Amoxicillin vs. penicillin: What’s the difference? Amoxicillin and penicillin are penicillin-type antibiotics used to treat various bacterial infections of the middle ear, sinuses, urinary tract, and respiratory tract. They are also used to treat gonorrhea. Penicillin-type antibiotics are also used to treat blood infections (sepsis), meningitis, endocarditis, and other serious infections. Brand names of amoxicillin include Moxatag and Amoxil. Side...
Vitamin E (Aquasol E) Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects
What is vitamin E-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant properties. Vegetable oils, eggs, fruit, green leafy vegetables, meat, fortified cereals, nuts, poultry, and whole grains are natural sources of vitamin E. Vitamin E scavenges free radicals that can damage cells and cause cancer, heart disease, and other conditions. Most...
Diltiazem (Cardizem) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is diltiazem, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Diltiazem is a drug that is used for treating heart pain (angina), high blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms. It belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers (CCBs), which includes amlodipine (Norvasc), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia) as well as others. CCBs block the entry...
Norethindrone Birth Control Pill Side Effects, Dosage & Uses
What is norethindrone birth control pill? Norethindrone is a progestin that is used as an oral contraceptive. What brand names are available for norethindrone birth control pill? Brand names for norethindrone oral contraceptive include: Camila Errin Heather Jencycla Nor QD Nora-BE Ortho Micronor Incassia Why is norethindrone birth control pill used? Norethindrone is used for the prevention of pregnancy. What...
ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) Nasal Spray Side Effects & Dosage
What is ipratropium bromide inhaler, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ipratropium bromide is a bronchodilator that dilates (enlarges) airways (bronchi) in the lungs. It is used in treating, symptoms of asthma, colds, allergies, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Ipratropium blocks the effect of acetylcholine on airways (bronchi) and nasal passages....
Mycophenolate Mofetil (Cellcept) Uses, Side Effects & Interactions
What is mycophenolate mofetil? What is mycophenolate mofetil used for? Mycophenolic acid is an immunosuppressive drug. It is indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients receiving kidney, heart, or liver transplants. mycophenolate mofetil should be used concomitantly with cyclosporine and corticosteroids. Mycophenolate mofetil is a prodrug (inactive form) of mycophenolic acid (MPA). Following oral administration, mycophenolate mofetil is...
anakinra (Kineret): Arthritis Drug Side Effects & Dosage
What is anakinra? Anakinra (Kineret) is a synthetic (man-made), injectable, interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist that blocks the effects of human interleukin-1. It is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Is anakinra available as a generic drug? No Why is anakinra prescribed to patients? Anakinra is used for treating the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in...
atenolol, Tenormin: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What is atenolol? How is atenolol used? Atenolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent that blocks the effects of adrenergic chemicals, for example, adrenaline or epinephrine, released by nerves of the sympathetic nervous system. One of the important function of beta-adrenergic nerves is to stimulate the heart muscle to beat more rapidly. By blocking the stimulation by these nerves, atenolol reduces...
Clomipramine (Anafranil): OCD Drug Dosage & Side Effects
What is clomipramine? What is clomipramine used for? Clomipramine (Anafranil) is a psychotropic agent used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Clomipramine shares structural similarities with a class of antidepressants known as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). The exact mechanism by which clomipramine exerts its therapeutic benefits is not fully understood. However, similar to other TCAs, clomipramine is thought to enhance the actions...
Cefdinir vs. Cefixime (Suprax) Differences – 3rd Generation
Cefdinir vs. cefixime (Suprax) quick comparison of the differences Cefdinir and cefixime (Suprax) are 3rd generation cephalosporin antibiotics used to treat a wide range of infections, for example: Middle ear infections Tonsillitis Strep Throat Laryngitis Sinusitis Bronchitis Pneumonia Skin and soft tissue infections Cefdinir and cefixime have similar side effects that include: Diarrhea Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Headache Vaginitis Skin...