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Overview *** WARNING: THIS DRUG WAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE MARKET BY THE FDA.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…
Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone
Overview This combination oral contraceptive contains synthetic hormones similar to the female hormones estrogen and progestin. It works primarily by preventing the release of eggs from the ovary. Ort…
Famotidine
Overview Pepcid is a popular ulcer drug similar in many respects to Tagamet or Zantac. It works by suppressing the secretion of stomach acid, so it is also used to treat conditions of abnormal acidity…
Finasteride
Overview Proscar is a unique compound that counters some of the negative effects of testosterone in the body. It blocks an enzyme that converts testosterone to a more potent hormone called 5-alpha-dih…
Fluoxetine
Overview Prozac was the first of a new generation of antidepressants to come on the market. It works by enhancing the action of a brain chemical called serotonin. In a few short years this drug has b…
Flurbiprofen
Overview Ansaid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. Medications in this class are used to relieve pain associated with arthritis, menstrual cramps, headaches, minor surgery, bursitis, …
Ipratropium bromide
Overview Atrovent is an inhaled medication used to open the airways in chronic conditions like asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is generally used as preventive or maintenance therapy, rath…
Lansoprazole
Overview Prevacid, like Prilosec, fights acid secretion by blocking the final step. This so-called proton pump is prescribed for the short-term treatment of duodenal ulcer, inflammation of the esopha…
Medroxyprogesterone
Overview Provera is derived from a natural female hormone, progesterone. It is prescribed to bring on menstrual periods or treat abnormal uterine bleeding. Although other uses have not yet been approv…
Naproxen sodium
Overview Anaprox is a pain reliever used for arthritis, menstrual cramps, headaches, dental surgery, bursitis, tendinitis, sprains, strains and other painful conditions. It belongs to a class of medic…
Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets
Overview Nitrostat is prescribed to people who suffer chest pain due to angina. It is used both for prevention and to treat an acute attack. The medication is taken by holding it under the tongue at t…
Nizatidine
Overview Axid is a popular treatment for ulcers that helps them clear up rapidly. It works in part by suppressing the secretion of stomach acid by blocking histamine receptors in the digestive tract (…
Omeprazole
Overview Prilosec is the first of a new class of drugs that combat acid secretion by blocking the final step. This so-called proton pump is prescribed for the short-term treatment of duodenal ulcer an…
Paroxetine
Overview Paxil, like the earlier antidepressant Prozac, apparently works by enhancing the action of a brain chemical called serotonin. This medication is prescribed to treat major depression, and has …
Penicillin VK
Overview Penicillin represents one of the most important drugs ever developed. Its discovery in 1946 permanently changed medicine and set the stage for man's ability to overcome what had previously be…
Phentermine
Overview Phentermine is a fairly old prescription diet drug that has made a recent comeback. Although not an amphetamine, it is similar in many respects and is classified as a controlled substance. Ph…
Pravastatin
Overview Pravachol (generic name pravastatin) is prescribed primarily to lower cholesterol. Heart specialists recognize that coronary artery disease is associated with certain risk factors, including…
Prednisone
Overview Prednisone is available both by generic name and under several brand names. It is a corticosteroid, or hormone-like medication prescribed for a wide variety of conditions. Other cortisone-lik…
Propranolol
Overview Inderal LA is a special long-acting formulation of a propranolol, the pre-eminent member of a class medicines called beta blockers. That means these drugs work in part by blunting the action …
Sildenafil
Overview Viagra changed the way the world viewed impotence, now referred to as "erectile dysfunction." Although there were several medications to treat this condition before Viagra, none wer…
Tamoxifen
Overview Nolvadex is a nonsteroidal agent with potent antiestrogenic properties. The antiestrogenic effects allow it to compete with estrogen for binding sites in target tissues, particularly the brea…
Triamcinolone
Overview Corticosteroids (cortisone-like drugs such as prednisone) are very effective at easing irritation and inflammation in the upper respiratory tract (nose and lungs). The problem with oral stero…