What is idarucizumab, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Dabigatran prevents blood clots by binding to thrombin and preventing thrombin from combining with other proteins to form a blood clot. Dabigatran increases the risk of bleeding because it reduces the ability of blood to clot. Patients who are taking dabigatran may develop serious …
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What are the uses for bepridil? Bepridil is prescribed for patients with angina pectoris (heart pain) due to coronary artery disease. Vascor (bepridil hydrochloride) is indicated for the treatment of chronic stable angina (classic effort-associated angina). Because Vascor (bepridil) has caused serious ventricular arrhythmias, including torsades de pointes type ventricular tachycardia, and the occurrence of cases of agranulocytosis associated with its use (see WARNINGS), it should …
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What brand names are available for evening primrose oil? Evening primrose oil, Common Evening Primrose, Fever plant, Sun drops Is evening primrose oil available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for evening primrose oil? No What are the side effects of evening primrose oil? Side effects of Oenothera include: headache, indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea. Other side …
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What are oral potassium supplements, and how do they work (mechanism of action)? Potassium preparations are used for supplementing potassium in order to treat or prevent low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia). Potassium is a major mineral (electrolyte) that is important for the function of every cell in the body. For example, it is important in nerve conduction, muscle …
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What is lisinopril, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used for treating high blood pressure, heart failure and for preventing kidney failure due to high blood pressure and diabetes. Other ACE inhibitors include: enalapril (Vasotec) quinapril (Accupril) captopril (Capoten) fosinopril (Monopril) benazepril (Lotensin) ramipril (Altace) moexipril (Univasc) trandolapril (Mavik) ACE …
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What are beta blockers? Beta blockers are a class of drugs that block beta-adrenergic substances such as adrenaline (epinephrine), a key agent in the "sympathetic" portion of the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system and activation of heart muscle. By blocking the action of the involuntary nervous system on the heart, beta blockers slow the heartbeat and relieve stress on the heart. …
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What is torsemide, and how does it work? Torsemide (Demadex) is a potent drug that's a diuretic (water pill). This medicine causes a profound increase in urine output (diuresis) by preventing the kidney from retaining water. Specifically, it blocks the reabsorption back into the blood of sodium and water that has been filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. …
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What is fosinopril sodium, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Fosinopril is in a class of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ACE inhibitors are used for treating high blood pressure, heart failure and for preventing kidney failure due to high blood pressure and diabetes. Other ACE inhibitors include enalapril (Vasotec), quinapril (Accupril), captopril (Capoten), ramipril (Altace), …
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What are vasodilators, and how do they work (mechanism of action)? A vasodilator is a drug that causes vasodilation, a widening (opening) of blood vessels that results from relaxation of the smooth muscle of the vessels. What widens in vasodilation actually is the diameter of the interior (lumen) of the vessel. The opposite of vasodilation is vasoconstriction. This type of …
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What is isosorbide mononitrate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Isosorbide mononitrate is in the class of drugs called nitrates that are used for treating and preventing angina. Other nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, NitroQuick, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur and others) and isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil Titradose, Dilatrate-SR, Isochron). Nitrates are vasodilators (dilators of blood vessels). Blood returning from the body in …
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