Ondansetron (Zofran) vs. alosetron (Lotronex): What’s the difference? Ondansetron and alosetron are serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists used to treat different conditions. Ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy and to prevent vomiting and nausea after surgery. Alosetron is used to treat diarrhea and abdominal discomfort that occurs in some women …
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Valtrex vs. Famvir: What’s the difference? Valtrex (valacyclovir) and Famvir (famciclovir) are antiviral drugs used to treat infections with shingles (herpes zoster), genital herpes (herpes simplex genitalis), and cold sores (herpes labialis). Side effects of Valtrex and Famvir that are similar include headache, nausea, vomiting, reduced white blood cells, diarrhea, and rash. Side effects of Valtrex that are different from …
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Cialis (tadalafil) vs. Levitra (vardenafil): What’s the difference? Tadalafil and vardenafil are phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor used to treat impotence (the inability to attain or maintain a penile erection) Tadalafil is also used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Brand names for tadalafil include Adcirca and Cialis. Brand names for vardenafil include Levitra and Staxyn ODT. Side effects of …
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What is theophylline, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Theophylline belongs to a class of medications called bronchodilators, used in treating asthma and other airway diseases. Asthma is a breathing problem caused by narrowing of the airways, the breathing passages that allow air to move in and out of the lungs. Airways can be narrowed due to accumulation …
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Gabapentin vs. Cymbalta: What’s the difference? Gabapentin and Cymbalta (duloxetine) are used to treat different types of neuralgia (nerve pain). Gabapentin is used postherpetic neuralgia from herpes zoster (nerve damage from shingles) and to treat seizure disorders. Cymbalta is used to treat pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Gabapentin and Cymbalta …
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What is nefazodone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nefazodone is an oral antidepressant drug. Nefazodone affects chemicals in the brain that nerves use to send messages to one another, called neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters that are released by nerves are taken up again by the nerves that release them for reuse. Many experts believe that depression is caused …
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Suprax (cefixime) vs. Keflex (cephalexin): What’s the difference? Suprax (cefixime) and Keflex (cephalexin) are cephalosporin antibiotics used to treat infections of the middle ear (otitis media), tonsillitis, throat infections (pharyngitis), laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), gonorrhea, and acute bacterial bronchitis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Suprax is a brand name for cefixime. Keflex and Daxbia …
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Suprax (cefixime) vs. ofloxacin: What’s the difference? Suprax and ofloxacin are antibiotics used to treat bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and gonorrhea. Suprax is also used to treat middle ear infections (otitis media), tonsillitis, throat infections (pharyngitis), laryngitis, and acute bacterial bronchitis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ofloxacin is also used to treat staph infections and …
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What is fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine? What is Allegra-D used for? Allegra-D is a combination of an antihistamine (fexofenadine) and a decongestant (pseudoephedrine). Fexofenadine is an oral, "second generation" antihistamine that is used to treat the signs and symptoms of allergy and hives. It is similar to the other second generation antihistamines loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec) and azelastine (Astelin). Histamine is …
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What is medroxyprogesterone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Progestins and estrogens are the two major classes of female hormones. Medroxyprogesterone is a derivative of the naturally occurring female progestin, progesterone. Progestins are responsible for changes in the mucus and inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) during the second half (secretory phase) of the menstrual cycle. Progestins prepare …
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