What Is Finacea?

Finacea is a topical gel that contains azelaic acid, which is used to treat the skin conditions rosacea and acne.
The prescription medicine belongs to a class of drugs called dicarboxylic acids.
It works by killing bacteria and helping the skin renew itself more quickly.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Finacea in 1995. It's manufactured by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Finacea Warnings

Before using Finacea, tell your doctor if you have, or have ever had:
  • Asthma
  • Repeated episodes of cold sores or fever blisters
  • Allergies to medications
  • Any other serious medical condition
Finacea may change your skin color, especially if you have a dark complexion. Tell your doctor if you notice any changes in the color of your skin.
Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes, nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum.
Don't cover the area of the skin where you apply Finacea. This could cause your body to absorb too much of the medicine.
You shouldn't use Finacea on skin that's sunburned, chapped, dry, red, irritated, or broken.
It could take four weeks or longer before you notice improvement with Finacea. Continue to use the medicine as directed.
Tell your doctor if your condition doesn't improve, or worsens, after 12 weeks.
Avoid applying other harsh skin products — such as certain soaps, cleansers, or astringents — while using Finacea.

Pregnancy and Finacea

Finacea isn't believed to harm an unborn baby.
Still, tell your doctor if you're pregnant, or might become pregnant while using this medicine.
It's not known whether Finacea passes into breast milk or could harm a breastfeeding baby.
Don't use this medicine while breastfeeding without first talking to your doctor.

Finacea Side Effects

Common Side Effects of Finacea

Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects become severe or don't go away:
  • Mild itching, burning, stinging, or tingling of the skin

Serious Side Effects of Finacea

Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
  • Severe itching, burning, stinging, or tingling of the skin
  • Severe redness, peeling, or other irritation
  • Rash
  • Change in skin color
  • Signs of an allergic reaction (may include hives, rash, itching, chest tightness, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat)

Finacea Interactions

Tell your doctor about all prescription, nonprescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs you're taking while using Finacea.

Finacea and Other Interactions

Your doctor may tell you to avoid foods and beverages that cause flushing or redness while you take Finacea. These may include:
  • Spicy foods
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Hot foods or drinks
Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Finacea Dosage

Finacea is typically applied twice a day: once in the morning and once at bedtime.
Follow the instructions on your product label carefully. Don't apply more or less Finacea than is recommended.
Try to use this medicine around the same time each day.
Wash your hands before and after applying the gel. The area of skin you're treating should be dry and clean.
Apply a thin layer of Finacea to the affected area, and gently massage it into the skin.
Don't cover the treated area with wrappings, bandages, or dressings.
You can apply nonirritating makeup over the medicine after it dries.

Finacea Overdose

Finacea may be harmful if swallowed.
If you accidently swallow the medicine or suspect an overdose, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.
You can get in touch with a poison control center at 800-222-1222.

Missed Dose of Finacea

If you miss a dose of Finacea, apply it as soon as you remember.
But if it's almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your normal routine.
Don't apply extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What Is Abacavir-Lamivudine?

Abacavir and lamivudine are antiviral medicines that prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.
Abacavir and lamivudine is a combination medicine used to treat HIV, which can cause the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medication is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Abacavir and lamivudine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Abacavir and lamivudine can cause severe or fatal side effects. Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
You should not take this medicine if you have liver disease, or if you have ever tested positive for a gene variation called HLA-B*5701. Do not take this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine that contains abacavir or lamivudine.
Stop taking abacavir and lamivudine and call your doctor at once if you have signs of an allergic reaction: fever; rash; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain; general ill feeling, extreme tiredness, body aches; shortness of breath, cough, sore throat.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medicine.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to abacavir or lamivudine, or:
  • if you have liver disease;
  • if you have ever tested positive for a gene variation called HLA-B*5701; or
  • if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine that contains abacavir or lamivudine (Combivir, Epivir, Triumeq, Trizivir, Ziagen).
Once you have had an allergic reaction to abacavir, you must never use it again.
Some people taking lamivudine develop a serious condition called lactic acidosis. This may be more likely in women, in people who are overweight or have liver disease, and in people who have taken HIV/AIDS medication for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your risk.
To make sure abacavir and lamivudine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
  • hepatitis C (especially if you are treated with interferon and/or ribavirin);
  • a history of hepatitis or other liver problems (especially hepatitis B);
  • kidney disease;
  • heart disease or high blood pressure;
  • a risk factor for heart disease (such as smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol); or
  • if you drink alcohol daily.
You may need a blood test before you start taking abacavir and lamivudine for the first time, or if you are restarting the medicine after stopping for reasons not related to an allergic reaction.
It is not known whether abacavir and lamivudine will harm an unborn baby. HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of this medication on the baby.
Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.
Abacavir and lamivudine should not be given to a child who weighs less than 55 pounds.

Abacavir-Lamivudine Side Effects

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction from two or more of these specific side effect groups:
  • Group 1 - fever;
  • Group 2 - rash;
  • Group 3 - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
  • Group 4 - general ill feeling, extreme tiredness, body aches;
  • Group 5 - shortness of breath, cough, sore throat.
Once you have an allergic reaction to abacavir, you must never use it again. If you stop taking this medicine for any reason, talk to your doctor before you start taking it again.
Abacavir and lamivudine can also cause serious or fatal side effects on the liver. Call your doctor at once if you have:
  • swelling around your midsection, upper stomach pain, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Early symptoms of lactic acidosis may get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.
Abacavir and lamivudine may increase your risk of certain infections or autoimmune disorders by changing the way your immune system works. Symptoms may occur weeks or months after you start treatment with abacavir and lamivudine. Tell your doctor if you have:
  • signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands, mouth sores, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss;
  • chest pain (especially when you breathe), dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;
  • cold sores, sores on your genital or anal area;
  • rapid heart rate, feeling anxious or irritable, weakness or prickly feeling, problems with balance or eye movement;
  • trouble speaking or swallowing, severe lower back pain, loss of bladder or bowel control; or
  • swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence, loss of interest in sex.
Common side effects include:
  • sleep problems (insomnia);
  • headache, dizziness, tiredness, depression;
  • nausea, diarrhea; or
  • changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Abacavir-Lamivudine Interactions

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage or lactic acidosis.
Taking this medicine will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
  • interferon or ribavirin (to treat hepatitis C);
  • methadone; or
  • any other HIV medicines.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with abacavir and lamivudine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Abacavir-Lamivudine Dosage

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Abacavir and lamivudine may be taken with or without food. Tell the doctor if a child taking this medicine has trouble swallowing the tablet.
This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and a Warning Card that lists the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Read this information carefully and carry the Warning Card with you at all times so you will know what symptoms to watch for.
Use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medicine, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using abacavir and lamivudine. Visit your doctor regularly.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Do not allow your medicine to run out completely before you get your prescription refilled. It is important that you not stop taking the medicine once you have started. If you miss several doses, you may have a dangerous or even fatal allergic reaction once you start taking this medication again.

