant effects usually develops within a few weeks, at which time the drug will become ineffective and use should be discontinued. Caution should be used, as Didrex® has been indicated in the development of cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart, that diminishes the heart's performance. Didrex® is related chemically and pharmacologically to the amphetamines. The use of amphetamines and related drugs may be associated with intense psychological dependence and severe social dysfunction. Discontinued use may result in withdrawal-like symptoms including extreme fatigue and depression. Side effects may also include skin abnormalities, insomnia, irritability, hyperactivity, personality changes, and psychosis. Are there alternatives? Non-Prescription All Natural Appetite Suppressants What makes a non-prescription appetite suppressant product so appealing? Is it the all natural and non-physically addictive properties? Prescription products pose the risk for too many potential side effects and drug interactions. The elite non-prescription products contain thermogenic ingredients which support weight loss through not only one, but dual mechanisms: 1: suppress the appetite 2: increase metabolic rate and the number of calories burned You might not need to resort to prescription strength drugs to achieve your weight loss goals. All natural supplements can support a safe and effective weight loss regimen. Natural supplements give you an excellent alternative to prescription strength appetite suppression drugs. These products have limited side effects, less drug interactions, and are less expensive than alot of the prescription strength appetite suppressants available on the market today. Unlike prescription appetite suppressants, alternative therapies can be used with a greater amount of safety and ease. What is the best all natural appetite suppressant on the market today? We reviewed over 50 different all natural appetite suppressants on the market today. At the conclusion of our research, we found Lipovarin™, manufactured by Sterling Grant Laboratories, demonstrates overall safety and effective weight loss results at a reasonable cost. That is why we have rated it Consumer Health Digest's Best Buy! Uses Didrex is an appetite suppressant. For short-term management of obesity, Didrex should be used with diet, exercise, and behavior therapy for the best results. How to take this medication Take Didrex as prescribed by your doctor. Didrex should be taken 30 minutes before a meal. The last dose of the day should be ingested at least 4 to 6 hours before bedtime. (If you are taking Didrex once a day, take the dose in the morning.) Side effects As with any prescription, adverse effects are possible. The potential side effects that should diminish during treatment include nervousness, restlessness, or dry mouth. If they persist over time, check with your doctor. If you notice adverse effects not detailed above, contact your medical provider. (If overdose is suspected, contact your local emergency room, immediately.) Symptoms of overdose possibly include tremor, rapid breathing, restlessness, confusion, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Precautions Never exceed the recommended dose of Didrex. Also do NOT take the medication for a period of time than prescribed by your physician. (There are certain adverse effects associated with exceeding the recommended dose or taking Didrex for longer than prescribed.) Prior to taking any new medicine, either over-the-counter, or prescription consult your physician and/or pharmacist. Until you know how your body reacts to Didrex, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that could be life threatening. Before any medical or dental treatments, notify all medical specialists that you are using Didrex. FOR WOMEN: Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. (The medicine can be excreted in breast milk.) Drug interactions Some prescriptions and medical conditions may interact with Didrex. Report all of the over-the-counter and prescribed medicines that you are taking to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use Didrex if you are also taking furazolidone, guanadrel, guanethidine, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Remember to inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including pregnancy, breast-feeding or allergies. Notes If you miss a dose of Didrex, take it as soon as possible. However, if you are taking Didrex once a day and you miss a dose, and it is afternoon or after 4 pm, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. NEVER take 2 doses at once. Storage Store Didrex in a tightly closed container at room temperature below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) and away from heat and light out of the reach of children. IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug. USES: Benzphetamine is used in combination with diet and exercise programs to help you reduce weight. HOW TO USE: This medication is best taken on an empty stomach one hour before meals; or take as directed by your doctor. Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than prescribed because this drug can be habit-forming. Also, if used for a longer period of time, do not suddenly stop using this without first consulting your doctor. Because this medication may cause sleeplessness, do not take a dose late in the day unless directed to do so by your doctor. When used for extended periods, this medication may not work as well. Consult your doctor if this medication stops working well. SIDE EFFECTS: Blurred vision, dizziness, dry mouth, irritability, sleeplessness, stomach upset or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience: chest pain, nervousness, pounding heart, difficulty urinating, mood changes, breathing difficulties, swelling, skin rash. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: high blood pressure, over-active thyroid, glaucoma, diabetes, emotional or mental conditions, substance abuse problems, heart or circulation problems, allergies. If this medication makes you dizzy or lightheaded, use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving. This drug is not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years of age. Benzphetamine should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. This drug may be excreted into breast milk. You may have to stop nursing or stop using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Inform your doctor about all the medicines you use, (prescription and nonprescription), especially of: blood pressure medicine, MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., doxepin, imipramine), drugs that affect the pH of urine (e.g., sodium bicarbonate), other drugs used to reduce weight. Alcohol may increase the dizziness effects of this medicine. Limit alcohol use. Avoid "stimulant" drugs that may increase your heart rate such as decongestants or caffeine. Decongestants are commonly found in cough-and-cold medicines. If you are uncertain your medicines contain either of these ingredients, consult your pharmacist. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. NOTES: Appetite suppressants are not a substitute for proper diet. For maximum effects, this must be used in combination with diet and exercise programs. Do not share this medication with others. MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, do not double the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug. USES: Benzphetamine is used in combination with diet and exercise programs to help you reduce weight. HOW TO USE: This medication is best taken on an empty stomach one hour before meals; or take as directed by your doctor. Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than prescribed because this drug can be habit-forming. Also, if used for a longer period of time, do not suddenly stop using this without first consulting your doctor. Because this medication may cause sleeplessness, do not take a dose late in the day unless directed to do so by your doctor. When used for extended periods, this medication may not work as well. Consult your doctor if this medication stops working well. SIDE EFFECTS: Blurred vision, dizziness, dry mouth, irritability, sleeplessness, stomach upset or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience: chest pain, nervousness, pounding heart, difficulty urinating, mood changes, breathing difficulties, swelling, skin rash. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: high blood pressure, over-active thyroid, glaucoma, diabetes, emotional or mental conditions, substance abuse problems, heart or circulation problems, allergies. If this medication makes you dizzy or lightheaded, use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving. This drug is not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years of age. Benzphetamine should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. This drug may be excreted into breast milk. You may have to stop nursing or stop using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Inform your doctor about all the medicines you use, (prescription and nonprescription), especially of: blood pressure medicine, MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., doxepin, imipramine), drugs that affect the pH of urine (e.g., sodium bicarbonate), other drugs used to reduce weight. Alcohol may increase the dizziness effects of this medicine. Limit alcohol use. Avoid "stimulant" drugs that may increase your heart rate such as decongestants or caffeine. Decongestants are commonly found in cough-and-cold medicines. If you are uncertain your medicines contain either of these ingredients, consult your pharmacist. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. NOTES: Appetite suppressants are not a substitute for proper diet. For maximum effects, this must be used in combination with diet and exercise programs. Do not share this medication with others. MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, do not double the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Review Summary Didrex is a prescription medication designed to help users lose weight by functioning as appetite suppressant. In this sense, it is intended to prevent weight gain rather than cure the excess fat after its absorption in the body. Like many weight loss medications, it is typically prescribed only to the very obese who are at risk for serious health risks as a result. Because of certain side effects it is only suitable for short term use. Ingredients At A Glance Didrex contains benzphetamine hydrochloride. Ingredients In Focus Benzphetamine hydrochloride is a Sympathomimetic amine, which means that it mimics the effects of the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. Although the exact mechanisms of action for suppressing appetite are unclear, it does function similarly to amphetamine and tyrosine. These substances are thought to stimulate the release of norepinephrine and dopamine in the part of the brain that controls appetite, causing a reduction in the desire for food. Drugs like Ditrex may also stimulate the release of seratonin, which can help to elevate mood and diminish cravings. Diet Lifestyle Since more and more studies are suggesting that obesity may be chemical, the condition often requires a doctor’s intervention to promote and sustain weight loss. Chronic and potentially dangerous conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are greatly exacerbated by obesity, and in such cases prescription medication to speed weight loss may be required. While some medications have been shown to be safe for longer term use, Didrex may be habit-forming, and for this reason doctors typically prescribe it only for a short time. In some users, the results may be soon enough that result are quick enough to take them out of the possible danger zone. Positives • Extended-release capsules • Treatment