What is glucagon? Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that, along with insulin, controls the level of glucose in the blood. Glucagon has the opposite effect of insulin. It increases the glucose levels in blood. Glucagon, the drug, is a synthetic (man-made) version of human glucagon and is manufactured by genetic engineering using the bacteria Escherichia coli. Is...
Ziprasidone (Geodon) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is ziprasidone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ziprasidone is an oral and injectable drug that is used for treating psychoses, for example, schizophrenia. Although the mechanism of action of ziprasidone is not known, like other anti-psychotics, it inhibits communication between nerves of the brain. It does this by blocking receptors on the nerves for several neurotransmitters,...
Terazosin (Hytrin) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is terazosin? Terazosin belongs to a class of medications called alpha 1 blockers which relax the smooth muscles of the arteries, the prostate, and the bladder neck. Is terazosin available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for terazosin? Yes Why is terazosin prescribed to patients? Terazosin is used to treat the symptoms of urinary obstruction...
Haldol (haloperidol) vs. Risperdal (risperidone): Antipsychotic Side Effects
Haldol (haloperidol) vs. Risperdal (risperidone): What’s the difference? Haloperidol and Risperdal (risperidone) are different types of antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia. Haloperidol is also used to treat acute psychosis and for tics and vocal utterances of Tourette's syndrome. Risperidone is also used to treat bipolar mania and autism. A brand name for haloperidol is Haldol. Side effects of haloperidol...
Finasteride (Proscar) Interactions, Side Effects & Dosage
What is finasteride (Proscar)? How does it work (mechanism of action)? The prostate gland is located around the tube which empties urine from the bladder (urethra). As the prostate gland enlarges, usually after 50 years of age, it can obstruct or partially block the urine flow. This leads to symptoms which include dribbling of urine, narrow stream, problems starting urine...
Digoxin vs. metoprolol: Drug Toxicity, Side Effects, Dosages, Uses
Digoxin vs. metoprolol: What’s the difference? Digoxin is used for treating adults with mild to moderate congestive heart failure and for treating abnormal heart rhythms. Digoxin is also used for increasing myocardial contractility in pediatric patients with heart failure. Metoprolol is used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, heart pain, hyperthyroidism, and some neurologic conditions. Metoprolol is used...
Terbutaline (Brethine) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is terbutaline, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Terbutaline is a member of a class of drugs called beta adrenergic receptor agonists (stimulators) that is used for treating asthma and other diseases of the airways. Other drugs in the same class of drugs include albuterol (Proventil), metaproterenol (Alupent), pirbuterol (Maxair), and salmeterol (Serevent). Asthma is a breathing...
Colchicine (Colcrys) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What are the uses for colchicine? Colchicine is used for the treatment of acute flares of gout. It also is used for treating FMF in adults and children 4 years of age or older. Other unapproved uses of colchicine include treatment of pseudogout, amyloidosis, and scleroderma. These unapproved uses of colchicine require further evaluation. What brand names are available for...
Carisoprodol (Soma) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is carisoprodol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Carisoprodol is an oral muscle relaxant. Its exact mechanism of action is unknown. It may work by altering communication among nerves in parts of the brain that control the sensation of pain and in the spinal cord. The FDA approved carisoprodol in April 1959. What are the uses for...
Lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is lovastatin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Lovastatin belongs to a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or, more commonly "statins." Other statins include simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), and rosuvastatin (Crestor). Statins reduce cholesterol by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver (HMG-CoA reductase) that is necessary for the production of cholesterol. In...