What Is Azuphen MB?

Hyoscyamine produces many effects in the body, including relief from muscle spasms.
Methenamine and methylene blue work as mild antiseptics that fight bacteria in the urine and bladder.
Phenyl salicylate is a mild pain reliever.
Sodium biphosphate is a form of phosphorus, which is a naturally occurring substance that is important in every cell in the body.
Hyoscyamine, methenamine, methylene blue, phenyl salicylate, sodium biphosphate is a combination medicine used to treat bladder irritation (pain, spasms, inflammation) caused by urinary tract infection. This medicine is also used to prevent bladder discomfort during a medical procedure.
Hyoscyamine, methenamine, methylene blue, phenyl salicylate, sodium biphosphate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Many drugs can interact with methylene blue. During your treatment with this medicine, do not start or stop using any other medications without your doctor's advice.
If you take an antidepressant or psychiatric medication, call your doctor right away if you have signs of a serious drug interaction, including: confusion, memory problems, feeling hyperactive (mentally or physically), loss of coordination, muscle twitching, shivering, sweating, diarrhea, and/or fever.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to hyoscyamine, methenamine, methylene blue, phenyl salicylate, or sodium biphosphate.
During your treatment with this medicine, do not start or stop using any other medications unless your doctor tells you to.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
  • heart disease;
  • a heart rhythm disorder;
  • congestive heart failure;
  • coronary heart disease;
  • a heart valve disorder;
  • glaucoma;
  • an enlarged prostate or bladder obstruction;
  • myasthenia gravis;
  • an ulcer or obstruction in your stomach;
  • an allergy to belladonna (Donnatal and others); or
  • an allergy to salicylates (such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate, magnesium salicylate).
It is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
This medicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Azuphen Mb Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:
  • severe dizziness, blurred vision, fast heart rate;
  • painful or difficult urination; or
  • shortness of breath.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.
Methylene blue will most likely cause your urine or stools to appear blue or green in color. This is a normal side effect of the medication and will not cause any harm.
Common side effects may include:
  • dizziness, drowsiness;
  • dry mouth; or
  • nausea, vomiting.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Azuphen Mb Interactions

Avoid taking an antacid or anti-diarrhea medicine within 1 hour before or after you take hyoscyamine, methenamine, methylene blue, phenyl salicylate, and sodium biphosphate. Antacids or anti-diarrhea medicine can make it harder for your body to absorb hyoscyamine.
If you also take ketoconazole (Nizoral), wait at least 2 hours after taking it before you take hyoscyamine, methenamine, methylene blue, phenyl salicylate, and sodium biphosphate.
Many drugs can interact with methylene blue. Tell your doctor about all other medications you use. You may need to stop using certain medicines (in some cases for up to 5 weeks before you start treatment with hyoscyamine, methenamine, methylene blue, phenyl salicylate, sodium biphosphate). However, do not stop taking any of your medications without your doctor's advice. This includes:
  • any type of antidepressant;
  • diet pills, stimulants, cold or allergy medicines, ADHD medication;
  • narcotic pain medicine;
  • medication to treat Parkinson's disease or restless leg syndrome; or
  • a "triptan" migraine headache medication.
Taking any of the above medications while you are treated with medicine that contains methylene blue can cause high levels of serotonin in the body. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of this condition: agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, or fainting.
Many drugs can interact with this medicine. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Also, hyoscyamine can make it harder for your body to absorb other medications you take by mouth. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using, especially:
  • a diuretic or "water pill";
  • medicines that change the acidity of your urine--sodium bicarbonate, potassium citrate, sodium citrate with citric acid or potassium;
  • bladder or urinary medicines--darifenacin, fesoterodine, oxybutynin, tolterodine, solifenacin; or
  • a sulfa drug.
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with hyoscyamine, methenamine, methylene blue, phenyl salicylate, sodium biphosphate. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Azuphen Mb Dosage

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking this medicine.
Hyoscyamine can slow your digestion, and it may take longer for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

A Soundtrack for Slumber: Max Richter’s 8-Plus-Hour Overnight ‘Sleep’ Concert

In a giant loft space with 160 beds overlooking downtown Manhattan, concertgoers came to experience the sounds of the live nightlong performance intended to help them hit "pause" and sleep, or not sleep, as they wished.

Richter went through 250 pages of sheet music during the overnight performance of 'Sleep.'
Music and sleep have been connected in our minds ever since the sweet sounds of the lullaby first helped people drift off into slumber. And in fact research shows that listening to relaxing music before going to bed helps improve sleep quality in people who don’t rest well. But what happens if the music is playing all night long — via a live performance?
That’s one thing German-born British composer and pianist Max Richter set out to examine with his eight-plus-hour-long performance of Sleep, a 31-song masterpiece that he and the American Contemporary Music Ensemble performed at Spring Studios in New York City Friday and Saturday nights. (Officially titled "Beautyrest Presents: Max Richter's Sleep," the U.S. premiere of the event happened in March at South By Southwest in Austin, Texas.)
“It’s like hitting a giant pause button to facilitate us in switching off from the day-to-day and offering an environment where we can disconnect from our concerns,” says Richter of the concert. A “fortunate” good sleeper himself who is not unaware of the benefits good sleep brings to both everyday activities and creative work, he adds, “Something is happening while you’re asleep, and it’s very important in creative life.”
At 10:30 p.m. last Friday in a giant room overlooking the traffic circle where cars are spit out from the Holland Tunnel — lights totally dimmed — the audience was in various stages of crawling into the 160 mattresses provided by Beautyrest as Richter hit the stage along with a string quintet, a soprano vocalist, and a couple of computers. “This piece is your opportunity to pause. I’ll see you on the other side,” he wished us goodnight before diving into the first of 250 pages of sheet music that started with soft, sweet, almost behind-the-beat droning chords in the piano’s mid-range.

