What are conjugated estrogens? Conjugated estrogens are mixtures of man-made or natural estrogens used as an external source and replacement for the natural female hormone. Estrogens have widespread effects on many tissues in the body. Estrogens cause growth and development of the female sexual organs and maintain female sexual characteristics such as the growth of underarm and pubic hair, body...
aurothioglucose (Solganal) Drug Side Effects and Dosing
What is aurothioglucose, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Aurothioglucose is a gold-containing chemical (salt) used for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Other gold salts available include injectable gold sodium thiomalate (Myochrysine), and capsules, auranofin (Ridaura). It is not well understood exactly how gold salts work. In patients with inflammatory arthritis, such as adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, gold salts...
cerivastatin (Baycol): Drug Side Effects and Dosing
What is cerivastatin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Cerivastatin is a drug that lowers cholesterol in the blood by blocking the enzyme in the liver that is responsible for producing cholesterol. It lowers total cholesterol as well as the LDL subfraction of cholesterol in the blood. LDL cholesterol is believed to be the “bad” cholesterol that is...
choline magnesium salicylate, Trilisate: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What is choline magnesium salicylate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Choline magnesium salicylate (or trisalicylate) is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), referred to as a salicylate, which is effective in treating fever, pain, and inflammation in the body. Other drugs within the same class are aspirin, diflunisal (Dolobid) and salsalate (Disalcid). They work by reducing...
chlorpropamide (Diabinese): Drug Side Effects and Dosing
What is chlorpropamide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Chlorpropamide is an oral blood sugar-lowering drug in a class of medications for diabetes treatment called sulfonylureas. It is one of the first four sulfonylureas to be used to manage type II diabetes and it is commonly referred to as a first generation sulfonylurea. The second generation sulfonylureas are...
amprenavir, Agenerase: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing
What is amprenavir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? This drug was discontinued as of October of 2007. Amprenavir is an oral medication that is used for treating infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is in a class of drugs called protease inhibitors which, among others, includes indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir) and saquinavir (Invirase,...
Treacher Collins Syndrome Symptoms, Causes, and Life Expectancy
Treacher Collins syndrome definition and facts* Share Your Story *Treacher Collins syndrome facts medically edited by: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is a condition (genetic disease) that alters the development of bones and other tissues in the face. Signs and symptoms vary from almost unnoticeable face changes to severe facial and ear alterations, cleft palate and...
Celebrex (celecoxib) vs. Mobic (meloxicam) Uses & Side Effects
What are the differences between Celebrex and Mobic? Celebrex (celecoxib) and Mobic (meloxicam) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used for the relief of pain, fever, swelling, and tenderness caused by arthritis. Celebrex is also used for familial FAP, acute pain, and menstrual cramps. Celebrex is different from Mobic and other NSAIDs in that it causes less inflammation and ulceration of...
Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) Side Effects, Dosage, Alcohol
What is Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid)? How does it work? Augmentin contains amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic of the penicillin type. It is effective against some bacteria such as H. influenzae, N. gonorrhea, E. coli, Pneumococci, Streptococci, and certain strains of Staphylococci. Chemically, it is closely related to penicillin and ampicillin. Amoxicillin stops bacteria from multiplying...
Statins vs. Niacin: Cholesterol Drug Facts, Side Effects & Uses
Statins vs. Niacin Statins and niacin (nicotinic acid, or vitamin B3) are medications used to treat high cholesterol. Both medications lower LDL (bad) cholesterol in the blood and triglycerides (fats), and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. Statins and niacin work by blocking the enzyme in the liver responsible for making cholesterol, and helping the liver remove the cholesterol already circulating in...