What is methyldopa? What is methyldopa used for? Methyldopa is an oral medication used to lower blood pressure. Although the exact mechanism of action is not yet understood, methyldopa is thought to lower blood pressure by activating receptors (alpha-2 receptors) in the central nervous system and by reducing the concentration of epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and …

What are stimulants? Stimulants are medications or other compounds (including caffeine, cocaine and nicotine) that stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) in most individuals. Stimulants can be addictive and often are abused. Stimulants have similar effects as amphetamine. They stimulate the brain by increasing the level and effect of the natural neurotransmitters, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain (neurotransmitters are …

What is alteplase (TPA, Activase, Cathflo Activase)? Alteplase is an injectable drug, given directly into a vein, that is used to treat conditions caused by arterial blood clots including heart attacks, strokes, chest pain at rest (unstable angina), blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary thrombosis or embolus), and other less common conditions involving blood clots. What brand names are available …

What should you know about sore throat treatments? Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story Why Your Throat Hurts and How to Cure a Sore Throat Various natural sore throat remedies can be used at home to help soothe sore throat pain and other symptoms. Some of these may be familiar, like drinking warm liquids with honey and lemon juice or …

What is lamotrigine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Lamotrigine is an oral drug that is used primarily for treating seizures. It is chemically unrelated to other anti-seizure drugs. The precise mechanism by which lamotrigine exerts its anti-seizure action is not known. The FDA approved lamotrigine in December 1974. What brand names are available for lamotrigine? Lamictal, Lamictal …

What is metformin and sitagliptin? What is Janumet used for? Janumet is a combination of two drugs, metformin and sitagliptin, that are used for reducing blood glucose (sugar) levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The FDA approved Janumet in March 2007. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It limits blood glucose levels by reducing the amount of …

What is fluoxetine? What are the uses for fluoxetine? Fluoxetine is an oral drug that is used primarily for treating depression. Fluoxetine is also used to treat depression, bulimia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It is also prescribed in combination with olanzapine (Zyprexa) to treat resistant depression and depression associated with bipolar disorder. Fluoxetine is …

What is cimetidine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Cimetidine is a drug that blocks the production of acid by acid-producing cells in the stomach and can be administered orally, IM or IV. It belongs to a class of drugs called H2 (histamine-2) blockers that also includes ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid). Histamine is a naturally-occurring …

What is Gardasil Vaccine (HPV), and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Gardasil is a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Gardasil is a sterile preparation for intramuscular injection and contains purified inactive proteins from HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. The proteins in Gardasil are structural, virus-like proteins (VLP) that resemble the HPV virus. The proteins can activate the …

What is diclofenac, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Diclofenac belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. Other members of this class include ibuprofen (Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve) and several others. NSAIDs work by reducing the production …