What is Zoloft (sertraline)? What is its mechanism of action? Sertraline belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Other drugs in this class are: fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva) citalopram (Celexa) fluvoxamine (Luvox CR) Is Zoloft available in generic form? Yes. What doses are available for …
Read More »
Polycythemia (high red blood cell count) definition and facts Symptoms of a high red blood cell count include headache and fatigue. Polycythemia means increased red blood cell volume. Polycythemia is divided into two main categories; primary and secondary. Polycythemia can be linked to secondary causes, such as, chronic hypoxia or tumors releasing erythropoietin. Abnormally increased red cell production in the …
Read More »
What is valsartan, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? WARNING [update 10/15/2019]: Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a warning letter to Torrent Pharmaceuticals in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Torrent manufactures losartan potassium tablets and has been one subject of an ongoing global investigation into nitrosamine impurities in angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) such as valsartan, losartan …
Read More »
What are corticosteroids? What is the mechanism of action (how do they work)? Corticosteroids are steroid hormones that are either produced by the body or are man-made. Systemic corticosteroids refer to corticosteroids that are given orally or by injection and distribute throughout the body. It does not include corticosteroids used in the eyes, ears, or nose, on the skin or …
Read More »
What are ACE inhibitors, and how do they work (mechanism of action)? Angiotensin II is a very potent chemical produced by the body that primarily circulates in the blood. It causes the muscles surrounding blood vessels to contract, thereby narrowing the vessels. The narrowing of the vessels increases the pressure within the vessels causing increases in blood pressure (hypertension). Angiotensin …
Read More »
What is a visual field test? Share Your Story A visual field test is an important part of a routine eye exam. A visual field test is a method of measuring an individual's entire scope of vision, that is their central and peripheral (side) vision. Visual field testing maps the visual fields of each eye individually and can detect blind …
Read More »
What is the digestive system? Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story The digestive system involves organs that turn food into energy and eliminate waste. The energy required for all the processes and activities that take place in our bodies is derived from the foods we ingest. The digestive system allows us to utilize food from such diverse sources as meat …
Read More »
What is piperacillin/tazobactam sodium injection, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Zosyn is an injectable combination of two antibiotics, piperacillin and tazobactam, with broad spectrum activity against an extended range of bacterial species. Piperacillin is an extended-spectrum penicillin antibiotic, but it can be destroyed by an enzyme produced by bacteria called beta lactamase. Tazobactam inhibits beta lactamase and …
Read More »
What is nystatin oral suspension, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nystatin suspension is an oral, anti-fungal liquid medication. Nystatin works by binding to sterols in the walls of fungal cells, disturbing function of the cell wall. The fungal cells eventually lose their contents, leading to their death and improvement of the fungal infection. The FDA approved nystatin …
Read More »
What is methimazole, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Methimazole is used to treat an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Grave's disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Grave's disease is an autoimmune disease resulting from antibodies that attach to receptors on thyroid hormone-producing cells in the thyroid gland and trigger overproduction of thyroid hormone. An enzyme (peroxidase) …
Read More »
