Pure Sesame Oil for Treatment of Dry Nasal Mucosa

Many people experience problems with dryness of the tissue lining the inside of the nose, which is worse during the winter, in warm and dry inland climates or deserts, and after nasal irradiation. Complaints of nasal dryness may occur in situations involving low humidity including long journeys by airplane and air-conditioned environments. Normal saline (Isotonic sodium chloride solution; ISCS) has long been the most commonly used therapy for nasal dryness. But, it has been shown that normal saline produces little change and pure pharmaceutical grade sesame oil has been shown to be significantly more effective than normal saline for treatment of nasal dryness.

Our compounding pharmacy can place pure pharmaceutical grade sesame oil in a nasal spray. The recommended dose is1 to 3 sprays in each nostril 3 times daily.

In studies, a few patients reported allergies to sesame seed. However, when they received oral 1-ml doses of pharmaceutical quality pure sesame oil, no allergic reactions were observed. Pharmaceutical grade pure sesame oil does not contain the proteins that typically cause allergic reactions.

Sesame oil contains a high concentration of tocopherols (vitamin E) that might neutralize oxidants and prevent tissue damage and inflammation that would otherwise occur.

Rhinology 2000 Dec;38(4):200-3
Fewer problems with dry nasal mucous membranes following local use of sesame oil.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2001 Nov;127:1353-1356
Pure sesame oil vs isotonic sodium chloride solution as treatment for dry nasal mucosa.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

 

Topical Glycopyrrolate for Treatment of Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a socially embarrassing disorder and may negatively impact the quality of life. In order of frequency, palmar-plantar, palmar-axillary, isolated axillary, and craniofacial hyperhidrosis are distinct disorders.

Application of topical glycopyrrolate 2% “appears to be effective and safe for the treatment of excessive facial sweating in primary craniofacial and secondary gustatory hyperhidrosis following sympathectomy”.

Ten patients with compensatory sweating after sympathectomy applied one milliliter of a 2% water solution of topical glycopyrrolate once a day over the affected area and massaged for 30 seconds. Eight of the 10 treated patients dramatically improved with the topical application of glycopyrrolate. Two patients quit the treatment due to secondary effects (optical accommodative failure and dry mouth). The results of the study demonstrated that local application of glycopyrrolate might be the treatment of choice for compensatory hyperhidrosis.

“Glycopyrrolate iontophoresis is more effective than tap water iontophoresis in the treatment of palmoplantar hyperhidrosis” and “glycopyrrolate iontophoresis has both local and systemic effects on perspiration”.

Br J Dermatol. 2008 May;158(5):1094-7.
Topical glycopyrrolate for patients with facial hyperhidrosis.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

Dermatol Ther. 2008 Sep-Oct;21(5):406-8.
A medical alternative to the treatment of compensatory sweating.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

Australas J Dermatol. 2004 Nov;45(4):208-12.
Iontophoresis with glycopyrrolate for the treatment of palmoplantar hyperhidrosis.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

 

Lidocaine 8% Intranasal Spray for Trigeminal Neuralgia
 
Intranasal lidocaine 8% administered by a metered-dose spray produced prompt but temporary analgesia without serious adverse reactions in patients with second-division trigeminal neuralgia.

Br J Anaesth. 2007 Feb;98(2):275
Lidocaine intranasal spray for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

 

 

Topical Treatment for Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers, Irritation around Stomas, and Diaper Rash
 
Daily application of sucralfate gel to non-infected post-phlebitis/vascular ulcers for 42 days led to complete healing in 95.6% of patients compared to only 10.9% of cases that used placebo.1

A 10% aqueous solution of sucralfate, administered twice daily as a rectal enema or vaginal douche, was also used successfully to treat radiation-induced rectal and vaginal ulcers. 2, 3
 
Topical sucralfate represents a safe, inexpensive and effective therapeutic intervention, particularly for those patients with high output or short stomas where repeated stoma leakage may be unavoidable.4
 
1 Int J Mol Med. 2008 Jul;22(1):17-23.
Topical treatment of chronic venous ulcers with sucralfate: a placebo controlled randomized study.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

2 Arch Dermatol. 2000 Oct;136(10):1199-200.
Topical sucralfate for erosive irritant diaper dermatitis.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

3 Ann Pharmacother. 1999 Dec;33(12):1274-6
Treatment of radiation-induced proctitis with sucralfate enemas.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

4 Clin Exp Dermatol. 2000 Nov;25(8):584-8.
Topical sucralfate in the management of peristomal skin disease: an open study.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

 

Betahistine for Treatment of Acute Vestibular Vertigo & Meniere's Disease

Betahistine at oral doses of 16 mg tid and 24 mg bid provides similar efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of vertigo in patients with Meniere's disease. 

The efficacy and safety profile of betahistine in the treatment of vertigo due to peripheral vestibular disorders was confirmed.
 
Acta Otolaryngol. 2008 Jul 10:1-6.
Effects of semicircular canal electrode implantation on hearing in chinchillas.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2001 Jun;21(3 Suppl 66):1-7
Betahistine in the treatment of vertigo. History and clinical implications of recent pharmacological researches.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2003 Feb;260(2):73-7. Epub 2002 Sep 11
Betahistine dihydrochloride in the treatment of peripheral vestibular vertigo.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 2000;544:34-9
A review of medical treatment for Ménière's disease.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999 Mar;120(3):400-5
Betahistine increases vestibular blood flow.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 1991;479, pp. 44-47
Treatment of acute vestibular vertigo.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

 

Low-Dose Naltrexone Improves Active Crohn's Disease

Endogenous opioids and opioid antagonists have been shown to play a role in healing and repair of tissues. Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) therapy appears effective and safe in subjects with active Crohn's disease. 

Am J Gastroenterol 2007;102:1-9
Low-dose naltrexone therapy improves active Crohn's disease.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.      

Non-surgical Treatment of Anal Fissure

Chronic anal fissures can be simply and effectively treated medically without the risk of incontinence associated with sphincterotomy. Topical nifedipine can be beneficial, alone or after botulinum toxin injections ("an excellent combination" associated with a low recurrence rate and minimal side effects).

Can J Surg. 2006 Feb;49(1):41-5.
Nonsurgical treatment of chronic anal fissure: nitroglycerin and dilatation versus nifedipine and botulinum toxin.
Click here to access the PubMed abstract of this article.

Rectal Rocket: Prompt Relief for Hemorrhoids

The "rectal rocket" is a special suppository designed to treat hemorrhoids, which features a contoured front end and a flared bottom. The flared bottom remains in continual contact with the anal sphincter and outer surface of the anus for 4 to 6 hours, to treat external as well as internal hemorrhoids. There is also a slit for flatulence running the length of the suppository that allows the patient to pass gas without losing the suppository. The rectal rocket was designed by compounding pharmacists to deliver pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, such as lidocaine and hydrocortisone, directly to painful hemorrhoids. Rectal rockets are also regularly prescribed for women who have recently given birth. This unique dosage form can also be formulated to contain additional medications such as misoprostol and sucralfate, and also can be used to treat anal fissures.

Int'l J of Pharm Compounding May/June 2007; 11(3):194-9
The Rectal Rocket: A Two-Day Treatment for Hemorrhoids     
Click here to access the abstract of this article.