of obesity may help to reduce the risks of diabetes and high blood pressure Negatives • Available by prescription only • Physically and psychologically habit-forming • Not for long-term use • May cause side effects similar to the kind caused by amphetamines Final Thoughts Although Didrex has shown to be very effective at helping users lose weight in a fairly short period of time, it is generally prescribed only when a person’s weight poses a significant health risk. Since it is similar to an amphetamine and affects the nervous system, users may experience shakiness or feelings of anxiety. Other prescription weight loss drugs have been approved for more extended use, but there is no research available on their long-term effects. Those who are generally healthy but are interested in getting into better shape may have success with an herbal appetite suppressant. Didrex® Medical Information: Didrex (benzphetamine) is a drug that is often abused. This medication is addictive and may cause serious side effects. Other weight loss options should be seriously considered before embarking on the use of this medication. The following information should also be considered: What is benzphetamine? Didrex (benzphetamine hydrochloride) is an appetite suppressant that is chemically similar to phentermine. Didrex is a sympathomimetic amine, which is similar to an amphetamine. It enhances the production of dopamine. Dopamine stimulates the central nervous system and increases the heart rate and blood pressure, thereby decreasing the appetite. Who should not take benzphetamine? You cannot take benzphetamine if you · have heart disease or high blood pressure; · have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries); · have glaucoma; · have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days; or · have a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have · problems with your thyroid, · an anxiety disorder, · epilepsy or another seizure disorder, or · diabetes. What are the possible side effects of benzphetamine? If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking benzphetamine and seek emergency medical attention: · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); · an irregular heartbeat or very high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or · hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or confusion. Other side effects include: · restlessness or tremor, · anxiety or nervousness · headache or dizziness, · insomnia, · dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth, · diarrhea or constipation, or · impotence or changes in your sex drive. Benzphetamine is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. What other drugs will affect benzphetamine? • You cannot take benzphetamine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days. • Changes in insulin and other diabetes drug therapies may be necessary during treatment with benzphetamine. • Benzphetamine may reduce the effects of guanethidine (Ismelin). This could lead to an increase in blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you are taking guanethidine. • Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), or desipramine (Norpramin). These drugs may decrease the effects of benzphetamine. • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with benzphetamine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Where can I get more information? www.fda.gov The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising healthcare professionals and consumers that filling U.S. prescriptions abroad may give patients the wrong active ingredient for treating their health condition. Some FDA-approved products have the same brand names as drug products that are marketed outside the U.S. but contain completely different active ingredients. In addition, 105 U.S. brand names are so similar to foreign brand names used for products with different active ingredients that patients who fill prescriptions abroad may inadvertently get the wrong drugs. Using the wrong drugs creates avoidable risks of adverse drug reactions with no health improvements. Consumers who fill U.S. prescriptions abroad, either when traveling or when shopping at foreign internet pharmacies, need to take caution because foreign drugs may use identical or potentially confusing brand names for products with different active ingredients. Identical or very similar brand names, if associated with different active ingredients, may cause preventable pharmacy errors because approximately three quarters of all U.S. prescriptions are written using brand names rather than the scientific (or so-called "generic") names of the active ingredients.1 To minimize confusion within the U.S., FDA has procedures in place to review brand names for use in the U.S. proposed by the manufacturer, relative to U.S. marketed product names. No international regulatory system exists, however, to ensure that new brand names are sufficiently different from existing ones elsewhere in the world to prevent undue confusion by pharmacists who are filling prescriptions from outside their country. The FDA found 18 foreign drug products that use the same brand name as an FDA-approved medication but contain a different active ingredient. Table 1 lists the 18 foreign brand names, along with the active ingredients used in the U.S. and abroad, and the foreign country where the other active ingredient is marketed. The list excludes drug products available only in a hospital setting and drugs regulated as controlled substances in the U.S. This list focuses on prescription-only products, although similar and identical names exist among over-the-counter remedies.2 While some of the identical brand names have different active ingredients appropriate for the same health condition, these products should not be substituted without the guidance of a healthcare professional due to different doses, side effects, allergies, and interactions with other drugs. FDA cautions that this list of identical brand names used for different drugs in other countries is probably not comprehensive and is subject to change. To develop this list, FDA used Chemindex(TM), a proprietary database from a data vendor named IMS Health to compare brand names for single-ingredient products marketed in the U.S. and 28 other industrialized countries in 2003.3 FDA also used Martindale Product Index, an online drug reference database to identify some foreign drug names and indications. Earlier reports confirm the risks described here. In a January 13, 2005 newsletter, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) described a serious adverse event resulting from drug marketed abroad that had the same name as a product marketed in the U.S. but contained an active ingredient different from the product in the U.S. ISMP described a patient who traveled to Serbia and ran out of Dilacor XR (diltiazem extended release), marketed by Watson Labs in the U.S., and used to treat high blood pressure. A Serbian pharmacist filled the prescription with digoxin 0.25 mg because in Serbia, Dilacor, marketed by a local company, is a brand name for digoxin. Digoxin is used to treat heart failure as well as abnormal heart rhythms, and requires blood testing for close monitoring of the amount of the drug in the body to avoid serious adverse events. The patient, who continued taking the medication without realizing it was digoxin and not diltiazem, was hospitalized with life-threatening drug toxicity after his return to the U.S. An article in the Wall Street Journal on August 16, 2005 noted the risks inherent in identical brand names being used for products with different active ingredients and listed six such brand names for drugs sold in the both U.S. and in Europe. 4 FDA has also found 105 U.S. brand names for which there are foreign brand names that look or sound so much alike that consumers who fill prescriptions abroad may receive the wrong active ingredient as the result of pharmacy errors.5 For example, Ambyen is a brand name for amiodarone, used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, in the United Kingdom. A supply of Amyben in place of Ambien (zolpidem tartrate), a sleeping medicine marketed in the U.S., could have a serious adverse outcome. These very similar sounding brand names and the associated active ingredients are listed in Table 2 below, though this list is likely incomplete. The similarities between the U.S. and foreign names listed in Table 2 may contribute to potentially harmful pharmacy errors. Using a computer algorithm, FDA compared the degree of similarity of drug names listed in Table 2 with the degree of similarity of drug names that ISMP reported were actually confused by pharmacists and doctors in the U.S.6 The drug name pairs in Table 2 are much more similar than those for which ISMP has reported that a patient received the wrong drug because of drug name confusion. This advisory complements the ISMP study data findings. FDA plans to update this advisory, as appropriate, after it collects more information. Table 1 Identical U.S. and Foreign Brand Names Associated With Different Active Ingredients Brand Name U.S. Active Ingredient U.S. Indication Foreign Active Ingredient Foreign Indication Foreign Country Aldactone spironolactone water pill Potassium canrenoate water pill Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary Alphadine* povidone-iodine disinfectant Ranitidine ulcer Greece Antagon* ganirelix fertility Astemizole allergies Mexico Ranitidine ulcer Brazil Calan verapamil heart conditions Vinpocetine stroke symptoms Japan Cervidil dinoprostone labor induction Gemeprost labor induction Italy Cloderm clocortolone pivalate dry, itchy skin Clotrimazole fungal skin infections Germany Diasorb activated attapulgite diarrhea Loperamide diarrhea U.K. Dilacor diltiazem heart conditions Digoxin heart failure Serbia Verapamil heart conditions Brazil Barnidipine blood pressure Argentina Flomax tamsulosin enlarged prostate Morniflumate anti-inflammatory Italy Hexalen* altretamine ovarian cancer Hexetidine antiseptic mouthwash Greece Naqua** trichlormethiazide water pill Furosemide water pill Portugal Norpramin desipramine depression Omeprazole ulcer Spain Rubex doxorubicin cancer ascorbic acid vitamin C deficiency Ireland Urex methenamine urinary tract infection Furosemide water pill Australia Vivelle* estradiol hormone replacement norgestimate, ethinylestradiol birth control Austria *These products have different dosage forms, so that use of the wrong drug seems relatively unlikely, although the difference in active ingredients should be noted. **Naqua was identified based on the Wall Street Journal story on August 6, 2005. Table 2 Similar U.S. and Foreign Brand Names Associated With Different Active Ingredients US Brand Name US Active Ingredient US Indication Foreign Brand Name Foreign Active Ingredient Foreign Indication* Foreign Country Accupril Quinapril HCL high blood pressure Acepril Lisinopril high blood pressure Denmark Acepril Enalapril high blood pressure Hungary, Switzerland Acepril Captopril high blood pressure UK Albenza Albendazole parasite infections Avanza Mirtazapine depression Australia Allegra Fexofenadine HCL allergies Allegro Frovatriptan headache Germany Allegro Fluticasone Proprionate allergies Israel Allegra D Fexofenadine HCL; Pseudoephedrine HCL allergies/cold symptoms Allegro Frovatriptan headache Germany Allegro Fluticasone Proprionate allergies Israel Aralen Chloroquine Phosphate malaria Oralon Povidone-Iodine disinfectant Japan Paralen Paracetamol mild to moderate pain Czech Republic Avandia Rosiglitazone Maleate diabetes Avanza Mirtazapine depression Australia Betagan Levobunolol HCL glaucoma Betagon Mepindolol glaucoma Italy Beta-Val Betamethasone Valerate skin problems Betanol Metipranolol glaucoma Monaco Betimol Timolol glaucoma Betanol Metipranolol glaucoma Monaco Carac Fluorouracil cancer Carace Lisinopril high