Newspaper Page Text
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Health J
Reduce Allergen
Exposure
Springtime can be a big sneeze for
people with allergies. It's the season of runny noses, water)'
eyes and nasal congestion for millions of Americans who have
allergic reactions to pollens dispersed by blooming plants.
“Even with medication and eye drops, there are two weeks
when I’m just miserable with allergy symptoms,” says Leah
Ingram of New Hope, Pa. "I can t wear make-up because my
eyes are tearing, I don’t want to go outside to play with my
kids, and I don’t feel up to walking my dog."
Plant pollens are the main culprits, causing unpleasant
nasal and respiratory symptoms. Spring brings an abundance
of tree and grass pollens. These tiny wind-borne pollens float
through the air and can easily be inhaled, triggering upper
and lower respiratory reactions and discomfort.
Fortunately, allergy sufferers can reduce their exposure and
reactions to seasonal allergens by taking a few precautionary
measures. The following strategies from the American
Academy of Allerg)', Asthma, and Immunology can help
reduce your exposure to springtime allergens:
Indoor tips
• Stay indoors when the pollen count or humidity is high, and
on windy days when dust and pollen are airborne. To deter
mine the pollen count in your area, log on to
u'u.'iv.aaaai.orglnab and click on “View Today’s Counts" or
tune into your local weather broadcast, which may provide
pollen count information.
• Keep windows and doors closed so that pollens do not enter
your home.
• Use central air conditioning in your home and workplace.
This cleans, cools and dries the air.
• Dry clothes indoors instead of hanging them outside.
Pollens accumulate on clothing and sheets when left
outdoors.
Outdoor tips
• Minimize early morning activity when pollens are most
often prevalent, usually between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
• Have a non-allergic family member or friend perform yard
work. If you must work outdoors, wear a well-fitting face
mask when mowing the lawn or working in the garden.
• Wash your clothes, hair and face after spending time out
doors. This removes plant pollen. Bathe pets to remove pol
lens that have accumulated on their fur before they go
indoors.
• Keep your car windows closed at all times to eliminate
pollen exposure.
Bethanne Black is a freelance writer in Buford. Ga.
American Profile •
by
BETHANNE
BLACK
Page 19
INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS TAKING CONCERTA* OR THEIR PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS
CONCERTA®
(methylphenidate HCI)
Extended-release Tablets * •
This information s for patients taking CONCERTA® Extended-'e ease
Tablets Cit for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or
their parents or ca r egivers
D :ease f ead this Before you start taking CONCERTA® Remember this
information does not take the Diace of vour doctors instructions if you
nave any questions about this information or about CONCERTA- tain to
your doctor or pharmacist
What is CONCERTA®?
CONCERTA? s a once-a-cay treatmen* for Attention Defied Hvperact'vity
Disoroer. o r ADHD CONCtRTA® contains the d r ug methylphen date
a central nervous system stimulant that nas been used to :*eat ADHD 4 or
more than 30 yea r s CONCERTA? is taken by moutn once each oav in me
morning
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder?
ADHD has three mam types of symptoms inattention, hyperactivity,
and impuis.veness Symptoms of inattention include not paving attention
making careless mistakes, not listening, not finishing tasks, not
following directions, and being easily distracted Symptoms or hyperactivity
and impulsiveness include fidgeting, talking excessively, running around at
inappropriate times, and interrupting othe r $ Some patients have more
symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness while others have more symptoms
of inattentiveness Some patients have a; three tvoes of symptoms
Many people have symptoms Hke these from time to time, but patients with
ADHD have these symptoms more than others then age Symptoms must be
present for at least b months to be certain of the diagnosis
How does CONCERTA® work?
p art of the CONCERTA? tablet dissolves right after you swallow it m the
momma, giving you an initial dose of methylphen.date The remaining drug
is slowly released during the day to continue to heip essen the symptoms
of ADHD Methyiphemaate. the active ingredient m CONCERTA? helps
increase attention and decrease mpulsiveness and hyperactivity in
patients with ADHD
Who should NOT take CONCERTA®?
You should NOT take CONCERTA® if
• sig ficant anxiety, tension, or agitation since CONCERTA?
may make these conditions worse
• You are allerg cto methylphenidate or any of the other mqredients m
CONCERTA® y
• You have glaucoma, an eye disease
• You have tics or Tourette's syndrome, or a family history of Tourette's
syndrome
Talk to your doctor if you believe any of these conditions aopiy to you
How should I take CONCERTA®?
