penicillin V: Antibiotic Uses, Side Effects & Dosage

What is penicillin V? What are the uses for penicillin V (phenoxymethyl penicillin)? Penicillin V is effective for treatment of laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and soft tissue and skin infections caused by susceptible bacteria. It also is used for preventing recurrence of rheumatic fever and chorea (a disorder of uncontrolled movement of the body). Only mild to moderate infections are treated...

mitoxantrone (Novantrone): MS Drug Side Effects & Dosage

What is mitoxantrone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Mitoxantrone is a synthetic (man-made) anticancer drug. It kills cancer cells by disrupting the action of deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) in human cells by causing abnormal cross-links and breaks in the DNA. It also interferes with ribonucleic acid (RNA) and inhibits the activity of topoisomerase II, an enzyme that is...

Prolia (denosumab): Osteoporosis Drug Dosage & Side Effects

What is Prolia and how is it used? Prolia is a prescription medicine used to: Treat osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of bone) in women after menopause (“change of life”) who: are at high risk for fracture (broken bone) cannot use another osteoporosis medicine or other osteoporosis medicines did not work well Increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis who are...

Oxlumo (lumasiran): Medication for Kidney Disease Treatment

What is Oxlumo, and how does it work? Oxlumo (lumasiran) is a HAO1-directed small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) used to treat primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1), which is a type of kidney disease, to lower urinary oxalate levels in pediatric and adult patients. What are the side effects of Oxlumo? Side effects of Oxlumo include: injection site reactions (redness, pain,...

Opdivo (nivolumab): Chemotherapy Drug Uses and Side Effects

What is Opdivo (nivolumab), and how does it work? Opdivo is a prescription medicine used to treat: people with a type of skin cancer called melanoma: that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery (advanced melanoma). You may receive Opdivo alone or in combination with ipilimumab, or to help prevent melanoma from coming back after it and lymph nodes...

Ofloxacin vs. Erythromycin: Antibiotic Comparison

Ofloxacin vs. erythromycin: What’s the difference? Ofloxacin and erythromycin are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, staph infections, and STDs (gonorrhea, chlamydia). Erythromycin is also used in patients who are allergic to penicillin for the prevention of recurrent rheumatic fever and infections of the hearts' valves (endocarditis) in patients with valvular abnormalities of the heart before...

Nystatin Oral Suspension (Bio-Statin) Uses & Side Effects

What is nystatin oral suspension, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nystatin suspension is an oral, anti-fungal liquid medication. Nystatin works by binding to sterols in the walls of fungal cells, disturbing function of the cell wall. The fungal cells eventually lose their contents, leading to their death and improvement of the fungal infection. The FDA approved nystatin...

Mayzent (siponimod) for Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Dosage, Side Effects & Pregnancy Safety

What is Mayzent (siponimod) and how is it used? Mayzent is a prescription medicine that is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. It is not known if Mayzent is safe and effective in children. What are the most important side effects and other facts...

Norfloxacin (Noroxin): Antibiotic Uses, Side Effects & Dosage

What is norfloxacin? What is norfloxacin used for? Norfloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Other fluoroquinolones include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), and ofloxacin (Floxin). Norfloxacin works by blocking DNA gyrase enzyme, which is responsible for production and repair of bacterial DNA. Blocking of DNA gyrase leads to bacteria death and prevents worsening of infection. Norfloxacin treats infections caused by gram-positive and...

ProAir Respiclick (albuterol sulfate) Inhaler for Asthma, COPD

What is ProAir Respiclick, and how does it work? ProAir Respiclick is a prescription medicine used in people 4 years of age and older to: treat or prevent bronchospasm in people who have reversible obstructive airway disease prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm It is not known if ProAir Respiclick is safe and effective in children under 4 years of age. What are...