blood pressure Ireland, UK Cardene Nicardipine HCL high blood pressure, chest pain Cardem Celiprolol high blood pressure, chest pain Spain Cardin Methyldopa high blood pressure Brazil Cardizem Diltiazem HCL high blood pressure, chest pain Cardem Celiprolol high blood pressure, chest pain Spain Cedax Ceftibuten Dihydrate infection Codex Saccharomyces Boulardii GI disorders Italy Cefotan Cefotetan Disodium infection Lexotan Bromazepam anxiety Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, UK Cefiton Cefixime infection Portugal Ceftin Cefuroxime Axetil infection Cefiton Cefixime infection Portugal Ceftina Cefalotin infection Mexico Ceftim Ceftazidime infection Italy Cenestin Estrogens; Conjugated Synthetic menopause Canesten Clotrimazole fungal infections Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, UK Clobex Clobetasol Propionate skin problems Codex Saccharomyces Boulardii GI disorders Italy Cognex Tacrine HCL Alzheimer's disease Codex Saccharomyces Boulardii GI disorders Italy Depen Penicillamine Wilson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis Depon Paracetamol pain, fever Greece Dipen Diltiazem high blood pressure, chest pain Greece Desferal Deferoxamine Mesylate lower blood iron Deseril Methysergide migraines Australia, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, UK Desyrel Trazodone HCL depression Desurol Oxolinic Acid urinary tract infections Czech Republic Deseril Methysergide migraines Australia, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, UK Detrol Tolterodine Tartrate bladder control Desurol Oxolinic Acid urinary tract infections Czech Republic Didrex Benzphetamine HCL appetite suppression Nitrex Isosorbide Mononitrate chest pain Italy Dilantin Phenytoin seizures Dolantine Pethidine Hcl relieves moderate to severe pain, including labor pain Belgium, Switzerland Dilor Diphylline asthma, bronchitis, emphysema Dilar Paramethasone inflammation France, Mexico Diuril Chlorothiazide blood pressure, swelling associated with heart & liver failure Duorol Paracetamol pain, fever Spain Doxil Doxorubicin HCL cancer Doxal Doxepin depression, anxiety, insomnia Finland Doxal Doyxcycline infection Austria Doxal Pyridoxine Hcl, Thiamine Hcl vitamin Brazil Epipen Epinephrine severe allergic reaction Epigen Glycyrrhizinic Acid herpes infections Mexico Epopen Epoetin Alfa blood loss Spain Estring Estradiol menopause Estrena Estradiol menopause Finland Estrone Estrone menopause Estrena Estradiol menopause Finland Eurax Crotamiton scabies skin infection Urex Furosemide swelling caused by congestive heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease. Australia Flarex Fluorometholone Acetate red, watery eyes Flurets Sodium Fluoride cavity prevention Australia Fluarix Vaccine, Influenza influenza prevention Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UK Fluorex Sodium Fluoride cavity prevention France Flomax Tamsulosin HCL enlarged prostate Flomox Cefcapene Pivoxil Hcl infection Japan Florone Diflorasone Diacetate skin disorders Fluoron Fluorine cavity prevention Canada Fluoron Fluorine cavity prevention Canada Flogene Fentiazac pain, inflammation Italy Flogene Piroxicam Betadex pain, inflammation Brazil Florone-E Diflorasone Diacetate skin disorders Fluoron Fluorine cavity prevention Canada Flovent Fluticasone Propionate asthma Flogen Naproxen pain, inflammation Mexico Floxin Ofloxacin infection Flogen Naproxen pain, inflammation Mexico Fluoxin Fluoxetine depression Czech Republic Flexin Orphenadrine Citrate muscle spasm Israel Fluor-Op Fluorometholone red, watery eyes Fluoron Fluorine cavity prevention Canada Foradil Formoterol Fumarate asthma Theradol Tramadol pain Netherlands Fosamax Alendronate Sodium osteoporosis (thinning of the bone) Fisamox Amoxicillin infection Australia Genotropin Somatropin Recombinant growth problems Genatropine Atropine digestion problems France Hydrea Hydroxyurea cancer Hydra Isoniazid tuberculosis Japan Hytone Hydrocortisone skin disorders Hysone Hydrocortisone adrenal insufficiency, inflammation Australia Imitrex Sumatriptan headache Nitrex Isosorbide Mononitrate chest pain Italy Inderal Propranolol HCL high blood pressure Indiaral Loperamide diarrhea France Inderal La Propranolol HCL high blood pressure Indiaral Loperamide diarrhea France Kionex Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate lower blood potassium Kinex Biperiden Parkinson's Disease Mexico Lamisil Terbinafine fungal infections Lemesil Nimesulide pain, inflammation Greece Lanoxin Digoxin heart failure Lemoxin Cefuroxime infection Mexico Limoxin Amoxicillin infection Mexico Levatol Penbutolol Sulfate high blood pressure Lovacol Lovastatin high cholesterol Chile, Finland Lidopen Lidocaine HCL anesthetic (numbs body to pain) Linoten Pamidronate Disodium stop bone loss Spain Lincocin Lincomycin HCL infection Lidosen Lidocaine local anesthesia Italy Limoxin Amoxicillin infection Mexico Livostin Levocabastine HCL eye allergies Limoxin Amoxicillin infection Mexico Lovastin Lovastatin high cholesterol Malaysia Lodosyn Carbidopa Parkinson's disease Lidosen Lidocaine local anesthesia Italy Lomotil Atropine Sulfate; Diphenoxylate HCL diarrhea Lemesil Nimesulide pain, inflammation Greece Loniten Minoxidil high blood pressure Linoten Pamidronate Disodium stop bone loss Spain Lonox Atropine Sulfate; Diphenoxylate HCL diarrhea Flomox Cefcapene Pivoxil Hcl infection Japan Lotemax Loteprednol Etabonate inflammation (swelling) Lotanax Terfenadine allergies and respiratory system disorders Czech Republic Lotensin Benazepril HCL high blood pressure Latensin Bacillus Cereus immunotherapy Germany Lotronex Alosetron HCL diarrhea predominate irritable bowel syndrome Lotanax Terfenadine allergies and respiratory system disorders Czech Republic Lovenox Enoxaparin Sodium blood clots Lotanax Terfenadine allergies and respiratory system disorders Czech Republic Loxitane Loxapine Succinate anxiety Lexotan Bromazepam anxiety Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, UK Macrobid Nitrofurantoin urinary tract infections Mikrozid Ethanol, Propanol disinfectant UK Medrol Methylprednisolone rash, inflammation Medral Omeprazole ulcer Mexico Microzide Hydrochlorothiazide high blood pressure Nitrobide Isosorbide Dinitrate chest pain Japan Mikrozid Ethanol, Propanol disinfectant UK Miralax Polyethylene Glycol 3350 constipation Murelax Oxazepam anxiety Australia Moderil Rescinnamine high blood pressure Noveril Dibenzepin depression, bed-wetting Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland Mycelex Clotrimazole fungal skin infection Mucolex Carbocisteine chronic bronchitis Ireland, Portugal, Thailand Mucolex Guaifenesin productive cough Hong Kong Narcan Naloxone HCL narcotic overdose Marcen Ketazolam anxiety, insomnia, skeletal muscle spasm Spain Natrecor Nesiritide Recombinant severe congestive heart failure Nitrocor Glyceryl Trinitrate chest pain Chile, Italy Niacor Niacin vitamin deficiency Nacor Enalapril high blood pressure Spain Nipent Pentostatin leukemia Nipin Nifedipine high blood pressure, chest pain Italy, Singapore Nitro-Dur Nitroglycerin chest pain Nitrocor Glyceryl Trinitrate chest pain Chile, Italy Nortrel Ethinyl Estradiol; Norethindrone birth control Nostril Chlorhexidine; Cetrimonium disinfectant mouthwash France Nutracort Hydrocortisone skin problems Nitrocor Glyceryl Trinitrate chest pain Chile, Italy Optivar Azelastine HCL red, watery eyes Opthavir Aciclovir chickenpox, shingles, herpes virus infections Mexico Oralone Triamcinolone Acetonide mouth ulcers Oralon Povidone-Iodine disinfectant Japan Pamine Methscopolamine Bromide ulcer Pemine Penicillamine inflammatory disease Italy Patanol Olopatadine HCL red, watery eyes Betanol Metipranolol glaucoma Monaco Precose Acarbose diabetes Precosa Saccharomyces Boulardii diarrhea from antibiotics Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden Prolixin Fluphenazine HCL mental illness Prolixan Azapropazone inflammatory disease Austria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland Protonix Pantoprazole Sodium heartburn Pretanix Indapamide high blood pressure Hungary Prozac Fluoxetine HCL depression Prazac Prazosin high blood pressure Denmark Remeron Mirtazapine depression Reneuron Fluoxetine depression, bulimia, obsessive-compulsive disorder Spain Renagel Sevelamer HCL lower blood phosphate Remegel Calcium Carbonate acid indigestion and heartburn Ireland, Italy, UK Renova Tretinoin acne Remov Nimesulide pain, inflammation Italy Revex Nalmefene HCL narcotic overdose Brivex Brivudine viral infections Switzerland Rubex Ascorbic Acid vitamin C deficiency Ireland Salagen Pilocarpine HCL dry mouth Polagen Grass Pollen Extract allergen immunotherapy Portugal Skelid Tiludronate Disodium Paget's disease of the bone Skaelud Pyrithione Zinc skin disorders, dandruff Denmark Spectracef Cefditoren Pivoxil infection Spectrocef Cefotaxime infection Italy Spectrobid Bacampicillin HCL infection Spectrocef Cefotaxime infection Italy Symmetrel Amantadine HCL influenza (flu) infections (type A) Somatrel Somatorelin test for growth hormone deficiency Denmark Talacen Acetaminophen; Pentazocine HCL mild to moderate pain Talliton Carvedilol heart failure Hungary Tenex Guanfacine HCL high blood pressure Kinex Biperiden Parkinson's Disease Mexico Terazol 3 Terconazole fungal infections Theradol Tramadol pain Netherlands Terazol 7 Terconazole fungal infections Theradol Tramadol pain Netherlands Tetrex Tetracycline Phosphate Complex infection Nitrex Isosorbide Mononitrate chest pain Italy Thalomid Thalidomide leprosy Thilomide Lodoxamide Trometamol red, watery eyes Greece Tiazac Diltiazem HCL high blood pressure, chest pain Tazac Nizatidine ulcer Australia Toradol Ketorolac Tromethamine moderately severe pain Theradol Tramadol pain Netherlands Trexall Methotrexate Sodium cancer, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis Truxal Chlorprothixene Hcl mental illness Belgium Trexol Tramadol pain Mexico Triacet Triamcinolone Acetonide allergies, inflammation Triatec Ramipril high blood pressure Brazil, Chile, Denmark, France, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece Vigamox Moxifloxacin HCL eye infections Fisamox Amoxicillin infection Australia Vistaril Hydroxyzine HCL Or Pamoate allergies Vastarel Trimetazidine chest pain Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Denmark, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Portugal, Singapore, Thailand Zestril Lisinopril high blood pressure Nostril Chlorhexidine; Cetrimonium disinfectant mouthwash France 1 Verispan LLC, Vector One (TM) National, Years Q3/2005, Data Extracted 11-2005. FDA believes that use of brand names in writing prescription is higher for drugs for which no generic is available and lower for drugs commonly sold as generic products. 