What is levetiracetam (Keppra)? What is levetiracetam used for? Levetiracetam (Keppra) is an antiseizure (antiepileptic) drug. Its mechanism of action is unknown, but it inhibits the spread of seizure activity in the brain. In studies, addition of levetiracetam to other antiseizure drugs reduced the frequency of seizures more than placebo. What brand names are available …
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What is lincomycin (Lincocin)? What is lincomycin used for? Lincomycin (Lincocin) is an injectable man-made antibiotic. Lincomycin kills bacteria by interfering with the ability of bacteria to produce important proteins necessary for them to survive. Lincomycin is effective against many types of bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Propionibacterium acnes, and others. The FDA approved lincomycin in December …
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What is isosorbide mononitrate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Isosorbide mononitrate is in the class of drugs called nitrates that are used for treating and preventing angina. Other nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, NitroQuick, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur and others) and isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil Titradose, Dilatrate-SR, Isochron). Nitrates are vasodilators (dilators of blood vessels). Blood returning from the body in …
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What is teriparatide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Teriparatide (Forteo) is a prescription medicine used to treat osteoporosis, a bone disease that over time causes bones to become fragile and more likely to break. Teriparatide is similar to human parathyroid hormone (PTH) and is made using recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology. PTH is naturally produced by the body …
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What is felodipine, and how does it work? Felodipine is an oral calcium channel blocker (CCB) of the dihydropyridine (DHP) class. Other calcium channel blockers in the DHP class include: nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat) amlodipine (Norvasc) nisoldipine (Sular) nicardipine (Cardene) isradipine (Dynacirc) Calcium is necessary for muscle cells to contract. Felodipine prevents calcium from being released within the muscle cells of …
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What is glucose? What is glucose used for? Glucose also known as dextrose is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) that is used to increase the level of blood sugar (glucose) when the level falls too low (hypoglycemia). Glucose in this form increases the level of the blood sugar, so it is a glucose-elevating agent. Other glucose-elevating agents are diazoxide (Proglycem) and …
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What is chlordiazepoxide, and what is it used for? Chlordiazepoxide is a psychotropic agent that is used to manage symptoms associated with anxiety disorders. It is a long acting benzodiazepine that is available for oral administration. Examples of other members of the benzodiazepine include: diazepam (Valium) clonazepam (Klonopin) lorazepam (Ativan) flurazepam (Dalmane) Chlordiazepoxide has anti-anxiety, sedative, appetite-stimulating, and weak pain …
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What are antihistamine shots, and what are the medical uses for this type of drug? Antihistamine shots are prescription medications that are used for the rapid medical treatment of conditions such as: Allergic reactions (a severe allergy to a substance) Anxiety Nausea Vomiting Motion sickness To induce sedation when injected into a patient Antihistamine shots also are used to alleviate …
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What is human albumin? Albumin is a naturally occurring transport protein found in the body. Medically it is used to treat a variety of conditions related to a person’s insufficient production of albumin. What brand names are available for human albumin? Albuked-5 Albuked-25 Albuminar-5 Albuminar-25 Alburx Albutein Buminate Flexbumin Kedbumin Plasbumin-5 Plasbumin-25 Why is human albumin prescribed to patients? Albumin …
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What is infliximab, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Infliximab is an antibody administered intravenously that is used for treating several chronic inflammatory diseases. Infliximab works by blocking the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), a substance made by cells of the body which has an important role in promoting inflammation. There are two other injectable …
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