01-04-2008, 10:17 AM
I apologise if this had been highlighted elswhere:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgYmtvC2y...re=related
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/87263.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgYmtvC2y...re=related
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/87263.php
Quote:
New Autism Treatment Tested
31 Oct 2007
Today, like every day, 75 more children will be born with autism.* It is the fastest growing developmental disorder in this country.** While there is no cure, there is hope for a new, more effective treatment. Doctors are turning to a drug that's been used for generations to treat other diseases to see if it will help with a new generation of autism patients.
Even though he's only 5 years old, Jack Otte is reading at a 5th grade level. His mom, Alicia, says he taught himself to read. And while she's astounded by those flashes of brilliance, she's also frustrated. Jack has autism and at times, it won't let him interact in his class at school.
"You get that initial diagnosis and you're completely devastated. And that devastation somewhat turns into desperation because then you're immediately trying to find treatments and asking what's the best treatment," says Alicia.
It turns out the next new treatment might be something that's been around for generations. It's a drug called mecamylamine, and it was the first pill used to treat high blodd pressure in the 1950's.*** By the time Alicia was a child, it was nearly obsolete. Now, it just might help her son, and a million more children with autism.
"If it works, it would be a really important breakthrough," says Eugene Arnold, MD, with Ohio State University Medical Center. Dr. Arnold and his team of researchers will test the drug on children with autism. He says it's not what the drug did in the 50's to help with high blood pressure that's giving them hope, but what it's done recently. Mecamylamine has been effective in helping children control the symptoms of conditions like Tourette Syndrome and Attention Deficit Disorder. He hopes it may do the same in autism.
"There is some hope that it will make a significant improvement in the core symptoms: the social impairment, the communication, the repetitive behavior, such that it will help them to faster get along the road to rehabilitation," says Dr. Arnold.
Autism affects four times more boys than girls and the number of cases has increased ten-fold in the past decade alone.****
For more information, go to Ohio State University Medical Center's website http://medicalcenter.osu.edu and click on "news & media room."
* Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov
** Facts and Statistics, Autism Society of America, http://www.autism-society.org
*** Mecamylamine, National Institutes of Health, http//grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids
**** "Autism Speaks Approves More Than $15 Million in New Research Grants", Autism Speaks, http://www.autismspeaks.org
For further information please go to:
Ohio State University Medical Center
Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/87263.php
Main News Category: Autism
31 Oct 2007
Today, like every day, 75 more children will be born with autism.* It is the fastest growing developmental disorder in this country.** While there is no cure, there is hope for a new, more effective treatment. Doctors are turning to a drug that's been used for generations to treat other diseases to see if it will help with a new generation of autism patients.
Even though he's only 5 years old, Jack Otte is reading at a 5th grade level. His mom, Alicia, says he taught himself to read. And while she's astounded by those flashes of brilliance, she's also frustrated. Jack has autism and at times, it won't let him interact in his class at school.
"You get that initial diagnosis and you're completely devastated. And that devastation somewhat turns into desperation because then you're immediately trying to find treatments and asking what's the best treatment," says Alicia.
It turns out the next new treatment might be something that's been around for generations. It's a drug called mecamylamine, and it was the first pill used to treat high blodd pressure in the 1950's.*** By the time Alicia was a child, it was nearly obsolete. Now, it just might help her son, and a million more children with autism.
"If it works, it would be a really important breakthrough," says Eugene Arnold, MD, with Ohio State University Medical Center. Dr. Arnold and his team of researchers will test the drug on children with autism. He says it's not what the drug did in the 50's to help with high blood pressure that's giving them hope, but what it's done recently. Mecamylamine has been effective in helping children control the symptoms of conditions like Tourette Syndrome and Attention Deficit Disorder. He hopes it may do the same in autism.
"There is some hope that it will make a significant improvement in the core symptoms: the social impairment, the communication, the repetitive behavior, such that it will help them to faster get along the road to rehabilitation," says Dr. Arnold.
Autism affects four times more boys than girls and the number of cases has increased ten-fold in the past decade alone.****
For more information, go to Ohio State University Medical Center's website http://medicalcenter.osu.edu and click on "news & media room."
* Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov
** Facts and Statistics, Autism Society of America, http://www.autism-society.org
*** Mecamylamine, National Institutes of Health, http//grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids
**** "Autism Speaks Approves More Than $15 Million in New Research Grants", Autism Speaks, http://www.autismspeaks.org
For further information please go to:
Ohio State University Medical Center
Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/87263.php
Main News Category: Autism
These warnings come from Yahoo Health:
http://health.yahoo.com/bloodpressure-me...739a1.html
Quote:
Mecamylamine
[ Pronunciation: meck a MILL a meen ]
Brand Names: Inversine
What is the most important information I should know about mecamylamine?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Mecamylamine may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.
If you experience dizziness, rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to avoid falling.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking mecamylamine.
Take mecamylamine every day at the same time, usually after meals.
Call your doctor if you experience tremor, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, or diarrhea.
What is mecamylamine?