2 One example is the insomnia treatment Sominex, an over-the-counter medication, which has diphenhydramine as the active ingredient in the U.S. and promethazine as the active ingredient in the U.K. 3 IMS Health, IMS Chemindex(TM) 2003 For additional information see http://www.imshealth.com/web/product/0,3155,64576068_63872702_70297674_71263626.00.html 4 One drug from the list published in the Wall Street Journal, Sominex, was not included because it is available over-the-counter in the U.S. 5 To compile this list of look-alike or sound-alike names, FDA used IMS' Chemindex and a phonetic-coding algorithm to rank pairs of drug names by their similarity. FDA then refined the list by removing any potentially confusing foreign products that also had an identical U.S. counterpart (same brand name, same active ingredient). FDA also deleted any products that FDA pharmacists determined were invalid or inappropriate (e.g., brand names like "Pain Reliever" or "Decongestant" and some dietary supplements). FDA then identified those products for which the brand names were so similar that FDA would have asked for more information about the foreign name before approving it for use in the U.S. DIDREX Tablets contain the anorectic agent benzphetamine hydrochloride. Benzphetamine hydrochloride is a white crystalline powder readily soluble in water and 95% ethanol. The chemical name for benzphetamine hydrochloride is d-N,-? Dimethyl-N-(phenylmethyl)-benzeneeth-anamine hydrochloride and its molecular weight is 275.82. The structural formula (dextro form) is represented below: Each DIDREX Tablet, for oral administration, contains 50 mg of benzphetamine hydrochloride. Inactive Ingredients: Calcium Stearate, Corn Starch. Ervthrosine Sodium. FD 8 C Yellow No.61 Lactose, Povidone, Sorbitol. an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) an irregular heartbeat or very high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision) hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or confusion Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur: · restlessness or tremor · anxiety or nervousness · headache or dizziness · insomnia · dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth · diarrhea or constipation · impotence or changes in your sex drive • Didrex (Benzphetamine) is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually. • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. Why risk it? Buy Phendrex instead. It's naturally better for your body to lose weight! We have discussed lots of topics in the ConsumerHealthDigest.com weight loss forum—diet, exercise, stress, anxiety, pms, menopause, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease. But one topic that is sure to turn up week after week is appetite suppression. So many people just cannot gain control over their appetite, and we now know that more than just will-power is required to fight the battle of the bulge –and win. Unfortunately, human beings have been hard-wired with large appetites for the purpose of increasing the chance of survival in ancient times. In times of scarcity, this trait was necessary for the survival of our ancestors. However, in modern times, where most of us encounter an excess of accessible, relatively inexpensive, calorically dense foods, this trait causes considerably more harm than good. Large appetites, combined with the excess accessibility of inexpensive, calorically dense foods, unfortunately for us, is a formula for disaster. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and continues to grow in size and severity. And we know that obesity leads to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes, as well as a number of other serious health conditions which can have drastic implications. So what can we do on our end to silence the call of our ravenous, often out of control appetites and finally put an end to weight gain? Many Diet or weight loss pills simply approach the issue of weight loss through a single method of stimulating the body to lose weight. The 3 most popular and effective methods that diet pills utilize are: 1. Binding with ingested fat, and allowing the body to excrete the fat instead of digesting it. 2. Blocking the ingestion of carbohydrates, thus forcing the body to burn fat for energy. 3. Increasing metabolism to burn energy faster, and supressing appetite THE PROBLEM WITH THESE TRADITIONAL APPROACHES IS... Until now, all diet pills only focused on a single approach. Realistically, it's impossible for ONE approach to work for ALL people. This is why diet pills have traditionally been "hit or miss" with dieters. Dieters spend millions of dollars "trying out" new medications, which leads to failure and sadness. Worse yet, many dieters end up "giving up" on their dream of enjoying a beautiful, healthy body they're happy to live in. THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT LOSS IS A SYNERGISTIC APPROACH Phendrex removes this "hit or miss" game from the equation. By combining all three of these popular approaches into one medication, your body is forced to lose weight. Phendrex has a unique ingredient combination which combines ALL THREE of the traditional approaches into ONE PILL. This means that no matter what type of weight loss stimuli your body will respond best to, Phendrex will deliver it. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL: Another extremely powerful result of taking Phendrex is the synergistic effect it creates. Synergy is when a combination of several forces working together makes each individual force stronger than if it were working alone. The result: A supercharged Diet Medication. Dieters no longer have to experience that failure, and feeling that "nothing will help them lose weight". Phendrex patients FEEL the medication working with their body, which motivates their mind to stick with it. Dieters are excited and motivated as they watch their body transform into a slimmer, healthier figure. The cost of Phendrex is Completely affordable, and combined with the specials running at the moment our website, NO ONE can afford not to try it. Didrex, a prescription diet pill, is a brand of benzphetamine hydrochloride tablets. It is the common name of the drug ‘benzphetamine’. Benzphetamine is a sympathomimetic amine that is anorexic in action. The main function of this drug is to reduce hunger, which in turn reduces caloric intake. Its function is to prevent weight gain rather than cure the excess fat after its absorption in the body. Contents [hide] 1 Ingredients 2 Mechanism of action 3 Pharmocology 4 Clinical use 5 Side effects 6 Addiction 6.1 Impairment 7 Contraindications 8 External links [edit] Ingredients Didrex tablets contain the anorectic agent benzphetamine hydrochloride. Benzphetamine hydrochloride is a white crystalline powder readily soluble in water and 95% ethanol. The chemical name for benzphetamine hydrochloride is d-N,-? Dimethyl-N-(phenylmethyl)-benzeneeth-anamine hydrochloride. Each Didrex tablet contains 50 mg of benzphetamine hydrochloride. Inactive ingredients include: Calcium stearate Corn starch Ervthrosine sodium FD 8 C Yellow No.61 Lactose Povidone Sorbitol [edit] Mechanism of action Didrex is taken orally. Although the mechanism of action of the sympathomimetic appetite suppressants in the treatment of obesity is not fully known, these medications have pharmacological effects similar to those of amphetamines. Amphetamine and related sympathomimetic medications (such as benzphetamine) are thought to stimulate the release of norepinephrine and/or dopamine from storage sites in nerve terminals in the lateral hypothalamic feeding center, thereby producing a decrease in appetite. This release is mediated by the binding of benzphetamine to centrally located adrenergic receptors [edit] Pharmocology Benzphetamine, a phenylalkylamin, is related to amphetamine both chemically and pharmacologically. It is an anorectic agent indicated in the management of exogenous obesity as a short term adjunct (a few weeks) in a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction. Benzphetamine is a sympathomimetic amine with pharmacologic activity similar to the prototype drugs of this class used in obesity, the amphetamines. Actions include central nervous system stimulation and elevation of blood pressure. Tachyphylaxis and tolerance have been demonstrated with all drugs of this class in which these phenomena have been looked for. [edit] Clinical use For the management of exogenous obesity as a short term adjunct (a few weeks) in a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction [edit] Side effects Didrex tablets are contraindicated in patients with advanced arteriosclerosis, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, moderate to severe hypertension, hyper-thyroidism, known hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to sympathomimetic amines, and glaucoma. Benzphetamine should not be given to patients who are in an agitated state or who have a history of drug abuse. [edit] Addiction Didrex is a habit forming drug and can be addictive, and that it should be used with caution while doing any hazardous activity, since it might cause dizziness and restlessness. [edit] Impairment Didrex is similar to an amphetamine, which may impair the ability of the user to engage in potentially hazardous activities such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. [edit] Contraindications Didrex Tablets are contraindicated in patients Some commonly used brand names are: In the U.S.- Adipex-P 5 Adipost 4 Bontril PDM 4 Bontril Slow-Release 4 Didrex 1 Fastin 5 Ionamin 5 Mazanor 3 Melfiat 4 Obenix 5 Obezine 4 Phendiet 4 Phendiet-105 4 Phentercot 5 Phentride 5 Plegine 4 Prelu-2 4 Pro-Fast 5 PT 105 4 Sanorex 3 Tenuate 2 Tenuate Dospan 2 Tepanil Ten-Tab 2 Teramine 5 Zantryl 5 In Canada- Ionamin 5 Sanorex 3 Tenuate 2 Tenuate Dospan 2 Other commonly used names are: Amfepramone Benzfetamine Note: For quick reference, the following appetite suppressants are numbered to match the corresponding brand names. This information applies to the following medicines: 1. Benzphetamine (benz-FET-a-meen)† 2. Diethylpropion (dye-eth-il-PROE-pee-on)‡ 3. Mazindol (MAY-zin-dole) 4. Phendimetrazine (fen-dye-MET-ra-zeen)†‡ 5. Phentermine (FEN-ter-meen)‡ Note: This information does not apply to phenylpropanolamine. † Not commercially available in Canada ‡ Generic name product may be available in the U.S. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Category Appetite suppressant-Benzphetamine; Diethylpropion; Mazindol; Phendimetrazine; Phentermine --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Side Effects of This Medicine Appetite suppressants may cause some serious side effects, including heart and lung problems. You and your doctor should discuss the good this medicine may do as well as the risks of taking it. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: Rare Chest pain; decreased ability to exercise; fainting; swelling of feet or lower legs; trouble in breathing Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur: More common Increased blood pressure Less common or rare Difficult or painful urination; fast or irregular heartbeat; feeling that others can hear your thoughts; feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior; hallucinations (feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there); headache (severe); mental depression; numbness, especially on one side of the face or body; skin rash or hives; sore throat and fever (with diethylpropion); talking, feeling, and acting with excitement and activity you cannot control; unusual bleeding or bruising (with diethylpropion) Symptoms of overdose Abdominal or stomach cramps; coma; confusion; convulsions (seizures); diarrhea (severe); dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; fast breathing; feeling of panic; fever; hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there); high or low blood pressure; hostility with urge to attack; irregular heartbeat; nausea or vomiting (severe); overactive reflexes; restlessness; trembling or shaking; tiredness, weakness, and mental depression following effects of excitement Abuse of a sympathomimetic appetite suppressant (taking the medicine in larger doses or taking it more frequently or for a longer time than the doctor ordered) can cause the following side effects: Changes in personality; excessive, excited activity; irritability (severe); mental illness (severe), similar to schizophrenia; skin disease; trouble in sleeping (severe) Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome: More common Constipation; dizziness or lightheadedness; dryness of mouth; false sense of well-being; headache; irritability; nausea or vomiting; nervousness or restlessness; stomach cramps or pain; trembling or shaking; trouble in sleepingNote: After the stimulant effects have worn off, drowsiness, unusual tiredness or weakness, or mental depression may occur. Less common or rare Blurred vision; changes in sexual desire or decreased sexual ability; diarrhea; drowsiness; frequent urge to urinate or increased