antibiotics and antiretrovirals have transformed the lives of millions. But the fight for life-saving drugs is far from over.
The NLEM-2011 is intended to ensure that a selection of medicines is available within working healthcare systems at all times, in appropriate dosage forms and at affordable prices for the entire population. This can be achieved by ensuring availability of priority life-saving medicines.
Abiraterone
It was a big leap from animal studies to human trials, which proved that abiraterone extended survival and prevented the cancer from spreading. A further trial, published in 2021, tested the drug in combination with enzalutamide, which blocks the breakdown of testosterone. Both trials were hugely successful, showing that abiraterone could make men with advanced mCRPC much more likely to live longer.
You should not take abiraterone if you have a history of high blood pressure, heart attack, or liver disease. It’s also not recommended for use with certain medications, such as warfarin and blood thinners. If you have a history of depression or anxiety, you should tell your doctor before taking the drug. It’s important to avoid alcohol and other sedatives while on abiraterone manufacturer, as they can increase your risk of serious side effects. Lastly, you should use contraception to avoid becoming pregnant while on the medication.
Lapatinib
Some people taking this medication have had lung problems. Call your provider if you have a new or worsening cough that won’t go away or trouble breathing, especially if it is accompanied by wheezing, chest pain, or a red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling.
Lapatinib is used alone or with other medications to treat advanced hormone-related breast cancer in women who have already been treated with other cancer medicines. It is also used with capecitabine to treat a certain type of breast cancer in postmenopausal women that has spread to other parts of the body. Lapatinib manufacturer is also used with letrozole to treat a certain type of breast cancer that has progressed after surgery and radiation therapy in postmenopausal women who have HER2-positive cancer. It is also being studied in other types of cancer.
Etoposide
In addition to treating testicular cancer, etoposide is commonly used to treat small cell lung cancer and leukemias. It is also being investigated as a first-line treatment for a variety of other cancers.
While etoposide is effective, it is associated with severe side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. In some cases, the drug can even cause hair loss. Despite these unpleasant side effects, it is important to continue taking the medication, as it will eventually help your body fight off the disease.
To minimize the impact of these side effects, it is important to eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids while you are on treatment. You should also try to get as much sleep as possible. Additionally, you should not stop taking this medication unless you are told to do so by your doctor.
If you are concerned about the side effects of etoposide, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. He or she can provide more information about the risks and benefits of this drug and can give you tips on coping with them. It is also important to tell your doctor if you have a history of liver problems, kidney disease, or any other health conditions. Finally, you should not take this medication during pregnancy.
Ivermectin
Few drugs can lay claim to the title “Wonder drug,” but the broad-spectrum antiparasitic ivermectin fits that description. This remarkable compound, a dihydro derivative of avermectin isolated from the bacterium Melitaeum at the Kitasato Institute in Tokyo, Japan, has had immeasurable beneficial impact on millions of the world’s poorest people.
Originally developed as a veterinary medicine, it kills a variety of internal and external parasites that infest commercial livestock and companion animals. It was later adapted to combat two of the most dreaded and disfiguring diseases that afflict impoverished residents of the tropics—river blindness (also called onchocerciasis) and lymphatic filariasis. By delivering twice-yearly mass drug administrations (MDA) of ivermectin to populations affected by these deadly parasites, it has been possible to substantially reduce the incidence and prevalence of these diseases.
Ivermectin works by binding to parts of the parasite or insect. Once it binds, the drug inhibits certain channels that are used to relay signals in nerve and muscle cells. This causes the organism to become paralyzed and eventually dies. It has also been shown to be effective against other parasitic infections, including strongyloidiasis and scabies.
Researchers often try to repurpose existing medicines for new uses. This approach allows the process of obtaining approval for a new medication to take less time and cost because many of the basic research has already been completed. It is also common for drugs approved for use in humans to be tested for the ability to treat or prevent different diseases in other species, such as horses and cattle.
Scientists believe that ivermectin may be able to help treat the coronavirus (Covid-19) by blocking certain proteins that are involved in viral replication. During the replication process, viral proteins bind to cargo transporters that allow them to enter the nucleus of a host cell. When the transporters are blocked, the virus is unable to function properly and the infection is more likely to progress.
While it is tempting to consider ivermectin as an exceptional candidate for the title of Wonder drug, it has important limitations. For example, doses intended for large animals—such as horses and cattle—can be toxic to humans. In addition, if an animal receives too high a dose, it can develop resistance to the drug.
