What is bisoprolol? What is bisoprolol used for? Bisoprolol is used for treating high blood pressure and heart pain (angina). Bisoprolol prevents the neurotransmitters (chemicals that nerves use to communicate with other nerves), norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline), from binding to beta receptors on nerves. Bisoprolol belongs to a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic receptor blocking …
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What is atenolol? How is atenolol used? Atenolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent that blocks the effects of adrenergic chemicals, for example, adrenaline or epinephrine, released by nerves of the sympathetic nervous system. One of the important function of beta-adrenergic nerves is to stimulate the heart muscle to beat more rapidly. By blocking the stimulation by these nerves, atenolol reduces …
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What is docusate-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Docusate is a commonly used non-prescription (OTC or over-the-counter) stool softener used to treat or prevent constipation. Docusate is an anionic surfactant that helps lower the surface tension at the oil-water interface of the stool, and thus allows water and lipids or fats to enter the stool. Consequently, fecal …
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What are oral anabolic steroids, and how do they work? Anabolic steroids are orally-ingested, synthetic (man-made) drugs that act like testosterone. They cause growth and development of male sexual organs, secondary sex characteristics, and increases in muscle size and strength. What are the uses for these drugs? This class of drugs are used for the treatment of: Delayed puberty in …
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What is doxepin? What is doxepin used for? Doxepin belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) that are used primarily to treat depression and anxiety. Other examples of TCAs include amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramin), and several others. Depression is an all-pervasive sense of sadness and gloom. In some patients with depression, an imbalance in levels …
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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 …
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Zoloft (sertraline) vs. Paxil (paroxetine): What’s the difference? Zoloft (sertraline) and Paxil (paroxetine) are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) type antidepressants used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Zoloft is also used to treat panic disorder. Side effects of Zoloft and Paxil that are similar include drowsiness/sleepiness, sleep …
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Sertraline (Zoloft) vs. Venlafaxine (Effexor): What’s the difference? Sertraline (Zoloft) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are antidepressants used to treat depression, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Sertraline is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Sertraline and venlafaxine belong to different classes of antidepressants. Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) …
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Plavix (clopidogrel) vs. Coumadin (warfarin): What’s the difference? Clopidogrel and warfarin are blood thinners used to prevent blood clots. A brand name for clopidogrel is Plavix. Brand names for warfarin include Coumadin and Jantoven. Side effects of clopidogrel and warfarin that are similar include increased bleeding, rash, and diarrhea. Side effects of clopidogrel that are different from warfarin include itching, …
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Zoloft (sertraline) vs. Cymbalta (duloxetine): What’s the difference? Zoloft (sertraline) and Cymbalta (duloxetine) are antidepressants used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Zoloft is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Cymbalta is also used to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. …
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