urination; increased sweating; unpleasant taste Although not all of the side effects listed above have been reported for all of these medicines, they have been reported for at least one of them. However, since all of the sympathomimetic appetite suppressants are similar, any of the above side effects may occur with any of these medicines. After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. The length of time this takes depends on the amount of medicine you were using and how long you used it. During this time check with your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects: Extreme tiredness or weakness; mental depression; nausea or vomiting; stomach cramps or pain; trembling; trouble in sleeping or nightmares Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised: 04/26/1999 The information contained in the Thomson Healthcare (Micromedex) products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you. The use of the Thomson Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Healthcare products. Didrex This page contains drug information on Didrex. The information provided includes the following: what is Didrex the possible side effects of Didrex what happens if you miss a dose of Didrex what happens if you overdose with Didrex the most important information about Didrex how to use Didrex other drugs that may affect Didrex what to avoid while using Didrex Generic Name: benzphetamine (benz FET ah meen) Brand Names: Didrex What is the most important information I should know about benzphetamine? • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Benzphetamine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities. • Benzphetamine is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually. What is benzphetamine? • Benzphetamine is a sympathomimetic amine, which is similar to an amphetamine. It is also known as an "anorectic" or "anorexigenic" drug. Benzphetamine stimulates your central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite. • Benzphetamine is used as a short-term supplement to diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity. • Benzphetamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Who should not take benzphetamine? • You cannot take benzphetamine if you · have heart disease or high blood pressure; · have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries); · have glaucoma; · have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days; or · have a history of drug or alcohol abuse. • Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have · problems with your thyroid, · an anxiety disorder, · epilepsy or another seizure disorder, or · diabetes. • You may not be able to take benzphetamine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. • Do not take benzphetamine if you are pregnant. Benzphetamine is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that benzphetamine will cause birth defects in an unborn baby. • It is not known whether benzphetamine passes into breast milk. Do not take benzphetamine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How should I take benzphetamine? • Take benzphetamine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. • Take each dose with a full glass of water. • Benzphetamine is usually taken one to three times a day, before meals, on an empty stomach. Follow your doctor's instructions. • Do not take benzphetamine in the evening because it may cause insomnia. • Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too much benzphetamine could be very dangerous to your health. • Store benzphetamine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose? • Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose or if it is already evening, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. A dose taken too late in the day will cause insomnia. Do not take a double dose of this medication. What happens if I overdose? • Seek emergency medical attention. • Symptoms of a benzphetamine overdose include restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, an irregular heartbeat, and seizures. What should I avoid while taking benzphetamine? • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Benzphetamine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness, and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. If you experience these effects, avoid hazardous activities. • Do not take benzphetamine late in the day. A dose taken too late in the day can cause insomnia. What are the possible side effects of benzphetamine? • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking benzphetamine and seek emergency medical attention: · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); · an irregular heartbeat or very high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or · hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or confusion. • Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take benzphetamine and talk to your doctor if you experience · restlessness or tremor, · anxiety or nervousness · headache or dizziness, · insomnia, · dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth, · diarrhea or constipation, or · impotence or changes in your sex drive. • Benzphetamine is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Talk to your doctor about stopping this medication gradually. • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. What other drugs will affect benzphetamine? • You cannot take benzphetamine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days. • Changes in insulin and other diabetes drug therapies may be necessary during treatment with benzphetamine. • Benzphetamine may reduce the effects of guanethidine (Ismelin). This could lead to an increase in blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you are taking guanethidine. • Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), or desipramine (Norpramin). These drugs may decrease the effects of benzphetamine. • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with benzphetamine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Healthcare Consultants is a full service pharmacy staffing agency, providing flexible temporary to permanent pharmacy job placement for pharmacists in areas of retail, hospitals, clinics, home infusion, long term care and government institutions as well as specialty pharmacies. Pharmacy employers benefit from a diversified pre-qualified pharmacists, while pharmacists and pharmacy technicians enjoy job flexibility. This unique arrangement allows both pharmacy and pharmacist to try the others' services without risk. Our pharmaceutical recuiter team will locate the most qualified pharmacists to fill your pharmacy jobs from our database of pre-qualified pharmacist resumes. Each pharmacist is matched to fit your pharmacy's specific needs. Contact us today! Canadian Pharmacies Looking to buy drugs at discounted prices? Find yourself Canadian pharmacies. Canadian pharmacies sell the generic drugs at cheaper prices than the US stores. Before further divulgement it should be kept in mind that buying drugs from Canadian pharmacies violates FDA law. However, a consumer can buy a small amount of FDA approved drugs for PERSONAL use only if the drug is not available in the US. Why choose Canadian pharmacies? The main reason is to save money. Buying medications is an expensive affair in the US. Studies show that more Americans now prefer Canadian pharmacies as they get same quality, effective medications in a cheaper price. Ideal Canadian pharmacies would offer the buyers with discounted prescription drugs, free shipping, overnight deliveries etc. But how would you know that you are buying from legitimate Canadian pharmacies? If you prefer to buy medications from Canadian pharmacies, make sure it has a valid provincial license. Check if they have any accreditation. The website should include detailed information on their fact file. Examine the commitments of your chosen Canadian pharmacy before you buy. Do they have a clearly written terms-of-sale? Where is there brick-and-mortar store located? Do they have a return policy? Also check the strength of customer care service. Are there toll free numbers? This information would help you to determine the credibility of your Canadian pharmacies. Remember! You are buying lifesaving drugs and ignorance from you part might prove to be dangerous for your health. DIDREX Tablets contain the anorectic agent benzphetamine hydrochloride. Benzphetamine hydrochloride is a white crystalline powder readily soluble in water and 95% ethanol. The chemical name for benzphetamine hydrochloride is d-N,-? Dimethyl-N-(phenylmethyl)-benzeneeth-anamine hydrochloride and its molecular weight is 275.82. The structural formula (dextro form) is represented below: Each DIDREX Tablet, for oral administration, contains 50 mg of benzphetamine hydrochloride. Inactive Ingredients: Calcium Stearate, Corn Starch. Ervthrosine Sodium. FD 8 C Yellow No.61 Lactose, Povidone, Sorbitol. Didrex, a prescription diet pill, is a brand of benzphetamine hydrochloride tablets. It is the common name of the drug ‘benzphetamine’. Benzphetamine is a sympathomimetic amine that is anorexic in action. The main function of this drug is to reduce hunger, which in turn reduces caloric intake. Its function is to prevent weight gain rather than cure the excess fat after its absorption in the body. Contents [hide] 1 Ingredients 2 Mechanism of action 3 Pharmocology 4 Clinical use 5 Side effects 6 Addiction 6.1 Impairment 7 Contraindications 8 External links [edit] Ingredients Didrex tablets contain the anorectic agent benzphetamine hydrochloride. Benzphetamine hydrochloride is a white crystalline powder readily soluble in water and 95% ethanol. The chemical name for benzphetamine hydrochloride is d-N,-? Dimethyl-N-(phenylmethyl)-benzeneeth-anamine hydrochloride. Each Didrex tablet contains 50 mg of benzphetamine hydrochloride. Inactive ingredients include: Calcium stearate Corn starch Ervthrosine sodium FD 8 C Yellow No.61 Lactose Povidone Sorbitol [edit] Mechanism of action Didrex is taken orally. Although the mechanism of action of the sympathomimetic appetite suppressants in the treatment of obesity is not fully known, these medications have pharmacological effects similar to those of amphetamines. Amphetamine and related sympathomimetic medications (such as benzphetamine) are thought to stimulate the release of norepinephrine and/or dopamine from storage sites in nerve terminals in the lateral hypothalamic feeding center, thereby producing a decrease in appetite. This release is mediated by the binding of benzphetamine to centrally located adrenergic receptors Pharmocology Benzphetamine, a phenylalkylamin, is related to amphetamine both chemically and pharmacologically. It is an anorectic agent indicated in the management of exogenous obesity as a short term adjunct (a few weeks) in a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction. Benzphetamine is a sympathomimetic amine with pharmacologic activity similar to the prototype drugs of this class used in obesity, the amphetamines. Actions include central nervous system stimulation and elevation of blood pressure. Tachyphylaxis and tolerance have been demonstrated with all drugs of this class in which these phenomena have been looked for. linical use For the management of exogenous obesity as a short term adjunct (a few weeks) in a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction Side effects Didrex tablets are contraindicated in patients with advanced arteriosclerosis, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, moderate to severe hypertension, hyper-thyroidism, known hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to sympathomimetic amines, and glaucoma. Benzphetamine should not be given to patients who are in an agitated state or who have a history of drug abuse. Addiction Didrex is a habit forming drug and can be addictive, and that it should