What are bile acid sequestrants? Bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite), colestipol (Colestid, Flavored Colestid ), and colesevelam (Welchol) are medications for lowering LDL cholesterol in conjunction with diet modification. How do bile acid sequestrants work? Bile acid sequestrants bind bile acids in the intestine and increase the excretion of bile acids in …
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Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms & Supplement Side Effects
What is vitamin D-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Vitamin D is a necessary vitamin for the growth and development of bones. Vitamin D is commonly known as ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3). Vitamin D2 and D3 are broken down to their active form, calcitriol, in the body. Calcitriol works by increasing absorption of calcium …
Read More »Folic Acid: Click for Uses, Side Effects and Dosage
What is oral folic acid? How is oral folic acid used? Folic acid and folate are water-soluble forms of vitamin B9 that is naturally found in many of the foods we eat. Folate occurs naturally in food while folic acid is the man-made form of this important vitamin. Common dietary sources of folate include green leafy vegetables, fruits and fruit …
Read More »Ketoconazole Cream vs. Nystatin: Antifungal Drug Uses & Side Effects
Ketoconazole cream vs. nystatin: What’s the difference? Ketoconazole cream and nystatin are antifungal medications prescribed to treat different types of fungal infections. Ketoconazole cream is a topical (for the skin) medication used to treat ringworm, jock itch, athlete's foot, dandruff, and tinea versicolor. Nystatin is an oral anti-fungal medication used to treat intestinal candidiasis. Brand names for ketoconazole include Nizoral, …
Read More »Ativan (lorazepam) vs. Librium (chlordiazepoxide): Uses, Side Effects, Dosage
Ativan (lorazepam) vs. Librium (chlordiazepoxide): What’s the difference? Ativan (lorazepam) and Librium (chlordiazepoxide) are benzodiazepines used to manage anxiety disorders, before anesthesia for sedation, and to prevent and treat alcohol withdrawal. Ativan is also used for the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depression, to treat panic attacks, short-term and long-term treatment of insomnia, in combination …
Read More »Doxycycline vs. Levaquin (levofloxacin)
Doxycycline vs. Levaquin: What’s the difference? Doxycycline and Levaquin (levofloxacin) are antibiotics used to treat many different types of bacterial infections. Brand names for doxycycline include Vibramycin, Oracea, Adoxa, Atridox, Acticlate, Acticlate Cap, Doryx, Doxteric, Doxy, and Monodox. Doxycycline and Levaquin are different types of antibiotics. Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic and Levaquin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Side effects of …
Read More »Levaquin (levofloxacin) vs. Keflex (cephalexin)
Levaquin vs. Keflex: What’s the difference? Levaquin (levofloxacin) and Keflex (cephalexin) are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections of the sinuses, skin, lungs, ears, airways, bones, joints and urinary tract. Levaquin (levofloxacin) is also used to treat prostatitis; infectious diarrhea caused by E. coli, Campylobacter jejuni, and Shigella; obstetric infections, including mastitis (infection of the breast); inhalational anthrax exposure; and …
Read More »Cefdinir (Omnicef) vs. Cefpodoxime (Vantin)
Cefdinir vs. Cefpodoxime: What’s the difference? Cefdinir and cefpodoxime are cephalosporin antibiotics used to treat a variety of infections. The brand name for cefdinir called Omnicef and the brand name for cefpodoxime called Vantin are discontinued in the U.S. Side effects of cefdinir and cefpodoxime that are similar include diarrhea or loose stools, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, skin rash, vaginal …
Read More »Oral Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) Side Effects & Dosage
What is cyanocobalamin tablets, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Cyanocobalamin or vitamin B12 is an essential B-vitamin that is classified as a water-soluble vitamin. Food sources of vitamin B12 include fish, shellfish, meats, and dairy products. Vitamin B12 is necessary for growth, reproduction of cells (for example, production of red blood cells, and the production of myelin …
Read More »Ciprofloxacin Eye Drops (Ciloxan) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is ciprofloxacin-ophthalmic drops, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections. Ciprofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics which includes levofloxacin (Levaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), gatifloxacin (Tequin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), and others. Ciprofloxacin interferes with bacterial DNA uncoiling and replication, which ultimately leads to bacterial cell death. …
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