Sulindac (generic for Clinoril)

Our today's topic is arthritis and NSAIDs. Human joints have to do a lot of work every day, gradually getting worn out. Heredity comes into play, too, as gout, etc may be inherited through generations in the family. People really suffer from different forms of arthritis that include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis (found in the spine). The pain caused by stiffness and inflammation sometimes may become unbearable. What can help? Among other ways of treatment, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-infammatory drugs) can be administered.

Mylan Pharmaceuticals manufactures a range of NSAIDs. One of these drugs is Sulindac (generic version of the well-known brand Clinoril). The medication is used to relieve the inflammation, swelling, and joint pain caused by different form of arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, and other types of pain. It is available as 150mg and 200mg round yellow-colored pills indexed with 'MYLAN' letters and the numbers 427 and 531 respectively. Sulindac pill dosages are aptly determined for different cases of treatment. E.g., rheumatoid arthritis is normally treated with 150mg doses taken two times a day while acute painful shoulder (subacromial bursitis / supraspinatus tendinitis) usualyy requires higher Sulindac dosages of 200mg taken twice daily.

Omeprazole (Prilosec)

Among various stomach drug available nowadays, Omeprazole (also marketed under the brand name Prilosec) is perhaps the most popular and widely used all around the world. Brand names may differ, they can also appear and disappear, generic names remain in time and do not vary from country to country. The story with Omeprazole is very indicative in this sense.

The medication was initially marketed in the United States under the trade name Losec as early as 1989. But the brand name sounded so much like Lasix (generic Furosemide) that the FDA demanded to change it in order to prevent possible confusion. As a result, Losec became Prilosec. However, the generic name was not affected, and now we may come across a number of different brands that include: Antra, Audazol, Ceprandal, Demeprazol, Dudencer, Emeproton, Gastrimut, Mepral, Ocid, Osiren, Parizac, Prilosec Otc, Ramezol, Sanamidol, Ulceral, Victrix, Zepral, etc, but all of them contain the same Omeprazole as the active substance. Omeprazole lowers the level of acid produced in the stomach. So, all of these brands are used to treat symptoms of conditions caused by excess stomach acid, especially gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Mylan Pharmaceuticals markets the medication under its generic name, Omeprazole. Mylan's Omeprazole is available as green colored capsules indexed "Mylan 5211" and "Mylan 6150" (10mg and 20mg in strenth respectively).

Fexofenadine HCl (generic Allegra)

We launched this blog one month ago with a little notice about Fexofenadine Hydrochloride, comparing it to Allegra. The latter, perhaps, is better known and more popular, but the point is that we often have to overpay for such popularity. In fact, Fexofenadine HCl and Allegra are the very same substances, but the brand name of Allegra is copyrighted, that is why it costs more than Fexofenadine HCl. Much more. Why pay more if you can get the same result for less money? Mylan's generic variation of Allegra, called Fexofenadine hydrochloride, relieves symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis as perfectly as Allegra made by a different manufacturer. Mylan Fexofenadine HCl pills are easily recognized by their bright blue color, though their shapes can be different (round, as in case with 30mg strength, and oblong, as in case with 180mg). In adults and children aged 12 and older, the recommended dose of Fexofenadine HCl is 180 mg once daily, or 60 mg taken twice during the day. The medication is also used to treat uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children of 6 months and older.

Clonidine (Catapres)

Another medication which is used for the treatment of hypertension is called Catapres. It is a well-known brand name all over the world although the medication can be found under other names, too. What would you say about Duraclon? The same. They are both the same substance marketed under different names in different areas by different manufacturers. What is of more importance, it is the active ingredient in the drug - the substance that makes it effective. And often, this substance's name is the generic's name. In Catapres and Duraclon, the name of the active substance is Clonidine. And Mylan's generic version of Catapres is marketed as Clonidine.

In brief, Clonidine is a drug that is used to treat high blood pressure. It helps blood vessels relax, so that blood could flow more easily through them and heart could work with less load. But Clonidine is used for other purposes, too, even for those that are not approved by the FDA. Painful menstrual periods, menopausal flushing, diabetic diarrhea, Tourette's Syndrome, ADHD, postherpetic neuralgia, ulcerative colitis, withdrawal symptoms from dependence on narcotics, alcohol, or nicotine (smoking) - all of these unpleasant conditions can be relieved by means of using Clonidine.