be used with caution while doing any hazardous activity, since it might cause dizziness and restlessness. Impairment Didrex is similar to an amphetamine, which may impair the ability of the user to engage in potentially hazardous activities such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. Contraindications Didrex Tablets are contraindicated in patients with advanced arteriosclerosis, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, moderate to severe hypertension, hyper-thyroidism, known hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to sympathomimetic amines, and glaucoma. Benzphetamine should not be given to patients who are in an agitated state or who have a history of drug abuse. Didrex is a prescription medication designed to help users lose weight by functioning as appetite suppressant. In this sense, it is intended to prevent weight gain rather than cure the excess fat after its absorption in the body. Like many weight loss medications, it is typically prescribed only to the very obese who are at risk for serious health risks as a result. Because of certain side effects it is only suitable for short term use. Ingredients At A Glance Didrex contains benzphetamine hydrochloride. Ingredients In Focus Benzphetamine hydrochloride is a Sympathomimetic amine, which means that it mimics the effects of the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. Although the exact mechanisms of action for suppressing appetite are unclear, it does function similarly to amphetamine and tyrosine. These substances are thought to stimulate the release of norepinephrine and dopamine in the part of the brain that controls appetite, causing a reduction in the desire for food. Drugs like Ditrex may also stimulate the release of seratonin, which can help to elevate mood and diminish cravings. Diet Lifestyle Since more and more studies are suggesting that obesity may be chemical, the condition often requires a doctor’s intervention to promote and sustain weight loss. Chronic and potentially dangerous conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are greatly exacerbated by obesity, and in such cases prescription medication to speed weight loss may be required. While some medications have been shown to be safe for longer term use, Didrex may be habit-forming, and for this reason doctors typically prescribe it only for a short time. In some users, the results may be soon enough that result are quick enough to take them out of the possible danger zone. Positives • Extended-release capsules • Treatment of obesity may help to reduce the risks of diabetes and high blood pressure Negatives • Available by prescription only • Physically and psychologically habit-forming • Not for long-term use • May cause side effects similar to the kind caused by amphetamines Final Thoughts Although Didrex has shown to be very effective at helping users lose weight in a fairly short period of time, it is generally prescribed only when a person’s weight poses a significant health risk. Since it is similar to an amphetamine and affects the nervous system, users may experience shakiness or feelings of anxiety. Other prescription weight loss drugs have been approved for more extended use, but there is no research available on their long-term effects. Those who are generally healthy but are interested in getting into better shape may have success with an herbal appetite suppressant. Didrex stimulates the nerves and brain which increases heart rate and blood pressure and decreases the appetite. It is used as a short-term supplement to diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity. A single daily dose is preferably given in midmorning or mid-afternoon according to the patients eating habits. Tablets are contraindicated in patients with advanced arteriosclerosis, hypertension or hyper- thyroidism. Didrex dosage Take the medicine on an empty stomach and thirty to 60 minutes before breakfast Do not use it more often than prescribed time as Didrex is habit forming Didrex is taken for 8 to 12 weeks Side effects of Didrex Nervousness Difficulty sleeping Dry mouth Restlessness Drug Precautions Do not exceed the recommended dosage Before any dental or medical treatments tell the doctor if the individual is under Didrex medication Notes: Appetite suppressants are not a substitute for proper diet. For maximum effects, this must be used in conjunction with a diet and exercise program. Do not share this medication with others. we seniors had just one prescribed pill for every promise politicians have made proposing adequate Medicare-drug benefits, we'd each have a lifetime pile of pharmaceuticals. More bogus assurances belch forth from Washington daily. Unfortunately, all the drug company cards, LillyAnswers, Orange Card, Novartis CareCard, etc. have been cancelled because "they are not needed with Plan D." Yes, that's what Big Pharma is saying! Same for most of the free drug patient assistance programs offered until January, 2006. However, you can still buy cheap drugs abroad, see deal which could give some of the world's poorest countries access to cheap drugs has edged closer. According to the World Trade Organisation, the United States, Brazil, India, South Africa and Kenya have struck a deal. These countries had been at loggerheads over plans to make cheap medicines more widely available. The proposals, which have yet to be published, are now set to be put to the rest of the WTO's 146 members. If backed, the deal could see millions of people around the world being given access to cheap drugs to treat malaria, Aids, tuberculosis and other serious diseases for the first time. Patent rules The principle of allowing developing countries access to cheap versions of key drugs had been agreed at WTO talks almost two years ago. Many of these drugs are patented, which means they cannot be copied for 20 years. The WTO talks were aimed at easing these rules for some medicines. This would enable countries in need to import cheaper versions of essential drugs. Officials from the United States and key developing countries have been in talks for months trying to resolve the issue. But on Wednesday, Vanu Gopala Menon, the WTO's chief mediator on this issue, declared that agreement had been reached. 'The five are agreed,' he told journalists. Mr Menon said he planned shortly to table a document for consideration by all the remaining 141 WTO member nations. However, he warned that they will need time to examine the deal. The United States blocked a deal on cheap drugs last December even though it was backed by all other members of the WTO. US negotiators said the deal would allow too many drugs patents to be ignored. They said the proposed deal would mean that illnesses that are not infectious, such as diabetes and asthma, could also be treated with cheap, generic drugs. It is understood that the US will lifts its opposition to a deal if WTO states pledge not to abuse the system and to only waive patents 'in good faith' and not for commercial gain. They will also be expected to take all reasonable steps to ensure cheap versions of drugs do not make their way onto markets in rich countries. South Africa's top trade envoy Faizel Ismail said the plan was 'reasonably balanced' and 'close to an acceptable solution'. 'It provides some comfort to the US pharmaceutical companies that were worried about abuse,' he said. The issue has been casting a long shadow over global free trade talks since their launch in 2001. Trade ministers will discuss the deal at the next WTO meeting in Cancun, Mexico, in September. If you are suffering because of the high costs of prescription medication then we may be able to help you. We are able to get our members over 1400 brand name and many generic medicines for a net cost of only $15 per month. To qualify for our assistance you must: Be a U.S. resident Not have insurance coverage for outpatient prescription drugs, including Medicaid Be at an income level that causes a hardship when you purchase your prescriptions at retail prices How is this possible? Over 200 pharmaceutical companies have developed Patient Assistance Programs to assist the uninsured who cannot afford their medicine. However, very few people know about these programs and those that do often find that applying for them is a confusing and prohibitive process. That is where we come in. By becoming a member of SeniorCare Benefits Network you will be assigned a Personal Care Advocate who will simplify the process of applying for Patient Assistance Programs and make it easy for you to get your medications for very little out of pocket cost. All of our Personal Care Advocates are highly knowledgeable and trained in working with patients and over 200 pharmaceutical companies. Read How It Works for more specific instructions to apply for our program, or Apply Now to see if you or a loved one qualifies like millions of others already have to receive prescription relief through Patient Assistance Programs. Our Success in Care Advocacy Since our inception, we've helped thousands of families across the nation to save over $5,000,000 on out of pocket prescription costs. Now many of our members are able to keep more of their income for themselves and their families. Many more are able to take the medicines that their doctor has prescribed when otherwise they wouldn't have been able to due to the costs involved. Attention Healthcare Professionals We invite medical professionals, social workers and others in the healthcare field to contact us to learn more about our proactive approach to Patient Advocacy and the amazing results we have had in helping the uninsured. The United States has blocked an international agreement to allow poor countries to buy cheap drugs. One-hundred and forty-three countries stood on the same ground, we were hoping to make that unanimous Sergio Marchi Canada's negotiator This means millions of poor people will still not have access to medicines for diseases such as HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis. US negotiators say the deal would allow too many drugs patents to be ignored. Talks have now been rescheduled for February, but the international medical organisation, Medecins Sans Frontieres, told the BBC that there was little chance of them succeeding. Hopes dashed The talks, held at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, broke up early on Saturday. "I have to say, there is no way to sugar-coat this bitter pill. We are disappointed," the Canadian representative, Sergio Marchi said. Aids drugs are too expensive for many governments "One-hundred and forty-three countries stood on the same ground, we were hoping to make that unanimous." The principle of allowing developing countries access to cheap versions of drugs still protected by patent had been agreed at WTO talks a year ago. But it is not clear if that principle can be turned into a detailed agreement that all sides are happy with. Under current rules, countries are required to respect drugs patents for 20 years. Critics say this delays the production of much cheaper generic medicines, which are needed in developing countries because patients and health services cannot afford the more expensive versions. The WTO talks are aimed at relaxing the rules on intellectual property rights to enable countries in need to import cheaper versions of essential drugs. While the talks have dragged on through the year, the problem of HIV/Aids has grown worse. Figures released by the United Nations last month showed that more than 40 million people are now living with the disease. Consensus not possible The United States said the proposed deal would mean that illnesses that are not infectious, such as diabetes and asthma, could also be treated with cheap, generic drugs. This is not just a failure of the Geneva talks, but of two years of negotiations Medecins Sans Frontieres The US negotiator, Linnet Deily, said her