breast cancer

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 …

What is hydroxyzine (Vistaril)? Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and sedative properties that is used to treat allergic reactions. What brand names are available for hydroxyzine? Vistaril is the brand name available for hydroxyzine in the US. Atarax and Hy-Pam25, Orgatrax brands have been discontinued and are no longer available in the US. Is hydroxyzine (Vistaril) available as …

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 …

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 indomethacin? How is indomethacin used? Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces fever, pain and inflammation. It is similar to ibuprofen (Motrin) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve). Indomethacin works by reducing the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals that the body produces and which cause the fever and pain that are associated with inflammation. Indomethacin blocks the …

What is triamcinolone dental? How is triamcinolone dental used? Triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% dental paste is a prescription medicine used to treat painful lesions in the mouth. Triamcinolone is commonly used in various conditions and is available in oral, nasal, injectable, topical, ophthalmic injection, and spray preparations. Triamcinolone was first approved by the FDA in 1957. Like other corticosteroids, triamcinolone has …

What is digoxin, and how does it work? Digoxin increases the strength and efficiency of heart contractions, and is useful in the treatment of heart failure and control the rate and rhythm of the heart. It is extracted from the leaves of a plant called digitalis lanata. Digoxin increases the force of contraction of the muscle of the heart by …

What is doxepin? What is doxepin used for? Doxepin belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) that are used primarily to treat depression and anxiety. Other examples of TCAs include amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramin), and several others. Depression is an all-pervasive sense of sadness and gloom. In some patients with depression, an imbalance in levels …

What is docusate-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Docusate is a commonly used non-prescription (OTC or over-the-counter) stool softener used to treat or prevent constipation. Docusate is an anionic surfactant that helps lower the surface tension at the oil-water interface of the stool, and thus allows water and lipids or fats to enter the stool. Consequently, fecal …

What is venlafaxine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Venlafaxine is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used for treating depression. Other drugs in this class include milnacipran (Savella), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq). Venlafaxine affects neurotransmitters, the chemicals that nerves within the brain make and release in order to communicate with one another. Neurotransmitters either …