Drug Class Overview - Managed Healthcare Executive
Drug Class Overview
  • Peptic ulcers respond to acid-reducer medications


    PPIs and H2 -receptor blockers are standard treatment for peptic ulcers and GERD, but lifestyle changes and OTC products can help

    Statins, fibrates valuable in heart disease treatment


    Statin medications lower cholesterol levels and have an anti-inflammatory effect. They should be used in combination with lifestyle changes to reduce heart disease risk.

    Bronchodilators can be effective in reducing COPD symptoms



    In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), airways in the lung are partially obstructed. It's often a mixture of two diseases, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The condition is marked by a progressive decline in lung function.

    Psychotherapy, social support essential to treat depression



    Clinical depression is a major problem in the United States, affecting an estimated 5% to 10% of all adults. Costs for medical care and lost productivity related to depression are estimated at more than $40 billion per year.

    Second-generation antipsychotics offer mixed results: Finding most effective antipsychotic drug can be trial and error process


    Antipsychotics are the fourth largest group of medications prescribed in the United States today, with a collective cost of approximately $10 billion. Newer, second-generation medications represent 90% of the current market, and they cost considerably more than older antipsychotics.

    Effective prophylactic drugs reduce surgery infections



    Surgical site infections are a significant problem in hospitals today. They occur in 2% to 5% of patients who have clean operations outside the abdomen, and in up to 20% of patients with intra-abdominal procedures. They account for about 15% of hospital-acquired infections.

    Longer-acting drugs now a mainstay in ADHD treatment



    Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is marked by patterns of inattention, careless mistakes, difficulty waiting, forgetfulness and restlessness. People who have ADHD are distracted most of the time. Even when they try to concentrate, they find that it's hard to pay attention. They have trouble organizing things, listening to instructions or remembering details. Someone with this condition is impulsive. They often fidget, don't wait for their turn and interrupt others. In school, children with ADHD may blurt out answers and move around a lot; they seem to be "always on the go."

    Serious effects of influenza preventable in adults



    The influenza immunization rate is a closely watched HEDIS measure among plans. Influenza vaccine is about 80% effective in preventing infection in general, although its effectiveness is lower in the elderly. In addition, its effectiveness can vary from year to year, depending on the match between the vaccine and the particular strains of influenza circulating that year.

    Several medications used in treatment of heart failure



    Heart failure is a serious condition in which the heart doesn't pump enough blood throughout the body. It may be caused by several different diseases that damage or overwork the heart muscle; the leading causes include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

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