What is teriparatide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Teriparatide (Forteo) is a prescription medicine used to treat osteoporosis, a bone disease that over time causes bones to become fragile and more likely to break. Teriparatide is similar to human parathyroid hormone (PTH) and is made using recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology. PTH is …

What is felodipine, and how does it work? Felodipine is an oral calcium channel blocker (CCB) of the dihydropyridine (DHP) class. Other calcium channel blockers in the DHP class include: nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat) amlodipine (Norvasc) nisoldipine (Sular) nicardipine (Cardene) isradipine (Dynacirc) Calcium is necessary for muscle cells to contract. Felodipine prevents calcium from being released within the muscle cells of …

What is glucose? What is glucose used for? Glucose also known as dextrose is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) that is used to increase the level of blood sugar (glucose) when the level falls too low (hypoglycemia). Glucose in this form increases the level of the blood sugar, so it is a glucose-elevating agent. Other glucose-elevating agents are diazoxide (Proglycem) and …

What is chlordiazepoxide, and what is it used for? Chlordiazepoxide is a psychotropic agent that is used to manage symptoms associated with anxiety disorders. It is a long acting benzodiazepine that is available for oral administration. Examples of other members of the benzodiazepine include: diazepam (Valium) clonazepam (Klonopin) lorazepam (Ativan) flurazepam (Dalmane) Chlordiazepoxide has anti-anxiety, sedative, appetite-stimulating, and weak pain …

What are antihistamine shots, and what are the medical uses for this type of drug? Antihistamine shots are prescription medications that are used for the rapid medical treatment of conditions such as: Allergic reactions (a severe allergy to a substance) Anxiety Nausea Vomiting Motion sickness To induce sedation when injected into a patient Antihistamine shots also are used to alleviate …

What is human albumin? Albumin is a naturally occurring transport protein found in the body. Medically it is used to treat a variety of conditions related to a person’s insufficient production of albumin. What brand names are available for human albumin? Albuked-5 Albuked-25 Albuminar-5 Albuminar-25 Alburx Albutein Buminate Flexbumin  Kedbumin Plasbumin-5 Plasbumin-25 Why is human albumin prescribed to patients? Albumin …

What is infliximab, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Infliximab is an antibody administered intravenously that is used for treating several chronic inflammatory diseases. Infliximab works by blocking the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), a substance made by cells of the body which has an important role in promoting inflammation. There are two other injectable …

Atorvastatin vs. simvastatin comparison Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor) are parts of a group of drugs called statins that revolutionized cholesterol management and heart disease prevention. Atorvastatin and simvastatin both target the same chemical in the body to reduce drastically the bloodstream levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein, or “bad cholesterol”), which lowers the risk it will clog up arteries, a …

What is aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide? What is it used for? Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide act as antacids by neutralizing stomach acid that result in an increasing pH in the stomach. Simethicone is anti-gas medication that works by lowering surface tension of gas bubbles, which gives relief from gas. What brand names are available for aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide? Mylanta, …

Polio facts Picture of a Polio Vaccine Bottle Polio is an infectious disease caused by viruses. The symptoms may range from none to paralysis and death. Polio has been traced back almost 6,000 years. Great strides have been made in preventing this disease. Polio is caused by person-to-person transmission of polio viruses (enteroviruses, three main types). Not receiving the polio …