What is rivaroxaban, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Xarelto is an oral anticoagulant (blood thinner) that is used to prevent and treat blood clots. Blood clots formed in the heart are dangerous since they can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. Similarly, blood clots formed in the legs or lungs …
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What is octreotide injection, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Octreotide acetate is an injectable medicine that is very similar to the hormone somatostatin, which is naturally produced in the body that has several effects including inhibition of the release of hormones. Octreotide works in a similar fashion as somatostatin, but is degraded more slowly and is a …
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What are the uses for propafenone? Propafenone is an anti-arrhythmic agent approved for use in patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia. Propafenone is also effective in suppressing the recurrence of atrial fibrillation and supra-ventricular tachycardia once normal sinus rhythm has been restored. Propafenone is at least as effective as any other type I agent in converting atrial …
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What is triamcinolone acetonide nasal inhaler-spray, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Triamcinolone acetonide is a synthetic (man-made) corticosteroid. It is administered either as an oral metered-dose inhaler for the treatment of asthma (Azmacort), as a topical preparation for the skin (Kenalog; Aristocort) or as a nasal spray (Nasacort AQ) for relieving symptoms of rhinitis. Corticosteroids are naturally …
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What is minoxidil, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Minoxidil is a drug that is used for treating male-pattern baldness and hair loss in women. Oral minoxidil was originally used for treating high blood pressure, but patients and health care providers noticed that hair growth was a side effect of treatment. This led to the development of topical …
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What is meropenem injection, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Meropenem is an injectable carbapenem antibiotic. It is similar to impenem and cilastin (Primaxin). Meropenem prevents bacteria from forming the walls that surround them. The walls are necessary to protect bacteria from their environment and to keep the contents of the bacterial cell together. Bacteria cannot survive without …
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What is mannitol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Mannitol is a naturally occurring substance that causes the body to lose water (diuresis) through osmosis. Mannitol promotes diuresis in kidneys by increasing the concentration of filtrates in the kidney and blocking reabsorption of water by kidney tubules. The FDA approved mannitol in June 1964. What brand names are …
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What is vardenafil, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Vardenafil is an oral drug that is used to treat impotence, the inability to attain or maintain a penile erection. It has a mechanism of action that is similar to sildenafil (Viagra), and tadalafil (Cialis). Penile erection is caused by the engorgement of the penis with blood. This engorgement …
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What is nadolol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nadolol is a member of a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic receptor blockers that is used for treating high blood pressure and heart pain (angina). Examples of other beta-adrenergic blockers include propanolol (Inderal, Inderal LA), atenolol (Tenormin), and timolol (Blocadren). Norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline) are chemicals released within the …
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What is sulindac, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Sulindac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used for treating pain, fever, and inflammation. Other NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen) as well as others. They work by reducing the levels of prostaglandins, chemicals that are produced by the body and are responsible for pain, …
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