What is Antabuse, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Disulfiram is an oral drug used for treating alcoholism. Alcohol is converted in the body into acetaldehyde by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase. Another enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase then converts acetaldehyde into acetic acid. Disulfiram prevents acetaldehyde dehydrogenase from converting acetaldehyde into acetic acid, …
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Hydrocodone Pain Medication Side Effects, Strengths & Dosage
What is hydrocodone (Zohydro ER)? Hydrocodone is an opioid narcotic pain-reliever similar to oxycodone, morphine, methadone, fentanyl, and other opioids. Do I need a prescription for hydrocodone (Zohydro ER)? Yes Why is hydrocodone (Zohydro ER) prescribed to patients? name=”prescribed”> Why is hydrocodone (Zohydro ER) prescribed to patients? ydrocodone is prescribed for the long-term treatment of severe pain for which other …
Read More »warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) Side Effects, Dosage & Uses
What is warfarin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant, a drug that inhibits the clotting of blood. It prevents the formation of blood clots by reducing the production of factors by the liver that promote clotting, factors II, VII, IX, and X, and the anticoagulant proteins C and S. The production of these …
Read More »Metronidazole (Flagyl) vs. Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Metronidazole vs. Fluconazole Metronidazole and fluconazole are used to treat different types of vaginal infections. Metronidazole is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial vaginosis and trichomonas vaginal infections, and fluconazole is an antifungal used to treat vaginal fungal infections caused by Candida. Brand names for metronidazole include Flagyl and Flagyl ER and a brand name for fluconazole is Diflucan. Side …
Read More »Metronidazole vs. Vancomycin: C. Diff Drug Dosage & Side Effects
Fact on metronidazole vs. vancomycin Metronidazole and vancomycin are antibiotics used to treat Clostridium difficile diarrhea. Brand names for metronidazole include Flagyl and Flagyl ER and a brand name for vancomycin is Vancocin HCL. Side effects of metronidazole and vancomycin that are similar include nausea, headache, flushing and skin redness, stomach/abdominal cramps or pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Side effects of …
Read More »Optune (NovoTTF-100A System) Tumor Treatment Field System
What is Optune, and what is it used for? Optune is a treatment for adult patients (22 years of age or older). Optune is used after surgery, and radiation with chemotherapy have been used if possible. A doctor may use Optune to treat a patient with newly diagnosed brain cancer (called glioblastoma multiforme, or “GBM”) in the higher parts of …
Read More »13 Reasons for High-Sensitivity Troponin Test, Normal & High Ranges
High-sensitivity troponin definition and facts Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Troponin is a protein found in the body, specifically in heart muscle cells. The three main types of cardiac troponin proteins are I, T, and C. During a heart attack, troponin spills into the bloodstream and it is a biomarker that can indicate cardiac injury. Troponin testing is what …
Read More »Munchausen Syndrome & by Proxy: Causes & Facts
Munchausen syndrome facts Munchausen syndrome, referred to as a factitious disorder, is a mental illness that involves the sufferers causing or pretending to have physical or psychological symptoms in themselves. Adults aged 20-40 years are most likely to develop Munchausen syndrome. Women with knowledge of health care and men with few family relationships are particularly vulnerable to developing this disorder. …
Read More »Locked-in Syndrome Causes, Statistics & Prognosis
Locked-in syndrome facts Locked-in syndrome occurs when a person is quadriplegic and also has no way to produce speech or facial movements. The affected person cannot communicate but is aware of their surroundings; the patient can hear and see and has normal intelligence and reasoning ability but may only communicate with eye movements. The main causes of locked-in syndrome are …
Read More »What Is Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis? Radiology & Treatment
What is hypersensitivity pneumonitis and what are its causes? Readers Comments 8 Share Your Story Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an inflammation of the lung (usually of the very small airways) caused by the body’s immune reaction to small air-borne particles. These particles can be bacteria, mold, fungi, or even inorganic matter. What is acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis? Acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis tends …
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