What is piroxicam? What are the uses for piroxicam? Piroxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to treat fever, pain, and inflammation in the body. As a group, NSAIDs are non-narcotic relievers of mild to moderate pain of many causes, including injury, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Other members of this …
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What is lurasidone hydrochloride (Latuda)? What is Latuda used for? Lurasidone (Latuda) belongs to a class of medications known as atypical antipsychotics. Other members of this class include clozapine (Clozaril), risperidone (Risperdal), aripiprazole (Abilify) and ziprasidone (Geodon). Atypical antipsychotics like lurasidone are considered the standard of care for treating schizophrenia. Additionally, in clinical studies lurasidone was shown to be effective …
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What is oral pyridostigmine? What are the uses for oral pyridostigmine? Pyridostigmine (Mestinon) is an oral cholinesterase inhibitor. Acetylcholine is one of many neurotransmitters in our bodies. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help our cells communicate with each other. Depending on the organ that it acts upon, acetylcholine produces different effects. One important function of acetylcholine is to produce muscle contractions …
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What is diflunisal? What is diflunisal used for? Diflunisal is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is effective in treating fever, pain, and inflammation in the body. Other members of this class include ibuprofen (Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve) and several others. These drugs are used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and …
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What is glipizide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Glipizide is an oral drug that is used for treating patients with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to the sulfonylurea class of drugs which also includes glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase), tolbutamide and tolazamide. Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas that when released into the …
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What is propranolol? What are the uses for propranolol? Propranolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent that is used for treating high blood pressure, heart pain (angina), abnormal rhythms of the heart, and some neurologic conditions. Examples of other beta-adrenergic blockers include metoprolol (Lopressor), atenolol (Tenormin), and timolol (Blocadren). Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are produced and released by nerves in order …
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What is testosterone gel, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Androgel is a gel containing testosterone. It is administered through the skin for treatment of low testosterone levels. It belongs to a class of drugs called androgens. Other testosterone replacement products include Androderm, Axiron, Testim, and Fortesta. Testosterone is the major male sex hormone responsible for the normal …
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What is polymyxin b/trimethoprim-ophthalmic, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Polymyxin B sulfate/trimethoprim is an antibiotic eye drop composed of two drugs. Polymyxin B sulfate works by altering bacterial cell wall structure that causes the leaking out of cellular contents that can result in cell death. Trimethoprim is an antibiotic that interferes with the production of tetrahydrofolic acid, …
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What is allopurinol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Allopurinol is used for treating gout caused by excessive levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). It is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor and is similar to febuxostat (Uloric). Uric acid is a by product from the breakdown of certain proteins (purines) in the body by enzymes called xanthine …
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What is oral vancomycin? What are the uses for oral vancomycin? Oral vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that is used for the treatment of Clostridium difficile diarrhea and staphylococcal enterocolitis. Vancomycin is a bactericidal antibiotic (it kills bacteria) that exerts its effects by preventing bacteria from forming cell walls, which they need to survive. Vancomycin is only effective against gram-positive …
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