Sconase

Uses

Vitamin C is used for prevention and treatment of scurvy. It may be used for pregnancy, lactation, infection, trauma, burns, cold exposure, following surgery, fever, stress, peptic ulcer, cancer, methaemoglobinaemia and in infants receiving unfortified formulas. It is also prescribed for haematuria, dental caries, pyorrhea, acne, infertility, atherosclerosis, fractures, leg ulcers, hay fever, vascular thrombosis prevention, levodopa toxicity, succinyl-choline toxicity, arsenic toxicity etc. To reduce the risk of stroke in the elderly, long-term supplementation with Vitamin C is essential.

Indicated for the treatment of osteoarthritis of knee, hip, spine, and other locations. Also used as dietary supplement

Sconase is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Common Cold, Deficiency, Vitamin A, Deficiency, Vitamin D, Fever, Flu caused by Influenza, Folate deficiency, Iron Deficiency (ID), Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), Oral bacterial infection, Scurvy, Vitamin C Deficiency, Vitamin Deficiency, Nutritional supplementation, Vitamin supplementationArthritis, Backache, Joint Pain, Osteoarthritis (OA), Osteoarthritis of the Knee

How Sconase works

In humans, an exogenous source of ascorbic acid is required for collagen formation and tissue repair by acting as a cofactor in the posttranslational formation of 4-hydroxyproline in -Xaa-Pro-Gly- sequences in collagens and other proteins. Ascorbic acid is reversibly oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid in the body. These two forms of the vitamin are believed to be important in oxidation-reduction reactions. The vitamin is involved in tyrosine metabolism, conversion of folic acid to folinic acid, carbohydrate metabolism, synthesis of lipids and proteins, iron metabolism, resistance to infections, and cellular respiration.

The mechanism of action of glucosamine in joint health is unclear, however there are several possible mechanisms that contribute to its therapeutic effects. Because glucosamine is a precursor for glycosaminoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans are a major component of joint cartilage, glucosamine supplements may help to rebuild cartilage and treat the symptoms of arthritis. Some in vitro studies show evidence that glucosamine reduces inflammation via inhibition of interferon gamma and Nuclear factor kappa B subunit 65 (NF-κB p65), improving the symptoms of arthritis and joint pain. Clinical relevance is unknown at this time.

Dosage

Sconase dosage

vitamin C is usually administered orally. When oral administration is not feasible or when malabsorption is suspected, the drug may be administered IM, IV, or subcutaneously. When given parenterally, utilization of the vitamin reportedly is best after IM administration and that is the preferred parenteral route.

For intravenous injection, dilution into a large volume parenteral such as Normal Saline, Water for Injection, or Glucose is recommended to minimize the adverse reactions associated with intravenous injection.

The average protective dose of vitamin C for adults is 70 to 150 mg daily. In the presence of scurvy, doses of 300 mg to 1 g daily are recommended. However, as much as 6 g has been administered parenterally to normal adults without evidence of toxicity.

To enhance wound healing, doses of 300 to 500 mg daily for a week or ten days both preoperatively and postoperatively are generally considered adequate, although considerably larger amounts have been recommended. In the treatment of burns, doses are governed by the extent of tissue injury. For severe burns, daily doses of 1 to 2 g are recommended. In other conditions in which the need for vitamin C is increased, three to five times the daily optimum allowances appear to be adequate.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever the solution and container permit.

500 mg tablet three times daily or as directed by the physician. A single dose of 1500 mg daily may also be effective. Obese individuals may need higher doses, based on body weight.

Side Effects

Ascorbic acid does not seem to have any important adverse effects at dosages less than 4 mg/day. Larger dose may cause diarrhoea or formation of renal calculi of calcium oxalate in patients with renal impairment. Ingestion of more than 600 mg daily have a diuretic action.

Safety studies with Glucosamine show no demonstrable toxicity. Rarely occurring side effects like mild & reversible intestinal flatulence are almost like placebo.

