Who discovered penicillin? In 1928, Alexander Fleming noted that mold belonging to the genus Penicillium inhibited the growth of bacteria. Fleming called this unknown antibacterial substance penicillin. Ten years later, a group at Oxford University began to investigate penicillin in laboratory mice. Penicillin was hailed as a miracle drug and saved countless lives in World …
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What is norfloxacin? What is norfloxacin used for? Norfloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Other fluoroquinolones include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), and ofloxacin (Floxin). Norfloxacin works by blocking DNA gyrase enzyme, which is responsible for production and repair of bacterial DNA. Blocking of DNA gyrase leads to bacteria death and prevents worsening of infection. Norfloxacin treats infections caused by gram-positive and …
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Haldol (haloperidol) vs. Ativan (lorazepam): What’s the difference? Haloperidol and Ativan (lorazepam) are used to treat different types of psychiatric disorders. Haloperidol is used to treat schizophrenia, acute psychosis, and for tics and vocal utterances of Tourette's syndrome. Ativan is used to manage anxiety disorders, for the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depression, to treat …
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What is polyethylene glycol? What is polyethylene glycol used for? Polyethylene glycol is an osmotic laxative. Polyethylene glycol works by retaining water in the stool, resulting in softer stools and more frequent bowel movements. Polyethylene glycol does not affect glucose and electrolytes in the body. What brand names are available for polyethylene glycol (peg) 3350-oral? Miralax, Glycolax Is polyethylene glycol …
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Digoxin vs. amiodarone: What’s the difference? Digoxin and amiodarone are heart medications used to treat abnormal heart rhythms and congestive heart failure. Digoxin also is used for increasing myocardial contractility in pediatric patients with heart failure. Brand names for digoxin include Lanoxin and Lanoxin Pediatric. Brand names for amiodarone include Cordarone, Nextrone, and Pacerone. Digoxin and amiodarone belong to different …
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What is Valium (diazepam)? Diazepam is an oral medication that is used to treat anxiety. It belongs to the benzodiazepine family of drugs, the same family that includes: alprazolam (Xanax) clonazepam (Klonopin) lorazepam (Ativan) flurazepam (Dalmane) What brand names are available for Valium (diazepam)? Valium, Diastat Acudial, Diastat, and Diazepam Intensol are the brand names for diazepam available in the …
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What is clozapine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Clozapine is an anti-psychotic medication that works by blocking receptors in the brain for several neurotransmitters (chemicals that nerves use to communicate with each other) including dopamine type 4 receptors, serotonin type 2 receptors, norepinephrine receptors, acetylcholine receptors, and histamine receptors. Unlike traditional anti-psychotic agents, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) …
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What is clopidogrel, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix) is an anti-platelet drug, that is, a drug that inhibits the ability of platelets to clump together as part of a blood clot. Clopidogrel prevents blood clots by irreversibly binding to the P2Y12 receptor on platelets, preventing adenosine diphosphate (ADP) from activating platelets. It belongs to …
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What is mycophenolate mofetil? What is mycophenolate mofetil used for? Mycophenolic acid is an immunosuppressive drug. It is indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients receiving kidney, heart, or liver transplants. mycophenolate mofetil should be used concomitantly with cyclosporine and corticosteroids. Mycophenolate mofetil is a prodrug (inactive form) of mycophenolic acid (MPA). Following oral administration, mycophenolate mofetil is …
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What is cefixime, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Cefixime is a semi-synthetic (partially man-made), oral antibiotic in the cephalosporin family of antibiotics. The cephalosporin family includes cephalexin (Keflex), cefaclor (Ceclor), cefuroxime (Zinacef), cefpodoxime (Vantin), cefprozil (Cefzil), and many injectable forms. Like other cephalosporins, cefixime stops bacteria from multiplying by preventing bacteria from forming the walls that surround …
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