Tramadol vs. codeine comparison Tramadol (Ultram) and codeine are both opiates and narcotics prescribed for moderate pain. Codeine is also a cough suppressant. Codeine is derived from the poppy plant like other narcotics, including morphine, heroin, and opium. Tramadol, on the other hand, is synthetic, though it is similar to codeine. Both these drugs are less potent than other opiates,...
Suprax (cefixime) vs. cefuroxime: Antibiotics Side Effects, Dosage
Suprax (cefixime) vs. cefuroxime: What’s the difference? Suprax (cefixime) and cefuroxime are cephalosporin antibiotics used to treat infections of the middle ear (otitis media), tonsillitis, throat infections (pharyngitis), laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), gonorrhea, and acute bacterial bronchitis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cefuroxime is also used to treat early Lyme disease. Suprax is a...
What Is Botulinum Toxin Used For?
What is botulinum toxin? The bacterial botulinum toxin refined into a drug called Botox, among other formulations. It can smooth fine lines and wrinkles by paralyzing underlying facial muscles, it can reduce nerve pain and relax spasming muscles. Botulinum toxin is one of nature’s most poisonous biological substances. It is a neurotoxin produced by bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum. The...
What Is Artificial Blood and Why Is it Used?
Is there a substitute for human blood? While there is no synthetic substitute for human blood, current research largely focuses on developing substitute blood components, like platelets for clotting or red cells for oxygen/CO2 exchange. Though some clinical trials of blood substitutes have shut down because of safety concerns, the field has come a long way since early doctors tried...
What Is an Example of Chemical Restraint?
What is chemical restraint? A chemical restraint is a drug, usually a sedative or antipsychotic, administered to control a patient's violent behavior that could harm medical staff or themselves. Chemical restraint refers to the administration of certain medications to restrain agitated patients from behavior that is harmful to themselves or others, including the medical staff attending to them. The administration...
Sogroya (somapacitan-beco) Human Growth Hormone: Side Effects & Dosage
What is Sogroya, and how does it work? Sogroya is indicated for the replacement of endogenous growth hormone (GH) in adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Sogroya is a prescription medicine that contains human growth hormone, the same growth hormone made by the human body. Sogroya is given by injection under the skin (subcutaneous) and is used to treat adults...
What Drugs Are Used for Conscious Sedation?
What is conscious sedation? Sedatives and pain relievers as well as local anesthetic are used to induce conscious sedation. Conscious sedation, medically known as procedural sedation and/or moderate sedation, is a procedure to relieve anxiety and depress the level of consciousness in patients, before minor procedures. Conscious sedation is usually performed by physicians in their office, with the administration of...
What Are Intrauterine Devices for Birth Control?
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a method of contraception that requires the placement of a small, T-shaped device inside the uterus. Contraception refers to precautionary measures to prevent vaginal intercourse from resulting in pregnancy. Intrauterine devices are one of the most effective methods of contraception. IUDs are useful for long term contraception because they last for several years, some even...
Prednisone (Corticosteroid) Side Effects and Adverse Effects
What is prednisone? How does it work? Prednisone is a drug that belongs to the corticosteroid drug class, and is an anti-inflammatory and immune system suppressant. It's used to treat a variety of diseases and conditions, for example: inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), lupus, asthma, cancers, and several types of arthritis. Common side effects are weight gain,...
Synribo for CML: Side Effects & Dosage
Generic drug: omacetaxine mepesuccinate Brand name: Synribo What is Synribo (omacetaxine mepesuccinate), and how does it work? Synribo is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a type of blood cancer called chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): that is in the chronic phase or accelerated phase, and who have not responded to (resistant) or cannot tolerate 2 or more medicines...