Clopidogrel vs. Xarelto: What’s the difference? Clopidogrel and Xarelto (rivaroxaban) are blood thinners used for preventing strokes, heart attacks, and death in individuals who have had a previous stroke, unstable angina, heart attack, or have peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Xarelto is also used to treat and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and …
Read More »Canagliflozin (Invokana): Diabetes Drug Side Effects & Dosage
What is canagliflozin? What is canagliflozin used for? Canagliflozin is an oral drug that reduces blood sugar (glucose) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is a new type of diabetes medication in a class of medications called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Under normal conditions, glucose is filtered out of the blood and into the kidney tubules as …
Read More »fluticasone furoate/vilanterol (Breo Ellipta): Uses & Side Effects
What is Breo Ellipta? What is Breo Ellipta used for? Breo Ellipta for oral inhalation is a combination of fluticasone and vilanterol and is used for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fluticasone is a man-made steroid of the glucocorticoid family which is related to the naturally-occurring steroid hormone, cortisol or hydrocortisone, produced by the adrenal glands. Glucocorticoid steroids have …
Read More »Suprax (cefixime) vs. Rocephin (ceftriaxone): Side Effects, Dosage
Suprax (cefixime) vs. Rocephin (ceftriaxone): What’s the difference? Suprax (cefixime) and Rocephin (ceftriaxone) are cephalosporin antibiotics used to treat infections of the middle ear (otitis media), tonsillitis, throat infections (pharyngitis), laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and gonorrhea. Suprax is also used to treat acute bacterial bronchitis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Rocephin is also used …
Read More »Suprax vs. cefpodoxime: Antibiotics Side Effects, Dosage, Uses
Suprax (cefixime) vs. cefpodoxime: What’s the difference? Suprax (cefixime) and cefpodoxime proxetil are cephalosporin antibiotics used to treat infections of the middle ear (otitis media), tonsillitis, throat infections (pharyngitis), laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Suprax and cefpodoxime are also used to treat gonorrhea and acute bacterial bronchitis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Suprax is …
Read More »Pygeum (Pygeum africanum): Prostate Herb Facts & Effectiveness
What is pygeum (Pygeum africanum), and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Prunus africanum is a natural herbal supplement. Prunus africanum contains triterpenes, ferulic acid and phytosterols. Ferulic acid lowers prostatic cholesterol levels and phytosterols block prostaglandin synthesis, leading to reduced pain and inflammation. Triterpenes also blocks enzymes responsible for destruction of connective tissues, leading to possible improvement in …
Read More »penicillin V: Antibiotic Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is penicillin V? What are the uses for penicillin V (phenoxymethyl penicillin)? Penicillin V is effective for treatment of laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and soft tissue and skin infections caused by susceptible bacteria. It also is used for preventing recurrence of rheumatic fever and chorea (a disorder of uncontrolled movement of the body). Only mild to moderate infections are treated …
Read More »vitexagnus castus (Chaste Tree): Menstrual Herb Uses & Side Effects
What is chaste tree (Vitexagnus castus), and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Chaste tree is shrub. The dried ripe fruit is used as a natural herbal supplement. Although exact mechanism is not known, Chaste tree presumably works by decreasing follicle-stimulating hormone release. Lowering of follicle-stimulating hormones increases progesterone-to-estrogen ratio, giving relief from menstrual and menopausal symptoms. What brand …
Read More »Nitazoxanide (Alinia): Diarrhea Medication Side Effects & Dosage
What is nitazoxanide tablet, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nitazoxanide is an oral medication that prevents growth of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum. Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum are protozoans that cause diarrhea. Nitazoxanide works by interfering with the conversion of chemicals to energy in protozoal cells. The FDA approved nitazoxanide on July 21, 2004. What brand …
Read More »alfuzosin (Uroxatral) for BPH in Men: Side Effects & Dosage
What is alfuzosin? What are the uses for alfuzosin? Alfuzosin is used in adult men to treat slow urination due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Most men experience an improvement in urination in 2 to 3 weeks. The symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) such as urinary frequency, nocturia, weak stream, hesitancy and incomplete emptying are related to two components, …
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