Clopidogrel vs. heparin: What’s the difference? Clopidogrel and heparin are blood thinners used to prevent blood clots. A brand name for clopidogrel is Plavix. Brand names for heparin include Hemochron, Hep-Lock, Hep-Lock U/P, Heparin in 5% Dextrose, Heparin Lock Flush, and HepFlush-10. Side effects of clopidogrel and heparin that are similar include bleeding and allergic …
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What is Effient and how is it used? Effient is indicated to reduce the rate of thrombotic cardiovascular (CV) events (including stent thrombosis) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who are to be managed with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as follows: Patients with unstable angina (UA) or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when managed …
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Lasix (furosemide) vs. bumetanide: What’s the difference? Lasix (furosemide) and bumetanide are potent diuretics (water pills) used treat excess accumulation of fluid or swelling of the body (edema) caused by heart failure, kidney disease, chronic kidney failure, or liver disease. Lasix is also used with other high blood pressure medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), and bumetanide is used …
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Lasix (furosemide) vs. Demadex (torsemide): What’s the difference? Lasix (furosemide) and Demadex (torsemide) are diuretics (water pills) used to treat edema (water retention) due to congestive heart failure, kidney disease, chronic kidney failure, or liver disease. Lasix and Demadex are also used with other high blood pressure medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lasix is a brand name for …
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Aldactone vs. Lasix: What’s the difference? Aldactone (spironolactone) and Lasix (furosemide) are types of diuretics used to remove excess fluid from the body in congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease. Aldactone also is used to counteract the effects of excessive adrenal aldosterone production (hyperaldosteronism). Side effects of Aldactone and that are similar include diarrhea, rash, and …
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Lipitor vs. Niacin: What’s the difference? Lipitor (atorvastatin) and niacin (nicotinic acid, vitamin B3) are used to lowers cholesterol levels in the blood. Lipitor and niacin belong to different drug classes. Lipitor is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (a “statin” drug) and niacin is a nutrient. Brand names for niacin include Niacor, Niaspan, Slo-Niacin, and Nicolar. Side effects of Lipitor and …
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Lipitor (atorvastatin) vs. Crestor (rosuvastatin): What’s the difference? Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Crestor (rosuvastatin) are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (“statin” drugs) that lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Lipitor and Crestor are also used to reduce the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and arterial revascularization procedures in patients with multiple risk factors for heart disease. Side effects of Lipitor and Crestor that …
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What is cilostazol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Cilostazol is a medication for the treatment of intermittent claudication, a condition caused by narrowing of the arteries that supply the legs with blood. Patients with intermittent claudication develop pain when they walk because not enough oxygen-containing blood reaches the active leg muscles. Cilostazol reduces the pain of intermittent …
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What is heparin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Heparin is a widely used injectable anticoagulant (stops the formation of blood clots). The blood coagulation system is composed of various steps and heparin acts at multiple sites in this process. Heparin prevents blood clots by blocking the action of two of the 12 clot-promoting proteins in blood (factors …
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What is benazepril, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Benazepril is an ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor used for treating high blood pressure. Other ACE inhibitors include enalapril (Vasotec), quinapril (Accupril), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), ramipril (Altace), moexipril (Univasc) and trandolapril (Mavik). ACE is an enzyme in the body that causes the formation of angiotensin II. Angiotensin II …
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