The equine internal medicine specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of horses with diseases including:

• Colic and diarrhea

• respiratory disease, including heaves, inflammatory airway disease, and pneumonia

• Cardiac disease
• Neurological disease, including EPM (Equine Protozoal Encephalomyelitis) and Wobblers
• Diseases of the neonatal and older foal
• Endocrine disease, including Equine Cushing’s disease, thyroid disease, and anhidrosis

The equine medicine service has recently launched its new pulmonary funtion testing service.

Why might I need an equine internal medicine specialist?

An equine internal medicine specialist is able to provide specialized care in areas such as:

• Pulmonology
• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Gastroenterology
• Neonatology
• Immunology
• Endocrinology
• Oncology

Generic birth control prescriptions can save you money. And, in some cases, they’re all that insurance will cover. But, is generic birth control as good as the brand-name version? What types of birth control come in generics? How can you get a generic prescription?

Patents and Exclusivity

When drug companies develop new medicines, they patent them so that no other company can claim to have invented the drug. They also apply for what’s called “exclusivity,” which means that no other company can sell the drug for a certain number of years. Companies can charge high prices for these medicines because no one else is allowed to make them. The companies say that the prices must be high to cover the research that went into making the drugs, although the cost of advertising is also a factor.

Patents last for 20 years. Exclusivity depends on the type of drug, but in most cases it’s a shorter period of time than the patent.

Generics vs. Brand-Name Drugs

FDA regulations state that generics must contain the same medicines as the brand-name versions. The medicine must be absorbed by the body at the same rate and in the same amount. Basically, generic drugs must work just like the brand-name ones. It’s just that the pills and packages look different. Sometimes, you’ll need a bit of technical knowledge to see that the medicines really are the same: the brand name one might list ingredients in micrograms, while the generic uses milligrams.

In spite of the FDA regulations, patients and doctors occasionally report different results from generic vs. brand name pills. This may have to do with the “vehicle” the medicine is delivered in; although the drug is the same, the other ingredients in the pill might be different. Most of the time, though, you won’t notice any difference.

One particular concern about generic birth control prescriptions is that the actual amount of medication in each pill might vary more than in brand name medicines. Actually, this hasn’t been well studied. The FDA says that the medication should be equivalent to the brand-name version. If it’s true that there is a bigger difference from pill to pill, however, it could cause side effects in women who are sensitive to hormone variations.

Active Ingredient: (finasteride, MSD)
Typical Brand Name: Propecia

Overview:
Propecia is used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss on the vertex and the anterior mid-scalp area. Propecia is for use by men only and should not be used by women or children.

Direction:
Take one tablet by mouth each day with or without food. If you forget to take Propecia, do not take an extra tablet. Just take the next tablet as usual. Effects of medication may take 3 months before results are obtained and medication should be continued for best results.

Side Effects:
Like all prescription products, Propecia may cause side effects like less desire for sex; difficulty in achieving an erection; and, a decrease in the amount of semen. In general use, the following side effects have been reported: allergic reactions including rash, itching, hives and swelling of the lips and face; problems with ejaculation; breast tenderness and enlargement; and testicular pain. You should promptly report to your doctor any changes in your breasts such as lumps, pain or nipple discharge.

Precautions:
This medication is not to be used in women or children. It is important that the doctor has your complete medical history. Consult with your doctor if you have liver impairment, prostate cancer, kidney disease or obstructive uropathy.

Drug interactions:
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication especially if you take male hormones saw palmetto, and theophylline.

Cholesterol is a kind of fat in your blood. Your body makes its own cholesterol but you also get it from the foods you eat like meat, potato chips, cookies, and eggs. Some people have too much cholesterol in their blood.

Cholesterol can build up on the inside of the blood vessels of your heart. If too much cholesterol builds up, then the blood cannot flow through to your heart. This can cause a heart attack.

Most people do not show any signs of high cholesterol. The only way to know for sure is to go to the doctor and ask for a cholesterol test.

If your doctor tells you that you have high cholesterol, there are things you can do to lower your cholesterol. You can make changes to your diet and exercise at least 30 minutes most days. There are also medicines you can take to help lower your cholesterol.

Did you know?

• High cholesterol can raise your chance of having heart attacks and heart disease.
• Women over age 20 should have their cholesterol checked by a doctor.
• Most people do not show any signs of having high cholesterol.
• Sometimes cholesterol can build up in your heart and cause chest pains.
• You can find out your cholesterol number by getting a simple blood test.
• Your total cholesterol number should be under

Medicines to Control Cholesterol

There are different kinds of medicines to control cholesterol.

• HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (also called Statins)
• Bile Acid Sequestrants
• Fibrates
• Niacin
• Combination Drugs
• Other Cholesterol Drugs

Warnings

• Do not use these medicines if you have liver disease.
• Do not use these medicines if you are pregnant or nursing.
• Use these medicines with caution if you are also taking Gemfibrozil, Amiodarone, Verapamil, or blood thinners (anticoagulants).
• People who use some HIV medicines, birth control pills (oral contraceptives), Nefazodone, and niacin should talk to their doctor about the specific risks of using Statins.
• Drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice everyday may affect these “Statin” medicines.

Common Side Effects

• Gas
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Upset stomach