Hervey Bay Local Health News

Generic brand medicines are copies of the original brand medicines. They contain the same active ingredient and are as safe and effective. You can save money by using a lower-cost brand. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor to see whether there is more than one brand of a medicine available and, if so, which might best suit you.

When companies develop a new medicine, the active ingredient is named (often referred to as the ‘generic drug’ name), and it is also given an original brand name. As an example, amoxycillin is an active ingredient (generic drug) name; Amoxil is one brand name.

The first company to make the new medicine has exclusive rights to market its product (a patent or copyright) for a number of years. Other companies cannot market a copy of the original brand medicine until the patent expires.

Generic brand medicines - contain the same active ingredients, are of the same dosage form (e.g. tablets or liquid) and are the same strength as the original brand medicine. This means that different brands work in the same way in the body, with potentially the same risks and benefits.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) - is responsible for assessing and registering all medicines in Australia. This is important for public health and safety.

Before a prescription medicine can be put on the market in Australia or listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), an expert team of doctors, scientists and pharmacists make sure that it is:
*    Of good quality
*    Safe
*    Effective, including cost effective
*    Correctly labelled and packaged.

Companies which produce generic medicines must adhere to the same quality standardsand have the same tight manufacturing controls as companies making original brand medicines. In fact, original and generic brand medicines are sometimes made by the same company.

Different brands - of a medicine may contain different inactive ingredients. They may be a different colour, shape, or size, or may taste different. The type of container or packaging may be different, for example, a bottle or blister foil pack. Differences in formulation or outer packaging do not affect how the medicine works.

Medicines also contain other inactive ingredients such as preservatives, flavourings, colourings or fillers, and there is a rare possibility that an allergic reaction could occur to one of these inactive ingredients.

Important
*    Consumer Medicine Information leaflets provide helpful information on the ingredients in a medicine. It is important to read the leaflet carefully when starting a new medicine or using a different brand.
*    If you know you are allergic to a particular inactive ingredient, for example lactose or gluten, check with the pharmacist before using a new medicine.
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Some medicines can affect your ability to drive, cycle or use machinery. You need to be alert and able to respond quickly to changes in your environment when doing these tasks. Not everyone is affected to the same extent and different people are affected by medicines in different ways.

The danger is you may not notice the effect a medicine has until it is too late. When starting a new medicine, always ask your pharmacist if it is safe to drive, cycle or use machinery and what the warning signs are to look for.

If it is not safe, DO NOT DRIVE.

Reactions to medicines
Some medicines can make you:
*    Drowsy or tired
*    Dizzy, light-headed or faint
*    Not think clearly
*    Shaky, unsteady
*    Angry, aggressive
*    Feel sick
*    Have blurred or double vision.

This can make it unsafe to drive, cycle or use machinery.

Risks
If you drive when affected by medicines you may cause an accident. You risk:
*    Killing, injuring or disabling other people or yourself
*    Damaging property
*    Losing your licence
*    Losing your insurance cover.

The effect of a medicine on your driving may be greater:
*    If you drink alcohol at the same time
*    If you take two (or more) medicines that have similar effects on driving
*    When you start using a new medicine
*    If you take more than the prescribed dose of your medicine
*    As you get older
*    If you are tired.

Important
*    If your medicine affects your driving, stop your driving, not your medicine, and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
*    Ask your pharmacist or doctor if the medicine you are taking (prescription or non-prescription) may affect your driving. Some medicines may affect your driving only until your body gets used to them. Other medicines may affect your driving all the time you are taking them.
*    Read the labels on ALL medicines you take. Check with your pharmacist when your medicines have the following labels:

This medicine may cause drowsiness and may increase the effects of alcohol.

If affected, do not drive a motor vehicle or use machinery.
OR
This medicine may affect mental alertness and/or coordination.

If affected, do not drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery.

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Chickenpox is a common childhood illness. It is caused by a virus and results in a rash of blisters which are very itchy. Complications, although rare, do occur, and can be serious. Chickenpox is more common in children but can occur in adults.

Cause
Chickenpox is caused by a herpes virus, the Varicella zoster virus.
It is highly contagious, spread by droplets breathed out into the air or from the fluid of chickenpox blisters.

Signs and symptoms
*    Begin between one and three weeks after infection
*    First symptoms: mild headache, moderate fever, general unwell feeling
*    Most younger children (<10 years) do not get these early symptoms, and symptoms are worse in adults
*    Rash develops a day or so later: small flat red spots, developing quickly into itchy blisters which break down to form crusts
*    Rash first appears on back and chest then spreads to face, neck, arms and legs
*    New spots can continue to appear for up to five days
*    The various stages of spots, blistering and crusts may be present on different parts of the body as the rash progresses
*    Blisters vary from a few on the trunk, to covering the whole body. They can occur anywhere, including the scalp, eyelids and on mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, anus and vagina in severe cases
*    Crusts disappear within a few weeks
*    Blisters can be complicated by secondary bacterial infection and can leave scars
*    Other complications include pneumonia, encephalitis, serious bacterial infections of deep tissue or the bloodstream and a bleeding tendency Infections in the first half of pregnancy can cause damage to the foetus and infections late in pregnancy can cause severe chickenpox in the newborn infant.

Important
Most people recover from chickenpox without any problems. However, you should see your doctor if:
*    The blisters get very red and sore with pus
*    There is high fever, severe headaches or vomiting, particularly a week or so after the chickenpox began
*   Joint pain occurs
*   You have a condition or are taking medication that affects your immune system e.g. chemotherapy, radiotherapy, HIV infection.    

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