Nitrofurantoin vs. Ciprofloxacin: What’s the difference? Nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) are antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). Ciprofloxacin is also used to treat other bacterial infections including infections of the skin, lungs or airways, bones, and joints, infectious diarrheas, anthrax patients with fever and low white blood cell counts and intra-abdominal infections, typhoid …

Nitrofurantoin vs. Cephalexin: What’s the difference? Nitrofurantoin and cephalexin are antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). Cephalexin is also used to treat middle ear infections (otitis media), tonsillitis, throat infections, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, skin infections, and bone infections. Brand names of nitrofurantoin include Macrobid, Macrodantin, and Furadantin. Brand names of cephalexin include Keflex and Daxbia. Side effects of …

Nitrofurantoin vs. Bactrim: What’s the difference? Nitrofurantoin and Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) are antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). Bactrim is also used to treat other types of bacterial infections including flares of chronic bronchitis due to bacteria, middle ear infections, for prevention of infections due to pneumococcus in organ transplant recipients, for the treatment or prevention of …

What is sitagliptin? What is sitagliptin used for? Sitagliptin is an oral drug that reduces blood sugar (glucose) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Sitagliptin is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise. Sitagliptin should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, as it would not be effective in …

What is etanercept? What is etanercept used for? Etanercept is an injectable drug that is used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis. It works by blocking tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). Other drugs that block TNF alpha include adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), golimumab (Simponi), and infliximab (Remicade). TNF alpha is a protein that the …

Zoloft (sertraline) vs. Wellbutrin (bupropion): What’s the difference? Zoloft (sertraline) and Wellbutrin (bupropion) are antidepressants used to treat depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Zoloft is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Wellbutrin is also used to treat seasonal affective disorder. Off-label uses for Wellbutrin include anxiety, attention deficit …

Nitrofurantoin vs. amoxicillin: What’s the difference? Nitrofurantoin and amoxicillin are antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). Amoxicillin is also used to treat bacterial infections of the middle ear, tonsils, throat, larynx (laryngitis), bronchi (bronchitis), lungs (pneumonia), and skin. It is also used to treat gonorrhea. Brand names of nitrofurantoin include Macrobid, Macrodantin, and Furadantin. A brand name of …

What is meloxicam, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Meloxicam is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are used to treat pain and/or inflammation. Other members of this class include ibuprofen (Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen) and several others. Prostaglandins are chemicals that contribute to inflammation especially within joints, and it is the …

What is linaclotide (Linzess)? What is linaclotide used for? Linaclotide is an oral medication for the treatment of constipation. It is the first in a new class of drugs called guanylate cyclase-C agonists. It is used for relieving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation and for treating chronic constipation of unknown cause (idiopathic constipation). Linaclotide works locally in …

What is oral levonorgestrel, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Levonorgestrel (Plan B) is emergency contraception (commonly called the morning after pill) that is used as backup contraception to prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex or when birth control fails. Levonorgestrel is a progestin. Progestins are hormones used in many birth control pills. Although …