Pharmacy: Top 200 Drugs and Calculations for the Days Supply - Essay Example

The brand names of the drugs that are going to be analyzed here are Lamotrigine; Abilify; Lunesta; Depakote; and Topamax.

 What is the generic name of the drug?

The generic names of the drugs mentioned above are Lamictal; Aripiprazole; Eszopiclone; Divalproex; and Topimirate.

When was the drug introduced into the market?  When did the generic become available?

Drug Name

When Introduced

When Generic Becomes Available

Abilify

2004

2015

Lamictal

1994

2009

Depakote

1882

2008

Topamax

1996

2009

Lunesta

1986

2010

What condition(s) is it used for? 


Many of these medications treat multiple conditions at once; some of the more popular uses will be mentioned.  Lamictal is an anti-convulsant, as are Depakote and Topamax.  Lunesta is a DEA Schedule 4 sleep aid.  Abilify is an anti-psychotic.  All of these drugs can be utilized to treat someone who has bipolar disorder.  Abilify can be used to treat schizophrenia and clinical depression as well.  Anti-convulsants can also be used in patients with epilepsy, and patients who have sleep problems utilize Lunesta.

What are some of the side effects and warnings?

Some side effects from Lamictal, Lunesta, and Abilify can include sleepiness or drowsiness.  Going off of Abilify after having taken it for a while is ill-advised, as this could induce psychosis.  When patients take Depakote, their blood levels must be monitored to make sure that they are getting enough medicine to treat them at a therapeutic level and also to ensure that there is no damage to the liver. According to “Depakote Side Effects” (2012), “A few of the most common Depakote side effects include vomiting, dizziness, and tremors” (pg. 1).  Topamax can cause patients who take this particular drug to lose hair and gain weight.  Weight gain is a common side effect of many of these medications; according to Citrome (2006), “[a]ripiprazole appears to have a low propensity for weight gain” (pp. 427).  


Part (2): 
Solve the following equations (Calculations for Days supply). 



(1):How many days will each prescription last if taken as prescribed? 



a): Alprazolam 0.5 mg 
#30 one t.i.d. prn

 

   The Xanax will last for 15 days.  Calculation:  30 pills/2 per day = 15 days

1. b) Albuterol Inhalation Solution 0.02% 
3 ml x 30 vials one vial q.i.d 


The Albuterol will last 6 days.  Calculation:  30 vials/4 per day = 6 days


c)Humulin N U-100 10 ml 
40 U SQ daily

The Humulin will last 25 days.  Calculation:  1000 U/40 U per day = 25 days

d)Zovirax Ointment 15 gm 
Apply 1 gm Q3h while awake to affected areas.

             The Zovirax will last 3 days.  Calculation:  15 gm/4 gm per day (assuming the patient stays awake 12 hours per day) = 3.75 days (rounded down to 3 days)