Source: iStock Laryngitis definition and facts Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice cords in the voice box (larynx). Causes of laryngitis include upper respiratory infection or the common cold; overuse of the vocal cords by talking, singing, or shouting; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causing reflux laryngitis; smoking; exposure to secondhand smoke; or exposure to …
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What should you know about sore throat treatments? Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story Why Your Throat Hurts and How to Cure a Sore Throat Various natural sore throat remedies can be used at home to help soothe sore throat pain and other symptoms. Some of these may be familiar, like drinking warm liquids with honey and lemon juice or …
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What is promethazine and codeine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Promethazine is in a class of drugs called phenothiazines which also includes chlorpromazine, and trifluoperazine; however, unlike the other drugs in this class, promethazine is not used as an anti-psychotic but rather as an anti-histamine, sedative, antiemetic (anti-nausea), and cough suppressant. Cells in the body release histamine …
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What is oral clindamycin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Clindamycin is an antibiotic used for treating serious infections. It is effective again several types of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Propionibacterium acnes. It reduces growth of bacteria by interfering with their ability to make proteins. The FDA approved clindamycin in February 1970. …
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What is pneumococcal vaccine-injection, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Pneumococcal vaccine is used for prevention of pneumonia. This pneumococcal vaccine contains chemicals (polysaccharides) extracted from 23 types of Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria. Upon injecting pneumococcal vaccine, our body recognizes these chemical as foreign and produces antibodies to destroy the chemicals. Antibodies are blood protein that help the body …
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What is chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Tussionex is a combination of an antihistamine that blocks allergic reactions and reduces the production of mucus (chlorpheniramine), and a narcotic that relieves pain and cough (hydrocodone). Tussionex is a liquid that slowly releases the chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone after it is ingested. What brand names are available …
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What is oseltamivir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Oseltamivir is an oral medication used for treating and preventing the “flu.” It is similar to zanamivir (Relenza). Oseltamivir suppresses and decreases the spread of influenza A and B viruses, the viruses responsible for the flu. It does this by blocking the action of neuraminidase, an enzyme produced by …
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What is clarithromycin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Clarithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic chemically related to erythromycin and azithromycin (Zithromax). It is effective against a wide variety of bacteria, such as Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and mycobacterium avium, and many others. Like all macrolide antibiotics, clarithromycin prevents bacteria from growing by interfering …
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What is sodium chloride-nasal spray, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Intranasal sodium chloride or saline solution is a purified salt solution used for wetting the nasal passages. It moisturizes the nose and helps dissolve and loosen thick mucus most often associated with the common cold. It is especially useful for clearing stuffy nasal passages in children who …
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What is benzonatate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Benzonatate is a medication taken orally to suppress coughs. It has an anesthetic (numbing) action similar to that of benzocaine and numbs the stretch sensors in the lungs. It is the stretching of these sensors with breathing that causes the cough. Benzonatate begins to work within 15 to 20 …
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