What is Primsol (trimethoprim) and how does it work? Primsol is a synthetic (man-made) antibiotic that interferes with the production of tetrahydrofolic acid, a chemical that is necessary in order for bacteria and human cells to produce proteins. Trimethoprim inhibits production of tetrahydrofolic acid by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for making tetrahydrofolic acid from dihydrofolic …
Read More »pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax 23) Uses & Side Effects
What is pneumococcal vaccine-injection, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Pneumococcal vaccine is used for prevention of pneumonia. This pneumococcal vaccine contains chemicals (polysaccharides) extracted from 23 types of Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria. Upon injecting pneumococcal vaccine, our body recognizes these chemical as foreign and produces antibodies to destroy the chemicals. Antibodies are blood protein that help the body …
Read More »ketoprofen (Orudis) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is ketoprofen, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ketoprofen is an oral drug that belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other members of this class include ibuprofen (Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve) and many others. These drugs are used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. They work …
Read More »imipramine, Tofranil, Tofranil-PM: Drug Facts
What is imipramine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Imipramine is an antidepressant medication of the tricyclic class. Medications in this class are often referred to as tricyclic antidepressants or TCAs. Depression is defined as an all-pervasive sense of sadness and gloom. In patients with depression, abnormal levels of chemicals in the brain (called neurotransmitters) may be the …
Read More »Evista (raloxifene) for Osteoporosis: Side Effects & Dosage
What are the uses for raloxifene? Evista is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. Supplemental vitamin D should be added to the diet if daily intake is not adequate. What brand names are available for raloxifene? Evista Is raloxifene available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for raloxifene? Yes What are …
Read More »eflornithine (Vaniqa) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is eflornithine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Eflornithine is the first topical drug (used on the skin) for the treatment of unwanted facial and chin hair. It does not remove the hair but rather slows its growth. The cells surrounding the base of each hair (called the hair follicle) undergo rapid growth and maturation as they …
Read More »clindamycin vaginal cream (Cleocin) Side Effects & Dosage
What is clindamycin phosphate-vaginal cream, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Clindamycin is an antibiotic used for treating serious infections. It is effective against several types of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Propionibacterium acnes. It reduces growth of bacteria by interfering with their ability to make proteins. The FDA approved clindamycin for …
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. …
Read More »calcitriol (Rocaltrol) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is calcitriol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Calcitriol is a synthetic (man-made) active form of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). It is used to treat and prevent low levels of calcium in the blood of patients who have kidney disease or problems with their parathyroid gland, the gland that controls the amount of calcium in blood through its …
Read More »Bumetanide (Bumex) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is bumetanide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Bumetanide is a potent diuretic (water pill) that causes a profound increase in urine output (diuresis) by preventing the kidney from retaining fluid. Specifically, it blocks the reabsorption of sodium and fluid from the kidney's tubules. It is in a class of diuretics called "loop" diuretics which also includes …
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