breast cancer

Levaquin vs. Zosyn: What’s the difference? Levaquin (levofloxacin) and Zosyn (piperacillin and tazobactam) are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. Levaquin is used to treat bacterial infections of the sinuses, skin, lungs, ears, airways, bones, and joints; urinary infections; prostatitis; infectious diarrhea caused by E. coli, Campylobacter jejuni, and Shigella; obstetric infections, including mastitis (infection …

Hydroxyzine vs. Xanax: What’s the difference? Hydroxyzine and Xanax (alprazolam) are used to treat anxiety. Hydroxyzine is also used to treat itching caused by various allergic reactions, for inducing sedation prior to or after anesthesia and to treat nausea, vomiting, and alcohol withdrawal. Xanax is also used to treat panic attacks. Hydroxyzine and Xanax belong to different drug classes. Hydroxyzine …

What is attapulgite, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Attapulgite is an oral, nonabsorbed medication that is used in the management of diarrhea. It works by adsorbing (binding) large numbers of bacteria and toxins and reducing the loss of water. Attapulgite reduces the number of bowel movements, improves the consistency of loose or watery stools, and relieves the …

What is metronidazole cream, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Metronidazole cream is a topical preparation (applied to the skin) of the antibiotic metronidazole. It is used for reducing the swelling and redness caused by acne rosacea. The mechanism through which metronidazole cream reduces the symptoms of acne rosacea is not known. The FDA approved metronidazole cream in …

What is heparin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Heparin is a widely used injectable anticoagulant (stops the formation of blood clots). The blood coagulation system is composed of various steps and heparin acts at multiple sites in this process. Heparin prevents blood clots by blocking the action of two of the 12 clot-promoting proteins in blood (factors …

What is hyoscyamine sublingual, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Hyoscyamine is an anticholinergic drug used for treating irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer disease, hypermotility of the lower urinary tract, and gastrointestinal disorders. Anticholinergics work by blocking the action of acetylcholine in the brain and at nerves throughout the body. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are chemicals made …

What is bicalutamide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Bicalutamide is an oral medication that is used for treating cancer of the prostate. It belongs to a class of drugs called anti-androgens which includes flutamide (Eulexin) and nilutamide (Nilandron). Androgens (an example of which is testosterone) are hormones that are produced and released by the adrenal glands. They …

What should I know about hepatitis E (hep E) viral infection? Share Your Story Picture of Hepatitis Virus by Ingram Publishing, Medical RF.com Hepatitis E is a viral infection, which is caused by the hepatitis E virus that usually comes from dirty water. Hep E is uncommon in the U.S., Canada, Northern Europe, and Australia and very uncommon in the …

What is memantine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Memantine is an oral medication for treating patients with Alzheimer's disease. Other medications used for Alzheimer's disease affect acetylcholine, one of the neurotransmitter chemicals that nerve cells in the brain use to communicate with one another. These drugs – galantamine (Razadyne – formerly known as Reminyl), donezepil (Aricept), rivastigmine …

What is cilostazol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Cilostazol is a medication for the treatment of intermittent claudication, a condition caused by narrowing of the arteries that supply the legs with blood. Patients with intermittent claudication develop pain when they walk because not enough oxygen-containing blood reaches the active leg muscles. Cilostazol reduces the pain of intermittent …