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Tacrolimus (Prograf): Immunosuppressant Side Effects & Dosage

What is tacrolimus? What are the uses for tacrolimus? Tacrolimus, previously known as FK506, is a macrolide immunosuppressant produced by the bacteria Streptomyces tsukubaensis. Tacrolimus is used for the prevention of rejection of transplanted kidneys, liver, or heart. It can be combined with steroids, azathioprine (Imuran Azasan) or mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept). What brand names are …

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Pravastatin (Pravachol): Statins, Side Effects & Dosage

What is pravastatin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Pravastatin is an oral drug for lowering the cholesterol in the blood that contributes to the formation of plaques in the walls of arteries that obstruct the flow of blood, known as arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Obstruction of the flow of blood to the heart causes heart attacks. Obstruction of …

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Mirabegron (Myrbetriq) for Bladder Problems: Side Effects & Dosage

What are the uses for mirabegron? Mirabegron is a prescription medicine used to treat overactive bladder with symptoms of urgency (a strong need to urinate that is difficult to control), frequency (urinating often), and leakage (accidental urination due to a sudden or uncontrollable urge) in adults. What brand names are available for mirabegron? Myrbetriq Is mirabegron available as a generic …

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Fentanyl Patch (Duragesic): Opioid Side Effects & Withdrawal Symptoms

What is the fentanyl patch? What is the fentanyl patch used for? The fentanyl patch is indicated for the management of pain in opioid-tolerant patients, severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. Patients considered opioid-tolerant are those who are taking, for one week or longer, at least 60 mg of …

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Dobutamine: Heart Drug Side Effects, Dosage & Uses

What is intravenous dobutamine? What is dobutamine used for? Dobutamine is a synthetic catecholamine. Dobutamine injection is indicated when parenteral therapy is necessary for inotropic support in the short-term treatment of adults with cardiac decompensation due to depressed contractility resulting either from organic heart disease or from cardiac surgical procedures. In patients who have atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, …

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bimatoprost (Latisse, Lumigan) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage

What is bimatoprost, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Bimatoprost is a synthetic (man-made) drug that resembles and mimics the effects of natural chemicals (prostaglandins) produced by the body and is used for reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) and increasing the growth of eyelashes. The exact mechanism of action is unknown. Bimatoprost may reduce IOP by increasing the outflow …

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Suprax vs. Augmentin: Antibiotics Side Effects, Dosage, Differences

Suprax (cefixime) vs. Augmentin: What’s the difference? Suprax (cefixime) and Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid) are antibiotics used to treat middle ear infections (otitis media), tonsillitis, throat infections (pharyngitis), laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Suprax is also used to treat gonorrhea and acute bacterial bronchitis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Suprax and Augmentin are …

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Suprax vs. azithromycin: Antibiotics Side Effects, Dosage, Uses

Suprax (cefixime) vs. azithromycin: What’s the difference? Suprax (cefixime) and azithromycin are antibiotics used to treat middle ear infections (otitis media), tonsillitis, throat infections (pharyngitis), laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), gonorrhea, and acute bacterial bronchitis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Suprax and azithromycin are different types of antibiotics. Suprax is a cephalosporin antibiotic and azithromycin …

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Ropinorole (Requip): Parkinson’s Drug Side Effects & Dosage

What is ropinirole? What is ropinirole used for? Ropinorole is an anti-Parkinson's medication. Ropinorole works by binding to dopamine receptors in the brain. Ropinorole stimulates the dopamine receptors and improves symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The FDA approved ropinirole in September 1997. It is also a treatment for Restless legs syndrome (RLS ). What brand names are available for ropinirole? Requip, …

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Rasagiline (Azilect): Parkinson’s Drug Side Effects & Dosage

What is rasagiline? What is rasagiline used for? Rasagiline is an oral drug that is used for treating Parkinson's disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO) that also includes selegiline and tranylcypromine. Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that breaks down serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, tyramine and similar chemicals that serve as neurotransmitters, chemicals that nerves …

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