Mecamylamine is used to treat moderate to severe hypertension (high blood pressure). Because of its many side effects, mecamylamine is not commonly used.
Mecamylamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take mecamylamine?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
have arteriosclerosis (poor blood flow in the arteries, or "hardening of the arteries") in your heart (coronary) or to the head (cerebral);
have recently had a heart attack;
have glaucoma;
have kidney disease; or
have difficulty urinating as a result of an enlarged prostate or some other cause.
You may not be able to take mecamylamine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Mecamylamine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether mecamylamine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether mecamylamine passes into breast milk. Do not take mecamylamine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take mecamylamine?
Take mecamylamine 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.
Take mecamylamine after meals.
Take each dose at the same time every day.
Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor approves. Not taking your medication could make your condition much worse.
Store mecamylamine 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, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a mecamylamine overdose include fainting, dizziness, weakness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, difficulty urinating, anxiety, dry mouth, large pupils, blurred vision, and an irregular heartbeat.
What should I avoid while taking this mecamylamine?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Mecamylamine may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.
If you experience dizziness, rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to avoid falling.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking mecamylamine.
What are the possible side effects of mecamylamine?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking mecamylamine and seek emergency medical attention:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
abdominal pain, abdominal distention, or diarrhea.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take mecamylamine and talk to your doctor if you experience
nausea, vomiting, or constipation;
dry mouth;
decreased appetite;
dizziness and fainting;
drowsiness or weakness;
dilated (large) pupils and blurred vision; or
difficulty urinating.
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 mecamylamine?
Generally, mecamylamine should not be used during treatment with antibiotics or sulfa-based drugs. Tell your doctor if you are taking drugs of either of these types.
Other drugs used to lower high blood pressure may increase the effects of mecamylamine, and serious side effects could occur. Tell your doctor about all medicines you take to lower high blood pressure or to treat other heart conditions.
Anesthesia (use of drugs that put you to sleep for surgery) may also increase the effects of mecamylamine. Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking mecamylamine before you have surgery.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with mecamylamine or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has additional information about mecamylamine written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Mecamylamine is available with a prescription under the brand name Inversine. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Inversine 2.5 mg--round, yellow, scored tablets
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.05. Revision date: 2/13/04.
Last Updated: February 13, 2004
© 1995-2007, Healthwise, Incorporated, P.O. Box 1989, Boise, ID 83701. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
[ Pronunciation: meck a MILL a meen ]
Brand Names: Inversine
What is the most important information I should know about mecamylamine?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Mecamylamine may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.
If you experience dizziness, rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to avoid falling.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking mecamylamine.
Take mecamylamine every day at the same time, usually after meals.
Call your doctor if you experience tremor, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, or diarrhea.
What is mecamylamine?
Mecamylamine is used to treat moderate to severe hypertension (high blood pressure). Because of its many side effects, mecamylamine is not commonly used.
Mecamylamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take mecamylamine?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
have arteriosclerosis (poor blood flow in the arteries, or "hardening of the arteries") in your heart (coronary) or to the head (cerebral);
have recently had a heart attack;
have glaucoma;
have kidney disease; or
have difficulty urinating as a result of an enlarged prostate or some other cause.
You may not be able to take mecamylamine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Mecamylamine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether mecamylamine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether mecamylamine passes into breast milk. Do not take mecamylamine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take mecamylamine?
Take mecamylamine 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.
Take mecamylamine after meals.
Take each dose at the same time every day.
Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor approves. Not taking your medication could make your condition much worse.
Store mecamylamine 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, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a mecamylamine overdose include fainting, dizziness, weakness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, difficulty urinating, anxiety, dry mouth, large pupils, blurred vision, and an irregular heartbeat.
What should I avoid while taking this mecamylamine?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Mecamylamine may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.
If you experience dizziness, rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to avoid falling.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking mecamylamine.
What are the possible side effects of mecamylamine?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking mecamylamine and seek emergency medical attention:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
abdominal pain, abdominal distention, or diarrhea.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take mecamylamine and talk to your doctor if you experience
nausea, vomiting, or constipation;
dry mouth;
decreased appetite;
dizziness and fainting;
drowsiness or weakness;
dilated (large) pupils and blurred vision; or
difficulty urinating.
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 mecamylamine?
Generally, mecamylamine should not be used during treatment with antibiotics or sulfa-based drugs. Tell your doctor if you are taking drugs of either of these types.
Other drugs used to lower high blood pressure may increase the effects of mecamylamine, and serious side effects could occur. Tell your doctor about all medicines you take to lower high blood pressure or to treat other heart conditions.
Anesthesia (use of drugs that put you to sleep for surgery) may also increase the effects of mecamylamine. Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking mecamylamine before you have surgery.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with mecamylamine or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has additional information about mecamylamine written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Mecamylamine is available with a prescription under the brand name Inversine. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Inversine 2.5 mg--round, yellow, scored tablets
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.05. Revision date: 2/13/04.
Last Updated: February 13, 2004
© 1995-2007, Healthwise, Incorporated, P.O. Box 1989, Boise, ID 83701. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.