What is shoulder and neck pain? Shoulder pain may be an issue with joints or muscle, or could indicate another systemic problem. Your neck and shoulders contain muscles, bones, nerves, arteries, and veins, as well as many ligaments and other supporting structures. Many conditions can cause pain in the neck and shoulder area. Some are …
Read More »Niemann-Pick Disease Types, Symptoms, Treatments, Life Expectancy
Niemann-Pick disease facts* *Niemann-Pick disease facts medical author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Niemann-Pick disease is classified into types based upon symptoms and genetic causes. Niemann-Pick disease is a genetic disease that leads to the accumulation of fatty products in cells, eventually causing their death. Symptoms of Niemann-Pick disease are related to the type of fatty products that …
Read More »Terconazole (Terazol): Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is terconazole? What is terconazole used for? Terconazole is an anti-fungal cream and suppository used for treating vaginal yeast infections (Candida). It is related to several other anti-fungal drugs including fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), miconazole (Micatin, Monistat), and clotrimazole (Lotrimin). It prevents growth of yeast by preventing production of the membranes that surround the yeast cells. The …
Read More »Tacrolimus (Prograf): Immunosuppressant Side Effects & Dosage
What is tacrolimus? What are the uses for tacrolimus? Tacrolimus, previously known as FK506, is a macrolide immunosuppressant produced by the bacteria Streptomyces tsukubaensis. Tacrolimus is used for the prevention of rejection of transplanted kidneys, liver, or heart. It can be combined with steroids, azathioprine (Imuran Azasan) or mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept). What brand names are available for tacrolimus? Prograf, Astagraf …
Read More »Pravastatin (Pravachol): Statins, Side Effects & Dosage
What is pravastatin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Pravastatin is an oral drug for lowering the cholesterol in the blood that contributes to the formation of plaques in the walls of arteries that obstruct the flow of blood, known as arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Obstruction of the flow of blood to the heart causes heart attacks. Obstruction of …
Read More »Mirabegron (Myrbetriq) for Bladder Problems: Side Effects & Dosage
What are the uses for mirabegron? Mirabegron is a prescription medicine used to treat overactive bladder with symptoms of urgency (a strong need to urinate that is difficult to control), frequency (urinating often), and leakage (accidental urination due to a sudden or uncontrollable urge) in adults. What brand names are available for mirabegron? Myrbetriq Is mirabegron available as a generic …
Read More »Fentanyl Patch (Duragesic): Opioid Side Effects & Withdrawal Symptoms
What is the fentanyl patch? What is the fentanyl patch used for? The fentanyl patch is indicated for the management of pain in opioid-tolerant patients, severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. Patients considered opioid-tolerant are those who are taking, for one week or longer, at least 60 mg of …
Read More »Dobutamine: Heart Drug Side Effects, Dosage & Uses
What is intravenous dobutamine? What is dobutamine used for? Dobutamine is a synthetic catecholamine. Dobutamine injection is indicated when parenteral therapy is necessary for inotropic support in the short-term treatment of adults with cardiac decompensation due to depressed contractility resulting either from organic heart disease or from cardiac surgical procedures. In patients who have atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, …
Read More »bimatoprost (Latisse, Lumigan) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is bimatoprost, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Bimatoprost is a synthetic (man-made) drug that resembles and mimics the effects of natural chemicals (prostaglandins) produced by the body and is used for reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) and increasing the growth of eyelashes. The exact mechanism of action is unknown. Bimatoprost may reduce IOP by increasing the outflow …
Read More »Suprax vs. Augmentin: Antibiotics Side Effects, Dosage, Differences
Suprax (cefixime) vs. Augmentin: What’s the difference? Suprax (cefixime) and Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid) are antibiotics used to treat middle ear infections (otitis media), tonsillitis, throat infections (pharyngitis), laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Suprax is also used to treat gonorrhea and acute bacterial bronchitis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Suprax and Augmentin are …
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