Double Duty Drugs Cure More Than First Thought
Some Less Controversial Medications Used for Other Ailments
Jun 20, 2009
According to ABC News here are some of the double duty drugs making the headlines.
Some Popular Medicines Being Studied
Efudex is a skin cream used to treat the early stages of skin cancer. The makers of this cream, Valeant Pharmaceuticals did a study on 21 people. They applied the cream twice daily for two weeks. What they found was, not only did they reduce the number of potential pre-cancerous spots on the subjects' faces; they also found that their faces had fewer wrinkles, fewer dark skin spots and less hyperpigmentation.
This was the great news about Efudex cream, but it does come with side effects. The most common side effect was redness and irritation shortly after application. For many, this did not constitute the need to stop using this cream.
Viagra Helps Increase Blood Flow
Viagra is a widely known erectile dysfunction drug. It increases blood flow to the tissues of the body that are in need of it. A case involved Jamie Schanbaum, who suffered from meningitis, and developed an infection that threatened her extremities. Dr Peter Lin, Jamie's treating physician at St. Joseph’s hospital outside Houston, used the drug to see if it would spare her from amputations and control the gangrene in her arms and legs. To date, the results of this study are unknown, as Jamie is still being treated.
Revatio, generic name: sildenafil also known as Revatio, Viagras is being used to treat congestive heart failure and respiratory disease. It improves the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart and lungs by opening the arteries.
Botox Helps in Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Botox, otherwise known as botulinum toxin type A, hit the medical field in the treatment of crossed eyes and spastic conditions in the 1970s. Now people use Botox as a cosmetic treatment. In 2002, the USFDA gave its approval for this drug to be used in treating frown lines. Doctors are using this drug to treat a condition that produces too many tears in response to certain stimuli. Patricia Webster of Maidstone, England has Guillain-Barre syndrome. This condition resulted in crying whenever she ate. An occasional shot into her tear ducts has given her freedom from this disorder. Some doctors are using Botox to help relieve chronic pain.
Latisse Helps Eyelashes Grow Longer
Latisse is well known and doctors prescribe it to patients with glaucoma. It is the eye drop known as bimatoprost and it improves their vision. This led to another unexpected discovery. The use of this medication causes thicker eyelashes that are more luxurious. This drug has the approval of the FDA for cosmetic use. The company that makes Latisse is Allergan. When this drug first came out it was named Lumigan. The side effect of longer lashes occurs during Phase 3 trials. The downside of this drug is the cost and the longer lashes last only as long as the person is using Latisse. For a 30-day supply, the cost is around $120.
Robitussin Helps in Conception
Robitussin is a cough and cold medication available over the counter. Now studies are showing that women trying to become pregnant may be gaining help in conception with this drug. There is no real evidence that shows that this cough syrup helps in conception. They theorize that since this drug thins the mucus in the nose and throat, maybe it also thins the cervical mucus. This gives the sperm an easier time in making it to the egg and fertilizes it.
Although these drugs are reasonably safe to use, there needs to be more studies done in order to tell whether they are typical. The future of these medications looks promising.
