Blood transfusion definition and facts A blood transfusion is the transfer of blood or blood products from one person (donor) into another person's bloodstream (recipient). Blood transfusions can be a life-saving measure. Volunteer donor blood usually is readily available, and when properly tested has a low incidence of adverse events. The likelihood of contracting infections...
What is loperamide (Imodium)? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Loperamide is a medication that is used for the relief of acute diarrhea and the management of chronic diarrhea in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). The effectiveness of loperamide is comparable to another anti-diarrheal, diphenoxylate (Lomotil). Loperamide reduces diarrhea...
Dialysis definition and facts Kidney dialysis is a procedure that is a substitute for many of the normal functions of the kidneys. Dialysis allows people with kidney failure (renal failure) a chance to live productive lives. When kidney function decreases to a critical level or complications arise, a person may need to start dialysis. There...
What is telaprevir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Telaprevir is a man-made antiviral medication that targets hepatitis C virus (HCV). Similar drugs include simeprevir (Olysio) and boceprevir (Victrelis). These drugs are called direct-acting antiviral agents because they act directly on hepatitis C virus. They block the replication of hepatitis C virus in...
What brand names are available for tegaserod? Zelnorm
What is sofosbuvir, and how does it work? Sofosbuvir is an oral, direct-acting antiviral agent used for treating infections with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Other direct-acting hepatitis C treatments include: boceprevir (Victrelis) telaprevir (Incivek) simeprevir (Olysio) After administration sofosbuvir is first converted to an active form. The active form of sofosbuvir interferes with multiplication...
What are PEG and electrolytes? PEG and electrolytes are oral solutions used prior to colonoscopy and other examinations or procedures to cleanse the intestines, in particular, the large bowel or colon. The PEG remains in the intestines where it retains water by producing an osmotic effect. This causes a watery stool, in fact, diarrhea, which...
What is simeprevir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Simeprevir is an oral, direct-acting an-tiviral agent used for treating infections with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Boceprevir (Victrelis), telaprevir (Incivek), and sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) are other direct-acting drugs for treating HCV. Simeprevir blocks the effect of pro-teases which are enzymes that HCV needs for...
What is boceprevir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Boceprevir is a man-made antiviral medication that targets hepatitis C virus (HCV). Similar drugs include simeprevir (Olysio) and telaprevir (Incivek). These drugs are called direct-acting antiviral agents because they act directly on hepatitis C virus. They block the replication of hepatitis C virus in...
Asacol vs. Humira Both Asacol (mesalamine) and Humira (adalimumab) are used to treat different kinds of inflammatory bowel diseases. Asacol (mesalamine is an anti-inflammatory medication used to treat inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] including ulcerative colitis [UC]). Asacol is different from Humira (adalimumab) which is an injectable protein (antibody) that is an immune modulator drug used...