Hdkino Health and Medical Information

What is benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Lotensin HCT is a combination of two drugs, benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide. Benazepril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that is used for treating high blood pressure. Other ACE inhibitors include enalapril (Vasotec), quinapril (Accupril), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), ramipril (Altace), moexipril …

What is nalbuphine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nalbuphine is a man-made opioid (narcotic) painkiller. Nalbuphine provides pain relief in a similar way as morphine (MS Contin), oxycodone (Oxycontin), and other narcotic analgesics. Narcotic painkillers stimulate the brain to increase the threshold to pain (the amount of stimulation it takes to feel pain) and reduce the perception …

What is hyaluronic acid? What is hyaluronic acid used for? Restylane is a gel of hyaluronic acid produced by bacteria and used for treating facial wrinkles and folds. It is classified as a medical device. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is normally produced by the body; it is what gives skin its volume and fullness. The hyaluronic acid in …

What is paliperidone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Paliperidone (Invega) is an oral, atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia. It is a short acting form of Invega Sustenna and Invega Trinza. Other atypical antipsychotic drugs include olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), ziprasidone (Geodon), and aripiprazole (Abilify). Atypical antipsychotics differ from typical antipsychotics because they cause a lesser degree …

What is deoxycholic acid (Kybella)? What is Kybella used for? Deoxycholic acid (Kybella) is an injectable medication used for reducing fat in the submental region of the face (below the chin). Deoxycholic acid destroys the cell membrane of fat cells causing fat cells to die. Reducing the number of fat cells reduces fat under the chin. It should not be …

What is varenicline (Chantix)? What is Chantix used for? Varenicline is an oral drug that is used to promote cessation of smoking. It competes with nicotine from cigarettes for binding to nicotine receptors in the brain. Although varenicline stimulates nicotine receptors like nicotine, it blocks the stronger stimulation by nicotine. Therefore, smokers do not experience the full effect of smoking …

What is moxifloxacin? What is moxifloxacin used for? Moxifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Other fluoroquinolones include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and ofloxacin (Floxin). Moxifloxacin works by blocking DNA gyrase enzyme, which is responsible for production and repair of bacterial DNA. Blocking of DNA gyrase leads to bacteria death and prevents worsening of infection. Moxifloxacin treats infections caused by gram-positive and …

What is Soriatane (acitretin)? Acitretin is an oral medication used to treat psoriasis. What are the uses for Soriatane (acitretin)? Acitretin is used for treating severe psoriasis in adults. Acitretin should be prescribed only by doctors who have experience in the systemic use of retinoids because it has serious side effects. Is Soriatane (acitretin) available as a generic drug? Yes …

Protopic ointment vs. triamcinolone: What’s the difference? Protopic ointment (acrolimus) and triamcinolone are used to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema). Triamcinolone is also used to relieve skin inflammation, itching, dryness, and redness caused by a number of conditions such as allergic reactions and psoriasis. Protopic ointment is an immunosuppressive and triamcinolone is a corticosteroid. Side effects of Protopic Ointment and triamcinolone …

What is galantamine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Galantamine is in a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors that also includes tacrine (Cognex), donezepil (Aricept), and rivastigmine (Exelon). Cholinesterase inhibitors inhibit (block) the action of acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for the destruction of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is one of several neurotransmitters in the brain, chemicals that nerve cells …