Skelaxin vs. Baclofen Skelaxin (metaxalone) and baclofen are skeletal muscle relaxants. A main difference is that Skelaxin is used mostly for short-term painful muscle and skeletal conditions, while baclofen may be used long-term for spasms of skeletal muscles, muscle rigidity, muscle clonus, and pain caused by disorders like multiple sclerosis. Brand names for baclofen include Gablofen and Lioresal. Side effects...
Metformin vs. Glucovance: Differences Between Diabetes Drugs
Metformin vs. Glucovance Metformin and Glucovance (glyburide/metformin) are antidiabetic medications used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and children. Glucovance contains metoformin along with another medication, glyburide. Brand names for Metformin include Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet, and Riomet. Side effects of Metformin and Glucovance that are similar include nausea, vomiting, gas, diarrhea, decreased appetite, low blood glucose, and...
Ketoconazole vs. Selenium Sulfide: Side Effects & Uses for Dandruff Shampoo
Ketoconazole vs. Selenium Sulfide Ketoconazole and selenium sulfide are antifungal agents used to treat itching, flaking, scaling, and dry skin on the scalp due to dandruff. Ketoconazole and selenium sulfide are also used for treating seborrhea (a red, itchy rash) and tinea versicolor, a fungal infection of the skin. Brand names for ketoconazole include Nizoral, Nizoral A-D, Ketodan, Extina, Xolegel,...
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Life Expectancy, Symptoms & Treatment
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) definition Readers Comments 11 Share Your Story Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a progressive disease of the liver caused by a buildup of bile within the liver (cholestasis) that results in damage to the small bile ducts that drain bile from the liver. Over time, this pressure build-up destroys the bile ducts leading to liver cell...
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Life Expectancy, Symptoms & Treatment
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) definition Readers Comments 11 Share Your Story Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a progressive disease of the liver caused by a buildup of bile within the liver (cholestasis) that results in damage to the small bile ducts that drain bile from the liver. Over time, this pressure build-up destroys the bile ducts leading to liver cell...
Zocor (simvastatin): Statin Uses, Side Effects & Dosage
What is Zocor? Zocor is a cholesterol-lowering drug. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins, or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Other statins include: lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), and rosuvastatin (Crestor). Is Zocor available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for Zocor? Yes Why is Zocor prescribed to patients? Simvastatin is used for reducing...
mirtazapine (Remeron): Depression Drug Side Effects & Dosing
What is mirtazapine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Mirtazapine is a tetracyclic antidepressant similar to maprotiline (Ludiomil) and tricyclic antidepressants, for example, desipramine (Norpramin). Depression is an all-pervasive sense of sadness and gloom. It is believed that in some patients with depression, abnormal levels of neurotransmitters (chemicals that nerves use to communicate with each other) may be...
Hydrocodone Pain Medication Side Effects, Strengths & Dosage
What is hydrocodone (Zohydro ER)? Hydrocodone is an opioid narcotic pain-reliever similar to oxycodone, morphine, methadone, fentanyl, and other opioids. Do I need a prescription for hydrocodone (Zohydro ER)? Yes Why is hydrocodone (Zohydro ER) prescribed to patients? name=”prescribed”> Why is hydrocodone (Zohydro ER) prescribed to patients? ydrocodone is prescribed for the long-term treatment of severe pain for which other...
warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) Side Effects, Dosage & Uses
What is warfarin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant, a drug that inhibits the clotting of blood. It prevents the formation of blood clots by reducing the production of factors by the liver that promote clotting, factors II, VII, IX, and X, and the anticoagulant proteins C and S. The production of these...
Disulfiram (Antabuse) Side Effects, Dosage & Reaction to Alcohol
What is Antabuse, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Disulfiram is an oral drug used for treating alcoholism. Alcohol is converted in the body into acetaldehyde by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase. Another enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase then converts acetaldehyde into acetic acid. Disulfiram prevents acetaldehyde dehydrogenase from converting acetaldehyde into acetic acid, leading to a buildup of...