Tramadol
Overview Ultram is a new type of pain reliever. Although it appears to work in part by blocking opioid recepters, it is not considered a narcotic. It is prescribed for moderate to moderately severe pa…
Valsartan
Overview Diovan is an angiotensin II blocker, similar to Cozaar. It is prescribed for high blood pressure, alone or in combination with other drugs. Because African-American patients benefit less tha…
Venlafaxine
Overview Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) was introduced as an antidepressant, although it is sometimes used to treat other mental conditions such as panic disorder. Venlafaxine is classified as an SNRI-a s…
Verapamil (slow release)
Overview Calan belongs to a class of medicines called calcium channel blockers. Because of their safety and effectiveness, these drugs have helped revolutionize the treatment of high blood pressure. O…
Atorvastatin
Overview Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is among the most popular of the statin drugs that widely prescribed for treating high cholesterol. All of these medications lower cholesterol levels by keeping the …
Benazepril
Overview Lotensin is one of a group of drugs that includes Vasotec and Capoten. These medications are called ACE inhibitors because they affect an enzyme (angiotensin-converting enzyme) important in r…
Doxazosin
Overview Cardura is used to treat high blood pressure. It may also be prescribed in combination with other drugs to treat congestive heart failure.Doctors may also prescribe it to treat symptoms of be…
Etodolac
Etodolac (Lodine) belongs to a class of medications commonly called NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is prescribed for the management of pain and is also used both for short-term and…
Fluvastatin
Overview Lescol is prescribed primarily to lower cholesterol. Coronary artery disease is associated with certain risk factors, including high serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, elevated triglyceri…
Fosinopril
Overview Monopril is one of a group of drugs that includes Vasotec and Capoten. These medications are called ACE inhibitors because they affect an enzyme (angiotensin-converting enzyme) important in r…
Indapamide
Overview Lozol is a new kind of diuretic or water pill. It is used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure as well as certain other serious conditions in which fluid builds up in bod…
Digoxin
Brand Names Lanoxin Overview Digoxin was once a very widely prescribed heart medication used to treat congestive heart failure and irregular heart rhythms, particularly atrial fibrillation, but it ha…
Lovastatin
Overview Mevacor is prescribed primarily to lower cholesterol. Heart specialists recognize that coronary artery disease is associated with certain risk factors, including high serum cholesterol, bad L…
Methylphenidate
Overview Ritalin is a mild stimulant prescribed primarily for attention deficit disorder (ADD), with or without hyperactivity. Ritalin should not be the sole treatment for ADD, which is best managed i…
Nabumetone
Overview Lodine (generic name nambutone) belongs to a class of medications commonly called NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is prescribed for both short-term and long-term treatment …
Naproxen
Overview Naprosyn (Naproxen) is a pain reliever used primarily for arthritis. Like other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, it may also be prescribed for menstrual cramps, bursitis, ten…
Potassium chloride controlled release
Overview Micro-K is a specially formulated potassium supplement designed to slowly release potassium and chloride over 8 to 10 hours. By taking potassium this way, patients are not supposed to experie…
Risperidone
Overview Risperdal is the first in its class, a new kind of medicine prescribed to treat psychotic disorders. Clinical studies show that it is effective against the symptoms of schizophrenia such as h…
Terbinafine
Overview Lamisil is prescribed to treat fungal infections of the toenails or fingernails. In clinical trials, 70 percent of patients had eradicated fungus from toenails after 12 weeks of treatment; 79…
Tretinoin
Overview This acne medication is available in cream, gel and liquid formulations in various strengths. It is very effective in cases of mild or moderate acne, and that is the only condition for which …
Acetaminophen with codeine
Overview Acetaminophen and codeine is an excellent analgesic combination for mild to moderate pain relief. It can ease the discomfort of a bad toothache or the aftermath of minor surgery, as well as a…
Albuterol
Overview Proventil is the most commonly prescribed asthma inhaler in this country. Although this medicine is also available in tablet form for oral use, the aerosol formulation is less likely to cause…
Amlodipine
Overview Norvasc belongs to a class of medicines called calcium channel blockers. Because they are usually well-tolerated, these drugs have made the treatment of angina and high blood pressure easier.…
Amoxicillin
Overview Polymox closely resembles other penicillin-type antibiotics. This medicine is frequently prescribed because of its broad-spectrum activity against a large number of bacteria. Polymox is effec…
Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid
Overview Amoxicillin is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic in the United States. Unfortunately, the widespread use of this penicillin-like drug has led many bacteria to develop resistance to it. …
Raloxifene
Overview Until fairly recently, women at risk of osteoporosis had a difficult choice: taking estrogen strengthened the bones, but increased the risk of breast cancer. Evista belongs in a new categor…
Bupropion
Overview Even before Prozac, there was Wellbutrin (bupropion). It was the first of a new generation of antidepressants and was introduced in 1985, almost two years before Prozac received FDA approval.…
Cisapride
Overview *** WARNING: THIS DRUG WAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE MARKET BY THE FDA. Propulsid promotes good muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract and in so doing facilitates the proper movement of food thro…
Conjugated estrogens / medroxyprogesterone
Overview The conjugated estrogen formulation is one of the most commonly prescribed medicines in the country, under the brand name Premarin. The conjugated estrogen formulation is one of the most comm…
Conjugated estrogens
Overview This natural estrogen formulation is one of the most commonly prescribed medicines in the country. The hormones are purified from pregnant mares' urine. Estrogen replacement therapy is pr…