Sodium channel Health Dictionary

A metal, the salts of which are white, crystalline, and very soluble. The ?uids of the body contain naturally a considerable quantity of sodium chloride.

Sodium carbonate, commonly known as soda or washing soda, has a powerful softening action upon the tissues.

Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is used as an antacid (see ANTACIDS) in relieving indigestion associated with increased acidity of the gastric secretion.

The citrate and the acetate of sodium are used as DIURETICS.... sodium

A drug of ?rst choice for the treatment of several forms of EPILEPSY, including primary generalised epilepsy, generalised absences and myoclonic seizures; it may also be tried in atypical absence, atonic and tonic seizures. Usually taken orally, the drug has shown promising initial results from controlled trials in partial epilepsy. It probably has similar e?cacy to CARBAMAZEPINE and PHENYTOIN SODIUM.

Sodium valproate has widespread metabolic effects and may have dose-related side-effects. There has been concern over severe hepatic or pancreatic toxicity, but such adverse effects are rare. Other adverse effects include digestive upsets, drowsiness, muscle incoordination and skin rashes. Rare reports have been given of behavioural disturbances, with occasional aggression. Initiation and withdrawal of treatment should always be slow. Patients should reduce their alcohol intake; any other drugs they are taking that are metabolised by the liver should be carefully monitored.... sodium valproate

Calcium-channel blockers inhibit the inward ?ow of calcium through the specialised slow channels of cardiac and arterial smooth-muscle cells. By thus relaxing the smooth muscle, they have important applications in the treatment of HYPERTENSION and ANGINA PECTORIS. Various types of calcium-channel blockers are available in the United Kingdom; these di?er in their sites of action, leading to notable di?erences in their therapeutic effects. All the drugs are rapidly and completely absorbed, but extensive ?rst-pass metabolism in the liver reduces bioavailability to around one-?fth. Their hypotensive e?ect is additive with that of beta blockers (see BETA-ADRENOCEPTOR-BLOCKING DRUGS); the two should, therefore, be used together with great caution – if at all. Calcium-channel blockers are particularly useful when beta blockers are contraindicated, for example in asthmatics. However, they should be prescribed for hypertension only when THIAZIDES and beta blockers have failed, are contraindicated or not tolerated.

Verapamil, the longest-available, is used to treat angina and hypertension. It is the only calcium-channel blocker e?ective against cardiac ARRHYTHMIA and it is the drug of choice in terminating supraventricular tachycardia. It may precipitate heart failure, and cause HYPOTENSION at high doses. Nifedipine and diltiazem act more on the vessels and less on the myocardium than verapamil; they have no antiarrhythmic activity. They are used in the prophylaxis and treatment of angina, and in hypertension. Nicardipine and similar drugs act mainly on the vessels, but are valuable in the treatment of hypertension and angina. Important di?erences exist between di?erent calcium-channel blockers so their use must be carefully assessed. They should not be stopped suddenty, as this may precipitate angina. (See also HEART, DISEASES OF.)... calcium-channel blockers

See DOCUSATE SODIUM.... dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate

A faecal-softening agent used to treat constipation in old people. It can be given orally or as a rectal suppository.... docusate sodium

A gold compound given by deep intramuscular injection in the treatment of RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS in children and adults. Known as a second-line or disease-modifying antirheumatoid drug, its therapeutic e?ect may take up to six months to achieve a full response. If this fails to happen, the drug should be stopped. If the patient responds, treatment may be continued at increasingly long intervals (up to four weeks) for as long as ?ve years. Gold treatment is particularly useful for palindromic arthritis in which the disease comes and goes.... sodium aurothiomalate

The chemical name for common salt (see SODIUM).... sodium chloride

A disinfectant by virtue of the fact that it gives o? chlorine. For domestic use – as, for example, for sterilising baby feeding bottles – it is available in a variety of proprietary preparations.... sodium hypochlorite

An over-thecounter antacid drug used to relieve indigestion, heartburn, and pain caused by a peptic ulcer.

It often causes belching and abdominal discomfort.

Long-term use may cause swollen ankles, muscle cramps, tiredness, and nausea.... sodium bicarbonate

A drug given by inhaler to control mild asthma in children and allergic or exercise-induced asthma in adults; as a nasal spray to treat allergic rhinitis; in eye-drops for allergic conjunctivitis; and orally for food allergy.

