What is beclomethasone aerosol inhaler? What is beclomethasone used for? Beclomethasone is a synthetic steroid of the glucocorticoid family. It's prescribed to people age 5 and up. Beclomethasone is inhaled to stop and prevent the brochial spasm symptoms of asthma. The naturally-occurring glucocorticoid that is produced by the adrenal gland is cortisol or hydrocortisone. Glucocorticoid steroids have potent anti-inflammatory actions....
Beta-Blockers vs. ARBs for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
What’s the Difference between Beta Blockers and ARBs? Beta blockers and ARBs are used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Examples of beta blockers include acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone, Betoptic S), bisoprolol fumarate (Zebeta), carvedilol (Coreg), esmolol (Brevibloc), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), nebivolol (Bystolic), penbutolol (Levatol), propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal LA, Inderal XL, InnoPran XL),...
cocaine hydrochloride: Uses, Side Effects, Dosing
What is cocaine hydrochloride-topical, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Cocaine is a naturally occurring chemical found in the leaves of Erythroxylum coca or coca plant, which is native to South America. Coca leaves have been used and abused for hundreds of years. Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that directly affects the nervous system, including the...
Exenatide (Byetta): Diabetes Drug Side Effects & Dosage
What is exenatide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Exenatide is an injectable drug that reduces the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. It is used for treating type 2 diabetes. Exenatide belongs in a class of drugs called incretin mimetics because these drugs mimic the effects of incretins. Incretins, such as human-glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), are hormones...
Bumetanide (Bumex) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is bumetanide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Bumetanide is a potent diuretic (water pill) that causes a profound increase in urine output (diuresis) by preventing the kidney from retaining fluid. Specifically, it blocks the reabsorption of sodium and fluid from the kidney's tubules. It is in a class of diuretics called "loop" diuretics which also includes...
Clariscan (gadoterate meglumine): MRI Contrast Dye Side Effects & Dosage
What is Clariscan (gadoterate meglumine), and how is it used? Clariscan (gadoterate meglumine) is a prescription medicine called a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA). Clariscan, like other GBCAs, is injected into your vein and used with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. An MRI exam with a GBCA, including Clariscan, helps your doctor to see problems better than an MRI exam...
clindamycin, Oral (Cleocin): Drug Side Effects, Dosage
What is oral clindamycin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Clindamycin is an antibiotic used for treating serious infections. It is effective again several types of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Propionibacterium acnes. It reduces growth of bacteria by interfering with their ability to make proteins. The FDA approved clindamycin in February 1970....
Ciprofloxacin Eye Drops (Ciloxan) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is ciprofloxacin-ophthalmic drops, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections. Ciprofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics which includes levofloxacin (Levaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), gatifloxacin (Tequin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), and others. Ciprofloxacin interferes with bacterial DNA uncoiling and replication, which ultimately leads to bacterial cell death....
pyrimethamine (Daraprim) Malaria Drug Side Effects & Dosage
What is pyrimethamine? What is its mechanism of action? Pyrimethamine prevents parasites from producing important proteins by blocking the use of folic acid which is necessary for the production of proteins. Preventing parasites from producing important proteins prevents growth and development of new parasites. The FDA approved pyrimethamine in January 1953. What brand names are available for pyrimethamine? The brand...
lorcaserin HCL (Belviq): Weight Loss Drug Dosage & Side Effects
What is lorcaserin (Belviq)? What is it used for? Lorcaserin is an orally administered medication that promotes weight loss. It is used with diet and exercise in overweight adults with a weight-related medical problem or obese adults to lose weight and keep it off. Lorcaserin is a serotonin 2C (5-HT2C) receptor agonist. Although the exact mechanism of action is not...