What is nafarelin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nafarelin is a synthetic (man-made) protein that blocks the effects of the natural gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a hormone that regulates the output of gonadotropins (a class of hormones) by the pituitary gland (a small gland located at the base of the brain). Gonadotropins (follicle stimulating hormone or FSH and...
Juxtapid (lomitapide): Cholesterol Medication Side Effects & Dosage
Generic drug: lomitapide Brand name: Juxtapid What is Juxtapid (lomitapide), and how does it work? Juxtapid (lomitapide) is a prescription medicine used along with diet and other lipid-lowering treatments, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis where available, in people with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) to reduce: LDL ("bad") cholesterol total cholesterol a protein that carries "bad" cholesterol in the blood (apolipoprotein B)...
phenylephrine injection (Neo-Synephrine) Side Effects & Dosage
What is phenylephrine-injection, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Phenylephrine is a man-made drug that stimulates receptors (alpha1 receptors) on blood vessels and cause blood vessels to constrict (vasoconstriction). It is a vasoconstrictor medication, structurally similar to epinephrine and ephedrine. Vasoconstriction increases blood pressure. Phenylephrine increases blood pressure and heart rate without affecting heart rhythm. What brand names...
Klonopin vs. Ativan Side Effects, Dosage & Pregnancy Safety Information
Klonopin vs. Ativan Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam) are medications used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. Both drugs are also sometimes used for treating seizures. Both Klonopin and Ativan are in the benzodiazepine class of drugs, the same family that includes diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and flurazepam (Dalmane). Side effects of Klonopin and Ativan that are similar include drowsiness,...
Lymepak (doxycycline hyclate) for Lyme Disease: Side Effects & Warnings
What is Lymepak, and how does it work? Lymepak is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of early Lyme disease due to a bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi in adults and children 8 years of age and older weighing 99 pounds (lbs) (45 kg) and above. It is not known if Lymepak is safe and effective in children less...
Imcivree (setmelanotide): Medication to Treat Genetic Obesity
What is Imcivree (setmelanotide), and how is it used? Imcivree (setmelanotide) is a prescription medicine used in adults and children 6 years of age and older with obesity due to the genetic conditions proopiomelanocortin (POMC), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1), or leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency, to help them lose weight and keep the weight off. Your healthcare provider should...
Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) for Glaucoma and Eye Problems
What is Isopto Carpine, and how does it work? Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) is a cholinergic agonist prepared as a sterile topical ophthalmic solution. What are the side effects of Isopto Carpine? Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates...
Shingles Vaccine (Zostavax) Administration & Side Effects
What is Zoster Vaccine Live (Shingles Vaccine), and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Zoster vaccine contains live, attenuated (weakened) varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Varicella-zoster causes chickenpox and then becomes dormant in nerves. VZV reactivates and causes herpes zoster (shingles or zoster) later in life (usually 60 years of age or older) when immunity against VZV declines. Zoster vaccine stimulates...
Kalbitor (ecallantide) Injection Side Effects, Dosage & Warnings
Generic drug: ecallantide Brand Kalbitor: Kalbitor What is Kalbitor (ecallantide) Injection, and how does it work? Kalbitor (ecallantide) is a prescription medicine used to treat sudden attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in people 12 years of age and older. Kalbitor is not a cure for HAE. It is not known if Kalbitor is safe and effective in children under 12...
indomethacin, Indocin: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What is indomethacin? How is indomethacin used? Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces fever, pain and inflammation. It is similar to ibuprofen (Motrin) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve). Indomethacin works by reducing the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals that the body produces and which cause the fever and pain that are associated with inflammation. Indomethacin blocks the...