Low-Frequency Sounds for Prolonged Slow-Wave Sleep

While he said he couldn’t compose different types of music for different stages of the sleep cycle — since every person is on their own clock — Richter teamed up with neuroscientist David Eagleman, PhD, an adjunct professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University in California, to determine what kinds of sounds and musical structures would support slow-wave sleep, the deepest stage of non-REM sleep from which it’s hardest to awake. During slow-wave sleep, the heartbeat and breathing slow down, the brain is less responsive to external stimuli, and memory consolidation occurs.
The two worked together to create a “very special sound spectrum” for the musical landscape of Sleep, according to Richter. High frequency sounds, which vibrate at 4,000 cycles per second (hertz) or more, wake us up, while low-frequency tones, which are anything up to 500 hertz (Hz), can prolong slow-wave sleep and won’t necessarily disturb us even when they’re loud, he says.
“For about the first seven and a half hours, there’s nothing above about 1,000 Hz — the middle of the piano. That mirrors the sound spectrum the baby hears inside the womb. I wanted to suggest or remind us of our first hearing experience” Richter explains. “Then toward the end, during the last hour, I add more and more high frequencies; the piece has a sunrise written into it.”
He also referred to Sleep as sort of a Woody Guthrie-style protest song. “We now live in this kind of neoliberal late-stage capitalist society where the model of the human being is an object that produces and consumes. That squeezes a lot of our humanity out,” he says. “That’s not the whole picture of the person. We spend all our time staring into our screens, so [with Sleep], we can stop that for a while and do something else.”
Video Courtesy of Universal Music Group

Sleep Deficiency: An American Public Health Concern

Indeed for the more than one-third of Americans who are sleep deprived, getting better slow-wave sleep — and more sleep in general — would be a good thing. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, sleep deprivation is a public health problem in the United States affecting all age groups. Physical and mental health can both suffer when you’re sleep deprived, potentially causing everything from accidents and injuries to moodiness and depression, as well chronic conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and obesity.
Seven to nine hours of sleep per night is optimal, according to recommendations published in March 2015 in Sleep Health, the journal of the National Sleep Foundation, but the average adult sleeps fewer than seven hours per night.
Establishing and sticking to bedtime rituals is a very important part of falling and staying asleep, which can help you get those hours and promote better sleep overall, says Beautyrest sleep expert Rebecca Robbins, PhD, a sleep researcher at the NYU School of Medicine in New York City.
“A lot of people struggle to power their minds off at the end of the day, so a bedtime routine for winding down is paramount because your body understands internally what’s happening next,” she explains — meaning sleep. Light, soft, classical music can be especially helpful during the sleep onset stage, but whatever helps you relax will work, she says. And if you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep right away, get up.
“The bed is where rest happens, so the body and mind looks at it as a special place,” Dr. Robbins says. If tossing and turning become habitual, the bed itself can evoke stress. So if putting your sleep soundtrack on in the middle of the night will help you get back to sleep, do it, she recommends.

Settling in for a Night of Slumber — or Not

Going into the night, I was wondering just how — and if — I would fall asleep myself. I purposely hadn't listened to Sleep beforehand, and like Richter, I’m generally a good and fairly deep sleeper: I conk out shortly after going to bed and am out until I naturally wake up or the alarm goes off, maybe waking up once briefly in between. But I’m also an avid concertgoer and a musician with upwards of 800 performances under my belt, so I like to be front and center at shows, alert and taking everything in — I don’t like to miss out. But then again, this was no normal concert: I was situated in a very comfortable bed with a very soft yet supportive pillow, listening to very peaceful music. And I love sleep and can’t do without it.
By the time the music started, it seemed that at least half of the comfort-clothes-wearing audience was contently in some stage of slumber — or at least resting comfortably under the sheets with their eyes closed, many with eye masks on. I couldn’t tune out that quickly, though: I was mesmerized by beautiful sounds coming from the stage and had to watch what was going on around me.
Soft and steady solo piano soon blended in with slightly dissonant strings in the first song, “Dream 1 (Before the Wind Blows It All Away),” and then about 40 minutes in, the soprano came onstage for her solo “Path,” which was somewhat like a distant chant accompanied by fugal organ sounds. I don’t think I could have fallen asleep to it if I’d tried, but maybe that was the point. The songs then became more string focused again, and were at times even pretty loud over the sound system. At their low frequencies, though, Richter said this wouldn’t disturb the sleeper; I was awake, so I wouldn’t know.
Richter's hope for the audience was that we would all hit "pause" and experience the concert in our own way.
Photo Courtesy of Universal Music Group
I dozed off for a bit shortly after 1 a.m., but happily woke up again a little after 2 to hear the piano had switched to a new, slow waltz-like beat with solo violin playing a simple yet pretty melody above it. Most of the room seemed to be sound asleep, but the music more or less drowned out what little snoring I heard.
The musicians took breaks throughout, which was a necessity for what Richter described as a physically pretty intense undertaking. “You have to prepare like you would prepare for an extreme sport … you get hungry. I never thought I’d perform a concert where I get hungry in the middle,” he says.
Leading up to a performance, Richter said he has to shift his body clock around: He generally stays up really late the night before a concert, then sleeps all day leading up to it. So when showtime rolls around, he’ll “do my normal morning routine: have tea, eat some porridge, stretch, listen to the morning news ... all the morning stuff. So when I go onstage, it’s like my morning,” he says. And jet lag can actually help. When flying from London to Sydney to perform at the Opera House, he said he stayed on London time and it worked out perfectly.

