1. The main aim of anaesthesia is the prevention of pain during surgery and at other times.
2. Anaesthesia involves a balanced approach, in which the individual patient’s psyche and pathophysiology are taken into account and drugs are used to modify and control any aspect as required.
3. The decision to use a particular drug or technique must be made after careful consideration of the pathophysiological features of the individual case and how these may affect the phar­macokinetic handling and tissue response to the drugs available.
4. Any associated disease or pathophysiological abnormality should wherever possible be treated or corrected before operation, and potentially dangerous physiological disturbances avoided during and after anaesthesia.
5. Anaesthetic drugs are relatively non-toxic but there are some important effects. Halothane is occasionally associated with hepatitis and methoxyflurane with kidney damage. Malignant hyperpyrexia, the aetiology of which is uncertain, is a rare but often fatal condition which can be triggered off by several anaesthetic drugs in genetically susceptible individuals.
6. Drugs used in anaesthesia can be involved in significant unwanted interactions with other drugs.
7. The treatment of respiratory failure is usually the responsibility of the anaesthetist. Although ventilatory assistance, physiotherapy, etc. are often the mainstay of treatment, drugs of different pharmacological classes are used.
8. Pain perception is an individual sensation. Symptomatic treatment of acute pain should not therefore be based on a concept of the painfulness of certain conditions, although some anal­gesics may be more appropriate for pain of certain conditions.
9. Strong analgesics for severe chronic pain should preferably be given orally, in adequate dosage, and on a regular individualised dosage schedule.

General Considerations

Although achieving insensibility to pain and to unpleasant surroundings has been the goal of much human activity since prehistoric times, it is only since 1846 with the introduction of ether by Morton that this could be done with any re­liable chance of success. Anaesthesia has devel­oped and been refined considerably since that time, and several important milestones are re­cognized and worthy of recall. These include the discovery of the local anaesthetic action of co­caine by Koller in 1884 and its use to produce spinal anaesthesia by Bier in 1898, the perfec­tion of endotracheal anaesthesia by Magill and Rowbotham about 1920, the introduction of the first barbiturate for induction of anaesthesia in 1932, and the introduction of curare in 1942.
In recent years, the specialty of anaesthesia has been broadened, and its scope is well de­scribed in a definition for the US Department of Labor (Dripps 1966):

Anesthesiology is a practice of medicine dealing with:

• The management of procedures for ren­dering a patient insensible to pain during surgical procedures.
• The support of life functions under the stress of anesthetic and surgical manipu­lations.
• The clinical management of the patient unconscious from whatever cause.
• The management of problems in pain re­lief.
• The management of problems in cardiac and respiratory resuscitation.
• The application of specific methods of inhalational therapy.
• The clinical management of various fluid electrolyte and metabolic disturbances.

The modern concept is one of ‘balanced an­aesthesia’, in which the whole of the patient’s psyche and pathophysiology are taken into ac­count and drugs are used to modify and control any aspect as required. Thus, as well as general anaesthetic agents, drugs of many classes – tran­quillisers, analgesics, muscle relaxants, drugs af­fecting the autonomic system etc. – all fall within the sphere of interest of the anaesthetist. ( Some of the more important of these will be discussed further at later part – Drugs Used in Anaesthesia .)

Although the use of cathartics and enemas is traditional, these measures are most unlikely to reduce absorption since this usually occurs rap­idly in the upper small intestine. They can only add to the misery and discomfort of the patient Efficacy in removal of drug has never been es­tablished. In one recent study, saline catharsis had no beneficial effect whatsoever on the ab­sorption of aspirin taken with charcoal (Sketris et al. 1982).

Whole Gut Lavage

One situation where attempts to empty the bowel may be helpful is in poisoning with ‘slow’ or ‘timed release’ formulations. The number of such preparations on the market is increasing and since they usually contain a much larger dose of drug than ordinary tablets, intoxication may be severe and prolonged.

In such circumstances, rapid emptying of the bowel might limit in absorption. The preferred technique is ‘whole gut lavage’ in which normal saline is given by nasogastric tube at a rate of 2 litres an hour (Woo et al. 1976). Although this technique is readily controlled and rapidly effective in emptying the bowel in conscious patients being prepared for abdominal surgery, its efficacy in removing un-absorbed drug has yet to be established. It may not be effective and could possibly be dangerous in poisoned patients with grossly depressed gas­trointestinal motility.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal has great adsorptive ca­pacity and can reduce the absorption of many compounds if taken orally at the same time (Neuvonen 1982; Pond 1986). The charcoal must be given in great excess (at least 10 times the weight of the drug) and efficacy falls off rap­idly as the time interval between ingestion of the poison and administration of the charcoal increases. After 1 hour, there is little inhibitory effect on the absorption of most drugs, although a significant reduction has been reported with phenytoin.

