Re: Probiotics could be used to protect critically ill patients..pneumonia

[Guest guest]

I know probiotics is a everyday must, at least a serious should do, but I looked

up this other stuff because it sounds really great here. I thought I would share

this about it thinking you might want to read this before running out to get

some.

 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601903

 

 

Chlorhexidine (Oral Route)

Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

Description

Chlorhexidine is used to treat gingivitis. It helps to reduce the inflammation

(redness) and swelling of your gums and to reduce gum bleeding.

Gingivitis is caused by the bacteria that grow in the coating (plaque) that

forms on your teeth between tooth brushings. Chlorhexidine destroys the

bacteria, thereby preventing the gingivitis from occurring. However,

chlorhexidine does not prevent plaque and tartar from forming; proper tooth

brushing and flossing are still necessary and important.

Chlorhexidine is available only with your dentist's or medical doctor's

prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Liquid

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Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed

against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make.

For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this

medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you

have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or

animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients

carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no

specific information comparing use of this medicine in children with use in

other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it

may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger

adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people.

There is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in the elderly

with use in other age groups.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category

Explanation

All Trimesters

C

Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in

pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no

adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using

this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the

potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases

two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur.

In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions

may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other

prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or

eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or

tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss

with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol,

or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make

sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Front-tooth fillings (especially those having rough surfaces)—Chlorhexidine may

cause staining that, in some cases, may be impossible to remove and may require

replacement of the filling

Gum problems (other)—Use of chlorhexidine may make other gum problems, such as

periodontitis, worse

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Proper Use

Chlorhexidine oral rinse should be used after you have brushed and flossed your

teeth. Rinse the toothpaste completely from your mouth with water before using

the oral rinse. Do not eat or drink for several hours after using the oral

rinse.

The cap on the original container of chlorhexidine can be used to measure the 15

mL (½ fluid ounce) dose of this medicine. Fill the cap to the ``fill line.'' If

you do not receive the dental rinse in its original container, make sure you

have a measuring device to measure out the correct dose. Your pharmacist can

help you with this.

Swish chlorhexidine around in the mouth for 30 seconds. Then spit out. Use the

medicine full strength. Do not mix with water before using. Do not swallow the

medicine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your

doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information

includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do

not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.

Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and

the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which

you are using the medicine.

For oral rinse dosage form:

For gingivitis:

Adults—Use 15 milliliters (mL) as a mouth wash for 30 seconds two times a day.

Children up to 18 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your dentist

or medical doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it

is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your

regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat,

moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

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Precautions

Chlorhexidine may have a bitter aftertaste. Do not rinse your mouth with water

immediately after using chlorhexidine, since doing so will increase the

bitterness. Rinsing may also decrease the effect of the medicine.

Chlorhexidine may change the way foods taste to you. Sometimes this effect may

last up to 4 hours after you use the oral rinse. In most cases, this effect will

become less noticeable as you continue to use the medicine. When you stop using

chlorhexidine, your taste should return to normal.

Chlorhexidine may cause staining and an increase in tartar (calculus) on your

teeth. Brushing with a tartar-control toothpaste and flossing your teeth daily

may help reduce this tartar build-up and staining. In addition, you should visit

your dentist at least every 6 months to have your teeth cleaned and your gums

examined.

If you think that a child weighing 22 pounds (10 kilograms) or less has

swallowed more than 4 ounces of the dental rinse, get emergency help at once. In

addition, if a child of any age drinks the dental rinse and has symptoms of

alcohol intoxication, such as slurred speech, sleepiness, or a staggering or

stumbling walk, get emergency help at once.

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Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.

Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need

medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects

occur:Rare

Signs of allergic reaction (nasal congestion; shortness of breath or troubled

breathing; skin rash, hives, or itching; or swelling of face

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These

side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to

prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care

professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or

if you have any questions about them:More common

Change in taste

Increase in tartar (calculus) on teeth

Staining of teeth, mouth, tooth fillings, and dentures or other mouth

appliancesLess common or rare

Mouth irritation

Swollen glands on side of face or neck

Tongue tip irritation

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any

other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

       

From: snk1955@... <snk1955@...>

Subject: [] Probiotics could be used to protect critically ill

patients..pneumonia

, AspergillusSupport@...

Date: Friday, November 7, 2008, 9:17 AM

Probiotics could be used to protect critically ill patients from

developing pneumonia, according to scientists.

The friendly bacteria can block the colonisation by dangerous bugs of

the airways of ventilated patients, the Swedish study concluded.

The probiotic solution performed just as well as normal antiseptics

used to keep pneumonia-causing bacteria at bay, the journal Critical

Care reported.

Being more natural it could pose fewer side effects, the authors said.

Friendly bugs

The probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum 299 is normally present

in saliva and is also commonly found in fermented products like pickles

and sauerkraut.

Although rare, some patients are allergic to the antiseptics normally

used to prevent ventilator-associat used to prevent ventilator-associat <W

There is also a very small risk of the pneumonia-causing bacteria

developing chlorhexidine resistance.

Pneumonia is a common complication in patients on breathing machines

and occurs when harmful bacteria from the mouth, throat or breathing

tube are inhaled into the lungs.

Swabbing the mouth with chlorhexidine is widely recommended to reduce

the risk ventilator-associat the risk ventilator-associat <WBR>ed pneumo

requiring mechanical ventilation.

Bengt Klarin and colleagues at the University Hospital in Lund, Sweden,

compared the probiotic treatment with chlorhexidine in 50 critically

ill patients.

Microbiological testing revealed both treatments appeared to be equally

effective at preventing potentially harmful bacteria from flourishing

in the mouth and throat.

In addition, a probiotic that adheres to mouth lining will be able to

work around the clock, unlike antiseptics which wear off after a few

hours, say the authors.

The scientists said bigger studies were now needed to investigate the

feasibility of using probiotics in this setting.

Bob Marsterton, chair of the British Society for Antimicrobial

Chemotherapy' Chemotherapy' <WBR>s working party on hospital acquired

" This is a plausible idea. But we need much larger trials that focus on

clinical outcomes to prove it is an effective and affordable

treatment. "

He said chlorhexidine highly effective, affordable and readily

available.

Sharon Noonan Kramer

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