Protopic ointment vs. triamcinolone: What’s the difference? Protopic ointment (acrolimus) and triamcinolone are used to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema). Triamcinolone is also used to relieve skin inflammation, itching, dryness, and redness caused by a number of conditions such as allergic reactions and psoriasis. Protopic ointment is an immunosuppressive and triamcinolone is a corticosteroid. Side effects …
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What is sodium iodide I 131, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Sodium iodide I 131 is an oral medication used to treat hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) and some cases of thyroid cancer. It falls under the category of an anti-thyroid drug but differs from the other anti-thyroid drugs, propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (Tapazole), because it is radioactive. …
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Protopic ointment vs. hydrocortisone: What’s the difference? Protopic ointment (acrolimus) and hydrocortisone are topical drugs (for the skin) used to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema). Hydrocortisone is also used for the relief of itching and inflammation caused by a wide variety of skin conditions (for example, insect bites and allergic reactions). Protopic Ointment and hydrocortisone belong to different drug classes. Protopic …
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What is alosetron, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Alosetron is used to treat diarrhea and abdominal discomfort that occurs in some women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It works in a similar fashion as granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran) and dolasetron (Anzemet) that are used for preventing nausea and vomiting. The discomfort and diarrhea of IBS is believed …
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What is bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ziac is a combination product containing bisoprolol (Zebeta) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Bisoprolol is a beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent used for treating high blood pressure and heart pain (angina). Bisoprolol prevents the neurotransmitters (chemicals that nerves use to communicate with other nerves), norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline), from binding …
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What is hyoscyamine, atropine, scopolamine, phenobarbital, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Belladonna/phenobarbital is an oral medication which combines naturally occurring belladonna alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine [Transderm-Scop], and hyoscyamine) with phenobarbital. It is used for treating abdominal discomfort that is thought to be due to muscular spasm of the intestinal muscles. Belladonna alkaloids block the action of acetylcholine, a …
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Nitrates vs. phosphates: What’s the difference? Nitrates are vasodilators used to treat or prevent heart pain (angina, chest pain) caused by heart disease, usually of the arteries in the heart. Phosphates are laxatives used to clean out the intestines before a colonoscopy. Examples of nitrates include nitroglycerin sublingual tablet (Nitrostat), nitroglycerin lingual aerosol (Nitromist), nitroglycerin pumpspray (Nitrolingual Pumpspray), nitroglycerin transdermal …
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What is aurothiomalate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Gold sodium thiomalate is a gold-containing chemical (salt) used in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Other gold salts available include injectable aurothioglucose (Solganal) and oral auranofin (Ridaura). It is not well understood exactly how gold salts work. In patients with inflammatory arthritis, such as adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, gold salts …
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What is betaxolol ophthalmic, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Betaxolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent that is used for the treatment of glaucoma. When taken by mouth, betaxolol and other beta-adrenergic blocking agents act mainly by blocking the action of the sympathetic (adrenergic) nervous system, for example, on the heart. In addition to its effect on the …
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What is chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride and clidinium bromide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride and clidinium bromide (Librax) combines the anti-anxiety action of chlordiazepoxide and the antispasmodic effects of clidinium. It also blocks the acid secretion of the gastrointestinal tract and inhibits the action of nerves that are very active in certain diseases. The FDA classifies the …
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