Fatigue definition and facts Readers Comments 12 Share Your Story Picture of a Man with Fatigue Caused By Sleep Apnea Fatigue (either physical, mental or both) is a symptom that may be difficult for the patient to describe and words like lethargic, exhausted and tired may be used. Taking a careful and complete history is the key to help making...
List of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Medications and Side Effects
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) medications definitions and facts Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story Medications to treat AFib include beta-blockers, blood thinners, and heart rhythm drugs. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) from chaotic electric signals generated in the upper chambers (atria) of the heart. Atrial fibrillation medications are used to treat and manage the condition by controlling the...
Metformin & Sitagliptin (Janumet): Diabetes Drug Side Effects & Dosage
What is metformin and sitagliptin? What is Janumet used for? Janumet is a combination of two drugs, metformin and sitagliptin, that are used for reducing blood glucose (sugar) levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The FDA approved Janumet in March 2007. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It limits blood glucose levels by reducing the amount of...
lamotrigine (Lamictal): Seizure Drug Side Effects & Dosage
What is lamotrigine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Lamotrigine is an oral drug that is used primarily for treating seizures. It is chemically unrelated to other anti-seizure drugs. The precise mechanism by which lamotrigine exerts its anti-seizure action is not known. The FDA approved lamotrigine in December 1974. What brand names are available for lamotrigine? Lamictal, Lamictal...
fluoxetine, Prozac, Sarafem: Facts about Side Effects
What is fluoxetine? What are the uses for fluoxetine? Fluoxetine is an oral drug that is used primarily for treating depression. Fluoxetine is also used to treat depression, bulimia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It is also prescribed in combination with olanzapine (Zyprexa) to treat resistant depression and depression associated with bipolar disorder. Fluoxetine is...
cimetidine, Tagamet: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What is cimetidine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Cimetidine is a drug that blocks the production of acid by acid-producing cells in the stomach and can be administered orally, IM or IV. It belongs to a class of drugs called H2 (histamine-2) blockers that also includes ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid). Histamine is a naturally-occurring...
Gardasil (HPV Vaccine): Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What is Gardasil Vaccine (HPV), and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Gardasil is a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Gardasil is a sterile preparation for intramuscular injection and contains purified inactive proteins from HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. The proteins in Gardasil are structural, virus-like proteins (VLP) that resemble the HPV virus. The proteins can activate the...
diclofenac, Voltaren, Cataflam, Cambia: Side Effects & Dosing
What is diclofenac, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Diclofenac belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. Other members of this class include ibuprofen (Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve) and several others. NSAIDs work by reducing the production...
Ketoconazole Cream vs. Lamisil (terbinafine): Antifungal Cream
Ketoconazole cream vs. Lamisil: What’s the difference? Ketoconazole cream and Lamisil (terbinafine) are antifungal medications used to treat fungal infections such as jock itch and athlete's foot. Ketoconazole cream is also used to treat ringworm, dandruff, and tinea versicolor. Brand names for ketoconazole include Nizoral, Nizoral A-D, Ketodan, Extina, Xolegel, and Kuric. Lamisil is available as a generic and over-the-counter...
Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) vs. ACE Inhibitors
Calcium channel blockers vs. ACE inhibitors: What’s the difference? Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are also used to relieve or prevent angina (chest pain), to treat certain abnormal heart rhythms, and to treat migraine headaches. ACE inhibitors are also used to treat left ventricular dysfunction...