Do not chew, crush, or divide the tablets. Swallow CONCERTA® tablets
whole with the nelp of water or other liquids, such as milk or juice
Take CONCERTA® once each day in the morning
You may take CONCERTA® before or after you eat
Take the dose prescribed by your doctor Your doctor may adjust the amount
of drug you take until it is right for you From time to time, your doctor mav
interrupt your treatment to check your symptoms while you are not taking
the drug
What are the possible side effects of
CONCERTA®?
In the clinical studies with patients using CONCERTA®. the most common
side effects were headache, stomach pain, sleeplessness and decreased
appetite Other side-effects seen with methylpnenidate, the
active ingredient in CONCERTA®. include nausea vomiting, dizziness
nervousness, tics, allergic reactions, increased blood pressure and
psychosis (abnormal thinking or hallucinations)
This is not a complete list of possible side effects Ask you' doctor about
other side effects If you develop any side effect, talk to your doctor
What must I discuss with my doctor before
taking CONCERTA®?
Talk to your doctor before taking CONCERTA® if you
• Are being seated for depression or have symptoms of depression such
as feelings of sadness worthlessness, and hopelessness
• Have motion tics lhard-to-controi, repeated twitching of any parts of your
body) or verbal tics (hard-to-contrci repeating of sounds or words)
• Have someone in your family with motion tics, verbal tics, or Tourette's
syndrome
• Have abnormal thoughts or visions, hear abnormal sounds or have been
diagnosed with psycnosis
• Have had seizures (convulsions, epilepsy) or abnormal EEGs
(electroencephalograms)
• Have high blood pressure
• Have a narrowing or b'oekage of your gastrointestinal tract (your
esophagus, stomach, or small or large intestine)
Tell your doctor immediately f you develop any of the above conditions or
symptoms while taking CONCERTA?
Can I take CONCERTA® with other medicines?
Ten your doctor about all medicines that you are taking Your doctor should
decide whether you can take CONCERTA® with other medicines T*ese
include
•
• Med c nes that you buy .cu-sei* w thout a prescription
•
You should not take CONCERTA® with monoamine oxidase (MAO)
inhibitors
While on CONCERTA?. dc not start taking a new medicine or herbal
remedy before cneckmg wth your doctor
CONCERTA® may change the way your body reacts to certain medicines
’ h ese include med c nes -sed to treat depression, prevent seizures o*
prevent blood clots (commonly called "blood thmners'i rour doctor mav
need to charge your dose of these medic.nes if you a*e takmc tnem w.th
CONCERTA?
Other Important Safety Information
Abuse of methylphenidate can lead to dependence
Tell your doctor if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol or
drugs or if you are now abusing o r dependent on alcohol or drugs
Before taking CONCERTA® tei ; your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on
becoming pregnant If you take methylphenidate. it may be m your breast
milk Tell your doctor if you are nursmig a baby
Tell your doctor if you have blurred vision when taking CONCERTA?
Slower growth (weight gam and/or height) has been reported with
long-term use of methvphen date in children Your doctor will be ctrefully
watching your neight and weight If vou are not growing or gaming weight
as your doctor expects, your doctor may stop your CONCERTA® treatment
Cal' your doctor immediately if you take mere than the amount of
CONCERTA® prescribed by your doctor
What else should I know about
CONCERTA®?
CONCERTA® has not been studied m children under 6 years of age
T*e CONCERTA? tablet does not dissolve completely after all the drug has
been released and you may sometimes notice it in your stool This is normal
CONCERTA® may be a pan of your overall treatment for ADHD Your
doctor may also recommend that you have counseling or other therapy
As with an medicines, never share CONCERTA® with anyone else and take only
the number of CONCERTA® tablets prescribed by your doctor
CONCERTA® should be stored m a safe place at room temperature
(between 59 i -86° F) Do not store this medicine in hot. damp or humid
places
Keep out of the reach of children.
For more information call 1-888-440*7903 or visit wwwconcerta net
Manufactured by
AIZA Corporation. Mountain View. CA 94043
Distributed and marketed by
McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals
Fort Washington. PA 19034
McNeiT)
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ianijfi An ALZA OPOS*
Technology Product
CONCERTA® and OROS® are Registered Trademarxs c* AIZA Corporation
0013942-1 PP» october/2003