What is buspirone (Buspar)? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Buspirone is a medication that is used for the treatment of anxiety. Its mechanism of action is not clearly understood but may involve effects on neurotransmitters, chemicals that nerves use to communicate with one another. Serotonin and dopamine are two of these neurotransmitters. Buspirone …
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What is Flomax (tamsulosin) drug? Flomax (tamsulosin) is an oral drug for the treatment of men who are having difficulty urinating because of enlarged prostates from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Why is Flomax (tamsulosin) prescribed to patients? Flomax is used to treat men who are having problems urinating because of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Flomax is not approved for the …
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What is baclofen, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Baclofen is an oral and injectable medication that relaxes skeletal muscles, the muscles that move the skeleton (and also called striated muscle). Chemically, baclofen is related to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a naturally occurring neurotransmitter in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that nerves use to communicate with one another. GABA …
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What is paroxetine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Paroxetine is an oral drug that is used for treating depression. It is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class that also contains fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), and sertraline (Zoloft). Paroxetine affects neurotransmitters, the chemicals that nerves within the brain use to communicate …
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What is losartan and hydrochlorothiazide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Hyzaar is a combination of losartan (Cozaar) and hydrochlorothiazide and is used for treating high blood pressure. Losartan is an oral medication that belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Other ARBs include irbesartan (Avapro), valsartan (Diovan), and candesartan (Atacand). Angiotensin, formed in …
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What is febuxostat, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Febuxostat is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor used for treating gout caused by excessive levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). Uric acid is formed from the breakdown of certain chemicals (purines) in the body. Hyperuricemia occurs when the body produces more uric acid than it can eliminate. The …
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What is cyclobenzaprine (Amrix, Fexmid, Flexeril)? Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant. Cyclobenzaprine relieves muscle spasm when the spasm is due to local problems, that is, in the muscle itself and not in the nerves controlling the muscles. Cyclobenzaprine has no effect on muscle function. Cyclobenzaprine seems to accomplish its beneficial effect through a complex mechanism within the nervous system, probably …
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What is benzonatate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Benzonatate is a medication taken orally to suppress coughs. It has an anesthetic (numbing) action similar to that of benzocaine and numbs the stretch sensors in the lungs. It is the stretching of these sensors with breathing that causes the cough. Benzonatate begins to work within 15 to 20 …
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What is arnica (Arnica montana)-topical, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Arnica montana is a homeopathic topical pain relief agent. Its mechanism of action is not well known. Arnica preparations have shown wound healing, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and pain relieving properties. Arnica’s actions may be due to two chemicals called helenalin and dihyrdohelenalin. These chemicals may modify the action …
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What is montelukast, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Montelukast is an oral leukotriene receptor antagonist that is used for the treatment of asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Leukotrienes are a group of naturally occurring chemicals in the body that promote inflammation in asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis and in other diseases in which inflammation is …
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