Levaquin vs. Zosyn: What’s the difference? Levaquin (levofloxacin) and Zosyn (piperacillin and tazobactam) are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. Levaquin is used to treat bacterial infections of the sinuses, skin, lungs, ears, airways, bones, and joints; urinary infections; prostatitis; infectious diarrhea caused by E. coli, Campylobacter jejuni, and Shigella; obstetric infections, including mastitis (infection …
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 »Hydroxyzine vs. Xanax
Hydroxyzine vs. Xanax: What’s the difference? Hydroxyzine and Xanax (alprazolam) are used to treat anxiety. Hydroxyzine is also used to treat itching caused by various allergic reactions, for inducing sedation prior to or after anesthesia and to treat nausea, vomiting, and alcohol withdrawal. Xanax is also used to treat panic attacks. Hydroxyzine and Xanax belong to different drug classes. Hydroxyzine …
Read More »Attapulgite (Kaopectate) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is attapulgite, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Attapulgite is an oral, nonabsorbed medication that is used in the management of diarrhea. It works by adsorbing (binding) large numbers of bacteria and toxins and reducing the loss of water. Attapulgite reduces the number of bowel movements, improves the consistency of loose or watery stools, and relieves the …
Read More »rifaximin (Xifaxan) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is rifaximin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Rifaximin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic used for treating traveler’s diarrhea and hepatic encephalopathy. It is derived from rifamycin, a naturally occurring chemical produced by a bacterium called Streptomyces mediterranei. Rifaximin is active against Escherichia coli bacterial strains that cause traveler’s diarrhea, preventing growth of the bacteria by preventing them …
Read More »metronidazole (Noritate, Metrocream) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
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 FDA approved metronidazole cream in …
Read More »Memantine (Namenda) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is memantine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Memantine is an oral medication for treating patients with Alzheimer's disease. Other medications used for Alzheimer's disease affect acetylcholine, one of the neurotransmitter chemicals that nerve cells in the brain use to communicate with one another. These drugs – galantamine (Razadyne – formerly known as Reminyl), donezepil (Aricept), rivastigmine …
Read More »mebendazole (Vermox) Side Effects, Dosage & Warnings
What is mebendazole chewable, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Mebendazole is a member of the benzimidazole class of antiparasitic agents, which also includes thiabendazole, albendazole, and triclabendazole. Mebendazole, like other benzimidazoles, causes death of parasites by interfering with the function of tubulin, an important protein in parasites, and preventing glucose uptake. Mebendazole is active against tapeworms, roundworms, …
Read More »Hyoscyamine (Levsin) Side Effects, Weight Gain & Dosage
What is hyoscyamine sublingual, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Hyoscyamine is an anticholinergic drug used for treating irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer disease, hypermotility of the lower urinary tract, and gastrointestinal disorders. Anticholinergics work by blocking the action of acetylcholine in the brain and at nerves throughout the body. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are chemicals made …
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