What is lubiprostone? What is lubiprostone? Lubiprostone is an oral medication used for the treatment of idiopathic (due to an unknown cause) chronic constipation. Chronic constipation most commonly occurs because of slow transit of stool through the colon that allows too much fluid to be removed from the stool, leading to hard or lumpy stools,...
Generic drug: bismuth subsalicylate/metronidazole/tetracycline hydrochloride Brand name: Helidac What is Helidac (bismuth subsalicylate/metronidazole/tetracycline hydrochloride), and how does it work? Helidac Therapy (bismuth subsalicylate/metronidazole/tetracycline hydrochloride) is a combination of antibiotics used to treat Helicobacter pylori, a bacterial infection involved in causing stomach ulcers. What are the side effects of Helidac? WARNING Metronidazole has been shown to...
What is polyethylene glycol? What is polyethylene glycol used for? Polyethylene glycol is an osmotic laxative. Polyethylene glycol works by retaining water in the stool, resulting in softer stools and more frequent bowel movements. Polyethylene glycol does not affect glucose and electrolytes in the body. What brand names are available for polyethylene glycol (peg) 3350-oral?...
What are protease inhibitors (PIs), and how do they work? Protease inhibitors (PIs) are antiviral drugs used for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. During infection with HIV or hepatitis C, the HIV or HCV multiply within the body’s cells. Viruses are released from the cells and spread throughout...
What is Zepatier, and how does it work? Zepatier is an oral tablet containing two drugs used for the treatment of chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), genotype 1 and 4 in adults. The components belong to a class of drugs called direct-acting antiviral agents. Similar drugs include: boceprevir (Victrelis) sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) simeprevir...
What is sofosbuvir and velpatasvir? What is sofosbuvir and velpatasvir used for? Epclusa is an oral tablet containing two drugs used for the treatment of chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), genotype 1,2,3,4, 5, or 6 in adults. The components belong to a class of drugs called direct-acting antiviral agents. Similar drugs include...
What is metronidazole (Flagyl, Flagyl ER), and how does it work? Flagyl is an antibiotic effective against anaerobic bacteria and certain parasites. Anaerobic bacteria are single-celled, living organisms that thrive in environments in which there is little oxygen (anaerobic environments). Anaerobic bacteria can cause disease in the abdomen (bacterial peritonitis), liver (liver abscess), and pelvis...
What is Drax Exametazime, and how does it work? Drax Exametazime (kit for the preparation of technetium Tc 99m exametazime for leukocyte labeling) for intravenous use is a radioactive diagnostic agent indicated for leukocyte (white blood cell) labeled scintigraphy as an adjunct in the localization of intra-abdominal infection and inflammatory bowel disease. What are the...
What is simethicone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Simethicone is an anti-gas (anti-flatulence) medication. It acts in the stomach and intestines to change the surface tension of gas bubbles, enabling their breakdown and the formation of larger bubbles. In this way it is believed that gas can be eliminated more easily by...
What is olsalazine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Olsalazine is an oral medication that works as an anti-inflammatory drug for treating inflammatory diseases of the colon. It is a derivative of salicylic acid. Inactive itself, it is converted by the bacteria in the colon to its active form, mesalamine. Following oral administration...