What are the uses for colchicine? Colchicine is used for the treatment of acute flares of gout. It also is used for treating FMF in adults and children 4 years of age or older. Other unapproved uses of colchicine include treatment of pseudogout, amyloidosis, and scleroderma. These unapproved uses of colchicine require further evaluation. What …
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Cefprozil (Cefzil) Antibiotic Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What are the uses for cefprozil? Cefprozil is effective against susceptible bacteria causing infections of: the middle ear, tonsils (tonsillitis), throat (pharyngitis), larynx (laryngitis), bronchi (bronchitis), skin and soft tissues, and lungs (pneumonia). What brand names are available for cefprozil? Cefzil Is cefprozil available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for cefprozil? Yes What are the …
Read More »Carisoprodol (Soma) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is carisoprodol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Carisoprodol is an oral muscle relaxant. Its exact mechanism of action is unknown. It may work by altering communication among nerves in parts of the brain that control the sensation of pain and in the spinal cord. The FDA approved carisoprodol in April 1959. What are the uses for …
Read More »Terbutaline (Brethine) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is terbutaline, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Terbutaline is a member of a class of drugs called beta adrenergic receptor agonists (stimulators) that is used for treating asthma and other diseases of the airways. Other drugs in the same class of drugs include albuterol (Proventil), metaproterenol (Alupent), pirbuterol (Maxair), and salmeterol (Serevent). Asthma is a breathing …
Read More »Azulfidine (sulfasalazine) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is Azulfidine? Sulfasalazine is a drug that is used primarily for treating ulcerative colitis. Why is Azulfidine prescribed to patients? Sulfasalazine is used for the treatment of mild to severe ulcerative colitis, and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It has also been used “off label” (unapproved by the FDA) for Crohn’s disease and ankylosing spondylitis. Is Azulfidine available as a …
Read More »azathioprine (Azasan) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is azathioprine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant, that is, a drug that is used to suppress the immune system. It is used to treat patients who have undergone kidney transplantation and for diseases in which modifying the activity of the immune system is important. Azathioprine is a prodrug (a precursor of a …
Read More »Strattera (atomoxetine): ADHD Drug Side Effects & Dosage
What are the uses for atomoxetine? Strattera is used for the treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents and adults. What brand names are available for atomoxetine? Strattera Is atomoxetine available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for atomoxetine? Yes What are the side effects of atomoxetine? The most common side effects of Strattera in children and …
Read More »flurbiprofen (Ansaid) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is flurbiprofen, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Flurbiprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) effective in treating fever, pain, and inflammation in the body. It is similar to ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn), and others. As a group, NSAIDs are non-narcotic relievers of mild to moderate pain of many causes, including injury, menstrual cramps, arthritis, …
Read More »Lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is lovastatin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Lovastatin belongs to a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or, more commonly "statins." Other statins include simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), and rosuvastatin (Crestor). Statins reduce cholesterol by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver (HMG-CoA reductase) that is necessary for the production of cholesterol. In …
Read More »Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) for Weight Loss: Side Effects & Dosage
What are the uses for orlistat? Orlistat is combined with a reduced-calorie diet to promote weight loss. Orlistat also may be used to prevent weight gain after weight has been lost. Candidates for treatment with orlistat are patients who are obese with a body mass index (a measure of obesity) of more than 30 kg/m2. Candidates also include patients with …
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