What is methylphenidate hydrochloride, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Methylphenidate is a medication used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It stimulates the central nervous system (CNS or brain) in a manner that is similar to amphetamines; however, its actions are milder than amphetamines. Amphetamines stimulate the brain by increasing the level of neurotransmitters, dopamine and...
simeprevir, Olysio: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What is simeprevir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Simeprevir is an oral, direct-acting an-tiviral agent used for treating infections with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Boceprevir (Victrelis), telaprevir (Incivek), and sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) are other direct-acting drugs for treating HCV. Simeprevir blocks the effect of pro-teases which are enzymes that HCV needs for making new viruses, leading to...
procainamide, Pronestyl; Procan-SR; Procanbid Side Effects
What is procainamide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Procainamide is an injectable antiarrhythmic drug that is used to correct disturbances in the heart's rhythm. Three actions are responsible for its ability to correct disturbances of rhythm and prevent their recurrence. Procainamide decreases the speed of electrical conduction through the heart muscle, prolongs the electrical phase during which...
granisetron patch, Sancuso: Drug Facts and Side Effects
What is granisetron transdermal system (patch), and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Sancuso is granisetron delivered via a transdermal patch system for the prevention of nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy for cancer. Other formulations of granisetron (for example, Kytril) are administered by mouth or injection. Certain chemotherapeutic agents used for treating cancer stimulate the release of a...
miglitol, Glyset: Drug Facts, Side Effects, and Dosing
What is miglitol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Miglitol is an oral medication used to control blood glucose (sugar) levels in type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors which also includes acarbose (Precose). Carbohydrates that are eaten are digested by enzymes in the intestine into smaller sugars which are absorbed into...
loracarbef, Lorabid: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What is loracarbef, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Loracarbef is a synthetic oral antibiotic in the cephalosporin family of antibiotics. The cephalosporin family includes cephalexin (Keflex), cefaclor (Ceclor), cefuroxime (Zinacef), cefpodoxime (Vantin), cefprozil (Cefzil), and many injectable antibiotics. Like other cephalosporins, loracarbef stops bacteria from multiplying by preventing bacteria from forming the walls that surround them. The...
rimantadine, Flumadine: Side Effects and Drug Interactions
What is rimantadine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Rimantadine is a synthetic (man-made) anti-viral drug that can prevent viruses in cells from multiplying. Rimantadine is chemically related to amantadine (Symmetrel), but rimantadine has fewer side effects on the nervous system than amantadine. It is useful in treating and preventing influenza A virus in adults and in preventing...
estropipate, Ogen: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What brand names are available for estropipate? Ogen, ORTHO-EST Is estropipate available as a generic drug? GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes Do I need a prescription for estropipate? Yes What are the side effects of estropipate? Common side effects include break-through vaginal bleeding or spotting, loss of periods or excessively prolonged periods, breast pain, breast enlargement, and changes in sexuality (increased or...
dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera): Facts About Side Effects
What is dimethyl fumarate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Dimethyl fumarate is an oral disease-modifying agent used for treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Teriflunomide (Aubagio), Interferon beta-1a (Avonex), interferon beta-1b (Betaseron), glatiramer acetate (Copaxone), interferon beta-1b (Extavia), fingolimod (Gilenya), mitoxantrone (Novantrone), interferon beta-1a (Rebif), and natalizumab (Tysabri) are other disease modifying agents for multiple sclerosis....
efalizumab, Raptiva: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What is efalizumab, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Efalizumab is a synthetic (man-made) antibody that is used for the treatment of psoriasis. Psoriasis is a disease of the skin in which the cells of the skin reproduce more rapidly than normal. This increased reproduction is thought to be stimulated by activation of the immune system, in particular,...