Clozapine: Schizophrenia Uses, Warnings, Side Effects, Dosage
Generic Name: clozapine Brand Names: Clozaril, Versacloz Drug Class: Antipsychotics, 2nd Generation What is clozapine, and what is it used for? Clozapine is a second generation atypical antipsychotic medication used for treatment-resistant schizophrenia and to reduce the risk of suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medications are essential for treating delusion and hallucination, the […]
What’s in a name? Glimmers of evolution in naming babies, choosing a dog
Maverick was first used as a baby name after a television show called “Maverick” aired in the 1950s, but its popularity rose meteorically in 1986 with the release of the movie “Top Gun.” Today, it is even used for baby girls. The name Emma peaked in popularity in the late 1800s, declined precipitously through the […]
Rifampin: Antibiotic Uses, Warnings, Side Effects, Dosage
Generic Name: rifampin Brand and Other Names: Rifadin, Rimactane, rifampicin Drug Class: Antitubercular Agents What is rifampin, and what is it used for? Rifampin is a semisynthetic antibiotic used to treat latent or active tuberculosis, a disease caused by mycobacterial infection, and the asymptomatic carrier state of meningococcal disease. Rifampin is also used off-label to […]
Guanfacine: ADHD & Hypertension Uses, Warnings, Side Effects, Dosage
Generic Name: guanfacine Brand Names: Intuniv, Tenex (discontinued brand) Drug Class: Alpha2 Adrenergic Agonists; ADHD Agents What is guanfacine, and what is it used for? Guanfacine is a medication that belongs to the drug class alpha2 adrenergic agents, used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. […]
Is MRSA Contagious? Transmission, Signs & Symptoms
Linezolid (generic name), brand name Zyvox, is a man-made (synthetic) antibiotic that is prescribed for the treatment of a variety of bacterial infections, for example: Pneumonia and uncomplicated skin and structure infections caused by Staphylococcus Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Streptococcus agalactiae bacteria. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium bacterial infections. Common side effects include of linezolid: Constipation […]
Opinion | The Kids Are Not Alright
*Name has been changed for privacy protection Family finances affect children’s minds and bodies. As a pediatrician and a medical student, we witness every day how poverty makes kids sicker. The 2021 American Rescue Plan put a dent in this harsh reality by expanding the Child Tax Credit. But the credit’s expansion expired in December, […]
Hepatitis B Vaccine: Uses, Warnings, Side Effects, Dosage
Generic Name: hepatitis B vaccine Brand Names: Engerix B, Heplisav-B, Recombivax HB, PreHevbrio Drug Class: Vaccines, Inactivated, Viral What is hepatitis B vaccine, and what is it used for? Hepatitis B vaccine is an inactivated viral vaccine administered intramuscularly to provide protection against infection from all subtypes of hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B virus is transmitted […]
Is Impetigo Contagious? How Does It Spread?
Cipro, generic name ciprofloxacin, and Keflex, generic name cephalexin, are antibiotics that belong to different drug classes. Cipro is a type of fluoroquinolone and Keflex is a type of penicillin. Cipro and Keflex can cause similar side effects like abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, and skin rashes. Keflex has fewer serious side effects than […]
Lidocaine Transdermal: Generic, Shingles Uses, Warnings, Side Effects, Dosage
Generic Name: lidocaine transdermal Brand Names: Lidoderm, Ztlido, Lidocare Patch, Absorbine Jr, Aspercreme, Salonpas Drug Class: Anesthetics, Topical; Local Anesthetics, Amides What is lidocaine transdermal, and what is it used for? Lidocaine transdermal is a local anesthetic applied as skin patches to relieve postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), nerve pain that can linger after an attack of shingles. […]
Lorazepam for Anxiety: Side Effects, Warnings, Uses & Dosage
Generic name: lorazepam Brand name: Ativan Drug class: Benzodiazepines What is lorazepam, and what is it used for? Excessive activity of nerves in the brain may cause anxiety and other psychological disorders. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that nerves in the brain use to send messages to one another that reduces the activity […]