country "could not meet the consensus on the issue". In sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 30 million people are estimated to be infected with the HIV/Aids virus. African negotiators say the fears expressed by the United States are unfounded. "Any attempt to redefine this declaration will unravel the careful balance achieved on many issues," Kenyan negotiator Amina Chawahir Mohamed told the Geneva meeting, the AFP news agency reports. The medical organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) told BBC News Online that it was now "time to find solutions outside the WTO". "If there had been any flexibility to reach an agreement, the United States would have shown that flexibility. "This is not just a failure of the Geneva talks, but of two years of negotiations," Ellen 'pHoen said. She said individual countries should now go ahead and allow their own pharmaceutical industries to export to other countries that need cheaper drugs. MSF argues that that is already allowed for under the 1994 agreement brokered by the World Trade Organisation. Such moves would almost certainly trigger disputes with the US and major western drugs companies which the WTO would have to settle. Cheap AIDS Drugs Under Threat Body blow to developing states' fight against disease as Indian MPs ban copying of patented products Randeep Ramesh The Guardian, 23 March 2005 The days of cheap treatments for millions of Aids patients around the world are coming to an end, health agencies warned last night, after the Indian parliament passed a bill that makes it illegal to copy patented drugs. The practice of copying patented drugs has made medicines affordable for patients around the world. The parliament's move was to fulfil India's commitment to the World Trade Organisation's intellectual property regime. The copycat drugs industry in India has forced down the annual cost of Aids treatment from $15,000 (?7,900) a patient to a little more than $200 in less than 10 years. The country's "generics" pharmaceutical industry now provides treatment to half the 700,000 HIV-infected people in developing countries. The supply of cheap medicines was only possible because Indian law hitherto had no product patent constraints. Critics say the new law will cut off the pipeline of inexpensive future drugs, such as the "three-in-one pill" of anti-retrovirals for Aids sufferers. "Under the new legislation we will see new medicines only available for the rich, while old treatments will be for the poor," said Ellen't Hoen, the director of policy advocacy and research at the relief agency Medecins sans Frontieres. "Many people are building up resistance to the first generation of drugs and will need the newer treatments. But without the Indian drugs industry, where will they get cheap drugs from?" Campaigners say African countries, where health budgets are already stretched will find it almost impossible to fund the new medicines. "In Cameroon we pay $200 a year for each Aids patient's treatment, which is an Indian generic manufacturer's product," said Fatima Hassan of South Africa's Treatment Action Campaign. "The latest drugs are only supplied by western multinationals and they cost $4,800 a year. We cannot afford those prices." Under the legislation, if a generics manufacturer wants to copy a patented drug, the Indian government will have to issue a compulsory licence. The patent holder gets a royalty, but does not have to consent. But, Ms Hoen says, there are two big problems with the new regime: pharmaceutical companies can tie up such licences in court for years, and there is no ceiling on royalties. "In South Africa, Glaxo tried to charge a 45% royalty. What we are looking at is a lot of work for lawyers." Activists were hoping for a review of the bill and a longer public debate on the issues - Indian MPs were given only a weekend to read the bill and a couple of days to debate it. Although there were last-minute concessions, many within the industry say the bill bears the footprint of multinational drug companies who considered Indian generic manufacturers to be "pirates". Ranjit Shahani, managing director of Novartis India, said: "[The bill] will move India towards the patent mainstream and support and encourage innovation and investments in research and development." Many in the generics industry say what is being given away goes against the national interest. Yusuf Hameid, the head of Cipla, one of the main generic manufacturers of HIV drugs, says India can "not afford monopolies". He added: "Medicines in India used to be unaffordable until we adopted our patent laws in the 1970s. "Our population and pattern of diseases means we have to increase affordability and accessibility." If you are suffering because of the high costs of prescription medication then we may be able to help you. We are able to get our members over 1400 brand name and many generic medicines for a net cost of only $15 per month. To qualify for our assistance you must: Be a U.S. resident Not have insurance coverage for outpatient prescription drugs, including Medicaid Be at an income level that causes a hardship when you purchase your prescriptions at retail prices How is this possible? Over 200 pharmaceutical companies have developed Patient Assistance Programs to assist the uninsured who cannot afford their medicine. However, very few people know about these programs and those that do often find that applying for them is a confusing and prohibitive process. That is where we come in. By becoming a member of SeniorCare Benefits Network you will be assigned a Personal Care Advocate who will simplify the process of applying for Patient Assistance Programs and make it easy for you to get your medications for very little out of pocket cost. All of our Personal Care Advocates are highly knowledgeable and trained in working with patients and over 200 pharmaceutical companies. Read How It Works for more specific instructions to apply for our program, or Apply Now to see if you or a loved one qualifies like millions of others already have to receive prescription relief through Patient Assistance Programs. Our Success in Care Advocacy Since our inception, we've helped thousands of families across the nation to save over $5,000,000 on out of pocket prescription costs. Now many of our members are able to keep more of their income for themselves and their families. Many more are able to take the medicines that their doctor has prescribed when otherwise they wouldn't have been able to due to the costs involved. Attention Healthcare Professionals We invite medical professionals, social workers and others in the healthcare field to contact us to learn more about our proactive approach to Patient Advocacy and the amazing results we have had in helping the uninsured. July 14, 2000 -- As more Americans trek to Canada or Mexico to buy critical prescription drugs they cannot afford here, some U.S. doctors have a devised a system they say will help. The United Health Alliance (UHA), a physicians' group in Bennington, Vt., that negotiates contracts with health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and other health organizations, has hit upon a system that allows patients to get inexpensive prescription drugs from Canada without crossing the border. Here's how it works: Doctors fax an order form developed by the UHA to a Canadian pharmacy listing the doctor's license number and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number and the desired drugs and quantities along with the patient's credit card number. The drugs and shipping charges are billed to the patient's personal credit card, then mailed to the doctor's U.S. office (which may be why the Canadian pharmacy will accept U.S. license and DEA information in this case), where the patient picks the package up unopened. This way, the paper trail shows that the patient bought the drugs for individual use, as allowed by the FDA. Since the UHA system was developed in mid-June, many doctors have said they would offer the service to their patients. Elizabeth Wennar, director of UHA, has received calls about the system from as far away as California and has been asked to explain the system to doctors and seniors groups around New England. For more information, contact the UHA at (802) 447-3170 or see the group's web site at www.unitedhealthalliance.com. Meredith Art, a spokeswoman for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the industry's trade organization, was unaware of the UHA system. "That sounds highly illegal," she said when told about it. "We'll look into it." Vermont's Governor Howard Dean, a physician himself, has thrown his support behind the plan, which he calls "a stroke of genius." He directed the state's attorney general to research the re-importation method to ensure that it's legal. If it passes legal muster, he says, he'd like to see it used widely. "This is totally justified," he told The Bennington Banner newspaper. "There is no reason why Americans should be paying more for prescription drugs that are produced in their own country." Curtis Ingham Koren writes for national magazines about health, education, business, and travel from her home in Vermont. you are reading this in the UK, Australia, Canada or Maine, you may be the victim of a conspiracy you have scarcely guessed at. Your government is preventing you from getting access to life-saving drugs. Diabolically, it is insisting that you only receive the medication you need if pharmaceutical companies give subsidies to the rich. Welcome to the world as seen through the eyes of big drugs firms. Public pharmaceuticals programmes, by which governments drive down prescription costs by bulk-buying common medicines, are a mainstay of public health systems across the developed world. To the lunatic fringe of the pharmaceuticals lobby, they are a menace: patients under such programmes may be healthier and financially better off but (the argument goes), intangibly, they are less free. Top of the liberation hit-list at the moment is Australia, which is embarking on the final round of free trade negotiations with the US in Washington this week. The country's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is likely to become a key target of US trade negotiators over the next fortnight. Drugs companies contributed ?10m to George Bush's election campaign in 2000 and are determined to get their money's worth out of any free trade agreement. The grumbles of the drugs and farming lobbies have already delayed the signing of the deal, which President Bush had previously scheduled for before Christmas. US companies' principal lobbyist, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (Phrma), views the trade talks as a vital opportunity to tackle what it regards as Australian protectionism. Phrma's version of capitalism is bizarre. Public pharmaceuticals programmes are to drugs as Wal-Mart is to kitchenware and camping gear: they push down prices by buying in volumes that none of their competitors can match. There are no laws in Australia banning non-PBS medicines from the market, and no tariffs are imposed on drugs that are not listed. Nonetheless, Phrma argues that the very existence of a government agency whose purpose is to depress the prices of drugs is anti-competitive. Before a drug is listed on the PBS, its worth must first be evaluated by committee, using criteria of provable effectiveness, value and safety; all of which means that prescribing doctors are unable to take other considerations into account - say, whether the manufacturer has bought them a golf club membership. Australia's conservative Coalition government is not widely trusted on public health issues, but ministers have been keen to proclaim their commitment to the PBS. Interviewed on ABC radio last week, the prime minister, John Howard, stressed that certain issues would not be up for negotiation: any deal, he