What is methimazole, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Methimazole is used to treat an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Grave's disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Grave's disease is an autoimmune disease resulting from antibodies that attach to receptors on thyroid hormone-producing cells in the thyroid gland and trigger overproduction of...
What is Retisert, and how does it work? Retisert is indicated for the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. It is a corticosteroid used to treat inflammation within the eye that may be caused by a variety of diseases or infections. What are the side effects of Retisert? Clinical...
What is penicillin V? What are the uses for penicillin V (phenoxymethyl penicillin)? Penicillin V is effective for treatment of laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and soft tissue and skin infections caused by susceptible bacteria. It also is used for preventing recurrence of rheumatic fever and chorea (a disorder of uncontrolled movement of the body). Only mild...
What is mitoxantrone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Mitoxantrone is a synthetic (man-made) anticancer drug. It kills cancer cells by disrupting the action of deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) in human cells by causing abnormal cross-links and breaks in the DNA. It also interferes with ribonucleic acid (RNA) and inhibits the activity of topoisomerase...
What is Prolia and how is it used? Prolia is a prescription medicine used to: Treat osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of bone) in women after menopause (“change of life”) who: are at high risk for fracture (broken bone) cannot use another osteoporosis medicine or other osteoporosis medicines did not work well Increase bone mass in...
What is Oxlumo, and how does it work? Oxlumo (lumasiran) is a HAO1-directed small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) used to treat primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1), which is a type of kidney disease, to lower urinary oxalate levels in pediatric and adult patients. What are the side effects of Oxlumo? Side effects of Oxlumo include:...
What is Opdivo (nivolumab), and how does it work? Opdivo is a prescription medicine used to treat: people with a type of skin cancer called melanoma: that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery (advanced melanoma). You may receive Opdivo alone or in combination with ipilimumab, or to help prevent melanoma from coming back...
Ofloxacin vs. erythromycin: What’s the difference? Ofloxacin and erythromycin are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, staph infections, and STDs (gonorrhea, chlamydia). Erythromycin is also used in patients who are allergic to penicillin for the prevention of recurrent rheumatic fever and infections of the hearts' valves (endocarditis) in patients with valvular...
What is nystatin oral suspension, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nystatin suspension is an oral, anti-fungal liquid medication. Nystatin works by binding to sterols in the walls of fungal cells, disturbing function of the cell wall. The fungal cells eventually lose their contents, leading to their death and improvement of the fungal...
What is Mayzent (siponimod) and how is it used? Mayzent is a prescription medicine that is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. It is not known if Mayzent is safe and effective in children. What are the most important...