What is famotidine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Famotidine is an oral drug that blocks the production of acid by acid-producing cells in the stomach. It belongs to a class of drugs called H2 (histamine-2) blockers that also includes cimetidine (Tagamet), nizatidine (Axid), and ranitidine (Zantac). Histamine is a naturally-occurring chemical that …
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What is colestipol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Colestipol is an oral cholesterol-lowering drug that is not absorbed from the intestine into the body. Rather, it works by binding to bile acids in the intestine and promoting the elimination of bile acids in the stool. Bile acids are formed in the liver from cholesterol, secreted into bile …
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What is cholestyramine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Cholestyramine is an oral medication that reduces the levels of cholesterol in the blood and improves the itching associated with liver disease. Cholesterol that is ingested or manufactured in the body is eliminated primarily by conversion to bile acids in the liver and excretion into the intestine with bile. …
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What brand names are available for glimepiride? Amaryl Is glimepiride available as a generic drug? GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes Do I need a prescription for glimepiride? Yes What are the uses for glimepiride? Glimepiride is used for controlling blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes in addition to diet and exercise. Management of blood sugar with glimepiride can help decrease …
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What is nifedipine? Nifedipine belongs to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers (CCBs) that are used to treat angina (heart pain), high blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms. Why is nifedipine prescribed to patients? Nifedipine is used for the treatment and prevention of angina resulting from either an increased workload on the heart (as with exercise) or spasm …
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Why is Actos (pioglitazone) prescribed to patients? Actos is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. It is used along with a healthy diabetic diet, regular exercise, weight control, smoking reduction, and careful monitoring of blood glucose. Actos may be used alone or in combination with metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet, Riomet), a drug in a …
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What is risedronate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Risedronate is in a class of drugs called bisphosphonates used for the treatment of Paget's disease of bone (in which the formation of bone is abnormal) and in persons with osteoporosis (in which the density and strength of bones are reduced). Other biphosphonates include the drugs alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate …
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What is tizanidine-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Tizanidine is a skeletal muscle relaxant. It works on alpha2 receptors in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and blocks nerve impulses from reaching muscles which produces muscle relaxation. The FDA approved tizanidine in November 1996. What brand names are available for tizanidine-oral? Zanaflex Is tizanidine-oral available …
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What is oxytocin-injectable, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Oxytocin is a protein produced by the pituitary gland of mammals including man. Pitocin is a man-made version of oxytocin used for stimulating contraction of the uterus. Oxytocin works by increasing the concentration of calcium inside muscle cells that control contraction of the uterus. Increased calcium increases contraction of …
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What is lidocaine injection? Lidocaine is an antiarrhythmic agent (affects heart rhythm) as well as a local anesthetic (amide type). Why is lidocaine injection prescribed to patients? Lidocaine is prescribed for local or regional anesthesia (loss of sensation) during surgical procedures as well as for control of ventricular arrhythmias associated with heart attack or cardiac surgery. Do I need a …
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