Nitrates vs. phosphates: What’s the difference? Nitrates are vasodilators used to treat or prevent heart pain (angina, chest pain) caused by heart disease, usually of the arteries in the heart. Phosphates are laxatives used to clean out the intestines before a colonoscopy. Examples of nitrates include nitroglycerin sublingual tablet (Nitrostat), nitroglycerin lingual aerosol (Nitromist), nitroglycerin pumpspray (Nitrolingual Pumpspray), nitroglycerin transdermal...
sodium iodide I 131, Iodotope, Sodium Iodide I 131 Therapeutic: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What is sodium iodide I 131, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Sodium iodide I 131 is an oral medication used to treat hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) and some cases of thyroid cancer. It falls under the category of an anti-thyroid drug but differs from the other anti-thyroid drugs, propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (Tapazole), because it is radioactive....
Fentanyl (Sublimaze): Opioid Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is fentanyl, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Fentanyl is a strong, synthetic (man-made) narcotic that is similar to morphine. A 0.1 mg dose of fentanyl is approximately equal to 10 mg of morphine administered by intramuscular injection. Fentanyl stimulates receptors on nerves in the brain to increase the threshold to pain (the amount of stimulation it...
bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac): Side Effects & Dosage
What is bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ziac is a combination product containing bisoprolol (Zebeta) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Bisoprolol is a beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent used for treating high blood pressure and heart pain (angina). Bisoprolol prevents the neurotransmitters (chemicals that nerves use to communicate with other nerves), norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline), from binding...
Lotronex (Generic: Alosetron) IBS Drug Side Effects and Dosage
What is alosetron, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Alosetron is used to treat diarrhea and abdominal discomfort that occurs in some women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It works in a similar fashion as granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran) and dolasetron (Anzemet) that are used for preventing nausea and vomiting. The discomfort and diarrhea of IBS is believed...
hyoscyamine, atropine, scopolamine & phenobarbital Dosage, Side Effects
What is hyoscyamine, atropine, scopolamine, phenobarbital, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Belladonna/phenobarbital is an oral medication which combines naturally occurring belladonna alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine [Transderm-Scop], and hyoscyamine) with phenobarbital. It is used for treating abdominal discomfort that is thought to be due to muscular spasm of the intestinal muscles. Belladonna alkaloids block the action of acetylcholine, a...
Laryngitis Contagious, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Home Remedies
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 polluted air. Laryngitis is contagious...
Rectal Bleeding (Bright Red, Maroon) Causes & Treatment
Rectal bleeding definition and facts Readers Comments 44 Share Your Story Picture of Colon Anatomy and Sources of Rectal Bleeding Rectal bleeding is the passage of blood through the anus. The bleeding may result in bright red blood in the stool as well as maroon colored or black stool. The bleeding also may be occult (not visible with the human...
Bilirubin Test: Normal & High Bilirubin Levels in Adults & Newborns
What should I know about bilirubin and blood test? Picture of blood test result showing Bilirubin, AST, ALT levels. by iStock Bilirubin is a reddish yellow pigment made during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Normal levels vary slightly from lab to lab; they range from about 0.2 – 1.2 mg/dL. Signs and symptoms of high bilirubin levels in...
Xultophy (insulin degludec and liraglutide injection) Diabetes Drug
What is Xultophy and how is it used? Xultophy 100/3.6 is a combination of insulin degludec, a long-acting human insulin analog, and liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on basal insulin (less than 50 units daily) or...