Toxicity

The oral LD50 of glucosamine in rats is >5000 mg/kg. Symptoms of an overdose with glucosamine may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea (common side effects of this drug). Severe and life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions to glucosamine may occur in patients with a shellfish allergy or asthma.

Precaution

Ingestion of megadose (more than 1000 mg daily) of vitamin C during pregnancy has resulted in scurvy in neonates. Vitamin C in mega-doses has been contraindicated for patients with hyperoxaluria. Vitamin C itself is a reactive substance in the redox system and can give rise to false positive reactions in certain analytical tests for glucose, uric acid, creatine and occult blood.

Diabetics are advised to monitor blood glucose levels regularly while taking Glucosamine. No special studies were formed in patients with renal and/or hepatic insufficiency. The toxicological and pharmacokinetic profile of the product does not indicate limitations for these patients. However, administration to these patients with severe hepatic or renal insufficiency should be under appropriate medical supervision.

Interaction

Potentially hazardous interactions: Ascorbic acid is incompatible in solution with aminophylline, bleomycin, erythromycin, lactobionate, nafcillin, nitrofurantoin sodium, conjugated oestrogen, sodium bicarbonate, sulphafurazole diethanolamine, chloramphenicol sodium succinate, chlorthiazide sodium and hydrocortisone sodium succinate.

Useful interactions: Ascorbic acid increases the apparent half-life of paracetamol and enhances iron absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.

There have been no reports of significant drug interactions ofGlucosamine with antibiotics, antidepressants, antihypertensives, nitrates, antiarrhythmics, anxiolytic, hypoglycaemic agents, anti-secretives.

Volume of Distribution

Results of a pharmacokinetic study of 12 healthy volunteers receiving three daily consecutive oral administrations of glucosamine sulfate soluble powder demonstrated glucosamine distribution to extravascular compartments. Human pharmacokinetic data for glucosamine is limited in the literature, however, a large animal model study of horses revealed a mean apparent volume of distribution of 15.4 L/kg. Concentrations of glucosamine ranged from 9-15 microM after an intravenous dose, and 0.3-0.7 microM after nasogastric dosing. These concentrations remained in the range of 0.1-0.7 microM in the majority of horses 12 hours after dosing, suggesting effectiveness of a once-daily dose. In rats and dogs, radioactivity from a C-14 labeled dose of glucosamine is detected in the liver, kidneys, articular cartilage, and other areas.

Elimination Route

70% to 90%

In a pharmacokinetic study, glucosamine was 88.7% absorption by the gastrointestinal tract. Absolute oral bioavailability was 44%, likely due to the hepatic first-pass effect. In a pharmacokinetic study of 12 healthy adults receiving oral crystalline glucosamine, plasma levels increased up to 30 times the baseline levels and Cmax was 10 microM with a 1,500 mg once-daily dose. Tmax was about 3 hours. AUC was 20,216 ± 5021 after a 15,000 mg dose.

Half Life

16 days (3.4 hours in people who have excess levels of vitamin C)

The estimated half-life for glucosamine is 15 hours after an oral dose. After a bolus intravenous injection of 1005 mg crystalline glucosamine sulfate, the parent drug has an apparent half life of 1.11 hours.

Elimination Route

Fecal excretion of glucosamine in a pharmacokinetic study was 11.3% within 120 hours after administration. Urinary elimination was found to be 1.19% within the first 8 hours post-administration.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

The drug is safe in normal doses in pregnant women, but a daily intake of 5 gm or more is reported to have caused abortion. The drug may be taken safely during lactation.

Women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant should not supplement with glucosamine. Glucosamine has not been studied enough to determine their effects on a developing fetus. And no studies have evaluated the use of Glucosamine during pregnancy or lactation. It should be taken with caution and medical advice during pregnancy and lactation.

Contraindication

There are no known contraindications for Glucosamine. But proven hypersensitivity to Glucosamine is a contraindication.

Storage Condition

Should be stored in a dry place below 30˚C.

Should be stored in cool and dry place.

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