Abstract
In the medical field, a medical professional's first duty is to do no harm to their patients. However, studies have shown that often times the care that injured or ill people received not only occasionally worsened their condition, but also in some instances were proven fatal. In particular adverse drug reactions are one of the most common examples of this tragic scenario. This paper discusses the increased direct-to-consumer marketing efforts of pharmaceutical companies, the types of adverse drug reactions and finally the incidence of drug reactions.

From the Paper
"A major cause of morbidity and mortality, worldwide, is adverse drug reactions, as caused by either immune or non-immune mechanisms. These reactions are the most common iatrogenic illnesses, which complicate between five and fifteen percent of therapeutic drug courses. More than 100,000 deaths, in the United States, are characterized by serious, adverse drug reactions, each year (Riedl & Casillas, 2003, p. 1781)."

Tags:healthcare, prescription, hypersensitivity, physician

Abstract
The paper discusses both trivial hypersensitivity reactions such as itchiness and urticaria as well as fatal reactions such as peanut allergy and bronchial asthma. The paper looks at the current mainstream therapy for severe anaphylactic reactions that involves intramuscular epinephrine and adjuvant therapies including antihistamines, corticosteroids and inhalant bronchodilators. The paper then reveals that the efficacy of these medicines is limited by adverse side effects that could potentially arise from chronic use. The paper asserts that there is a need to entertain the potential benefits of Chinese traditional medicine.

From the Paper
"Most human beings eat foodstuffs or are exposed to environmental factors and do not experience any problem. Others, however, can eat some of these foods and have a multitude of allergic reactions. Others can be exposed to only minute amounts of these ingredients, but these minute exposures can be fatal. This may be attributed to the fact that some people are hypersensitive to these stimuli. Hypersensitivity reactions are objectively reproducible symptoms or signs that manifest when a person is exposed to a stimulus at a dose tolerated by normal persons (Brown, 2006). Humans are constantly exposed to these stimuli that have the capacity to produce an immunologic response. Hypersensitivity reactions are in fact caused by several immunologic reactions that may be triggered by exogenous antigens such as pollen, dust, food, drugs, and chemicals (Kumar, Abbas and Fausto, 2005). These stimuli are called allergens."

Tags:allergens, anaphylaxis, asthma, epinephrine, antihistamines, corticosteroids

Abstract
This paper presents a personal reaction to the adverse effect of media violence on children. It discusses specific TV shows and interactive video games, as well as other factors including stability of the family unit.

From the Paper
"The relationship between children and adolescents watching shows or engaging in interactive games that stress violence and actual acts of violence is of great personal and professional interest to me ..."

Tags:Media, Aggression, Violence, TV, Video, Games, Children, Family

From the Paper
"Introduction
Is clozapine-related agranulocytosis the result of the medication itself or due to an as yet unconfirmed report of a contaminant in the medication which has now been removed by the drug's manufacturers? To determine the answer to this question, the proposed research will compare incidence of precipitant agranulocytosis in a sample of 50 patients beginning clozapine treatment (all with a past history of clozapine-related agranulocytosis which is now cured).

Literature Review
To place the proposed research in the context of the existing work in the field, this section of the proposal presents a comprehensive review of the literature. The first section of the review presents a general discussion of clozapine-induced.."

Abstract
This paper describes a patient's adverse reaction to a penicillin, suggesting that the patient has an allergy. the paper also suggests that dosage may be an issue for the treatment's failure. Various statistics are cited regarding the frequency of adverse drug reaction, particularly to penicillin.

From the Paper
"Given the patient's reaction to the treatment, it would seem that Mr. Humphrey has an allergy or perhaps just a sensitivity to penicillin and, as a result, it would seem that the medication is not working properly."

Tags:case, study, treatment

Abstract
This paper argues that people might talk about the benefits of animal testing but it is established that animal testing can delay the production of drugs, which would be beneficial to the humans, because they expressed adverse reactions in the animals. The author suggests that there are other alternatives to animal testing including test tube experimentation of human tissue cultures. The paper states that, even though it is difficult to measure the degree of pain and stress caused animals through this inhumane treatment of animals, which no legislation can prevent, this use of animals is immoral and unethical.

Table of Contents
Animal Testing - The Cons
Animal Testing - The Pros
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Moreover, vivisection does not guarantee the accuracy of the treatment as human diseases differ from animal diseases and the result can be very misleading at times. Further the therapy of the drug differs depending on the species that it is used upon. Therefore a drug might have beneficial effects on a monkey but it could have adverse effects on a human. Belladonna is harmless to rabbits but can kill a human. More examples like these are seen throughout history and one was seen in England where Opren, an anti-rheumatic drug, caused the death of over 70 people and put over 3000 people into critical conditions."