explained, "means the protection of the essentials of things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme". Mr Howard's use of language is famously circumspect, and it is always worth thinking hard about his choice of words. Here it is important to note that he is not talking about protecting the scheme as a whole, only certain undefined "essentials". The likely line of attack during the trade talks will be Australia's patent laws. At present, the lifeblood of the PBS is the constant supply of low-cost generic drugs being brought on to the market; a few tweaks of intellectual property rules could banish them from existence. The pharmaceuticals companies would see their profits rise - one report last month estimated that such a change would add an extra A$1bn (?470m) to the A$1.6bn cost of running the PBS - but Canberra could still argue that it had defended the structure of the PBS and hope that the public would not notice the rising costs of prescriptions. The US pharmaceuticals lobby can gain leverage from the fact that Australia has much more to lose from this free trade deal falling apart. Each country is expected to see its GDP rise by around US$15bn (?8bn) as a result of the pact, but in Australia's small economy that difference will be felt much more keenly. Australian prime ministers have been pushing for an agreement since the early 1990s, and John Howard was in Washington lobbying for free trade talks on September 11 2001. "It would be a very foolish government that passed up this once-in-a-generation opportunity," he told the ABC, in far more emphatic terms than he used to defend the PBS. US politicians have been more direct in their comments. A letter to the US trade representative Robert Zoellick written by the Democrat congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and signed by 17 other members of Congress put matters more bluntly. "We are deeply opposed to the trade office being used by the US pharmaceutical industry to achieve its strategic objective of raising worldwide drug prices to the level now paid by US consumers," the letter read. The claim of global intent is no idle fear. The US drugs lobby increasingly regards public pharmaceuticals programmes, such as the PBS, the NHS's purchasing and supply agency, and Canada's provincial drug review committees, as a threat that must be conquered. The awkward pact struck between the US House of Representatives and Senate late last year over President Bush's Medicare bill included provisions to scrutinise such "protectionist" programmes in foreign countries, and if necessary to eliminate them through free trade negotiations. It shows how far the debate has drifted when you think that Washington once spent its time trying to lower the costs of the one in four prescriptions that are not filled because US citizens cannot afford to buy the medicines they need. Now, the problem is seen to be not high prices at home, but low prices overseas. As the US free-marketeer James Glassman wrote last week, "US policy-makers should focus attention not on the fact that Americans pay more for drugs, but on the fact that Canadians pay less because they are freeloading on Americans." All the same, American politics is a broad church. Beyond the beltway, the momentum is increasingly towards public pharmaceuticals programmes of the sort that US free market advocates berate as protectionist in other countries. One such programme kicked off in the state of Maine last weekend, after years of appeal and supreme court battles against the Phrma. Another is scheduled to start in Hawaii later this year, and even the governor of Florida, Jeb Bush - the brother of the president himself - has stated his support for cheap prescriptions for the sick over hefty profits for corporate boards. We must hope that the same staunch concern for the public interest is characterising the actions of Canberra's trade negotiators this week. It would be a shame if Australia were to take lessons in standing up to Washington from America's own state governments. Negotiators have overcome last-minute hitches to reach a deal in Geneva on giving some of the world's poorest countries access to cheap drugs. World Trade Organisation spokesman Keith Rockwell described the agreement, which settles a long-standing dispute, as 'one of the most important decisions' ever taken by the organisation's executive. The deal could see millions of people around the world receiving medicines to treat killer diseases for the first time. The 146 members of the WTO had reached agreement in principle late on Thursday, but the decision was delayed following a last-minute hitch. It is understood that the delay has been caused by up to two dozen countries who had been unhappy about the wording of a 'chairman's statement' agreed by the US, Brazil, India, Kenya and South Africa. The five had previously been at loggerheads over plans to make cheap medicines more widely available. American opposition The principle of allowing developing countries access to cheap versions of key drugs had been agreed at WTO talks almost two years ago but talks had dragged since then on implementing the deal. Many of the drugs at issue are patented, which means they cannot be copied for 20 years. The WTO talks aimed to ease these rules for some medicines, enabling countries in need to import cheaper versions of essential drugs. Last December, the United States had blocked a deal on cheap drugs - even though it was backed by all other members of the WTO. US negotiators said it would allow too many drugs patents to be ignored. They said the proposed deal would mean that illnesses that are not infectious, such as diabetes and asthma, could also be treated with cheap, generic drugs. But it was understood that the US would lift its opposition to a deal if WTO states pledged not to abuse the system and to only waive patents 'in good faith' and not for commercial gain. They would also be expected to take all reasonable steps to ensure cheap versions of drugs do not make their way onto markets in rich countries. The issue has been casting a long shadow over global free trade talks since their launch in 2001. GENEVA, Switzerland (Reuters) -- The World Trade Organisation (WTO) approved a deal on Saturday to let poorer nations import cheaper generic drugs to fight killer diseases such as AIDS and malaria after days of emotionally charged debate. The deal plugs a gap in world trade law and allows poorer countries unable to manufacture medicines domestically to override international patents and import cheap generic drugs when they need to. "The decision that you have just taken is an historic agreement for the WTO,'' WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi told member states. The accord, given a final seal of approval by the WTO's 146-member executive General Council on Saturday, means setting aside patents owned by multinational firms that are protected by trade rules. YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS World Trade Organization (WTO) Medicines or Create your own Manage alerts | What is this? "I find a special satisfaction in the fact that the decision will be of particular value to the smaller and poorer countries... in Africa and elsewhere,'' Supachai said. "It will enable them to make full use of the flexibilities in the WTO intellectual property rules in order to deal with the diseases that ravage their peoples.'' An impassioned plea on Friday by African states, who said that thousands were dying as trade envoys bickered, got the talks back on track after a deal agreed on Thursday by the main negotiating body on medicines ran into last-minute problems. But health activists attacked the accord, hammered out by the United States, Brazil, India, Kenya and South Africa, saying it imposed too many conditions on countries seeking to use it. "Today's WTO agreement that is ostensibly intended to get drugs to the poorest countries does not provide a workable solution,'' Medicines sans Frontieres (MSF, Doctors without Borders) and Oxfam said in a joint statement. U.S. concerns The pact aims to allay U.S. concerns that any waiving of patents could be abused for commercial gain by generic producers such as Brazil and India. The United States, home to many major pharmaceutical firms, had feared they could turn out highly profitable life-style remedies such as Viagra for sale in richer developing nations. The drugs industry has welcomed the pact as balancing the need for poor states to fight health problems with the demands that WTO members waive patents only to import generic medicines ``in good faith'' and do not abuse the system for commercial gain. Steps will be taken to ensure drugs sold to poor countries do not turn up on rich country markets, and a number of richer developing countries -- such as Mexico and South Korea -- will agree to use the system only in dire health emergencies. Existing world trade rules allowed countries -- developed or developing -- with their own drugs industry to waive patents and issue compulsory licences to generic manufacturers when they face health emergencies. But the regulations said nothing about states without their own drugs industry and WTO states have been battling over the issue for nearly two years. A deal before a trade meeting in the Mexican resort of Cancun in less than two weeks was seen as vital to giving new momentum to the WTO's struggling Doha Round of free trade talks. As drug costs continue to rise rapidly, U.S. consumers are projected to spend more than $250 billion on prescription drugs by 2006, according to estimates by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts, is trying to lower that cost by buying drugs from a Canadian online pharmacy for his municipal health plan. Canada's government regulates its prescription drug prices. "We're looking at anywhere from $4 to $9 million [in savings] on an annual basis in Springfield, Massachusetts," says Mayor Michael Albano. "A pretty good chunk of money that can be redirected into vital public services such as police, fire, public education." Albano said he personally buys insulin from Canada for his teenage son, for annual savings of $250. Springfield is not alone in trying to cut prescription drug costs. Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota are all considering similar measures. The price differences can be drastic. For example, 90 Coumadin pills, a blood-thinner, cost about $90 in the United States and only $50 [American] in Canada. Sixty cancer treatment tamoxifen pills for U.S. consumers are roughly $52, while across the border they go for $38. And 30 anti-inflammatory Vioxx pills fetch $78 for U.S. pharmacies and are only $37 in Canada. The American Association of Retired Persons reports that an estimated 1 million Americans use Canada as a source for their prescription drugs, whether in person or online. As more Americans have become aware of the savings from Canada, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has thrown up warning flags, advising that it is illegal to import drugs and that the safety of them cannot be assured. The FDA says that the Canadian system is comparable with the one in the United States in terms of safety and regulation, but some Web sites say they're supplying drugs from Canada but really aren't. "These companies are not run by pharmacists by and large, [and] are not licensed in Canada," said the FDA's William Hubbard. "[They] often get drugs, we believe, from Third World countries." That has pharmacists in Canada worrying about their market and the price backlash for their citizens. "It will inevitably, I believe, put some pressure on Canadian prices," said Jeff Poston with the Canadian Pharmacists Association. "We've already seen some manufacturers increase their prices in the Canadian market." And with those increases, Americans may find in the future that prices aren't as cheap across the border.