Telling the Story of the Sleeping Listener

I wondered what others in the “concert hall” were hearing and experiencing throughout the night. Richter’s hope, as with any work, is that each listener’s experience would be unique and personal to them based on their own biography — and that there’ll be a meeting point between performers and the listener. But this piece was also different, he says, because “when you’re writing an ordinary piece, you’re trying to tell a story and have a conversation with the listener. This is kind of the opposite. The story is the listener, and the piece accompanies the listener’s experience. If Sleep has a theme, the theme is that of the sleeping listener,” he says.
When I expressed my concerns about missing out if I slept too much, he assured me that that would be fine. “The piece is also an inquiry into listening and hearing — it’s directed attention. You inhabit the sonic landscape, so if you sleep, you still experience it, but another part of you is experiencing it. You find your own way,” he says.
Low-frequency sounds were primarily used in hopes of prolonging slow-wave sleep.
Photo Courtesy of Universal Music Group
My way was waking up for about 20 minutes again around 4:30, sad that it would all be over soon, then dozing for another half hour or so until the sun started to rise around 5:30, at which point I finally put the eye mask on. The next thing I knew, people were standing up clapping: It was 6:46, and the concert had just ended, apparently as I had finally settled into slow-wave sleep. The sun was fully up, but I totally missed the musical sunrise.
Following a brief guided meditation for which the hope was that we would “be more awake” (Beautyrest’s current mantra) everyone slowly got up, mingled a little, and began to head out. For me, it was just a tad different from the last time I left a concert after the sun was well up — that epic night in 2013 when Prince performed a semi-secret show just a few blocks north at the City Winery. That one had ended at 5:45 a.m., and Beyoncé and Jay-Z had at some point snuck in toward the back. There was absolutely no lying down during that performance.
But back to this concert, since my sleep had been in spurts and definitely not long enough, I went to back to bed for several hours as soon as I got home. Richter told me that he would likewise go straight to bed after the gig and would sleep all day — he had to get up and do it all over again Saturday night.
As to whether he listens to tunes as he dozes off, he gave a prompt and firm “Can’t. I can’t listen to music when I sleep. I get in analytical mode.” But lucky for me, I can repeat the experience from my own bed: The entire piece is available for purchase, and it streams on Spotify. As for the 160 mattresses, Beautyrest donated them to Help USA, an NYC-based homeless services organization.
Richter will be performing Sleep two nights in a row again this weekend, May 11 and May 12, at the Barbican Center in London. He then has five dates scheduled in Germany in early and mid-June. He’s also looking to perform the piece in other cities throughout the United States, but no dates have been confirmed as of yet.

Home Remedies for Gas and Bloating

If certain foods cause you gastric distress, certain other foods may offer sweet relief.

If certain foods cause you gastric distress, certain other foods may offer sweet relief.
Shutterstock
Although everyone experiences gas, some people are troubled by it more than others. At times, excessive gas can become uncomfortable or even painful. But some simple changes to your diet can provide gas relief and also aid digestion. In addition to over-the-counter gas relief remedies, some items commonly found in the kitchen may double as natural gas relievers.

Herbs for Gas Relief

A number of herbs with so-called carminative properties may help ease gas and prevent bloating, according to Angela Lemond, RDN, a dietitian and nutritionist based in Texas and a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "[A] carminative," she says, "is a substance that aids in the expulsion of gas."
One of the herbs shown to have carminative effects is ginger, the subject of a review published in April 2015 in the journal European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Studies. It found that ginger helps speed digestion, which is important because if your stomach empties faster, gases can move more quickly into your small intestine to relieve discomfort and bloating.
Additionally, a study published in April 2015 in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that in people with functional dyspepsia, a condition of chronic or recurring pain in your upper abdomen, ginger combined with artichoke extract stimulated gastric emptying.
Other herbs and spices that may provide gas relief include:
  • Chamomile
  • Dill
  • Fennel
  • Basil
  • Caraway
  • Cumin
  • Parsley
  • Peppermint
  • Spearmint
A combination of caraway and peppermint oils is the active ingredient in FDgard, a nonprescription formulation designed to help manage functional dyspepsia; some doctors recommend it for gas and bloating.
Lemond notes that you should always get approval from your doctor before taking an herbal supplement. She suggests trying to gain the benefit of carminatives from the food you eat rather than by taking supplements, which she says should be taken with caution. "Some people think of herbal supplements as natural or straight from the earth, so they may be taken at will, but a lot of them have pharmaceutical effects and could interact with medication."

Probiotics for Gas and Bloating

Probiotics may also help aid digestion and reduce excessive gas. Probiotics are live microorganisms, mostly "good" bacteria, similar to the bacteria found in the human gut. They're available as dietary supplements, but Lemond notes that a number of foods also have natural probiotics, including:
  • Yogurt
  • Kefir
  • Tempeh
  • Kimchi
  • Sauerkraut
Research published in December 2016 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus decreased abdominal pain among participants with irritable bowel syndrome after 12 weeks.
And according to a review published in March 2015 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, patients with irritable bowel syndrome have experienced improvement in bloating and flatulence when taking probiotics.

The Link Between Gas, Stress, and Probiotics

Gas can be worsened by stress. "There are nerves up and down the GI tract," Lemond says. "People who have a tendency to be nervous can develop gas, diarrhea, or constipation." When dietary changes aren’t effective, other treatments, such as relaxation therapy, may help.
Life stress can cause spasms in the colon and abdominal discomfort, according to a review published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Reviewers noted that progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, yoga, counseling, or changes to daily stressful situations can help reduce stress and have a positive effect on digestive health.
Researchers are devoting more and more time to exploring the direct connections between the gut, brain, and probiotics, what’s called the gut-brain axis. For instance, a report published in April 2015 in the journal Annals of Gastroenterology looked at the way that microbiota, the bacteria in the gut, interact with the central nervous system, by “regulating brain chemistry and influencing neuroendocrine systems associated with stress response, anxiety, and memory function.”
More studies are beginning to explore the role of stress and psychological factors, and their impact on irritable bowel syndrome, according to a review of studies published in January 2015 in the journal Gastroenterology Research and Practices. Reviewers noted that hypnotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mind-body therapy may improve IBS symptoms. They added these therapies could provide a more cost-effective alternative with fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals.

