What is oseltamivir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Oseltamivir is an oral medication used for treating and preventing the “flu.” It is similar to zanamivir (Relenza). Oseltamivir suppresses and decreases the spread of influenza A and B viruses, the viruses responsible for the flu. It does this by blocking the action of …
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Oxazepam (Serax) Use, Side Effects & Dosage
What is oxazepam, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Oxazepam (Serax, Zaxopam) is a member of a class of anti-anxiety medications called benzodiazepines. Other members of the benzodiazepine class include alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clobazam (Onfi), diazepam (Valium), estazolam (Prosom), flurazepam (Dalmane), midazolam (Versed), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), and triazolam (Halcion). It helps relieve anxiety by enhancing the …
Read More »Lotrel (amlodipine/benazepril) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What are the uses for amlodipine and benazepril? Lotrel is used for treating high blood pressure (hypertension) when blood pressure is not adequately controlled with either of its constituent drugs alone. What brand names are available for amlodipine and benazepril? Lotrel Is amlodipine and benazepril available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for amlodipine and benazepril? …
Read More »Exenatide (Byetta): Diabetes Drug Side Effects & Dosage
What is exenatide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Exenatide is an injectable drug that reduces the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. It is used for treating type 2 diabetes. Exenatide belongs in a class of drugs called incretin mimetics because these drugs mimic the effects of incretins. Incretins, such as human-glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), are hormones …
Read More »dalteparin injection (Fragmin) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is dalteparin injection, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Dalteparin is a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) similar to enoxaparin (Lovenox) and tinzaparin. Dalteparin is used to treat or prevent blood clots and their complications (deep vein thrombosis or DVT and pulmonary embolism or PE). Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of blood clots in veins deep …
Read More »Salmeterol (Serevent) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is salmeterol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Asthma is a breathing problem involving narrowing of the airways. Airways are breathing passages that allow air to move in and out of the lungs. In patients with asthma, airways can be narrowed by accumulation of mucus, spasm of the muscles that surround these airways, or swelling of the …
Read More »Imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara) Side Effects & Interactions
What is imiquimod, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Imiquimod is a topical medication that activates the immune system and is used for treating (not curing) genital warts. Although the exact mechanism of action imiquimod is not known, imiquimod is presumed to work by activating immune cells and chemicals that affect the immune the system. The FDA approved …
Read More »Bupropion Extended Release (Forfivo XL) Uses & Side Effects
What is bupropion extended release, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Bupropion hydrochloride is an antidepressant medication that affects chemicals within the brain that nerves use to send messages to each other. (Forfivo XL is an extended release form of bupropion hydrochloride.) Chemical messengers are called neurotransmitters. Many experts believe that depression is caused by an imbalance among …
Read More »isoniazid (Nydrazid, Laniazid) Drug Side Effects & Dosage
What is isoniazid, INH, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Isoniazid is an anti-bacterial drug that has been used to prevent and to treat tuberculosis since 1952. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium. Once the infection is acquired, it usually remains dormant in the lungs for up to many years. Later, the infection may become …
Read More »brimonidine (Alphagan) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is brimonidine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Brimonidine is is an ophthalmic solution used for the treatment of one type of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma. In this type of glaucoma, too much fluid (aqueous humor) is made within the eye and causes high pressures within the eye. The pressure damages the nerves in the eye responsible for …
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