What is Diflucan (fluconazole)? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Diflucan (fluconazole) is an anti-fungal medication related to clotrimazole (Lotrimin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), and miconazole (Micatin, Monistat). Fluconazole prevents growth of fungi by preventing production of the membranes that surround fungal cells. What are the uses for Diflucan (fluconazole)? Diflucan is used for treating vaginal, oral, and esophageal...
Digoxin vs. amiodarone: Heart Medications Side Effects, Dosages
Digoxin vs. amiodarone: What’s the difference? Digoxin and amiodarone are heart medications used to treat abnormal heart rhythms and congestive heart failure. Digoxin also is used for increasing myocardial contractility in pediatric patients with heart failure. Brand names for digoxin include Lanoxin and Lanoxin Pediatric. Brand names for amiodarone include Cordarone, Nextrone, and Pacerone. Digoxin and amiodarone belong to different...
Tarceva (erlotinib): Lung Cancer Drug Facts, Side Effects & Dosage
What is erlotinib, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Erlotinib is a synthetic (man-made) oral drug that is used for treating cancer. It is approved for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There are more than 1.2 million cases worldwide of lung cancer each year, causing one death every 3 seconds. According to the National Cancer Institute,...
Ezetimibe/Simvastatin (Vytorin) Side Effects & Dosage
What is ezetimibe and simvastatin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Vytorin is a combination of ezetimibe (Zetia) and simvastatin (Zocor) that is used for treating high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Vytorin reduces total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol while it increases high density lipoprotein (HDL or "good") cholesterol. The ezetimibe component...
estrogens conjugated (Premarin) Side Effects & Dosage
What is estrogens conjugated, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Estrogens are one of the two major classes of female hormones. (Progestins comprise the second major class). Estrogens are used primarily to treat the symptoms of menopause and states in which there is a deficiency of estrogen, for example, in women who have had their ovaries removed. Conjugated...
enfuvirtide (Fuzeon): Side Effects for HIV/AIDS Antiretroviral Drugs
What is enfuvirtide (Fuzeon), and what is it used for? Fuzeon in combination with other antiretroviral agents is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients with evidence of HIV-1 replication despite ongoing antiretroviral therapy. This indication is based on results from two controlled studies of 48 weeks duration. Subjects enrolled were treatment-experienced adults; many had advanced disease....
Diflucan vs. Nystatin: Side Effects & Uses for Anti-fungal Drugs
Diflucan vs. nystatin similarities and differences Diflucan (fluconazole) and nystatin are anti-fungal medications used to treat different types of Candida infections. Diflucan is used to treat vaginal, oral, and esophageal fungal infections caused by Candida; urinary tract infections, peritonitis, pneumonia and disseminated infections caused by Candida; cryptococcal meningitis; and to prevent Candida infections in patients treated with chemotherapy or radiation...
Gabapentin vs. Xanax (alprazolam) for Anxiety & Panic Disorders
What’s the difference between gabapentin and Xanax? Gabapentin and Xanax (alprazolam) are used to treat anxiety. A difference is that gabapentin is primarily an anti-seizure (anticonvulsant) drug used for preventing seizures and for treating post-herpetic neuralgia, the pain that follows an episode of shingles. Gabapentin is used off-label to treat anxiety. Xanax belongs to a different drug class called benzodiazepines,...
lamivudine (3tc), Epivir HBV: Side Effects, Uses & Dosage
What are the uses for lamivudine? Lamivudine is used for the treatment of HIV infection and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It also is used off-label for prevention of HIV among individuals accidentally exposed to HIV. What brand names are available for lamivudine? Epivir, Epivir HBV Is lamivudine available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for...
Prednisolone (Orapred, Pediapred) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is prednisolone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Prednisolone is a synthetic adrenal corticosteroid (cortisone). Corticosteroids are natural substances produced by the adrenal glands located adjacent to the kidneys. Corticosteroids have potent anti-inflammatory properties, and are used in a wide variety of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, colitis, asthma, bronchitis, certain skin rashes, and allergic or inflammatory...