Over-the-Counter Gas Remedies That May Help

If gas doesn't move quickly enough through the digestive system, it can cause bloating and discomfort. A few changes to your daily routine and habits can bring relief from gas and bloating. The Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston suggests these behaviors to help decrease bloating:
  • Eating slowly, and chewing your food thoroughly
  • Eating smaller meals, more frequently
  • Sitting up straight after a meal
  • Walking after a meal
  • Drinking room temperature beverages
Products you can buy at your local pharmacy to reduce gas and bloating generally contain simethicone, activated charcoal, or a food enzyme known as alpha-galactosidase (the active ingredient in Beano) to help break down hard-to-digest foods, like beans and certain vegetables. Although some people find these drugs to be effective, others don't.
Alpha-galactosidase contains the enzyme that the body lacks to digest certain carbohydrates in beans and certain vegetables, but the enzyme has no effect on gas caused by fiber or lactose. But lactase tablets or drops may provide gas relief for those with lactose intolerance. The tablets are taken right before consuming milk or milk products.
"Occasional excessive gas is normal," Lemond says. But when gas continues to be a problem despite dietary adjustments and home or over-the-counter gas remedies, it’s a good idea to see your doctor.

What Is Aztreonam?

Aztreonam is an antibiotic that fights severe or life-threatening infection caused by bacteria.
Aztreonam is used to treat severe infections of the blood, urinary tract, lower respiratory tract, skin, stomach, or female reproductive organs.
Aztreonam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
You should not use aztreonam if you are allergic to it.
To make sure aztreonam is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
  • kidney disease;
  • liver disease; or
  • a history of any type of allergy.
Especially tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other drugs, including:
  • similar antibiotics such as ertapenem (Invanz), imipenem (Primaxin), or meropenem (Merrem);
  • cephalosporins such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin (Keflex), and others; or
  • a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Moxatag), ampicillin (Principen, Unasyn), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), ticarcillin (Ticar, Timentin), or penicillin (Bicillin L-A, PC Pen VK, Pfizerpen).
This medicine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Aztreonam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Aztreonam is not approved for use by anyone younger than 9 months old.

Aztreonam Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
  • severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
  • ringing in your ears;
  • liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
  • severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Common side effects may include:
  • mild diarrhea;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • mild skin rash;
  • vaginal itching or discharge; or
  • pain, swelling, or irritation where the medicine was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Aztreonam Interactions

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially other injected antibiotics such as:
  • amikacin (Amikin);
  • gentamicin (Garamycin);
  • neomycin (Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab);
  • streptomycin; or
  • tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with aztreonam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Aztreonam Dosage

Aztreonam is injected into a muscle, or into a vein through an IV. Aztreonam is usually given in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine may need to be given for several weeks, depending on how severe your infection is.
You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Aztreonam is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine. Use only the diluent that your doctor or pharmacist tells you to use.
After mixing the powder and diluent, shake the medicine well. The mixture should appear as a clear to yellow or pink liquid. Do not use aztreonam if it has a different color or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medication.
You may store the mixture for up to 48 hours at room temperature, or up to 7 days in a refrigerator.
Aztreonam is sometimes mixed with other antibiotics in the same solution. You may need to store this type of mixture differently than you would store aztreonam only. Follow all storage directions carefully.
Aztreonam is usually given as long as needed until your infection has cleared or you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Aztreonam will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
Store unmixed aztreonam at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Aztreonam that is supplied as a frozen solution in a plastic container should be stored in a freezer. If possible, keep the freezer set at 4 degrees below 0 Fahrenheit or colder.
Thaw the medicine either in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Do not heat the medicine to thaw it more quickly.
Aztreonam that is thawed in the refrigerator should be used within 2 weeks. If you have thawed the medicine at room temperature, you must use it within 48 hours.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What Is Azacitidine?

Azacitidine is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Azacitidine is used to treat certain types of bone marrow cancers and blood cell disorders.
Azacitidine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not receive this medicine if you have liver cancer.
You should not receive this medicine if you are allergic to azacitidine or mannitol, or if you have:
  • liver cancer.
To make sure azacitidine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
  • kidney disease; or
  • a history of liver disease.
Do not use azacitidine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving azacitidine, whether you are a man or a woman. If a man fathers a baby while using azacitidine, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment, and for at least 4 weeks after your treatment ends.
It is not known whether azacitidine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Azacitidine Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
  • severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
  • redness, swelling, warmth, oozing, or other signs of skin infection;
  • stabbing chest pain, wheezing, cough with yellow or green mucus, feeling short of breath;
  • low blood cell counts--fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, swollen gums, mouth sores, skin sores, rapid heart rate, pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, feeling light-headed;
  • kidney problems--lower back pain, blood in your urine, little or no urinating, swelling in your feet or ankles;
  • liver problems--upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, extreme thirst, increased urination, muscle weakness or limp feeling; or
  • signs of tumor cell breakdown--numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth; muscle weakness or tightness; fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, feeling short of breath; confusion, fainting.
Common side effects may include:
  • fever, chills, bruising, or other signs of low blood cell counts;
  • low potassium;
  • nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea;
  • weakness; or
  • redness or other irritation where the injection was given.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Azacitidine Interactions

This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while receiving azacitidine, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.
Other drugs may interact with azacitidine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Azacitidine Dosage

Azacitidine is injected under the skin, or into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
This medicine is usually given for 7 days in a row every 4 weeks for at least 4 treatment cycles. Your treatment schedule may be different. Follow your doctor's instructions.
You may also be given medications to reduce nausea and vomiting while you are receiving azacitidine.
Tell your caregiver right away if azacitidine accidentally gets on your skin. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Azacitidine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your azacitidine injection.

What Is Norethindrone?

Norethindrone is a form of progesterone, a female hormone. Norethindrone prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medication also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
Norethindrone is used for birth control (contraception) to prevent pregnancy. Norethindrone is also used to treat menstrual disorders, endometriosis, or abnormal vaginal bleeding caused by a hormone imbalance.
Norethindrone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems, breast cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver disease, or if you have recently had an incomplete miscarriage or abortion.
You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using this medication. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Taking hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, especially if you smoke and are older than 35.
Norethindrone does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to help protect yourself from these diseases.
This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to norethindrone, or if you have:
  • a history of a stroke, blood clot, or circulation problems;
  • breast cancer;
  • abnormal vaginal bleeding; or
  • if you have recently had an incomplete miscarriage or abortion.
Before using norethindrone, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take norethindrone.
  • high blood pressure or a history of heart disease;
  • migraines;
  • kidney disease;
  • liver disease or liver cancer;
  • a history of depression or mental illness;
  • high cholesterol or triglycide (fatty acid) levels in your blood;
  • asthma; or
  • seizures or epilepsy.
Norethindrone can pass into breast milk. Make sure your doctor knows if you are breast-feeding a baby while taking this medication.
Taking hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, especially if you smoke and are older than 35.

