What is simethicone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Simethicone is an anti-gas (anti-flatulence) medication. It acts in the stomach and intestines to change the surface tension of gas bubbles, enabling their breakdown and the formation of larger bubbles. In this way it is believed that gas can be eliminated more easily by …
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Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen) vs. Lortab (hydrocodone/acetaminophen) review Percocet and Lortab are combination prescription medications used to manage moderate to severe pain. Percocet is a combination of oxycodone (a narcotic pain reliever) and acetaminophen (a non-narcotic pain reliever and fever reducer). Lortab is a combination of hydrocodone (a narcotic pain reliever) and acetaminophen used to relieve mild to moderate pain, fever, inflammation, …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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Zoloft (sertraline) vs. Paxil (paroxetine): What’s the difference? Zoloft (sertraline) and Paxil (paroxetine) are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) type antidepressants used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Zoloft is also used to treat panic disorder. Side effects of Zoloft and Paxil that are similar include drowsiness/sleepiness, sleep …
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