The time interval during which ac­tivated charcoal can significantly reduce ab­sorption following overdosage may be increased by the presence of food in the stomach (Olkkola & Neuvonen 1984). Oral activated charcoal ap­pears to be as effective as emesis induced by syrup of ipecac in limiting absorption (Neuvo­nen et al. 1983), but its administration after gas­tric lavage is of little or no benefit (Comstock et al. 1982).

Although the delay between inges­tion of the drug and arrival in hospital is usually such that significant reduction in absorption by oral activated charcoal is unlikely, there is no contraindication to its use and repeated admin­istration greatly increases the elimination of some drugs.

General Information

• Lexxel contains 5 mg of felodipine, a calcium channel blocker, and 5 mg of enalapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The 2 drugs in this combination belong to widely prescribed groups of hypertension medication.
• Lexxel is not meant for the initial treatment of hypertension.
• Most people taking this product have taken 1 of the ingredients as an individual pill and need more medication to control their blood pressure.
• Felodipine works by blocking the passage of calcium into heart and smooth-muscle tissue, especially the smooth muscle found in arteries. Since calcium is an essential factor in muscle contraction, any drug that affects calcium in this way will interfere with the contraction of these muscles. This causes the veins to dilate (widen), reducing blood pressure. Also, the amount of oxygen used by these muscles is reduced.
• ACE inhibitors such as enalapril work by preventing the conversion of a hormone called angiotensin Ito another hormone called angiotensin II, a potent blood-vessel constrictor. Preventing this conversion relaxes blood vessels and helps to reduce blood pressure and relieve the symptoms of heart failure.
• Enalapril’s effect on other hormones may also help to promote blood-vessel dilation. It begins working about 1 hour after you take it and continues to work for 24 hours.

How does the drug reacts ?

• The blood-pressure-lowering effect of Lexxel adds to that of diuretic (agent that increases urination) drugs or beta blockers.
• Any other drug that causes a rapid blood-pressure drop should be used with caution if you are taking Lexxel.
• When taken with Dyazide or other potassium-sparing diuretics, Lexxel may raise blood-potassium levels.
• Lexxel may increase the effects of lithium; this combination should be used with caution.
• Capsaicin may cause or aggravate the cough associated with Lexxel therapy.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may interfere with the blood-pressure-lowering effect of Lexxel.
• Phenothiazine sedatives and antiemetics may increase the effects of Lexxel.
• Rifampin may reduce the effects of Lexxel.
• Combining allopurinol with Lexxel increases the risk of an adverse drug reaction.
• Cimetidine, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, clarithromycin, nefazodone, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, telithromycin, aprepitant, fluconazole, and verapamil increase the amount of felodipine in the blood, causing a slight increase in the drug’s effect and possible side effects.
• Phenytoin and other hydantoin anti-seizure drugs, carbamazepine, and barbiturate sleeping pills and sedatives may decrease the amount of felodipine in the blood, reducing its effect.
• Felodipine may increase the effects of theophylline (a drug used to treat asthma and other respiratory problems) and oral anticoagulant (blood-thinning) drugs.
• Felodipine may increase blood levels of tacrolimus. Tacrolimus dose adjustment may be needed.
• Felodipine may interact with quinidine (an antiarrhythmic) to produce low blood pressure, very slow heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms, and swelling in the arms or legs.

Cautions

• Do not take Lexxel if you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients. It could causes very low blood pressure, although rarely occurs.
• Lexxel should be used with caution by people with kidney disease, as it may also affect your kidneys, especially if you have congestive heart failure (CHF). Your doctor should check your urine for protein content during the first few months of treatment.
• Enalapril may affect white-blood-cell counts, possibly increasing your susceptibility to infection. Your doctor should monitor your blood counts periodically.
• ACE inhibitors can cause injury or death to a developing fetus in the last 2 trimesters. Pregnant women should not take Lexxel or any ACE inhibitor.
• People taking a beta-blocking drug who begin taking felodipine may develop heart failure or increased angina pain. Angina pain may also increase if your felodipine dosage is increased.
• People with severe liver disease break down felodipine much more slowly than those with less severe disease or normal livers.
• While taking any ACE inhibitor, sudden and painless swelling in the hands, face, feet, lips, tongue, or throat may develop. If this happens,  stop taking the medication at once , and contact your doctor. This condition usually goes away on its own, though antihistamines may also prove helpful.

