What is methocarbamol-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Methocarbamol is a skeletal muscle relaxant with sedative effects. The exact mechanism of how methocarbamol works is not known. Methocarbamol is presumed to work by depressing the central nervous system, leading to relaxation of muscles. The FDA approved methocarbamol in July 1957. What brand …
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What is lidocaine patch-topical, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Lidocaine is an amide-type, local anesthetic medication available in a patch form. Lidocaine, like other local anesthetics causes a loss of sensation by reducing the flow of sodium in and out nerves to decrease the initiation and transfer of nerve signals. The FDA approved lidocaine patch in March …
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What is Haldol (haloperidol)? Haldol (haloperidol) is an antipsychotic medication. It also is used to control tics and vocal utterances that are part of Tourette’s syndrome. Is Haldol (haloperidol) available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for Haldol (haloperidol)? Yes Why is Haldol (haloperidol) prescribed to patients? Haldol is used for treating schizophrenia, acute psychosis, and …
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What facts should I know about drug interactions? Whenever two or more drugs are being taken, there is a chance that there will be an interaction among the drugs. The interaction may increase or decrease the effectiveness of the drugs or their side effects. The likelihood of drug interactions increases as the number of drugs being taken increases. Therefore, people …
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What is diphenoxylate and atropine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Lomotil is a combination of two drugs, diphenoxylate and atropine. It is used to treat acute diarrhea (diarrhea of limited duration). Diphenoxylate is a man-made narcotic chemically related to meperidine (Demerol). Like other narcotics, diphenoxylate reduces diarrhea by interfering with the propulsion of intestinal contents through the …
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What is ezetimibe, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ezetimibe is an oral drug that is used for the treatment of elevated blood cholesterol. The most commonly used class of drugs for lowering cholesterol levels, the statins, act by preventing the production of cholesterol by the liver. Ezetimibe has a different mechanism of action and lowers blood cholesterol …
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What is esomeprazole, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Esomeprazole is in a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) which block the production of acid by the stomach. Other drugs in the same class include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex) and pantoprazole (Protonix). Chemically, esomeprazole is very similar to omeprazole. Proton pump inhibitors are used …
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What is oral ephedrine? Ephedrine directly stimulates alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors and increases the release of norepinephrine. Its actions include relaxation of bronchioles, increased heart rate and contractility, and increased blood pressure. It also causes blood vessels in the nasal passages to shrink (vasoconstrict). Vasoconstriction reduces nasal congestion by preventing fluid from draining from blood vessels into the lining of …
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What is rosuvastatin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Rosuvastatin is an oral drug for lowering blood cholesterol levels. It belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, more commonly referred to as "statins." Other drugs in this class include simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), atorvastatin (Lipitor) and fluvastatin (Lescol). These drugs reduce cholesterol levels …
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What is candesartan, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Candesartan cilexetil (candesartan) is a drug used for treating high blood pressure (hypertension). It is in a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) which includes losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), and irbesartan (Avapro). Angiotensin, formed in the blood by the action of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), is a …
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