What is rosiglitazone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Rosiglitazone is an oral drug that reduces the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. It is used for treating patients with type 2 diabetes and is in a class of anti-diabetic drugs called thiazolidinediones. The other member of this class is pioglitazone (Actos). …
Read More »
What is olsalazine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Olsalazine is an oral medication that works as an anti-inflammatory drug for treating inflammatory diseases of the colon. It is a derivative of salicylic acid. Inactive itself, it is converted by the bacteria in the colon to its active form, mesalamine. Following oral administration very little of the olsalazine …
Read More »
What is tobramycin and dexamethasone? How does it work (mechanism of action)? TOBRADEX® ST (tobramycin / dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension 0.3%/0.05%) ophthalmic suspension is indicated for steroid-responsive inflammatory ocular conditions for which a corticosteroid is indicated and where superficial bacterial ocular infection or a risk of bacterial ocular infection exists. Ocular steroids are indicated in inflammatory conditions of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea and anterior segment of the globe where the inherent risk of …
Read More »
What is zanamivir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Zanamivir is an inhaled drug that is used for treating and preventing influenza (the "flu"). Zanamivir decreases the spread of influenza A and B viruses, the viruses responsible for the flu. It does this by blocking the action of neuraminidase, an enzyme produced by the viruses that enables the …
Read More »
What is tocilizumab, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Tocilizumab is an injectable synthetic (man-made) protein that binds to interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the body and blocks the effects of IL-6 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation is the body's reaction to injury and is a necessary process for the repair of injury. IL-6 is a protein that the …
Read More »
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan definition and facts Readers Comments 17 Share Your Story Picture: A medical technician prepares a patient for an MRI to check for a possible brain tumor Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI scanning uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images of body structures. MRI scanning is painless and does not involve x-ray radiation. …
Read More »
What are sexual problems in men? Sexual problems in men also affect their partners. Sexual health is an important part of a man's life, no matter his age, civil status, or sexual orientation. It is also an important part of a couple's foundation and contributes to the quality of life. Sexual problems in men are very common and impact sexual …
Read More »
Rhabdomyolysis facts What Is Rhabdomyolysis? Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid destruction of skeletal muscle resulting in leakage into the urine of the muscle protein myoglobin. Rhabdomyolysis has many causes. Medications can cause muscle injury and rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis can cause muscle pain and weakness. Blood levels of muscle enzymes, including CPK, SGOT, SGPT, and LDH, as well as blood and urine myoglobin …
Read More »
What is omalizumab? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Omalizumab is an injectable drug that is used for treating asthma. Omalizumab is a protein that resembles one type of human antibody. Antibodies are proteins produced by the body that recognize foreign substances such as bacteria (that cause infection) and pollens (that cause allergies). Once they recognize a foreign substance, …
Read More »
Malaria facts Picture of Malaria Precautions by Sleeping Under Mosquito Nets Treated with Insecticide More than 215 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide in 2016. The World Health Organization estimates that 445,000 people died of malaria in 2016; the vast majority are young children in sub-Saharan Africa. Although this is a significant decrease in deaths since 2000 due to increased …
Read More »
