What is repaglinide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Repaglinide is an oral medication for lowering blood sugar (glucose) in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It is in a class of drugs for treating diabetes type 2 called meglitinides that are chemically unlike other anti-diabetic medications. Nateglinide (Starlix), is another currently available meglitinide. Approximately 90% of patients with...
midodrine (ProAmatine) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is midodrine? ProAmatine is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic orthostatic hypotension (OH). Because ProAmatine can cause marked elevation of supine blood pressure (BP>200 mmHg systolic), it should be used in patients whose lives are considerably impaired despite standard clinical care, including non-pharmacologic treatment (such as support stockings), fluid expansion, and lifestyle alterations. The indication is based on ProAmatine’s...
Haldol (haloperidol) vs. Xanax (alprazolam) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
Haldol (haloperidol) vs. Xanax (alprazolam): What’s the difference? Haloperidol and Xanax (alprazolam) are used to treat different types of psychiatric disorders. Haloperidol is used to treat schizophrenia, acute psychosis, and for tics and vocal utterances of Tourette's syndrome. Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. A brand name for haloperidol is Haldol. Haloperidol and Xanax belong to...
Gemfibrozil (Lopid) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is gemfibrozil? Gemfibrozil is a blood lipid and cholesterol-altering medicine. Why is gemfibrozil prescribed to patients? Gemfibrozil is used for reducing elevated triglyceride levels that are high enough to cause pancreatitis. Because gemfibrozil raises HDL and decreases triglycerides it is prescribed for preventing coronary heart disease in individuals without a history or symptoms of coronary heart disease who have...
Mometasone Furoate (Nasonex) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is mometasone furoate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Mometasone furoate is a synthetic (man-made) steroid hormone in the glucocorticoid family of steroid hormones that is used for the treatment of nasal allergy. The naturally occurring glucocorticoid hormone is cortisol or hydrocortisone which is produced in the adrenal glands. Glucocorticoid hormones are potent reducers of inflammation (anti-inflammatory)....
Glucagon (GlucaGen) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is glucagon? Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that, along with insulin, controls the level of glucose in the blood. Glucagon has the opposite effect of insulin. It increases the glucose levels in blood. Glucagon, the drug, is a synthetic (man-made) version of human glucagon and is manufactured by genetic engineering using the bacteria Escherichia coli. Is...
Ziprasidone (Geodon) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is ziprasidone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ziprasidone is an oral and injectable drug that is used for treating psychoses, for example, schizophrenia. Although the mechanism of action of ziprasidone is not known, like other anti-psychotics, it inhibits communication between nerves of the brain. It does this by blocking receptors on the nerves for several neurotransmitters,...
Terazosin (Hytrin) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is terazosin? Terazosin belongs to a class of medications called alpha 1 blockers which relax the smooth muscles of the arteries, the prostate, and the bladder neck. Is terazosin available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for terazosin? Yes Why is terazosin prescribed to patients? Terazosin is used to treat the symptoms of urinary obstruction...
Haldol (haloperidol) vs. Risperdal (risperidone): Antipsychotic Side Effects
Haldol (haloperidol) vs. Risperdal (risperidone): What’s the difference? Haloperidol and Risperdal (risperidone) are different types of antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia. Haloperidol is also used to treat acute psychosis and for tics and vocal utterances of Tourette's syndrome. Risperidone is also used to treat bipolar mania and autism. A brand name for haloperidol is Haldol. Side effects of haloperidol...
Finasteride (Proscar) Interactions, Side Effects & Dosage
What is finasteride (Proscar)? How does it work (mechanism of action)? The prostate gland is located around the tube which empties urine from the bladder (urethra). As the prostate gland enlarges, usually after 50 years of age, it can obstruct or partially block the urine flow. This leads to symptoms which include dribbling of urine, narrow stream, problems starting urine...