What is ticlopidine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ticlopidine is an oral drug that inhibits the ability of platelets to clump and form blood clots. It prevents blood clots by binding to the P2Y12 receptor on platelets, preventing adenosine diphosphate (ADP) from activating platelets. It belongs to a class of drugs called P2Y12 inhibitors. Other drugs in...
24 tolazamide Side Effects, Uses & Dosage
What is tolazamide? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Tolazamide is used with diet and exercise to reduce blood glucose levels in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Other diabetes drugs are sometimes used in combination with tolazamide if needed. Tolazamides initial effect is to increase beta-cell insulin secretion. Tolazamide causes the pancreas to produce insulin and increases...
What Are the Barrier Methods of Contraception?
What is barrier contraception? Contraception refers to any measures you take to prevent sexual intercourse from resulting in pregnancy. The barrier method of contraception prevents the fertilization of the egg (ovum) by blocking the passage of the sperm into the cervix with a physical device, or by destroying the sperm cell membrane with spermicide. What is the best contraceptive? The definition of...
Zelapar for Parkinson’s Disease: Drug Side Effects & Warnings
Generic drug: generic Brand name: Zelapar What is Zelapar, and how does it work? Zelapar (selegiline hydrochloride) is an enzyme blocker (MAO inhibitor) that works by slowing the breakdown of certain natural substances in the brain (neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) used together with other medicines to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease. What are the side effects of...
Unituxin (dinutuximab): Cancer Drug for Pediatric Neuroblastoma
What is Unituxin (dinutuximab), and how does it work? Unituxin (dinutuximab) is indicated, in combination with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA), for the treatment of pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma who achieve at least a partial response to prior firstline multiagent, multimodality therapy. What are the side effects of Unituxin? The most common adverse drug...
Zoloft (sertraline) vs. Prozac (fluoxetine): Side Effects, Dosage
Zoloft (sertraline) vs. Wellbutrin (bupropion): What’s the difference? Zoloft (sertraline) and Wellbutrin (bupropion) are antidepressants used to treat depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Zoloft is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Wellbutrin is also used to treat seasonal affective disorder. Off-label uses for Wellbutrin include anxiety, attention deficit...
Soliris (eculizumab) for Blood Disorder: Side Effects & Dosage
Generic drug: eculizumab Brand name: Soliris What is Soliris (eculizumab), and how does it work? Soliris (eculizumab) is a prescription medicine called a monoclonal antibody. Soliris is used to treat: patients-with a disease called Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH). adults and children with a disease called atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS). Soliris is not for use in treating people with Shiga...
Valchlor (mechlorethamine) Cancer Treatment Side Effects & Warnings
Generic drug: mechlorethamine Brand name: Valchlor What is Valchlor (mechlorethamine), and how does it work? Valchlor is a prescription medicine used on the skin (topical) to treat people with Stage 1A and 1B mycosis fungoides-type cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, who have received previous skin treatment. It is not known if Valchlor is safe and effective in...
Valtrex (valacyclovir) vs. Zovirax (acyclovir): Herpes Drug Side Effects
Valtrex (valacyclovir) vs. Zovirax (acyclovir): What’s the difference? Valtrex (valacyclovir) and Zovirax (acyclovir) are antiviral drugs used to treat infections with shingles (herpes zoster), genital herpes (herpes simplex genitalis), and cold sores (herpes labialis). Zovirax is also used to treat Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis). Side effects of Valtrex and Zovirax that are similar include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash. Side...
Trogarzo (ibalizumab-uiyk) for HIV: Side Effects & Warnings
Generic drug: ibalizumab-uiyk Brand name: Trogarzo What is Trogarzo (ibalizumab-uiyk), and how does it work? Trogarzo (ibalizumab-uiyk) is a prescription medicine that is used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults who: have received several anti-HIV-1 regimens in the past, and have HIV-1 virus that is resistant to many antiretroviral medicines,and who are failing...