What is alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor-injection, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (Prolastin-C) is a prescription medicine used to treat alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. AAT deficiency is a genetic disorder in which abnormally low levels of the protein AAT allow certain enzymes to attack healthy tissues, especially the lungs. Over time, significant …
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Axiron vs. Androgel comparison The active ingredient in both Axiron and Androgel is synthetic testosterone, and both medications consist of topical gel that allows the testosterone to absorb through the skin. Doctors prescribe these drugs to adult males who for some reason, whether a physical condition or a result of aging, are lacking normal testosterone levels. The only difference between …
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What is alefacept, and what is it used for? Alefacept is an injectable drug that suppresses the immune system and is used for the treatment of psoriasis. Scientists believe that psoriasis is caused by an increase in the production of one type of immune cell, T-lymphocytes, in response to the attachment of a stimulant (antigen) to the lymphocyte. The stimulated …
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What is enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide, and what is it used for? Vaseretic is a combination of enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and is used for treating high blood pressure (hypertension). It is in a class of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ACE is an enzyme in the body that causes the formation of angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes the …
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What is dornase alpha, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Dornase alpha is an inhaled drug for treating cystic fibrosis, a lung disease which is the most common fatal genetic disease in developed countries. The lungs continually secrete fluid into the airways to keep them moist. In cystic fibrosis, the fluid becomes thick because the amount of water …
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What is lixisenatide, and how does it work? Lixisenatide is an injectable drug that reduces the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. It is used for the treatment type 2 diabetes and is similar to exenatide (Byetta), liraglutide (Victoza), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and abliglutide (Tanzeum). Lixisenatide belongs in a class of drugs called incretin mimetics because these drugs mimic the …
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What is daclatasvir (Daklinza)? Daclatasvir (Daklinza) is an oral tablet used for the treatment of chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), genotype 1 or 3. It belongs to a class of drugs called direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). Similar drugs include: boceprevir (Victrelis) sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) simeprevir (Olysio) telaprevir (Incivek) Viekira Pak (ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, dasabuvir) ledipasvir and sofosbuvir (Harvoni) …
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What is delavirdine, and what is it used for? Delavirdine is an oral medication that is used for the treatment of infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is similar to efavirenz (Sustiva) and nevirapine (Viramune). Delavirdine is in a class of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors which also includes zalcitabine (Hivid), zidovudine (Retrovir), didanosine (Videx), and lamivudine (Epivir). …
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What is captopril and hydrochlorothiazide, and what is it used for? Capozide is a combination of captopril (Capoten) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and a diuretic (water pill), respectively, and is used in the treatment of high blood pressure. ACE is an enzyme in the body that causes the formation of angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes …
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What is infliximab-dyyb, and how does it work? Infliximab-dyyb is an antibody administered intravenously and is used for treating several chronic inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease, psoriatic arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. It is a biosimilar version of the biologic drug, infliximab (Remicade). Biologic drugs are drugs that are produced by natural, biologic processes, for example, within cells. A biosimilar …
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