Chemotherapy facts* *Chemotherapy facts by Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM Chemotherapy is one option available to treat cancer patients. The types of medication used and how they are administered depends upon the patient’s situation, the type of cancer, and the goal of cancer therapy. Chemotherapy options are individualized for each patient. Treatment decisions are usually a collaboration between the patient,...
Metronidazole (Flagyl) vs. Clindamycin (Cleocin) Side Effects & Dosage
Metronidazole (Flagyl) vs. clindamycin (Cleocin) Metronidazole and clindamycin phosphate vaginal cream are antibiotics used to treat vaginal infections. Brand names for metronidazole include Flagyl and Flagyl ER and brand names for clindamycin include Cleocin and Clindesse. A difference is metronidazole is taken orally and clindamycin phosphate vaginal cream is used topically (on the skin). Side effects of metronidazole that are...
Hereditary Spherocytosis: Treatment, Symptoms & Diagnosis
Spherocytosis facts Readers Comments 7 Share Your Story Spherocytosis is the production of abnormal red blood cells that are in the shape of a sphere instead of the concave disk shape of normal red blood cells, resulting in fragile and abnormal red blood cells. Other symptoms and signs of spherocytosis include anemia, paleness (pallor), jaundice, enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), and gallbladder...
Percocet for Pain: Side Effects, Dosage & Addiction
What is Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen)? Oxycodone is a strong narcotic pain-reliever and cough suppressant similar to morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone. Is Percocet available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for Percocet? Yes Why is Percocet prescribed to patients? Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen) is prescribed for the relief of moderate to moderately severe pain. QUESTION Medically speaking, the...
levothyroxine (Synthroid): Thyroid Drug Side Effects & Dosage
What is levothyroxine sodium, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Levothyroxine is a synthetic (man-made) version of the principle thyroid hormone, thyroxine (T4) that is made and released by the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone increases the metabolic rate of cells of all tissues in the body. In the fetus and newborn, thyroid hormone is important for the growth...
Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL): Side Effects & Dosage
What are the uses for metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)? Metoprolol is a beta blocker (beta-adrenergic blocking agent) used for the treatment of: High blood pressure Heart pain Congestive heart failure Hyperthyroidism Abnormal heart rhythms Some neurologic conditions. Metoprolol's off-label use is to prevent migraine headaches. Why are the uses for metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)? Metoprolol is used to treat: High...
Dilaudid vs. Percocet for Pain: Which One Is Better?
Dilaudid vs. Percocet quick comparison Dilaudid (hydromorphone hydrochloride) and Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) are both opioid narcotic pain relievers. Percocet has an additional non-narcotic pain reliever added (acetaminophen) which achieves greater pain relief than either drug taken separately. Both Dilaudid and Percocet are available as generic drugs. Side effects of both Dilaudid and Percocet are similar and include lightheadedness, dizziness,...
Vicodin, Norco (Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen): Side Effects & Dosage
What is Vicodin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Hydrocodone is a narcotic pain-reliever and a cough suppressant, similar to codeine. Hydrocodone blocks the receptors on nerve cells in the brain that give rise to the sensation of pain. Acetaminophen is a non-narcotic analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). Acetaminophen works by elevating the threshold to pain,...
lorazepam (Ativan) Side Effects, Uses & Dosage
What is lorazepam (Ativan)? How does it work? Lorazepam (Ativan) is thought that excessive activity of nerves in the brain may cause anxiety and other psychological disorders. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that nerves in the brain use to send messages to one another that reduces the activity of nerves in the brain. It is thought that...
carvedilol (Coreg): Side Effects, Uses & Dosage
What is carvedilol? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Carvedilol is used for treating high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It is related to labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate). Carvedilol blocks receptors of the adrenergic nervous system, the system of nerves in which adrenalin (epinephrine) is active. Nerves from the adrenergic system enter the heart and release an adrenergic chemical...