What is chlorhexidine gluconate? What are the uses for chlorhexidine gluconate? Chlorhexidine gluconate is an antiseptic and antimicrobial oral rinse. It provides protection against a wide range of bacteria. It kills bacteria by binding to bacteria cell walls. The FDA approved chlorhexidine in August 1986. What brand names are available for chlorhexidine gluconate? Peridex, Periogard, Periochip Is chlorhexidine gluconate available...
Calcium Channel Blockers, CCBs Brand Names & Side Effects
What are calcium channel blockers and how do they work? In order to pump blood, the heart needs oxygen. The harder the heart works, the more oxygen it requires. Angina (heart pain) occurs when the supply of oxygen to the heart is inadequate for the amount of work that the heart must do. By dilating the arteries, calcium channel blockers...
amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep) Side Effects & Dosage
What is amitriptyline, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Amitriptyline is in the class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and is used for treating depression. Other drugs in the same class include: clomipramine (Anafranil), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), trimipramine (Surmontil), amoxapine (Amoxapine), desipramine (Norpramin), and protriptyline (Vivactil). Individuals with depression may have an imbalance in neurotransmitters, chemicals...
meclizine, Antivert, Bonine: Facts About Drug Side Effects
What is meclizine? What are the uses for meclizine? Meclizine is an antihistamine with antiemetic (anti-nausea) and antispasmodic (anti-muscle spasm) activity. It also suppresses the nervous system by blocking the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. (Neurotransmitters are chemicals that nerves use for communicating with each other.) Meclizine prevents nausea and vomiting by reducing the activity of the center in the...
amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, Adderall: Drug Facts and Side Effects
What is Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine)? What are the uses of Adderall? Adderall contains amphetamine salts (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) and is used for treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Amphetamines stimulate the brain by increasing the level of neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine, in the brain. (Neurotransmitters are chemicals produced by nerves that are released and attach to other nearby...
Bile Acid Sequestrants: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What are bile acid sequestrants? Bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite), colestipol (Colestid, Flavored Colestid ), and colesevelam (Welchol) are medications for lowering LDL cholesterol in conjunction with diet modification. How do bile acid sequestrants work? Bile acid sequestrants bind bile acids in the intestine and increase the excretion of bile acids in the stool. This reduces the...
ursodiol, Actigall, Urso Forte, Urso 250: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What is ursodiol? What are the uses for ursodiol? Ursodiol is a naturally-occurring bile acid that is made by the liver in humans and is secreted in small quantities into bile. It is used to dissolve and prevent cholesterol gallstones and to treat primary biliary cirrhosis, a disease of the liver. Ursodiol blocks the enzyme in the liver that produces...
acyclovir, Zovirax: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What is acyclovir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Acyclovir is an antiviral drug, a synthetic nucleoside analogue, that has inhibitory activity (interferes with viral replication) against the herpes viruses, including herpes simplex 1 and 2 (cold sores and genital herpes), varicella-zoster (shingles and chickenpox), and Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis). Viruses take over living cells and reproduce themselves, often...
Dislocated Knee Recovery Time, Surgery, Symptoms
Facts you should know about dislocated knees Share Your Story A dislocated knee causes severe pain. Knee dislocations are a result of significant force or trauma. With a dislocated knee, the relationship between the femur and tibia is lost and at least three of four ligaments that hold the knee stable must be torn. Fractures often accompany the dislocation. Surgeons...
Dicyclomine vs. Donnatal: IBD Drug Side Effects & Dosage
Dicyclomine vs. Donnatal: What’s the difference? Dicyclomine and Donnatal (belladonna/phenobarbital) are used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Dicyclomine and Donnatal belong to different drug classes. Dicyclomine is an anticholinergic and Donnatal is a combination of an anticholinergic/antispasmodic. A brand name for dicyclomine is Bentyl. Side effects of dicyclomine and Donnatal that are similar include dry mouth, blurred vision, increased...