Tackles Brittle Bones

Composition

Each soft gelatin capsule of KOSTROL contains:

Elemental calcium………………………………………….250 mg

(as calcium carbonate)

Calcitriol…………………………………………………….0.25 mcg

Evening primrose oil……………………………………….250 mg

Usage

KOSTROL is advocated for osteoporosis, and especially in peri- and postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Actions

Calcium (in KOSTROL) is effective in increasing bone thickness; it arrests both trabecular as well as cortical bone loss. In osteoporosis deficiency of calcitriol is a major factor. Calcitriol, the most active vitamin D analogue (in KOSTROL) is thus effective for mild-to-moderate osteoporosis.

Evening primrose oil (in KOSTROL) facilitates calcium absorption, and is additionally useful for relieving other menopausal complaints such as skin wrinkling, vaginal dryness, hot flushes and mood changes including depression.

Side Effects

KOSTROL is usually well tolerated and not associated with any significant side effects. Allergy reaction could occur due to KOSTROL ingredients, and occasionally evening primrose oil (in KOSTROL) can cause minor abdominal discomfort and nausea. Calcium carbonate (in KOSTROL) can occasionally cause constipation and flatulence; high doses or prolonged use may lead to gastric hypersecretion and acid rebound. Alkalosis and rarely, milk-alkali syndrome and tissue calcification may occur due to calcium carbonate (in KOSTROL).

Excessive intake of KOSTROL can cause hypervitaminosis D and / or hypercalcemia due to calcitriol.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Hpercalcemia can occur if calcium carbonate (in KOSTROL) is taken with thiazides. The ionotropic and toxic effects of cardiac glycosides and calcium (in KOSTROL) are synergistic and arrhythmias may occur if these drugs are given together. Calcium carbonate can reduce the absorption of many drugs such as tetracyclines, bisphosphonates, fluorides, and some quinolones; hence, KOSTROL must ideally be advocated along with these agents at least 3 hours apart.

Vitamin D (in KOSTROL) requirements can be increased by carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and primidone; rifampicin and isoniazid may reduce its effectiveness.

Precautions

KOSTROL must be advocated with caution in renal impairment, or diseases associated with hypercalcemia such as sarcoidosis and some malignancies. Vitamin D (in KOSTROL) is to be used with caution in heart disease and in infants.

In mild hypercalciuria (exceeding 300 mg/24 hours) as well as in chronic renal failure, or where there is evidence of stone formation in the urinary tract, adequate checks must be kept on urinary calcium excretion whilst on KOSTROL; if necessary, the dosage of KOSTROL should be reduced or calcium therapy discontinued. Additional high vitamin D intake should be avoided during KOSTROL therapy unless especially indicated.

When severe hypocalcemia co-exists with hyperphosphatemia (>6 mmol/L), patients should be treated for hyperphosphatemia prior to the administration of KOSTROL; the aim is to achieve a proper calcium/phosphate ratio in order to prevent extraskeletal deposition of calcium. Vitamin D (in KOSTROL) intake is usually detrimental in those already receiving an adequate intake through diet and exposure to sunlight.

KOSTROL must be given 3 hours apart from other agents whose absorption may be hindered by calcium carbonate. In view of vitamin D’s potential to interact, KOSTROL must be advocated cautiously along with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin and isoniazid.

KOSTROL is contraindicated in those hypersensitive to its ingredients, hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria (e.g., in hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D overdosage, decalcifying tumors such as plasmocytoma, bone metastases), severe renal or cardiac diseases like ventricular fibrillation, and during pregnancy and lactation.

Since evening primrose oil has the potential to manifest undiagnosed temporal lobe epilepsy, KOSTROL should be avoided in those with a history of epilepsy.

Recommended Intake

Adults: 1-2 Kostrol soft gelatin caps twice daily after meals, or as required.

Presentation

KOSTROL Soft Gelatin Capsules: 10 softgels blisters; 3 blister packs in a carton.

KOSTROL: Fights Osteoporosis

7. GEP b

Hepatitis B Fighter

Composition

Each soft gelatin capsule of GEP-B contains:

Phyllanthus amarus...................................................450 mg

Tinospora cordifolia.....................................................50 mg

Lecithin......................................................................500 mg

(equivalent to 250 mg phospholipids: phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine,

phosphatidylinositol. Linoleic acid content approx. 70%)

Usage

GEP-B is useful particularly for hepatitis B, prevention of hepatitis B carrier stage, hepatitis B chronic carriers, prevention of cirrhosis due to hepatitis B or C, co-existence of Hepatitis B & C, and hepatitis C.

Actions

Phyllanthus amarus (in GEP-B) is hepatoprotective, immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory besides its antiviral effects against HBV (and possibly HCV). Tinospora cordifolia (in GEP-B) improves the immune system and the body's resistance to infections such as hepatitis B. It also scavenges and block free radicals so as to inhibit free radical-induced membrane damage of liver cells. T cordifolia (in GEP-B) also inactivates surface antigen of HBV.

Phospholipids (in GEP-B) supply ready-to-use phospholipids to restore liver membrane cell structure and its fluidity. This is associated with dramatic enhancement of passive permeability which ensures adequate supply of nutrition to liver. All the 4 essential phospholipds – phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, are available in GEP-B.

In addition, phospholipids (in GEP-B) encourage energy manufacture by mitochondria, restore functioning of enzyme systems and reverse the inflammatory damage to the liver.

Side Effects

GEP-B is generally well tolerated; in rare cases it may give rise to diarrhea, nausea, headache, pruritus or allergic reactions.

Precautions

GEP-B is to be taken with care in severe renal disease. It should be used in pregnancy and lactation only if the possible benefits outweigh the probable adverse effects of its ingredients. The usefulness of GEP-B ingredients in children has not been established. GEP-B is not to be taken by those hypersensitive to any of its ingredients, or to soya.

Recommended Intake

Adults: 1-2 GEP-B soft gelatin caps twice or thrice daily after meals, or as required.

Presentation

GEP-B Soft Gelatin Capsules: 10 softgels blisters; 3 blister packs in a carton.

GEP-B: Eliminates HBV – Repairs Liver