Usual Dose and Intakes

• This drug is for adult only.
• 1 tablet a day. ( May be increased to 2 tablets if further blood pressure reduction is necessary after 1-2 weeks of treatment. )
• Overdose may cause low blood pressure. ( In case of overdose, contact your doctor or go to a hospital for emergency attention. ALWAYS bring the prescription bottle or container. )
• Lexxel may be taken without regard to food or meals ( you may take it with food if it upsets your stomach. )
• Avoid grapefruit juice while you are on Lexxel.
• Do not break, crush, or chew Lexxel tablets.
• Maintain good dental hygiene while taking Lexxel and use extra care when brushing or flossing teeth because of the increased risk of oral infection associated with Lexxel.
• Avoid over-the-counter diet pills, decongestants. and stimulants while taking Lexxel; they may raise blood pressure.

Possible Side Effects and Notes

*Side effects are more common with higher dosages and increasing age.
Most common side effects includes :-

• swelling in the ankles, feet, and legs;
• dizziness;
• lightheadedness;
• muscle weakness or cramps;
• facial flushing;
• headache;
• fatigue;
• nausea;
• chronic- (long-term) cough.  ( The cough usually goes away a few days after you stop taking the medication. )

Rare and Less common side effects ( Contact Your Doctor for advise )  :-

• respiratory infection,
• cough,
• tingling in the hands or feet,
• upset stomach,
• abdominal pain,
• chest pain,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• heart palpitations,
• sore throat,
• runny nose,
• back pain, rash,
• angina (condition characterized by brief attacks of chest pain),
• vomiting,
• bronchitis,
• urinary tract infection,
• breathing difficulties,
• Unusual condition affecting your heart, muscles and joints, stomach and intestines, sexual function, kidney or liver, and other body parts.

Hypertension may be present without symptoms, thus continue taking your medication and follow any instructions for diet restriction or other treatments to help maintain lower blood pressure, even if you feel well.

Do not take a double dose.

- If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you forgot and continue with your regular schedule.

For those under Pregnancy/Breast-feeding period

Women who are or might be pregnant should not take Lexxel. ACE inhibitors have caused low blood pressure, kidney failure, slow skull formation, and death in the fetus when taken during the last 6 months of pregnancy.

Women of childbearing age who must take Lexxel must use an effective contraceptive method.

If you become pregnant, stop taking the medication and call your doctor immediately.
Nursing mothers who must take Lexxel should use infant formula, as small amounts of enalapril + felodipine are known to pass into breast milk.

Seniors citizen :-

• Especially those with liver disease, may be more sensitive to the drug’s effects. Take it with care., it is best to consult doctor before taking it.

General Information of the drug

• Mupirocin nasal is used to prevent resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections from spreading during outbreaks of the infection.
• Mupirocin can also be used to treat diaper rash.
• Mupirocin is a unique, non-penicillin drug that works against the common microorganisms that cause impetigo in children.
• It is used to supplement other treatments for impetigo, although many doctors prefer oral medication.
• Mupirocin works by interfering with bacteria’s ability to make the proteins it needs for survival.
• Large amounts of mupirocin kill bacteria and smaller amounts stop the bacteria from growing. It may be effective against antibiotic- resistant bacteria.

Cautions

• If you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients – Do not use a mupirocin product.
• Mupirocin ointment is not for use in the eye.
• Taking other antibiotics while using mupirocin can lead to the development of resistant bacteria.
• Mupirocin nasal should be used only to treat Staphylococcus aureus infections, not to prevent them.
• Large quantities of mupirocin ointment should not be applied to an open wound because polyethylene glycol—used as a base in mupirocin ointment—may be absorbed through the wound and damage the kidneys.
• Long-term or chronic use of mupirocin may lead to secondary infection caused by drug-resistant bacteria or fungi.
• Do not use mupirocin nasal at the same time as any other prescription or over-the-counter nasal drug product.

Possible Side Effects ( Contact your doctor if you experience any side effect that’s unusual )

This drug could be in several form, as below :-

Rarely or Less Common Side Effect in using Ointment form :-

• burning,
• pain,
• itching,
• rash,
• stinging or pain where the ointment is applied;
• nausea
• skin redness,
• dry skin,
• tenderness,
• swelling,
• increased oozing from impetigo lesions.

Rarely or Less Common Side Effect in using Cream form :-

• headache,
• rash,
• nausea,
• abdominal pain,
• burning,
• irritation,
• inflammation,
• dizziness,
• itching,
• secondary infection,
• mouth ulcer.

Side Effects in using Nasal Ointment form :-
Most common : headache and runny nose.
Rarely or Less common side effects : respiratory congestion, sore throat, changes in sense of taste, burning or stinging, cough, and itching.

Pregnancy/Breast-feeding period :

The safety of using this drug during pregnancy is not known. Nursing mother who must use this drug is advisable to use infant formula instead, as it is not known if mupirocin passes into breast milk or not.