Norethindrone Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
  • sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
  • sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
  • pain or swelling in one or both legs;
  • migraine headache;
  • swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain;
  • symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes);
  • severe pelvic pain;
  • chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or
  • nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
  • mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps;
  • breast pain, swelling, or tenderness;
  • dizziness;
  • freckles or darkening of facial skin;
  • increased acne or hair growth;
  • changes in weight;
  • vaginal itching or discharge;
  • skin itching or rash;
  • changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive; or
  • mild headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Norethindrone Interactions

Do not smoke while using norethindrone, especially if you are older than 35. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by norethindrone.
Norethindrone will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.
Some drugs can make norethindrone less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before using norethindrone, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
  • griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grisactin);
  • rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);
  • St. John's wort;
  • ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox);
  • a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
  • HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), tipranavir (Aptivus), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept).
There may be other drugs that can interact with norethindrone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Norethindrone Dosage

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using this medication. Follow your doctor's instructions.
If you need to have any type of medical tests or surgery, or if you will be on bed rest, you may need to stop using this medication for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using norethindrone.
Your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis while you are using this medication. Do not miss any appointments.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant. If you are more than 3 hours late in taking your dose, use back-up birth control such as condoms or a spermicide for at least the next 48 hours.
If you miss a period for two months in a row, call your doctor because you might be pregnant.

What Is Azacitidine?

Azacitidine is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Azacitidine is used to treat certain types of bone marrow cancers and blood cell disorders.
Azacitidine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not receive this medicine if you have liver cancer.
You should not receive this medicine if you are allergic to azacitidine or mannitol, or if you have:
  • liver cancer.
To make sure azacitidine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
  • kidney disease; or
  • a history of liver disease.
Do not use azacitidine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving azacitidine, whether you are a man or a woman. If a man fathers a baby while using azacitidine, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment, and for at least 4 weeks after your treatment ends.
It is not known whether azacitidine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Azacitidine Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
  • severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
  • redness, swelling, warmth, oozing, or other signs of skin infection;
  • stabbing chest pain, wheezing, cough with yellow or green mucus, feeling short of breath;
  • low blood cell counts--fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, swollen gums, mouth sores, skin sores, rapid heart rate, pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, feeling light-headed;
  • kidney problems--lower back pain, blood in your urine, little or no urinating, swelling in your feet or ankles;
  • liver problems--upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, extreme thirst, increased urination, muscle weakness or limp feeling; or
  • signs of tumor cell breakdown--numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth; muscle weakness or tightness; fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, feeling short of breath; confusion, fainting.
Common side effects may include:
  • fever, chills, bruising, or other signs of low blood cell counts;
  • low potassium;
  • nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea;
  • weakness; or
  • redness or other irritation where the injection was given.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Azacitidine Interactions

This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while receiving azacitidine, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.
Other drugs may interact with azacitidine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Azacitidine Dosage

Azacitidine is injected under the skin, or into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
This medicine is usually given for 7 days in a row every 4 weeks for at least 4 treatment cycles. Your treatment schedule may be different. Follow your doctor's instructions.
You may also be given medications to reduce nausea and vomiting while you are receiving azacitidine.
Tell your caregiver right away if azacitidine accidentally gets on your skin. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Azacitidine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your azacitidine injection.

What Is Axiron (Topical Testosterone)?

 Axiron is the brand name of a topical testosterone treatment that's applied to the underarm area.
It's used to treat men who have medical conditions, such as hypogonadism, that cause them to have low testosterone levels (low T).
Axiron works by replacing or supplementing testosterone. Low T can affect mood, muscle mass, strength, and sex drive.
According to the manufacturer, a clinical trial showed that testosterone levels in 7 out of 10 men who used Axiron returned to normal within two weeks of starting the drug.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved testosterone therapy in 1953.
Axiron became available as a prescription medicine in the United States in 2010. Eli Lilly and Company markets the medicine.

Axiron Warnings

Axiron contains a black-box warning because its ingredients can transfer from your body to others.
This can occur if other people come in contact with the area where Axiron is applied.
Women and children in particular should avoid contact with Axiron.
The medicine is absorbed through the skin and can cause male physical traits in those who come in contact with it.
Call a doctor right away if a child is exposed to Axiron and experiences:
  • An enlarged penis or clitoris
  • Early development of pubic hair
  • Increased erections or sex drive
  • Aggressive behavior
Call a doctor right away if a woman is exposed to Axiron and experiences:
  • Changes in body hair
  • Acne
  • Irregular menstrual periods
Follow the instructions on your product label carefully when using Axiron to avoid accidental contact with others.
If you think another person will have direct skin-to-skin contact with your armpits, wash the area well with soap and water.
This medicine should only be applied to the armpit area. Never apply Axiron to the stomach, penis, scrotum, shoulders, or upper arms.
Older men who use Axiron may have a greater chance of developing an enlarged prostate or cancer. Talk to your doctor if you're older than 65 and are considering taking Axiron.
The drug shouldn't be given to anyone younger than 18.
Don't use this medicine if you have prostate cancer or male breast cancer.
Axiron may increase your risk of developing a dangerous blood clot, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Talk to your doctor about this risk.
Before using Axiron, tell your doctor if you have, or have ever had:
  • Cancer
  • An enlarged prostate or problems with urination
  • Sleep apnea (a condition in which breathing stops during sleep)
  • Heart disease or a heart attack
  • A stroke
  • Blood clots
  • Diabetes
  • Liver or kidney disease
Your doctor will want to perform frequent blood tests to monitor your body's response to Axiron. Keep all appointments with your doctor and laboratory.
Axiron is flammable. Don't smoke or go near an open flame until the medicine is completely dry on your body.
Testosterone medicines such as Axiron are considered controlled drugs. They should be kept in a secure location away from other people. Never share this drug with another person.

Pregnancy and Axiron

Pregnant women shouldn't use Axiron because it can cause birth defects.
All women should avoid any contact with Axiron.
If contact does occur, wash the affected area immediately with soap and water.
Axiron can also pass into breast milk and harm a breastfeeding baby.

