Hello Everyone,
There has been press lately concerning drugs found in drinking water.
Here is a blurb from AOL - "A vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows."
How do the drugs get into the water?
"People take pills. Their bodies absorb some of the medication, but the rest of it passes through and is flushed down the toilet. The wastewater is treated before it is discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes. Then, some of the water is cleansed again at drinking water treatment plants and piped to consumers. But most treatments do not remove all drug residue."
Taken from http://news.aol.com/health/story/ar/_a/probe-finds-drugs-in-drinking-water/20080309184409990001
For more information click here: http://news.aol.com/health/story/ar/_a/probe-finds-drugs-in-drinking-water
It is hard not to pass drugs into the water supply in that manner.
However, if you have old medications that you need to dispose of, DO NOT flush the drugs down the toilet. Contact your local pharmacist and ask for the most current disposal recommendations for your area. If you have any questions, please contact me and I will get you the correct current information.
Thanks,
Dr. Paul
Monday, March 10, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
How Do Drugs Work - Antibiotics - Aminoglycosides
Hello Everyone,
It's time to get back to how antibiotics work. Today we are going to talk about a class of antibiotics that many people don't know about or hear about often. The reason is that these drugs are given intravenously (IV). So, unless you or a family member have been sick with with an infection that required an aminoglycoside like gentamicin, tobramycin or amikacin, you will not be familiar with them. Neomycin is also an aminoglycoside and is mainly given for bowel prep before surgery.
Mechanism of Action: Aminoglycosides irreversibly bind to the 30S subunit of the bacterial
ribosome, which results in the bacteria being unable to synthesize certain proteins.
Spectrum of activity: gram-negative bacteria
Toxicity: Aminoglycosides can be toxic to the kidneys and can also cause hearing loss. Therefore when a patient is taking these medications, they are monitored closely for the amount of aminoglycosides in their blood. When these antibiotics are monitored properly they can be safely given.
Aminoglycosides are often given with other antibiotics. When combined, they have a synergistic effect. That means that both antibiotics dosed together are more effective than either antibiotic if given alone.
Stay tuned for the next post. Thanks,
Dr. Paul
It's time to get back to how antibiotics work. Today we are going to talk about a class of antibiotics that many people don't know about or hear about often. The reason is that these drugs are given intravenously (IV). So, unless you or a family member have been sick with with an infection that required an aminoglycoside like gentamicin, tobramycin or amikacin, you will not be familiar with them. Neomycin is also an aminoglycoside and is mainly given for bowel prep before surgery.
Mechanism of Action: Aminoglycosides irreversibly bind to the 30S subunit of the bacterial
ribosome, which results in the bacteria being unable to synthesize certain proteins.
Spectrum of activity: gram-negative bacteria
Toxicity: Aminoglycosides can be toxic to the kidneys and can also cause hearing loss. Therefore when a patient is taking these medications, they are monitored closely for the amount of aminoglycosides in their blood. When these antibiotics are monitored properly they can be safely given.
Aminoglycosides are often given with other antibiotics. When combined, they have a synergistic effect. That means that both antibiotics dosed together are more effective than either antibiotic if given alone.
Stay tuned for the next post. Thanks,
Dr. Paul
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