What is methoxsalen? What is methoxsalen used for? Methoxsalen is a naturally occurring photoactive chemical found in the seeds of the Ammi majus (Umbelliferae) plant and in the roots of Heraclem candicans. It belongs to a group of compounds known as psoralens, or furocoumarins. Methoxsalen lotion is used for treating vitiligo (leucoderma). The exact mechanism of action of methoxsalen is...
Nitrofurantoin vs. Bactrim: Antibiotics, Side Effects, Dosage, Uses
Nitrofurantoin vs. Bactrim: What’s the difference? Nitrofurantoin and Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) are antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). Bactrim is also used to treat other types of bacterial infections including flares of chronic bronchitis due to bacteria, middle ear infections, for prevention of infections due to pneumococcus in organ transplant recipients, for the treatment or prevention of...
Ondansetron (Zofran) vs. Dramamine Side Effects, Dosage, Differences
Ondansetron (Zofran) vs. Dramamine: What’s the difference? Ondansetron (Zofran) and Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) are anti-nausea medications used for different conditions. Ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy and to prevent vomiting and nausea after surgery. Dramamine is used for prevention and treatment of symptoms associated with motion sickness including nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Brand names for...
Paremyd for Pupil Dilation: Side Effects & Warnings
Generic drug: hydroxyamphetamine hydrobromide/tropicamide Brand name: Paremyd What is Paremyd, and how does it work? Paremyd (hydroxyamphetamine Hydrobromide 1% and tropicamide 0.25%) is a topical mydriatic used for pupil dilation (mydriasis) in routine diagnostic procedures and in conditions where short-term pupil dilation is desired. What are the side effects of Paremyd? Common side effects of Paremyd include: increased intraocular (eye)...
Palynziq (pegvaliase-pqpz): PKU Drug Side Effects & Enrollment Program
What is Palynziq (pegvaliase-pqpz), and how does it work? Palynziq (pegvaliase-pqpz) is a prescription medicine used to lower blood levels of phenylalanine in adults with PKU (phenylketonuria) who have uncontrolled blood phenylalanine levels above 600 micromol/L (10 mg/dL) on their current treatment. It is not known if Palynziq is safe and effective in children. Palynziq is only available through a...
Onureg (azacitidine) for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Side Effects & Dosage
What is Onureg, and how does it work? Onureg is a prescription medicine used for continued treatment of adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who: had a first complete remission (CR) following intensive induction chemotherapy with or without recovery of your blood cell counts, and who are not able to complete intensive curative therapy. It is not known if Onureg...
Theophylline (Theo-24, Theolair) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is theophylline, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Theophylline belongs to a class of medications called bronchodilators, used in treating asthma and other airway diseases. Asthma is a breathing problem caused by narrowing of the airways, the breathing passages that allow air to move in and out of the lungs. Airways can be narrowed due to accumulation...
pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax 23) Uses & Side Effects
What is pneumococcal vaccine-injection, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Pneumococcal vaccine is used for prevention of pneumonia. This pneumococcal vaccine contains chemicals (polysaccharides) extracted from 23 types of Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria. Upon injecting pneumococcal vaccine, our body recognizes these chemical as foreign and produces antibodies to destroy the chemicals. Antibodies are blood protein that help the body...
topiramate, Topamax for Migraine Side Effects & Dosage
What is topiramate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Topiramate is an oral drug that is used to prevent the seizures of epilepsy. It is an anti-epileptic or anti-seizure drug. It is used primarily among patients who are not controlled by other anti-epileptic drugs. About 1 in 4 Americans diagnosed with epilepsy has seizures that resist treatment with...
potassium citrate (Urocit-K) Supplement Side Effects & Dosage
What is potassium citrate-oral tablet, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Potassium citrate is a urinary alkalinizing medication. It makes urine less acidic. Potassium citrate works by crystallizing stone-forming salts such as calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, and uric acid within the urinary bladder by increasing the urinary pH and urine citrate levels. Urocit-k was approved in August 1985....