Axiron Side Effects

Common Side Effects of Axiron

Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects become severe or don't go away:
  • Itching, redness, burning, or irritation where the medicine is applied
  • Flushing of the face
  • Mood changes
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Mild muscle pain
  • Unusual dreams
  • Frequent or prolonged erections
  • Acne

Serious Side Effects of Axiron

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
  • Painful or difficult urination
  • Increased urination or loss of bladder control
  • Painful erections
  • Breast swelling or pain
  • Shortness of breath during sleep
  • Rapid weight gain or swelling
  • Chest pain
  • Pain that spreads to your shoulder or jaw
  • Upper stomach pain
  • Severe tiredness
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Clay-colored stools
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Wheezing
  • Sudden cough
  • Rapid breathing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in the legs
  • High blood pressure
  • Signs of an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) such as hives, rash, itching, chest tightness, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Axiron Interactions

Tell your doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs you're taking, especially:
  • A blood thinner such as Coumadin (warfarin)
  • A steroid such as Medrol (methylprednisolone), Sterapred (prednisone), or others
  • Insulin

Axiron Dosage

Axiron comes in a pump bottle.
Use this medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes. Don't apply more or less Axiron than is recommended.
Before using Axiron, take a bath or shower so your armpit area is clean. Don't apply the medicine to broken skin.
Apply Axiron only to your armpits. Never use this medicine on other areas of your body.
Use the special applicator to apply the medicine. Don't use your fingers or hands.
After the solution has dried, cover the application area with clothing and keep it covered until you've washed the area well.
If you're using an antiperspirant or deodorant, apply it at least two minutes before applying Axiron.
Try to use this medicine around the same time each morning.
Wash your hands immediately with soap and water after applying Axiron. Also, rinse and dry the applicator after each use.
Avoid swimming or bathing for at least two hours after applying the medicine.

Axiron Overdose

If you suspect an overdose, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.
You can get in touch with a poison control center at 800-222-1222.

Missed Dose of Axiron

If you miss a dose of Axiron, apply it as soon as you remember.
But skip the missed dose if it's almost time for your next scheduled dose.
Don't use extra Axiron to make up for a missed dose.

What Is Nizatidine?

Almotriptan is a headache medicine that narrows blood vessels around the brain. Almotriptan also reduces substances in the body that can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms.
Almotriptan is used to treat migraine headaches in adults and in adolescents who are at least 12 years old. Almotriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.
Almotriptan should not be used to treat a common tension headache, a headache that causes loss of movement on one side of your body, or any headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches. Use this medicine only if your condition has been confirmed by a doctor as migraine headaches.
Almotriptan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not take almotriptan if you have ever had heart disease, or if you have coronary artery disease, blood circulation problems, lack of blood supply to the heart, uncontrolled high blood pressure, ischemic bowel disease, a history of a heart attack or stroke (including "mini-stroke"), or if your headache seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches.
Do not take almotriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine, including other "triptan" medications, or an ergot medicine such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine, D.H.E. 45, Migranal, Cafergot, Methergine, and others.
You should not take almotriptan if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
  • a history of heart disease;
  • a history of heart attack or stroke, including "mini-stroke";
  • coronary artery disease, circulation problems, lack of blood supply to the heart;
  • uncontrolled high blood pressure;
  • ischemic bowel disease; or
  • a headache that seems different from your usual migraine headaches.
To make sure almotriptan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
  • a sulfa drug allergy;
  • liver disease;
  • kidney disease;
  • high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder; or
  • risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether almotriptan will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
It is not known whether almotriptan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to anyone under 12 years old.

Almotriptan Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using almotriptan and call your doctor at once if you have:
  • numbness or tingling and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes;
  • high levels of serotonin in the body--agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting;
  • heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating; or
  • dangerously high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, seizure.
Common side effects may include:
  • dry mouth;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • numbness, tingling, or burning sensation;
  • dizziness, drowsiness; or
  • mild headache (not a migraine).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Almotriptan Interactions

Do not take almotriptan within 24 hours before or 24 hours after using another migraine headache medicine, including:
  • eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet), zolmitriptan (Zomig); or
  • ergot medicine such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine, D.H.E. 45, Migranal, Cafergot, Methergine, and others.
Almotriptan may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you have used within the past 14 days, and all medicines you start or stop using during your treatment with almotriptan, especially:
  • erythromycin;
  • ritonavir;
  • antifungal medicine--itraconazole, ketoconazole;
  • an MAO inhibitor--isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others;
  • an SNRI antidepressant--desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor); or
  • an SSRI antidepressant--citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, trazodone, vilazodone, Celexa, Desyrel, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax, Viibryd, Zoloft.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with almotriptan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.Almotriptan Dosage
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Never use more than your recommended dose. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can make headaches worse. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your migraine attacks.
Your doctor may want to give your first dose of this medicine in a clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects that occur.
Take almotriptan as soon as you notice headache symptoms, or after an attack has already begun.
After taking a tablet: If your headache goes away and comes back, take a second tablet two (2) hours after the first. Do not take more than two (2) almotriptan tablets in 24 hours. If your symptoms have not improved, contact your doctor before taking any more tablets.
If your headache does not completely go away after taking the first tablet, call your doctor before taking any more tablets.
Contact your doctor if you have more than four headaches in one month (30 days).
If you use almotriptan long-term, your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose could cause high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, or seizure).
Since almotriptan is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor promptly if your symptoms do not improve after using almotriptan.
After taking an almotriptan tablet, you must wait two (2) hours before taking a second tablet. Do not take more than two (2) almotriptan tablets in 24 hours.

Almotriptan Pictures

Axert 12.5 mg, white, round,
Axert 6.25 mg, white, round,

What Is Nizatidine?

