Some Way To Go Before The Act Can 'Breathe Easy', Australian Medical Association

AMA ACT President, Dr Paul Jones, expressed concern that the ACT has been left behind on tobacco reform.

The ACT has been placed well behind all States and only performed better than Northern Territory on 2008 Tobacco Scoreboard. The AMA/ACOSH Tobacco Scoreboard was announced today at annual National Conference of Australian Medical Association and reports on the efforts of States and Territories in tobacco reform.

" While recognising and applauding ACT Government initiatives which have been made, such as banning of smoking from Canberra Stadium and Manuka Oval seating areas, the ACT has some way to go before it can match benchmarks of winners Queensland and Western Australia, " Dr Jones said.

" We continue to score poorly in the areas of Enclosed Public Places policy, Outdoor Public places, Smoke-free workplaces and Restrictions on Tobacco Marketing.

" The so-called 75% rule continues to undermine the effect of legislation banning smoking in enclosed public places.

" The health effects of smoking are well known and have a personal and financial impact on society.

" The AMA offers support to the government and encourages it to fast track its legislative reform agenda to prohibit smoking in outdoor public areas and smoking in cars with kids, so that we can all " breathe easy, " Dr Jones said.

Australian Medical Association

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Verapamil in our life.

Verapamil: uses

Verapamil is used with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure ( hypertension ) . Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Verapamil is called a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Verapamil may also affect heart rate.

Verapamil: how to use

Take Verapamil by mouth with or without food, usually once daily at bedtime or as directed by your doctor. Swallow capsules whole. Don't crush or chew the capsules. Doing so can destroy long action of the drug and may increase side effects.

If we prefer, we may sprinkle entire contents of a capsule on a small amount of cool, soft applesauce just before taking. Swallow mixture immediately. Don't chew the mixture, and don't save mixture for future use.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with Verapamil unless your doctor instructs we otherwise. Grapefruit juice can increase amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, body size and response to therapy. If we have severe liver problems, your dosage may need to be adjusted.

Use Verapamil regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help we remember, take it at same time each day. It's important to continue taking Verapamil even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. For treatment of high blood pressure, it may take up to a week before the full benefit of Verapamil takes effect.

Do not suddenly stop taking Verapamil without consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

Inform your doctor if your condition worsens ( e. g. , your routine blood pressure readings increase ) .

Verapamil: other used

This section contains uses of Verapamil that aren't listed in approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use Verapamil for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

Verapamil may also be used to treat chest pain ( angina ) , irregular heartbeat, certain other types of heart disease ( e. g. , hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ) , or for the prevention of migraines.

If used for angina, Verapamil must be taken regularly to be effective. It should not be used to treat angina attacks when they occur. Use other medications ( e. g. , sublingual nitroglycerin ) to relieve an angina attack as directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.

Verapamil: side effects

Dizziness, nausea, headache, fatigue and constipation may occur as your body adjusts to medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.

To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise. If we become constipated while using Verapamil, consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a stool softener.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed Verapamil because he or she has judged that benefit to we is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Verapamil don't have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

A very serious allergic reaction to Verapamil is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If we notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Verapamil: precautions

Before taking Verapamil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if we are allergic to it; or to other calcium channel blockers ( e. g. , diltiazem, nifedipine ) ; or if we have any other allergies.

Verapamil shouldn't be used if we have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

Before using Verapamil, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

Verapamil may make we dizzy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.

Verapamil prolongs and intensifies the effects of alcohol in your system. Limit alcoholic beverages while using this medication.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Verapamil.

Verapamil should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Verapamil passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using Verapamil isn't recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Verapamil: interactions

See also How to Use section.

Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring we for it. Don't start, stop or change dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Verapamil shouldn't be used with following medications because very serious interactions may occur while use Verapamil:

If we are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Verapamil.

Before using Verapamil, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products we may use, especially of:

Verapamil also may affect how your body gets rid of some drugs ( e. g. , cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus, eplerenone, erythromycin, quinidine, midazolam, triazolam, tizanidine, statins including simvastatin, certain anti-seizure drugs including carbamazepine ) .

Check the labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs for pain/fever reduction ) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or heart rate ( e. g. , pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, clemastine, ibuprofen, naproxen ) . Ask your pharmacist about safe use of those products.

This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Verapamil, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all products we use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Verapamil: overdose

If overdose of Verapamil is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness/fainting, fast/irregular/very slow heartbeat, confusion.

Verapamil: notes

Do not share Verapamil with others. Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.

Laboratory and/or medical tests ( e. g. , liver function tests, heart exam, blood pressure, electrocardiograms ) may be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

There are different brands and types of Verapamil available. Many do not have same effects. Don't change brands or types without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking Verapamil. Discuss with your doctor how to monitor your own blood pressure.

Verapamil: missed dose

If we miss a dose Verapamil, take it as soon as you remember. If it's near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Don't double dose of Verapamil to catch up.

Verapamil: storage

Store Verapamil at room temperature at 77 degrees F ( 25 degrees C ) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F ( 15-30 degrees C ) is permitted. Don't store Verapamil in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Properly discard Verapamil when it's expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

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