Generic drug: enasidenib Brand name: Idhifa What is Idhifa (enasidenib), and how does it work? Idhifa (enasidenib) is a prescription medicine used to treat people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with an isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2) mutation whose disease has come back or has not improved after previous treatment(s). It is not known if Idhifa is safe and effective in children....
Lexapro vs. Cymbalta: SSRIs and SNRIs for Depression & Anxiety
What’s the Difference Between Lexapro and Cymbalta? Lexapro (escitalopram) and Cymbalta (duloxetine) are used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Cymbalta is also used to treat pain from diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Lexapro and Cymbalta belong to different drug classes. Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a selective serotonin...
Ketorolac vs. ketoprofen: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Differences
Ketorolac vs. ketoprofen: What’s the difference? Ketorolac and ketoprofen are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat different types of pain. Ketorolac is used for short-term management (up to 5 days) of moderately severe acute pain that otherwise would require narcotics. Ketoprofen is used for the management of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual...
Levaquin (levofloxacin) Antibiotic Side Effects, Uses & Dosage
What is levofloxacin? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Levofloxacin is an antibiotic that is used for treating bacterial infections. Many common infections in humans are caused by bacteria. Bacteria can grow and multiply, infecting different parts of the body. Drugs that control and eradicate these bacteria are called antibiotics. Levofloxacin is an antibiotic that stops multiplication of bacteria...
Invanz (ertapenem) Antibiotic Side Effects & Warnings
Generic drug: ertapenem Brand name: Invanz What is Invanz (ertapenem), and how does it work? Invanz (ertapenem) is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of various bacterial infections in the skin, lungs, stomach, pelvis, and urinary tract. Invanz may be used alone or with other medications. Invanz belongs to a class of drugs called Carbapenems. It is not...
EMLA Cream (lidocaine & prilocaine) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is lidocaine w/prilocaine cream, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Lidocaine and prilocaine is a topical anesthetic cream. Lidocaine and prilocaine enter through the skin and block pain receptors in nerve endings. Lidocaine and prilocaine reduce conduction of nerve impulses by interrupting the transfer of sodium ions across the membranes of nerve cells. This results in a...
Helidac Therapy for H. Pylori: Side Effects & Warnings
Generic drug: bismuth subsalicylate/metronidazole/tetracycline hydrochloride Brand name: Helidac What is Helidac (bismuth subsalicylate/metronidazole/tetracycline hydrochloride), and how does it work? Helidac Therapy (bismuth subsalicylate/metronidazole/tetracycline hydrochloride) is a combination of antibiotics used to treat Helicobacter pylori, a bacterial infection involved in causing stomach ulcers. What are the side effects of Helidac? WARNING Metronidazole has been shown to be carcinogenic in mice and...
Klonopin (clonazepam) vs. Buspar (buspirone)
Clonazepam vs. buspirone: What’s the difference? Klonopin (clonazepam) and Buspar (buspirone) are used to provide short-term relief of symptoms in the treatment of anxiety. Clonazepam is primarily used to treat panic disorder, to prevent certain types of seizures, and to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Buspirone is especially effective in persons with limited to moderate generalized anxiety. It is not very effective...
polyethylene glycol (Miralax, Glycolax): Laxative Side Effects & Dosage
What is polyethylene glycol? What is polyethylene glycol used for? Polyethylene glycol is an osmotic laxative. Polyethylene glycol works by retaining water in the stool, resulting in softer stools and more frequent bowel movements. Polyethylene glycol does not affect glucose and electrolytes in the body. What brand names are available for polyethylene glycol (peg) 3350-oral? Miralax, Glycolax Is polyethylene glycol...
Ibuprofen vs. Meloxicam for Pain Side Effects, Uses, and Dosage
Ibuprofen vs. meloxicam (Mobic) for pain Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and others) and meloxicam (Mobic) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. Common side effects of meloxicam and ibuprofen that are similar include: Rash Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) Headaches Dizziness Drowsiness Abdominal pain Nausea Diarrhea Constipation Heartburn Serious side effects...