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 …
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What are the uses for finasteride-oral (hair growth)? : Finasteride (Propecia) is used for the treatment of male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia in males only. What brand names are available for finasteride-oral (hair growth)? Propecia (for male hair growth) Is finasteride-oral (hair growth) available as a generic drug? Is finasteride-oral (hair growth) available as a generic drug? GENERIC AVAILABLE: …
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What is benzoyl peroxide? Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medication used for treating acne (pimples). It is active against Propionibacterium acnes, a bacterium which has been associated with acne. Why is benzoyl peroxide used? Benzoyl peroxide is used for the treatment of acne. Is benzoyl peroxide available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for benzoyl peroxide? …
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What is clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide is a combination of an antibiotic, clindamycin, and benzoyl peroxide, another drug that has antibacterial effects. Clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide is used topically (applied to the skin) for the treatment of pimples (acne). Both agents are active against Propionibacterium acnes, a bacterium which has been …
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What is pimecrolimus, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Pimecrolimus is a chemical that is used to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema). Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by redness, itching, scaling, and inflammation of the skin. The cause of atopic dermatitis is not known; however, scientists believe that it may be due to activation of the immune …
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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 …
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What is Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine), and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Zoster vaccine contains live, attenuated (weakened) varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Varicella-zoster causes chickenpox and then becomes dormant in nerves. VZV reactivates and causes herpes zoster (shingles or zoster) later in life (usually 60 years of age or older) when immunity against VZV declines. Zoster vaccine stimulates …
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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 …
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What is griseofulvin tablet, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Griseofulvin is an oral antibiotic that is used to treat fungal infections of the skin, body, hair/beard, or nails. Griseofulvin prevents fungal cells from dividing and multiplying. Griseofulvin also is deposited in keratin cells on the surface of the skin making it difficult for fungus to invade the …
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What is minoxidil, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Minoxidil is a drug that is used for treating male-pattern baldness and hair loss in women. Oral minoxidil was originally used for treating high blood pressure, but patients and health care providers noticed that hair growth was a side effect of treatment. This led to the development of topical …
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