digestion

What Is Hoarseness? Causes, Treatment & Remedies for Raspy Voice

Hoarseness facts Hoarseness or raspy voice is a symptom with a number of different causes. Hoarseness is an abnormal change in the voice. The most common cause of hoarseness is acute laryngitis. The underlying cause of hoarseness can usually be diagnosed by a health care professional based on the patient’s history and physical exam. The …

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Viekira Pak: Hepatitis C Drug Side Effects & Dosage

What is Viekira Pak? What is Viekira Pak used for? Viekira Pak is a combination of drugs used to treat patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1. It contains four medicines, dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir. Viekira Pak belongs to a class of drugs called direct-acting antiviral agents. Similar drugs include boceprevir (Victrelis),  sofosbuvir (Sovaldi), simeprevir (Olysio), telaprevir (Incivek), …

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Harvoni (ledipasvir & sofosbuvir): Hep C Drug Side Effects

What is Harvoni? What is Harvoni used for? Harvoni is an oral tablet containing two drugs used for the treatment of chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), genotype 1 in adults. The components belong to a class of drugs called direct-acting antiviral agents. Similar drugs include boceprevir (Victrelis), sofosbuvir (Sovaldi), simeprevir (Olysio), telaprevir (Incivek), and Viekira Pak (ombitasvir, …

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nizatidine, Axid, Axid AR: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing

What is nizatidine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nizatidine is an oral drug that blocks the action of histamine on stomach cells and reduces their production of acid. It belongs to a class of drugs called H2 blockers that also includes cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and famotidine (Pepcid). Histamine is a naturally-occurring chemical that stimulates stomach cells …

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Epclusa (sofosbuvir & velpatasvir) for Hepatitis C: Side Effects & Dosage

What is sofosbuvir and velpatasvir? What is sofosbuvir and velpatasvir used for? Epclusa is an oral tablet containing two drugs used for the treatment of chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), genotype 1,2,3,4, 5, or 6 in adults. The components belong to a class of drugs called direct-acting antiviral agents. Similar drugs include boceprevir (Victrelis), sofosbuvir (Sovaldi), simeprevir …

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lubiprostone (Amitiza): Constipation Drug, Side Effects & Dosage

What is lubiprostone? What is lubiprostone? Lubiprostone is an oral medication used for the treatment of idiopathic (due to an unknown cause) chronic constipation. Chronic constipation most commonly occurs because of slow transit of stool through the colon that allows too much fluid to be removed from the stool, leading to hard or lumpy stools, abdominal pain or discomfort, and …

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Cortenema (hydrocortisone enema) Side Effects (Weight Gain)

What are the uses for hydrocortisone enema? Hydrocortisone enema is used rectally for the treatment of ulcerative proctitis, inflamed hemorrhoids, and anal itching, burning, and inflammation caused by several conditions that affect the anal area. What brand names are available for hydrocortisone enema? Cortenema Is hydrocortisone enema available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for hydrocortisone …

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ribavirin ( Rebetol, Copegus): Drug Side Effects and Dosage

What is ribavirin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ribavirin is an antiviral drug. It is used in combination with interferon for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Although the exact mechanism of its action is unknown, it is thought to interfere with the production and/or action of viral DNA and RNA which are critical to the survival …

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hyoscyamine, atropine, scopolamine & phenobarbital Dosage, Side Effects

What is hyoscyamine, atropine, scopolamine, phenobarbital, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Belladonna/phenobarbital is an oral medication which combines naturally occurring belladonna alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine [Transderm-Scop], and hyoscyamine) with phenobarbital. It is used for treating abdominal discomfort that is thought to be due to muscular spasm of the intestinal muscles. Belladonna alkaloids block the action of acetylcholine, a …

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Lotronex (Generic: Alosetron) IBS Drug Side Effects and Dosage

What is alosetron, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Alosetron is used to treat diarrhea and abdominal discomfort that occurs in some women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It works in a similar fashion as granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran) and dolasetron (Anzemet) that are used for preventing nausea and vomiting. The discomfort and diarrhea of IBS is believed …

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