What is levothyroxine sodium, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Levothyroxine is a synthetic (man-made) version of the principle thyroid hormone, thyroxine (T4) that is made and released by the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone increases the metabolic rate of cells of all tissues in the body. In the fetus and newborn, thyroid hormone …
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What is Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen)? Oxycodone is a strong narcotic pain-reliever and cough suppressant similar to morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone. Is Percocet available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for Percocet? Yes Why is Percocet prescribed to patients? Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen) is prescribed for the relief of moderate to moderately severe pain. QUESTION Medically speaking, the …
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What is lorazepam (Ativan)? How does it work? Lorazepam (Ativan) is thought that excessive activity of nerves in the brain may cause anxiety and other psychological disorders. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that nerves in the brain use to send messages to one another that reduces the activity of nerves in the brain. It is thought that …
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What is carvedilol? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Carvedilol is used for treating high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It is related to labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate). Carvedilol blocks receptors of the adrenergic nervous system, the system of nerves in which adrenalin (epinephrine) is active. Nerves from the adrenergic system enter the heart and release an adrenergic chemical …
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What is sodium oxybate (Xyrem), and how does it work? Limitations of Use Xyrem may only be dispensed to patients enrolled in the Xyrem Success Program Cataplexy in Narcolepsy Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution is indicated for the treatment of cataplexy in narcolepsy. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Narcolepsy Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution is indicated for the treatment of excessive …
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Leishmaniasis facts Leishmaniasis is on the World Health Organization's list of "neglected tropical diseases." A parasite that spreads to humans through the bite of infected Phlebotomus sand flies causes leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis occurs in several temperate and tropical countries of Central and South America (New World), the Middle East, East Africa, and East Asia (Old World). In other regions, such as …
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What is lapatinib (Tykerb), and how is it used? Tykerb is indicated in combination with: capecitabine for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer whose tumors overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and who have received prior therapy including an anthracycline, a taxane, and trastuzumab. Limitation of Use: Patients should have disease progression on trastuzumab …
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What is Technivie (ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir), and what is it used for? Technivie is a prescription medicine used with ribavirin to treat adults with genotype 4 chronic (lasting a long time) hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection without cirrhosis or with a certain type of cirrhosis (compensated). You should also read the Medication Guide for ribavirin. Technivie can be used …
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What is enfuvirtide (Fuzeon), and what is it used for? Fuzeon in combination with other antiretroviral agents is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients with evidence of HIV-1 replication despite ongoing antiretroviral therapy. This indication is based on results from two controlled studies of 48 weeks duration. Subjects enrolled were treatment-experienced adults; many had advanced disease. …
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What is etravirine (Intelence), and what is it used for? Intelence, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, is indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in antiretroviral treatment-experienced patients ages 2 years and older, who have evidence of viral replication and HIV-1 strains resistant to a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) and other antiretroviral agents. …
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