What kind of drug is Herceptin (trastuzumab), and how does it work? Herceptin is an intravenous drug that is part of a chemotherapy regimen that is used to prevent recurrence of breast cancer, and for the treatment breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast (metastasized). It belongs to a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies. Other monoclonal antibodies include...
Kalydeco (ivacaftor) for Cystic Fibrosis: Side Effects & Dosage
Generic drug: ivacaftor Brand name: Kalydeco What is Kalydeco (ivacaftor), and how does it work? Kalydeco (ivacaftor) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients age 6 months and older who have at least one mutation in their CF gene that is responsive to Kalydeco. Talk to your doctor to learn if you have...
Lyrica vs. Gabapentin for Pain: Differences between Uses & Side Effects
Lyrica (pregablin) vs. gabapentin (Neurontin) quick comparison Lyrica (pregablin) and gabapentin (Neurontin) are anti-epileptic medications used to treat seizures and nerve pain (neuropathic pain). Gabapentin also is used to treat nerve pain caused by shingles (herpes zoster). Other uses for Lyrica are neuropathic (nerve) pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia, and fibromyalgia. Side effects of gabapentin and that...
imipramine, Tofranil, Tofranil-PM: Drug Facts
What is imipramine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Imipramine is an antidepressant medication of the tricyclic class. Medications in this class are often referred to as tricyclic antidepressants or TCAs. Depression is defined as an all-pervasive sense of sadness and gloom. In patients with depression, abnormal levels of chemicals in the brain (called neurotransmitters) may be the...
20 Onzetra Xsail (sumatriptan) Side Effects, Uses & Dosage
What is sumatriptan nasal powder? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Sumatriptan is a drug that is used for treating migraine headaches. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin receptor agonists. Other medications in this drug class include: naratriptan (Amerge) zolmitriptan (Zomig) rizatriptan (Maxalt) frovatriptan (Frova) eletriptan (Relpax) almotriptan (Axert) Migraine headaches are believed to result...
Ibsrela (tenapanor) for IBS: Side Effects, Dosage & Warnings
Generic drug: tenapanor Brand name: Ibsrela What is Ibsrela (tenapanor), and how does it work? Ibsrela (tenapanor) is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat: Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). It is not known if Ibsrela is safe and effective in children less than 18 years of age. What are the side effects of Ibsrela? WARNING RISK OF...
Gemtesa (vibegron) for Overactive Bladder: Drug Warnings
Generic drug: vibegron Brand name: Gemtesa What is Gemtesa (vibegron), and how does it work? Gemtesa (vibegron) is a prescription medicine for adults used to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder: urge urinary incontinence: a strong need to urinate with leaking or wetting accidents urgency: the need to urinate right away frequency: urinating often It...
Haldol (haloperidol) vs. Thorazine (chlorpromazine): Antipsychotic Side Effects
Haldol (haloperidol) vs. Thorazine (chlorpromazine): What’s the difference? Haloperidol and chlorpromazine are antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia and acute psychosis. Haloperidol is also used to treat tics and vocal utterances of Tourette's syndrome. Chlorpromazine is also used to treat the manic phase of bipolar disorder and severe behavioral problems in children. Chlorpromazine is also used to control nausea/vomiting, relieve...
Lansoprazole (Prevacid) PPI Uses, Side Effects & Dosing
What is lansoprazole, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Lansoprazole is in a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) which block the production of acid by the stomach. Other drugs in the same class include rabeprazole (Aciphex), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium). Proton pump inhibitors are used for the treatment of conditions such as...
Viramune, Viramune XR (nevirapine): Drug Facts, Side Effects & Dosage
What is nevirapine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nevirapine is an oral medication that is used for the treatment of infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is in a class of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors that also includes zalcitabine (Hivid), zidovudine (Retrovir), didanosine (Videx), and lamivudine (Epivir). It is in a subclass of protease...