Tags:vivisection, adverse-reactions, drugs, human-tissue, legislation

Abstract
This paper covers the history of glucocorticoids, and provides some drug examples and their actions, uses and interactions. The paper then covers the side effects and adverse reactions, contraindications, route, administration, dosage and cautions associated with these prototype drugs. Finally, the paper addresses the nursing implications of glucocorticoids, client teaching opportunities, new advances, future trends and controversies surrounding its use.

Outline:
Historical Information and Background
Drug Examples, Actions, and Uses
Pharmacokinetics
Interactions with Drugs, Herbal Remedies and Food
Side/Adverse Effects & Contraindications
Route, Administration, Dosage and Cautions with Prototype Drugs
Nursing Implications
Client Teaching
New Advances, Future Trends and Controversies

From the Paper
"Glucocorticoids are also known as corticosteroids or steroids. They include a wide array of drugs that are related to corticosteroid hormones produced in the adrenal glands. The most abundant hormone produced by the adrenal glands is cortisol. "Cortisol and other glucocorticoids also have a potent anti-inflammatory effect on the body" (Kimball, 2005, para. 3). They are prescribed for many different inflammatory conditions that affect the digestive tract, eyes, skin, lungs, joints and other body systems. Common diseases that "frequently require treatment with glucocorticoids include asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and some types of arthritis (Wei, MacDonald & Walker, 2004, p. 764). They are important in reducing inflammation and suppressing cell-mediated and humoral immunity."

Tags:steroids, inflammation, drugs, gluconeogenesis, glucose, asthma, arthritis

Abstract
This paper presents the case of EB, a 68-year-old Alaska native female who currently resides in an assisted living facility because she is no longer able to perform even basic functions of daily living. The author points out that her medications, which include reserpine and aspirin, are appropriate because of the long half-life of reserpine, efficacy at controlling EB's specific symptoms of declining mental capacity and underlying hypertension and the relatively low cost of the medications. The paper concludes that, although no cure exists for Alzheimer's, there are medications available now and under development to control the symptoms and perhaps slow the progression of the disease.

Table of Contents:
The Case---EB
Patient History
Past Medical History
Alzheimer's Disease Background Information
Pathophysiology
Medication Indication
Medications
Alternative Pharmacological Regimens
Adverse Reactions
Financial
Client Interaction and Effects
Drug Interactions
Monitoring
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Alternative pharmacological regimens to treat Alzheimer's include antioxidants, ergoloid mesylates and Huperzine A, along with others not mentioned. EB's presentation suggests that her disease progression and symptoms required medication to control her symptoms to prevent any further vascular accidents. In addition, there was little evidence to support alternative pharmacological regimens in her case. The expense, complicated dosing schedules, varying positive results, and possible negative side effects left too many gray areas to be considered a viable option for EB."

Tags:reserpine, vascular, dementia, aspirin

Abstract
Depression is often assuaged by a change in circumstances or a visual, olfactory, or gustatory stimulus. This essay identifies the underlying neurobiological and clinical causes of depression, especially, chronic depression. It also explores the medications that either have been used in the past or are currently in use. It also considers other factors that cause depression, such as sociological concerns, adverse reactions to drugs, and an emotional crisis.

From the Paper
"Non-neuronal hormones are also implicated in depression. This is associated with an increased level of the hormone cortisol that is secreted by the adrenal glands located near the kidneys. Cortisol levels have been shown to decrease when the symptoms of depression go away. Even cortisol secretion finds its origin in the brain. The hypothalamic region in the brain makes corticotrophic-releasing hormone. This then stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotrophic hormone. The next step in this pathway is the secretion of higher (than necessary) levels of cortisol. (Mackin & Allan H. Young, 2004)."

Tags:brain, neurotransmitter, D3, receptor

Abstract
This paper examines Evista, also known as raloxifene hydrochloride, a drug manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. It looks at how it is classified as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which activates the estrogen receptors, but has differential physiological effects on other tissues, such as the breast and endometrium.

Outline
Indication of Usage
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Metabolism
Dosage and Administration
Contradictions, Precautions, and Warnings
Adverse Reactions
Drug Interactions
Comparative Efficacy
Cost Analysis
Personal Perspective of Evista
References

From the Paper
"The safety of raloxifene in the treatment of osteoporosis was assessed in a large (7705 patients) multinational, placebo-controlled trial (Barrett-Connor et al. 1270). Duration of treatment was 36 months and 5129 postmenopausal women were exposed to raloxifene (2557 received 60 mg/day and 2572 received 120 mg/day). The majority of adverse events occurring during the study were mild and generally did not require discontinuation of therapy. Therapy was discontinued due to an adverse event in 11% of EVISTA?-treated women and 9% of placebo-treated women. Common adverse events related to EVISTA? therapy were hot flashes and leg cramps. Hot flashes were most commonly reported during the first 6 months of treatment and were not different from placebo thereafter."

Tags:HCl, placebo, bone, density, calcium