What's involved with teen disease prevention? Share Your Story Picture of Female Teenagers with Makeup The teen years are a time of growth that involves experimentation and risk taking. For some teens, the social pressures of trying to fit in can be too much. These years can be even more troubling for teens when confronted …
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What is hydrocodone and ibuprofen, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Vicoprofen is a combination of an opioid analgesic (hydrocodone bitartrate, a pain reliever related to narcotics) and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ibuprofen). Both medications are effective for pain management. It is estimated that one tablet of Vicoprofen is as effective as two tablets of Tylenol #3 (acetaminophen …
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What is glyburide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Glyburide is an oral, glucose-lowering drug in a class of diabetic drugs called sulfonylureas that is used for treating diabetes. Other sulfonylureas include glipizide (Glucotrol), glimepiride (Amaryl), tolbutamide (Orinase), tolazamide, and chlorpropamide (Diabinese). Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas. When released into the blood, insulin …
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What is eletriptan, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Eletriptan is an oral drug that is used for treating migraine headaches. It is in the "triptan" class of drugs that also includes sumatriptan (Imitrex), zolmitriptan (Zomig), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), almotriptan (Axert), and frovatriptan (Frova). Migraine headaches are believed to be the result of abnormal activity in the …
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What is nicardipine? What are the uses for nicardipine? Nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR) belongs to a class of drugs referred to as calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Nicardipine is prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension) and angina (heart pain). What brand names are available for nicardipine? Cardene, Cardene SR Is nicardipine available as a generic drug? GENERIC AVAILABLE: …
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What is capecitabine (Xeloda), and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Capecitabine is an oral medication for treating advanced breast cancer that is resistant to combination therapy with the drugs of choice, paclitaxel (Taxol) and a drug from the anthracycline family of drugs, for example, doxorubicin (Adriamycin). Capecitabine is converted by the body to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a drug which …
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What is amantadine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Amantadine is a synthetic (man-made) anti-viral drug that can inhibit the replication of viruses in cells. To prevent a viral infection, the drug should be present before exposure to the virus. Clearly, this is not practical for most viral infections. It was initially used to prevent influenza A during …
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HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) testing facts Every adult can benefit from undergoing HIV testing at least once. HIV testing is done to diagnose those who are newly infected, to identify previously unrecognized infections, and to relieve the minds of those who are not infected. New sexual partners should consider getting an HIV test before sex to inform themselves of how …
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Diazepam vs. Ambien: What’s the difference? Valium (diazepam) and Ambien (zolpidem) are used to treat insomnia. Diazepam is primarily used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, seizures, for relief of muscle spasms in some neurological diseases, and for sedation during surgery. Brand names for diazepam include Valium, Diastat Acudial, Diastat, and Diazepam Intensol. Diazepam and Ambien belong to different drug …
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What is ustekinumab, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ustekinumab is an injectable biologic drug that suppresses the immune system and is used for the treatment of psoriasis. It is an antibody that binds to interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23, two chemicals produced by cells in the body that stimulate immune reactions. Scientists believe that psoriasis is caused by …
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