Buspirone vs. Xanax differences between side effects and uses Buspirone and Xanax (alprazolam) are medications used to treat anxiety. Xanax is in the benzodiazepine class of drugs, while buspirone is not chemically related to benzodiazepines and works differently than other anxiolytics. The brand name of buspirone called BuSpar is discontinued in the U.S. Buspirone is available as a generic drug....
Bisacodyl (Dulcolax): Laxative Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is bisacodyl? What is bisacodyl used for? Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative. It stimulates the muscles in the wall of the small intestine and colon to generate a bowel movement. It also alters water and electrolyte levels in intestines, increasing the level of fluids which also produce a laxative-like effect. Bisacodyl is used for for temporary relief of occasional...
Benzodiazepines vs. Barbiturates: Addiction & Side Effects
Facts on benzodiazepines vs. barbiturates Benzodiazepines and barbiturates are central nervous system depressants that cause drowsiness and are used to treat insomnia and seizures. Benzodiazepines are also used to treat anxiety disorders, nervousness, panic disorders, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, status epilepticus, premenstrual syndrome, and as sedation during surgery. Barbiturates are also used to treat headaches. Common benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium),...
Bisoprolol (Zebeta) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is bisoprolol? What is bisoprolol used for? Bisoprolol is used for treating high blood pressure and heart pain (angina). Bisoprolol prevents the neurotransmitters (chemicals that nerves use to communicate with other nerves), norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline), from binding to beta receptors on nerves. Bisoprolol belongs to a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents that also includes propranolol...
Dexpak (Dexamethasone): Uses for COVID-19, Side Effects, Interactions
What is dexamethasone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Dexamethasone is a synthetic (man-made) corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are naturally-occurring chemicals produced by the adrenal glands located above the kidneys. Corticosteroids affect the function of many cells within the body and suppress the immune system. Corticosteroids also block inflammation and are used in a wide variety of inflammatory diseases affecting...
Baqsimi (glucagon) for diabetes: Dosage, Side Effects & Pregnancy Safety
What is Baqsimi (glucagon) and how is it used? Baqsimi is a prescription medicine used to treat very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) in people with diabetes ages 4 years and above. What are the most important side effects and other facts about Baqsimi (glucagon)? Baqsimi may cause serious side effects, including: High blood pressure. Baqsimi can cause high blood...
phenylbutazone (Butazolidine) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is phenylbutazone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Phenylbutazone is prescribed to treat inflammation and pain that results from ankylosing spondylitits, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and osteoarthritis. Phenylbutazone has been removed from the United States market due to the availability of newer drugs with less adverse effects. Phenylbutazone is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) effective in treating fever,...
tranexamic acid (Cyklokapron) Dental Drug Uses & Side Effects
What is tranexamic acid? What is tranexamic acid used for? Tranexamic acid promotes the clotting of blood and thereby reduces bleeding due to tooth extractions in people with hemophilia. People with hemophilia bleed easily because they lack a specific blood protein necessary for forming blood clots. Tranexamic acid is a man-made amino acid derivative that increases blood clotting by preventing...
Bafiertam: MS Medication Side Effects, Dosage, Interactions
Generic drug: monomethyl fumarate Brand name: Bafiertam What is Bafiertam (monomethyl fumarate), and how does it work? Bafiertam (monomethyl fumarate) is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. It is not known if Bafiertam is safe and effective in children. What are the side...
delavirdine (Rescriptor): HIV Drug Side Effects & Dosage
What is delavirdine, and what is it used for? Delavirdine is an oral medication that is used for the treatment of infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is similar to efavirenz (Sustiva) and nevirapine (Viramune). Delavirdine is in a class of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors which also includes zalcitabine (Hivid), zidovudine (Retrovir), didanosine (Videx), and lamivudine (Epivir)....