Side effects include coughing and throat irritation on inhalation.... sodium cromoglicate

An older drug for the treatment of EPILEPSY. It is not now widely used, as it is di?cult to determine the precise dose to avoid ill-effects and long-term use leads to changes to the facial appearance. However, the drug is still used for the quick control of an apparently uncontrollable epileptic ?t, and after head injury or neurosurgery.... phenytoin sodium

Drugs that have the ability to dilate ARTERIES and VEINS and are used to relieve pain in ANGINA of the HEART. Nicorandil is the main example.... potassium-channel activators

Used in the prophylaxis of ASTHMA, it is administered by inhalation and can reduce the incidence of asthmatic attacks but is of no value in the treatment of an acute attack. It acts by preventing the release of pharmacological mediators of BRONCHOSPASM, particularly HISTAMINE, by stabilising mast-cell membranes. It is of particular use in patients whose asthma has an allergic basis; children over four may respond better than adults. It is less potent than inhaled steroids. The dose frequency is adjusted to the patient’s response but is usually administered by inhalation four times daily. Sodium cromoglycate is also used in the prophylaxis of allergic RHINITIS and to treat allergic conjunctivitis (see under EYE, DISORDERS OF).... sodium cromoglycate

An organic iodine salt that is radio-opaque and therefore used as a contrast medium to outline various organs in the body in X-ray ?lms (see XRAYS). It is given intravenously. Its main use is in PYELOGRAPHY – that is, in rendering the kidneys radio-opaque – but it is also used to outline the blood vessels (ANGIOGRAPHY) and the gall-bladder and bile ducts (CHOLANGIOGRAPHY).... sodium diatrizoate

An intravenous barbiturate whose main use is for inducing ANAESTHESIA, which it does rapidly and painlessly.... thiopentone sodium

See alendronic acid.... alendronate sodium

See disodium etidronate.... etidronate sodium

A stimulant laxative drug used to treat constipation and to empty the bowel prior to procedures such as X-ray, endoscopy, and surgery on the intestines. Side effects may include abdominal cramps and diarrhoea. The drug should be avoided in cases of intestinal obstruction.... sodium picosulfate

(calcium antagonist) a drug that inhibits the influx of calcium ions into cardiac and smooth-muscle cells; it therefore reduces the strength of heart-muscle contraction, reduces conduction of impulses in the heart, and causes *vasodilatation. Calcium-channel blockers, which include *amlodipine, *diltiazem, *nicardipine, *nifedipine, and *verapamil, are used to treat angina and high blood pressure.... calcium-channel blocker

n. an inherited condition predisposing to arrhythmia that is characterized by a genetic mutation affecting one of the cell membrane channels responsible for transport of ions (e.g. potassium or sodium) into or out of the cardiac cells.... channelopathy

(colistin) an antibiotic given to treat Gram-negative infections resistant to other antimicrobials and by inhalation to treat pseudomonal infection in patients with cystic fibrosis. Colistin is a mixture of antimicrobial substances produced by a strain of the bacterium Bacillus polymyxa. Its most serious side-effects are nerve and kidney damage.... colistimethate sodium

see low-molecular-weight heparin.... dalteparin sodium

see low-molecular-weight heparin.... enoxaparin sodium

a water-soluble orange dye that glows with a brilliant green colour when blue light is shone on it. A dilute solution is used to detect defects in the surface of the cornea, since it stains areas where the *epithelium is not intact. In retinal *angiography it is injected into a vein and its circulation through the blood vessels of the retina is viewed and photographed by a special camera.... fluorescein sodium

a protein that spans a cell membrane to form a water-filled pore through which ions (e.g. calcium [Ca2+], sodium [Na+], potassium [K+]) can pass into or out of the cell.... ion channel

see thyroxine.... levothyroxine sodium

see photodynamic therapy.... porfimer sodium

any one of a class of drugs that enhance the movement of potassium ions through the *ion channels in cell membranes. In the case of smooth muscle cells, such as those in the walls of arteries, their sensitivity to the normal stimuli to contract is reduced. The result is relaxation of the muscle fibres and widening of the arteries. Potassium-channel activators are used for improving the blood supply to the heart muscle in angina pectoris. Possible side-effects include headache, flushing, vomiting, dizziness, and weakness. A currently available member of the class is nicorandil.... potassium-channel activator

a salt of sodium used to prevent tooth decay. Taken in excess by mouth, it may cause digestive upsets and large doses may cause fluorine poisoning. See also fluoridation.... sodium fluoride

an antibiotic used to treat penicillin-resistant infections caused by *Staphylococcus, including osteomyelitis. Common side-effects are nausea and vomiting. See also fusidic acid.... sodium fusidate

(caustic soda) a powerful alkali in widespread use as a cleaning agent. It attacks the skin, causing severe chemical burns that are best treated by washing the area with large quantities of water. When swallowed it causes burning of the mouth and throat, which should be treated by giving water, milk, or other fluid to dilute the stomach contents and by gastric lavage.... sodium hydroxide

a sodium salt used, with sodium thiosulphate, to treat cyanide poisoning. Both drugs may cause headache and flushing.... sodium nitrite

see low-molecular-weight heparin.... tinzaparin sodium