Author: Andrew Parker, MD
Andrew Parker, MD
Dr. Andrew Parker is a board-certified internal medicine physician with over 10 years of clinical experience. He earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and has worked at leading hospitals including St. Mary’s Medical Center. Dr. Parker specializes in patient education and digital health communication. He now focuses on creating clear, accessible, and evidence-based medical content for the public.
Comprehensive Guide to Sulindac: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Sulindac? Sulindac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis to alleviate pain and inflammation. This medication is widely used for chronic inflammatory conditions, offering relief under medical supervision. 2. Overview of Sulindac Generic Name Sulindac Brand Name Clinoril, generics Drug Group Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Relieve arthritis pain and inflammation. Manage acute gouty arthritis. Treat musculoskeletal disorders. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (150 mg, 200 mg) (detailed in Dosage section).…
Comprehensive Guide to Sulfadiazine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Sulfadiazine? Sulfadiazine is a sulfonamide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial folate synthesis by competing with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. This medication has a long history in antimicrobial therapy, particularly for toxoplasmosis and meningococcal prophylaxis, administered under medical supervision. 2. Overview of Sulfadiazine Generic Name Sulfadiazine Brand Name Various generics (brand formulations less common) Drug Group Sulfonamide antibiotic Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat toxoplasmosis. Prevent meningococcal meningitis. Manage certain bacterial infections. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (500 mg)…
Comprehensive Guide to Sirolimus: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Sirolimus? Sirolimus is an mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitor that suppresses immune responses by inhibiting T-cell activation and proliferation. This medication is widely used to prevent organ transplant rejection and treat certain cancers, administered under close medical supervision. 2. Overview of Sirolimus Generic Name Sirolimus Brand Name Rapamune, generics Drug Group mTOR inhibitor (immunosuppressant, antineoplastic) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Prevent kidney transplant rejection. Treat lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Manage certain cancers. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg) and oral…
Comprehensive Guide to Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (Co-trimoxazole)? Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (Co-trimoxazole) is a fixed-dose combination antibiotic that inhibits bacterial folate synthesis, combining a sulfonamide (sulfamethoxazole) and a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor (trimethoprim). This medication is widely used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections and Pneumocystis pneumonia, and is a cornerstone in infectious disease management. 2. Overview of Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim Generic Name Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim Brand Name Bactrim, Septra, generics Drug Group Sulfonamide/dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor (antibiotic) Commonly Used For This combination is used to: Treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). Manage Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). Prevent…
Comprehensive Guide to Sulfasalazine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Sulfasalazine? Sulfasalazine is an anti-inflammatory drug combining sulfapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), used primarily to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This medication works by reducing inflammation and modulating immune responses, offering relief for chronic autoimmune conditions. 2. Overview of Sulfasalazine Generic Name Sulfasalazine Brand Name Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs, generics Drug Group Anti-inflammatory (disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, DMARD) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Manage ulcerative colitis (UC). Control Crohn’s disease symptoms. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (500 mg,…
Comprehensive Guide to Sucralfate: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Sucralfate? Sucralfate is a sucrose sulfate-aluminum complex that acts as a mucosal protectant by forming a protective barrier over ulcers, aiding in the healing of gastrointestinal lesions. This medication is widely used to treat peptic ulcer disease and related conditions, offering a non-systemic therapeutic approach. 2. Overview of Sucralfate Generic Name Sucralfate Brand Name Carafate, generics Drug Group Mucosal protectant (gastrointestinal agent) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat gastric and duodenal ulcers. Manage gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Prevent stress ulcers in critical care settings.…
Comprehensive Guide to Streptokinase: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Streptokinase? Streptokinase is a thrombolytic enzyme derived from Streptococcus bacteria that converts plasminogen to plasmin, dissolving blood clots. This medication is a critical intervention for acute thrombotic conditions, administered under strict medical supervision to restore blood flow in emergencies. 2. Overview of Streptokinase Generic Name Streptokinase Brand Name Streptase, Kabikinase, generics Drug Group Thrombolytic agent Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Manage pulmonary embolism. Address deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Key Characteristics Form: Lyophilized powder for injection (250,000 IU, 750,000…
Comprehensive Guide to Streptomycin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Streptomycin? Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, historically pivotal in treating tuberculosis (TB) and other bacterial infections. This medication remains a cornerstone in managing multidrug-resistant infections under specialized care. 2. Overview of Streptomycin Generic Name Streptomycin Brand Name Streptomycin Sulfate, generics Drug Group Aminoglycoside antibiotic Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat tuberculosis (TB). Manage multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Address certain Gram-negative infections. Key Characteristics Form: Powder for injection (1 g/vial) or solution for intramuscular…
Comprehensive Guide to Stavudine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Stavudine? Stavudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, preventing viral DNA synthesis. This medication was a cornerstone of early antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV/AIDS, though its use has declined due to toxicity concerns, administered under specialized care. 2. Overview of Stavudine Generic Name Stavudine Brand Name Zerit, generics Drug Group Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI, antiretroviral) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat HIV-1 infection. Manage HIV/AIDS in combination therapy. Support viral suppression in resource-limited settings. Key Characteristics Form:…
Comprehensive Guide to Spironolactone: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Spironolactone? Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic and aldosterone antagonist that blocks aldosterone receptors, promoting sodium and water excretion while retaining potassium. This medication is widely used to manage heart failure, hypertension, and edema, offering both diuretic and hormonal effects under medical supervision. 2. Overview of Spironolactone Generic Name Spironolactone Brand Name Aldactone, CaroSpir (oral suspension), generics Drug Group Potassium-sparing diuretic, aldosterone antagonist Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat heart failure. Manage hypertension. Reduce edema from various causes. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (25 mg,…