What is mifepristone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Mifepristone is a synthetic steroid with antiprogesterone and antiglucocorticoid effects. It is used for terminating pregnancy and treating people with Cushing syndrome. Progesterone is a female hormone and the principal progestational hormone. Progesterone prepares the uterus (the womb) to receive and sustain the fertilized egg andis an important hormone...
Primsol (trimethoprim): UTI Antibiotic Side Effects & Dosage
What is Primsol (trimethoprim) and how does it work? Primsol is a synthetic (man-made) antibiotic that interferes with the production of tetrahydrofolic acid, a chemical that is necessary in order for bacteria and human cells to produce proteins. Trimethoprim inhibits production of tetrahydrofolic acid by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for making tetrahydrofolic acid from dihydrofolic acid. Primsol inhibits the bacterial...
oseltamivir (Tamiflu): Flu Drug Facts, Side Effects & Dosage
What is oseltamivir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Oseltamivir is an oral medication used for treating and preventing the “flu.” It is similar to zanamivir (Relenza). Oseltamivir suppresses and decreases the spread of influenza A and B viruses, the viruses responsible for the flu. It does this by blocking the action of neuraminidase, an enzyme produced by...
Pifeltro (doravirine) for HIV: Side Effects, Dosage, & Interactions
Generic drug: doravirine Brand name: Pifeltro What is Pifeltro (doravirine), and how does it work? Pifeltro (doravirine) is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults: who have not received HIV-1 medicines in the past, or to replace their current HIV-1 medicines for people whose healthcare provider determines...
Ofloxacin (Ocuflox) vs. Levofloxacin (Levaquin): Antibiotic Comparison
Ofloxacin vs. levofloxacin: What’s the difference? Ofloxacin and levofloxacin are fluoroquinolone antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, staph infections, STDs (gonorrhea, chlamydia), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and prostate infections caused by E. coli. Levofloxacin is also used for treating bacterial infections of the sinuses, skin, ears, airways, bones, and joints; infectious diarrhea caused by E. coli,...
Nplate (romiplostim) for Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Treatment
What is Nplate, and how does it work? Nplate is a prescription medicine used to treat low blood platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) in: adults with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) when certain medicines or surgery to remove your spleen have not worked well enough. children 1 year of age and older with ITP for at least 6 months when certain medicines or surgery...
Phoslyra (calcium acetate) for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
What is Phoslyra, and how does it work? Phoslyra is a phosphate binder indicated to reduce serum phosphorus in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Management of elevated serum phosphorus levels usually includes all of the following: reduction in dietary intake of phosphate, removal of phosphate by dialysis, and inhibition of intestinal phosphate absorption with phosphate binders. What are...
Prednisone vs. Hydrocortisone Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What are the differences between prednisone vs. hydrocortisone? Prednisone and hydrocortisone are synthetic corticosteroids used for suppressing the immune system and inflammation. Both drugs are used to treat many conditions including arthritis, colitis, asthma, bronchitis, skin problems, and allergies. Corticosteroids including prednisone and hydrocortisone are commonly used to suppress the immune system and prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs....
Reclast (zoledronic acid): Osteoporosis Drug Side Effects & Dosage
What is zoledronic acid? What are the uses for zoledronic acid? Reclast is used for treatment of osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women as well as Paget's disease. It also is used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and treatment of steroid-induced osteoporosis. Treatment of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women Reclast is indicated for treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. In...
10 Birth Control Pills Side Effects, Dosage, Effectiveness
What are birth control pills? How do they work (mechanism of action)? Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) are medications that prevent pregnancy. They are one method of birth control. Oral contraceptives are hormonal preparations that may contain combinations of the hormones estrogen and progestin or progestin alone. Combinations of estrogen and progestin prevent pregnancy by inhibiting the release of the...