Phone: (208 )765-3301
Toll Free 1-877-ON-WHITE
Fax: (208) 765-9282
E-mail: DrLoftus@ACenterForDentalHealth.com

Prescription "RX" Information

How to use this Index:

Find the medications that Dr. Loftus prescribed for you and carefully read the details. This index should help you to become more familiar with your medications enabling you to maximize their potential. Dr. Loftus intends to help his patients through the healing process in as many ways as possible. All of this information is downloadable and printable for your convenience.

Medications:

Advil 200 mg.-- Generic Name: Ibuprofen
Vicodin Tabs-- Generic Name: Hydrocodone
Penicillin VK 500 mg. Tabs-- Generic Name: Penicillin V. Potassium
Decadron Tablet 4 mg.-- Generic Name: Dexamethasone
Peridex Oral Rinse-- Generic Name: Chlorhexidine

Also known as an NSAID, Advil is a nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drug that is commonly used to treat mild to moderate pain following dental surgery. Advil will relieve pain and reduce inflammation. It is also used to reduce fever.

You may take up to 800 mg. every (4) four hours. It is most effective at relieving pain if taken at the earliest onset of the pain. To avoid stomach upset take with food, milk or an antacid.

Stomach upset is the most common side effect. If this persists or becomes severe, notify Dr Loftus.

May cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Avoid activities requiring alertness if this occurs.

May rarely cause ringing in the ears and/or loss of hearing.

Inform Dr. Loftus if experience any of the following while taking this medication: persistent stomach pain, presence of black or bloody stools, skin rash, itching, edema (swelling of the feet or hands), change in urine color, or vision changes.

Do not drink alcohol while on this medication. Drinking alcohol could increase your risk of stomach or intestinal bleeding and make you more susceptible to the undesirable effects of this medication. If you are pregnant or are nursing consult your OB/GYN prior to taking this medication. Do not take aspirin unless first consulting Dr. Loftus.

In order to provide you with comprehensive and safe care Dr. Loftus needs to be well informed about your complete medical profile and history.

Advil may interact with other medications. It is extremely important for you to inform Dr. Loftus of all medications that you take Prescription and over-the-counter. If you take "blood thinners", Warfarin (Coumadin), other arthritis medication (including Aspirin or Mexthotrexate), water pills, Lithium, or ulcer medication, Dr. Loftus will advise you on any changes you need to make while taking Advil.

If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered. Do not take if it is almost time for the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.

This medication is used to relieve moderate-to-severe pain.

To prevent upset stomach, take with food or milk.

Pain medications work best in preventing pain before it occurs. Once the pain becomes intense, the medication is not as effective in relieving it.

Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not increase your dose or take it more frequently than prescribed.

May cause constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, stomach upset, nausea, or flushing the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If these symptoms persist or become bothersome, inform Dr. Loftus.

Notify Dr. Loftus if you develop breathing difficulties, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, or tremors while taking this medication.

Avoid activities requiring alertness while taking this medication, since it can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision.

Do not use alcohol and other sedative-type medications while taking this drug.

Long-term use of narcotic analgesics can lead to addiction. Do not take this longer than prescribed. Follow Dr. Loftus's instructions.

Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medication.

Tell Dr. Loftus about any other drugs you are taking, including non-prescription drugs. Do not take sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, anti-depressants, carbamazepine, or other pain relievers without consulting Dr. Loftus.

Before you take this drug, be sure that Dr. Loftus knows your entire medical history.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, inform Dr. Loftus before taking this medication.

Do not take this medication if you have had a previous allergic reaction to the narcotic component or acetaminophen.

Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Before taking over-the-counter pain relievers or cold, cough, and allergy products, read their labels to be sure that they do not contain acetaminophen. An overdose of acetaminophen can be harmful.

To prevent constipation, increase your intake of fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise.

If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered. Do not take if it is almost time for the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.

Penicillin's are antibiotics used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections

This medication may be taken without regard to meals. However, absorption is best if medication is taken on an empty stomach (one hour before or two-to-three hours after meals.)

Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Do this by taking the medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night.

Continue to take this medication until the all of it is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow resulting in a relapse of the infection.

SIDE EFFECTS

This medication may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting during the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If these symptoms persist or become severe, inform Dr. Loftus.

