What is nevirapine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nevirapine is an oral medication that is used for the treatment of infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is in a class of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors that also includes zalcitabine (Hivid), zidovudine (Retrovir), didanosine (Videx), and lamivudine (Epivir). It is …

What is gefitinib, and how does it work? What are the uses for gefitinib? Gefitinib is a drug that is used to treat several types of lung cancer. It works by preventing lung cancer cells from growing and multiplying. Many cells, including cancer cells, have receptors on their surfaces for epidermal growth factor (EGF), a protein that is normally produced …

What is efavirenz, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Efavirenz is an oral medication that is used for the treatment of infections associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Efavirenz is in a class of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors, which also includes zalcitabine (Hivid), zidovudine (Retrovir), didanosine (Videx), and lamivudine (Epivir). It is in a subclass of …

What is niacin and lovastatin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Advicor is an oral drug that is used for lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. It is a combination of extended-release niacin and lovastatin. It reduces blood levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides and increases blood levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) …

Migraine and seizure definitions, auras, symptoms, and signs Readers Comments 6 Share Your Story Migraines and seizures have similar symptoms and signs. A migraine is a collection of neurological symptoms that usually includes a severe and throbbing headache. A seizure is a change in the brain’s electrical activity that may affect how a person acts or what they do for …

What does stillborn mean? Stillbirth statistics Share Your Story What is stillbirth vs. miscarriage? Can you have a healthy pregnancy after stillborn baby? Stillborn (stillbirth) means the death of a baby prior to birth. This can occur before or during delivery of the baby. About 1% of pregnancies overall result in stillbirth, meaning that there are about 24,000 stillbirths each …

What is tigecycline, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Tigecycline is an injectable antibiotic used for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible bacteria. Tigecycline is similar to tetracycline antibiotics and has activity against a large number of bacteria. Tigecycline binds to bacterial ribosomes which produce the cell's proteins. The binding prevents bacterial ribosomes from producing important proteins …

What is Plegridy? What is Plegridy used for? Peginterferon beta-1a (Plegridy) is a protein produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells into which the human interferon beta genes have been introduced. It is used for treating multiple sclerosis (MS). It differs from interferon beta-1a by having polyethylene glycol attached to the interferon molecules (peglated) that …

What is nafarelin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nafarelin is a synthetic (man-made) protein that blocks the effects of the natural gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a hormone that regulates the output of gonadotropins (a class of hormones) by the pituitary gland (a small gland located at the base of the brain). Gonadotropins (follicle stimulating hormone or FSH and …

What is thioridazine? What is thioridazine used for? Thioridazine is an oral antipsychotic medication used for the management of schizophrenia. Thioridazine is one of the older, first-generation antipsychotic medications. Examples of other first-generation antipsychotics include: prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro, Procomp) chlorpromazine (Promapar, Thorazine) perphenazine (Trilafon) trifluoperazine (Stelazine) Although the exact mechanism of antipsychotics is unknown, scientists believe that they may work …