Nizatidine is in a group of drugs called histamine-2 blockers. Nizatidine works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces.
Nizatidine is used to treat ulcers in the stomach and intestines. Nizatidine also treats heartburn and erosive esophagitis caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus.
Nizatidine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to nizatidine or similar medications such as ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or famotidine (Pepcid).
Before taking nizatidine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, or stomach cancer or other problems.
Avoid taking cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), or famotidine (Pepcid) while you are taking nizatidine, unless your doctor has told you to.
Nizatidine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Nizatidine may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes changes in diet or lifestyle habits. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and a general ill feeling.
Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and a general ill feeling.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to nizatidine or similar medications such as ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or famotidine (Pepcid).
To make sure you can safely take nizatidine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
  • kidney disease;
  • liver disease; or
  • stomach cancer or other problems.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Nizatidine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while taking this medication.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 12 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Nizatidine Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using nizatidine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
  • pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
  • unusual bleeding, purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
  • skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
  • fever, confusion; or
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
  • headache, dizziness;
  • mild rash;
  • diarrhea; or
  • runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Nizatidine Interactions

Nizatidine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase the risk of damage to your stomach.
Avoid taking cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), or famotidine (Pepcid) while you are taking nizatidine, unless your doctor has told you to.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially aspirin.
There may be other drugs that can interact with nizatidine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Nizatidine Dosage

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Although most ulcers heal within 4 weeks of nizatidine treatment, it may take up to 8 to 12 weeks of using this medicine before your ulcer heals. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 6 weeks of treatment.
This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using nizatidine.
Nizatidine may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes changes in diet or lifestyle habits. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Throw away any unused nizatidine liquid that is older than 30 days.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include blurred vision, watery eyes, drooling, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What Is Axitinib?

Axiron is the brand name of a topical testosterone treatment that's applied to the underarm area.
It's used to treat men who have medical conditions, such as hypogonadism, that cause them to have low testosterone levels (low T).
Axiron works by replacing or supplementing testosterone. Low T can affect mood, muscle mass, strength, and sex drive.
According to the manufacturer, a clinical trial showed that testosterone levels in 7 out of 10 men who used Axiron returned to normal within two weeks of starting the drug.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved testosterone therapy in 1953.
Axiron became available as a prescription medicine in the United States in 2010. Eli Lilly and Company markets the medicine.

Axiron Warnings

Axiron contains a black-box warning because its ingredients can transfer from your body to others.
This can occur if other people come in contact with the area where Axiron is applied.
Women and children in particular should avoid contact with Axiron.
The medicine is absorbed through the skin and can cause male physical traits in those who come in contact with it.
Call a doctor right away if a child is exposed to Axiron and experiences:
  • An enlarged penis or clitoris
  • Early development of pubic hair
  • Increased erections or sex drive
  • Aggressive behavior
Call a doctor right away if a woman is exposed to Axiron and experiences:
  • Changes in body hair
  • Acne
  • Irregular menstrual periods
Follow the instructions on your product label carefully when using Axiron to avoid accidental contact with others.
If you think another person will have direct skin-to-skin contact with your armpits, wash the area well with soap and water.
This medicine should only be applied to the armpit area. Never apply Axiron to the stomach, penis, scrotum, shoulders, or upper arms.
Older men who use Axiron may have a greater chance of developing an enlarged prostate or cancer. Talk to your doctor if you're older than 65 and are considering taking Axiron.
The drug shouldn't be given to anyone younger than 18.
Don't use this medicine if you have prostate cancer or male breast cancer.
Axiron may increase your risk of developing a dangerous blood clot, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Talk to your doctor about this risk.
Before using Axiron, tell your doctor if you have, or have ever had:
  • Cancer
  • An enlarged prostate or problems with urination
  • Sleep apnea (a condition in which breathing stops during sleep)
  • Heart disease or a heart attack
  • A stroke
  • Blood clots
  • Diabetes
  • Liver or kidney disease
Your doctor will want to perform frequent blood tests to monitor your body's response to Axiron. Keep all appointments with your doctor and laboratory.
Axiron is flammable. Don't smoke or go near an open flame until the medicine is completely dry on your body.
Testosterone medicines such as Axiron are considered controlled drugs. They should be kept in a secure location away from other people. Never share this drug with another person.

Pregnancy and Axiron

Pregnant women shouldn't use Axiron because it can cause birth defects.
All women should avoid any contact with Axiron.
If contact does occur, wash the affected area immediately with soap and water.
Axiron can also pass into breast milk and harm a breastfeeding baby.

Axiron Side Effects

Common Side Effects of Axiron

Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects become severe or don't go away:
  • Itching, redness, burning, or irritation where the medicine is applied
  • Flushing of the face
  • Mood changes
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Mild muscle pain
  • Unusual dreams
  • Frequent or prolonged erections
  • Acne

Serious Side Effects of Axiron

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
  • Painful or difficult urination
  • Increased urination or loss of bladder control
  • Painful erections
  • Breast swelling or pain
  • Shortness of breath during sleep
  • Rapid weight gain or swelling
  • Chest pain
  • Pain that spreads to your shoulder or jaw
  • Upper stomach pain
  • Severe tiredness
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Clay-colored stools
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Wheezing
  • Sudden cough
  • Rapid breathing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in the legs
  • High blood pressure
  • Signs of an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) such as hives, rash, itching, chest tightness, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Axiron Interactions

Tell your doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs you're taking, especially:
  • A blood thinner such as Coumadin (warfarin)
  • A steroid such as Medrol (methylprednisolone), Sterapred (prednisone), or others
  • Insulin

Axiron Dosage

Axiron comes in a pump bottle.
Use this medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes. Don't apply more or less Axiron than is recommended.
Before using Axiron, take a bath or shower so your armpit area is clean. Don't apply the medicine to broken skin.
Apply Axiron only to your armpits. Never use this medicine on other areas of your body.
Use the special applicator to apply the medicine. Don't use your fingers or hands.
After the solution has dried, cover the application area with clothing and keep it covered until you've washed the area well.
If you're using an antiperspirant or deodorant, apply it at least two minutes before applying Axiron.
Try to use this medicine around the same time each morning.
Wash your hands immediately with soap and water after applying Axiron. Also, rinse and dry the applicator after each use.
Avoid swimming or bathing for at least two hours after applying the medicine.

Axiron Overdose

If you suspect an overdose, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.
You can get in touch with a poison control center at 800-222-1222.

Missed Dose of Axiron

If you miss a dose of Axiron, apply it as soon as you remember.
But skip the missed dose if it's almost time for your next scheduled dose.
Don't use extra Axiron to make up for a missed dose.