Drug information - from abacavir to methoxsalen

ABACAVIR - SULPHATE - What is abacavir oral solution?	February 10th, 2005
ABACAVIR (Ziagen®) is an antiviral drug called a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or NRTI. Abacavir is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. ..[more]

ABREVA, DOCOSANOL (OTC)?

February 10th, 2005

Docosanol is a unique chemical compound also known as behenyl alcohol. Docosanol can reduce the duration of symptoms attributed to cold sores and fever blisters caused by HSV, however, docosanol is not virucidal. Because its mechanism of action differs from other antivirals (e.g., acyclovir, penciclovir, valacyclovir), docosanol is not considered a true antiviral, although it has been shown to have activity against acyclovir-resistant HSV. ..[more]

ACCUNEB, ALBUTEROL SULFATE?

February 10th, 2005

Albuterol is a moderately selective beta2-receptor agonist. Albuterol is a racemic mixture of R- and S-isomers, and is widely used as a bronchodilator. It is indicated for the management of asthma exacerbations or other chronic obstructive airway diseases. It is similar in structure to terbutaline, but exhibits less cardiac stimulation and more prolonged bronchodilation than isoproterenol or metaproterenol...[more]

ACCUPRIL, QUINAPRIL HYDROCHLORIDE?	February 10th, 2005
Quinapril is an oral angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. Similar to ramipril, quinapril is a prodrug that requires deesterification to the active metabolite quinaprilat...[more]

ACEON, PERINDOPRIL ERBUMINE?

February 10th, 2005

Perindopril is an oral angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor which is used alone or in combination therapy for the treatment of hypertension. Perindopril is a prodrug that is hydrolyzed to perindoprilat. Perindopril is an intermediate-acting ACE inhibitor, allowing for once or twice daily dosing. In general, ACE inhibitors appear to have a lesser effect on blood pressure in black patients (low renin population) than in non-black patients. ..[more]

What are abacavir; lamivudine; zidovudine tablets?	February 10th, 2005
ABACAVIR; LAMIVUDINE (3TC); ZIDOVUDINE (ZDV) (Trizivir™) is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine are all antiviral drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or NRTIs. This combination may reduce the amount of HIV in the blood and increase the number of CD4 cells (T-cells) in the blood...[more]

What are acarbose tablets?

February 12th, 2005

ACARBOSE (Precose(R)) lowers blood sugar in patients with diabetes. It slows the entry of certain sugars from food in the intestine into the body. Because it acts to reduce the absorption of sugars or starches in food, it must be taken with meals. Treatment is combined with a balanced diet and exercise. Acarbose may be used with some other diabetic medications. Generic acarbose tablets are not yet available. ..[more]

What are acebutolol capsules?

February 12th, 2005

ACEBUTOLOL (Sectral(R)) belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers reduce the workload on the heart and help it to beat more regularly. Acebutolol is used to control high blood pressure (hypertension), and to treat or prevent certain heart rhythm problems (ventricular arrhythmias). Acebutolol does not cure high blood pressure. Generic acebutolol capsules are available. ..[more]

What is ACEPHEN, ACETAMINOPHEN (OTC)?

February 14th, 2005

ACEPHEN, ACETAMINOPHEN (OTC) Acetaminophen (APAP, paracetamol) is a para-aminophenol analgesic and is the active metabolite of phenacetin. Due to the toxic effects of phenacetin at therapeutic doses and that it is metabolized to acetaminophen, phenacetin is no longer used. Acetaminophen possesses analgesic and antipyretic activity similar to aspirin; however, acetaminophen has no peripheral antiinflammatory activity or effects on platelet function. ..[more]

What is 8-MOP ® (methoxsalen)?	February 9th, 2005
8-MOP ® (methoxsalen) 8-MOP (methoxsalen) is a drug which has been shown to be effective in the treatment of certain skin diseases when combined with exposure to a very specific kind of light. The skin diseases are vitiligo and psoriasis. In either skin disease, the use of the drug must be combined with exposure to the special light to produce effective therapy. ..[more]