breast cancer

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 …

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 carbamazepine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Carbamazepine is an anti-seizure medication. Recurrent seizures (epilepsy) are divided into two main categories according to how much of the brain is involved, either partial or generalized epilepsy (which includes petit mal, grand mal, and myoclonic epilepsy). Seizures are called "simple" if there is no loss of consciousness and …

What is dronabinol-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Dronabinol (Marinol) is a man-made compound that contains cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant (Cannabis sativa L). Dronabinol contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in standardized concentrations and does not contain other compounds found in street marijuana that is not approved by the FDA for medical use. Dronabinol activates cannabinoid receptors causing …

What is sulfamethoxazole, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Sulfamethoxazole is an anti- bacterial sulfonamide. It prevents the formation of dihydrofolic acid, a compound that bacteria must be able to make in order to survive. Although it was once a very useful antibiotic, it is almost obsolete as a single agent today due to the development of bacterial …

What is cocaine hydrochloride-topical, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Cocaine is a naturally occurring chemical found in the leaves of Erythroxylum coca or coca plant, which is native to South America. Coca leaves have been used and abused for hundreds of years. Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that directly affects the nervous system, including the …

What is bisoprolol? What is bisoprolol used for? Bisoprolol is 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 to beta receptors on nerves. Bisoprolol belongs to a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents that also includes propranolol …

What is tadalafil, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Tadalafil is an oral drug that is used for treating impotence (the inability to attain or maintain a penile erection) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is in a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors that also includes sildenafil (Viagra) and vardenafil (Levitra). Erection of the penis is …

What is clindamycin? What is clindamycin used for? Clindamycin vaginal cream is indicated for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (formerly referred to as Haemophilus vaginitis, Gardnerella vaginitis, nonspecific vaginitis, Corynebacterium vaginitis, or anaerobic vaginosis) in non-pregnant women. Clindamycin in general is an antibiotic used for treating several other infections as well. It is effective against several types of bacteria such …

Sertraline (Zoloft) vs. Venlafaxine (Effexor): What’s the difference? Sertraline (Zoloft) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are antidepressants used to treat depression, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Sertraline is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Sertraline and venlafaxine belong to different classes of antidepressants. Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) …