MSK Pharm 2

Question 1

What’s Bromelain?

Answer 1

proteolytic enzyme in pineapple

Question 2

Is Bromelain successful?

Answer 2

questionable if we can achieve adequate plasma levels to be beneficial

Question 3

Which bromelain at 2 tablets tid appeared to be as effective as diclofenac 50 mg tid for OA?

Answer 3

Phlogenzym

Question 4

What’s cat’s claw?

Answer 4

freeze-dried extract

Question 5

What’ does cat’s claw help with?

Answer 5

possibly reduces pain with exertion but not at rest

Question 6

What’s Devils claw?

Answer 6

harpagoside is the primary glycoside attributed to anti-inflammatory effects

Question 7

Is Devil’s claw effective?

Answer 7

50-100 mg harpagoside formulation QD appeared equally effective to vioxx

Question 8

What’s the deal with l-tryptophan and 5-HTP?

Answer 8

linked to eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome and several deaths resulted

Question 9

What’s stinging nettle used for?

Answer 9

allergic rhinitis; some add to NSAID regimen for OA

Question 10

What’s the active constituent of tumeric?

Answer 10

curcumin

Question 11

What tumeric product may improve pain and function in OA?

Answer 11

Meriva 500 mg

Question 12

What may tumeric help with?

Answer 12

OA and maybe RA

Question 13

What are some SE of tumeric?

Answer 13

AV block with high dose; may decrease blood sugar; anti-platelet effects

Question 14

What’s the deal with Willow bark?

Answer 14

converted to salicylic acid in vivo

Question 15

Is acetyl-l-carnitine helpful?

Answer 15

doses of 1000 mg bid-tid significantly reduced diabetic neuropathic pain

Question 16

Is alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) helpful?

Answer 16

600 mg-1800 mg qd for 3-5 weeks decreases neuropathy symptoms

Question 17

SE of alpha-lipoic acid?

Answer 17

GI upset and HA

Question 18

How long does it take for capsaicin to work?

Answer 18

3 days of multiple applications

Question 19

What does capsaicin do?

Answer 19

inhibits and depletes substance P

Question 20

What is SAMe used for?

Answer 20

improving symptoms of OA, possibly mildly effective in depression, fibromyalgia

Question 21

Which SAMe has the greatest bioavailability?

Answer 21

Butanedisulfonate salt

Question 22

What’s the issue with SAMe?

Answer 22

poor quality with little active ingredient on the marker; very expensive

Question 23

What’s glucosamine used for?

Answer 23

treatment of OA pain

Question 24

How does glucosamine work?

Answer 24

increases production of synovial fluid, repair of damaged tissue, new cartilage synthesis

Question 25

Patients taking glucosamine up to 3 years have shown?

Answer 25

significant improvement as well as over 50% reduction in risk of OA progression

Question 26

What brand is most researched for glucosamine?

Answer 26

DONA

Question 27

What maybe added to glucosamine products?

Answer 27

chondroitin and manganese

Question 28

What joint is most of the research for glucosamine for?

Answer 28

knees

Question 29

Does glucosamine impact blood sugar?

Answer 29

no