Notify Dr. Loftus immediately if an allergic reaction occurs while taking this medication. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, skin rash, hives, or itching.

Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a secondary infection (e.g., oral, bladder, or vaginal yeast infections).

Tell Dr. Loftus if you have any other illnesses or any allergies, especially to penicillin or other antibiotics.

If pregnant or nursing, this medication should be used only after consulting with your obstetrician.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

This medication interferes with oral contraceptive (birth control pills). If you are using oral contraceptives, please inform Dr. Loftus. He will discuss other birth control methods to use while you are taking this drug.

Tell Dr. Loftus if you are using tetracycline, as your medicine may need to be changed.

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection or give it to someone else. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.

If you miss a dose take it as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.

Clindamycin should be with food and a full glass of water or other liquid.

Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Do this by taking the medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night.

Continue to take this medicine until the full prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, resulting in a relapse of infection.

This medication may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, cramps, bloating, and weight loss which should disappear in a few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If these symptoms become severe, contact Dr. Loftus.

If diarrhea becomes a problem, do not take any anti-diarrhea medications. Contact Dr. Loftus. If rash, fever, or hives occur, notify Dr. Loftus.

If you have had colitis or any gastrointestinal disease or liver or kidney disease, or an allergic reaction to clindamycin or tartrazine (a yellow dye), tell Dr. Loftus before you use clindamycin (Cleocin).

If you are pregnant or nursing you should inform Dr. Loftus before taking this medication.

Before using this medication, tell Dr. Loftus about any other drugs you are taking, including non-prescription drugs

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection or give it to someone else. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.

If you miss a dose take it as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Follow label warnings about whether or not to refrigerate liquid forms. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom.

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid. It reduces swelling, pain and inflammation following dental surgery.

Take with food or immediately after a meal to prevent stomach upset. Take this medication as prescribed. Follow the dosing schedule carefully. This medication is given in two doses. Take the first dose soon after the surgery. The second dose should be taken on the morning following the surgery.

This medication may cause dizziness, nausea, indigestion, increased appetite, weight gain, weakness, or sleep disturbances. These effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. If they persist or become bothersome, inform Dr. Loftus.

Notify Dr. Loftus immediately if you experience vomiting of blood or black or tarry stools

Do not have a vaccination, or other immunization, or any skin test while you are taking this drug, unless first notifying Dr. Loftus.

Before you take this drug, tell Dr. Loftus if you are pregnant, think that you may be pregnant, or are trying to become pregnant. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant or nursing unless first notifying Dr. Loftus.

Before taking this medication Dr. Loftus should be familiar with your entire medical history, particularly if you have liver, kidney, intestinal or heart disease; an under-active thyroid gland; high blood pressure; myasthenia gravis; osteoporosis (brittle bones); herpes eye infection; or a history of tuberculosis (TB), seizures, ulcers or blood clots.

Do not consume alcoholic beverages while taking this medication especially if you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis medication.

If you have diabetes, this drug may increase your blood sugar level. Test your urine/blood for sugar (glucose) frequently, and contact Dr. Loftus if sugar is present. Your dose of diabetes medication and your diet may need to be changed.

Before you take this drug, tell Dr. Loftus what prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking, especially aspirin, arthritis medication, anticoagulants ("blood thinners"), diuretics ("water pills"), estrogen (e.g., birth-control pills), phenytoin, rifampin, phenobarbital, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), ketoconazole, neostigmine, pyridostigimine, ambenomium, and drugs for diabetes.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS

Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius) away from moisture, heat, and sunlight.

Do not store in bathroom.

This medication is a mouth rinse that kills bacteria. It helps to reduce bacteria and plaque build-up that may occur during the healing phase following surgery.

This medication is used as an oral rinse three times a day (after brushing teeth) until the bottle is gone. Once the bottle is gone, you can continue to rinse with warm salt water until healing is completed. A capful (one-tablespoon) should be swished around the mouth for thirty seconds, then spit out. Do not swallow the drug.

This medication may cause staining of the teeth or tongue. Dr. Loftus can remove the stains.

Changes in taste may also occur while using this medication.

If this medication is accidentally swallowed, stomach upset or nausea may occur.

This drug should not be used if you are pregnant or nursing unless otherwise advised by Dr. Loftus. Please discuss the risks and benefits with Dr. Loftus.