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 Risperidone: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Risperidone? Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that modulates dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 receptors, used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability associated with autism. This medication helps stabilize mood and behavior, administered under psychiatric supervision. 2. Overview of Risperidone Generic Name Risperidone Brand Name Risperdal, generics Drug Group Atypical antipsychotic Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat schizophrenia. Manage bipolar disorder. Address irritability in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, 4…
Comprehensive Guide to Risedronate: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Risedronate? Risedronate is a bisphosphonate that inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, increasing bone density and reducing fracture risk. This medication is widely used to treat osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions, offering a cornerstone therapy for skeletal health under medical supervision. 2. Overview of Risedronate Generic Name Risedronate Brand Name Actonel, Atelvia, generics Drug Group Bisphosphonate (anti-resorptive) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Prevent fractures in men and women. Manage Paget’s disease of bone. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (5 mg, 30…
Comprehensive Guide to Riluzole: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Riluzole? Riluzole is a neuroprotective agent that modulates glutamate activity by inhibiting its release and enhancing its uptake, primarily used to slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This medication offers a critical therapeutic option for managing neurodegenerative diseases, administered under specialized neurological care. 2. Overview of Riluzole Generic Name Riluzole Brand Name Rilutek, Tiglutik, Exservan, generics Drug Group Neuroprotective agent (glutamate modulator) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Slow ALS progression. Manage symptoms of motor neuron disease. Support quality of life in neurodegenerative…
Comprehensive Guide to Rifampin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Rifampin? Rifampin is a rifamycin antibiotic that inhibits bacterial RNA polymerase, effectively treating a range of bacterial infections, including tuberculosis (TB) and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). This medication is a cornerstone in managing infectious diseases, often used in combination therapy under medical supervision. 2. Overview of Rifampin Generic Name Rifampin Brand Name Rifadin, Rimactane, generics Drug Group Rifamycin antibiotic Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat tuberculosis (TB). Manage leprosy. Prevent meningococcal disease. Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (150 mg, 300 mg), IV injection (600…
Comprehensive Guide to Rifaximin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Rifaximin? Rifaximin is a non-systemic, broad-spectrum antibiotic that inhibits bacterial RNA synthesis by binding to the beta-subunit of bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. This medication is primarily used to treat gastrointestinal infections and hepatic encephalopathy, offering localized action with minimal systemic absorption. 2. Overview of Rifaximin Generic Name Rifaximin Brand Name Xifaxan, generics Drug Group Rifamycin antibiotic Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat traveler’s diarrhea. Manage hepatic encephalopathy. Reduce recurrence of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (200 mg, 550…
Comprehensive Guide to Reserpine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Reserpine? Reserpine is an antihypertensive alkaloid derived from the Rauwolfia plant, which depletes catecholamine stores (e.g., norepinephrine) in nerve terminals, lowering blood pressure and calming the central nervous system. This medication has a historical role in managing hypertension and psychiatric conditions, though its use has declined with modern therapies. 2. Overview of Reserpine Generic Name Reserpine Brand Name Serpalan, Reserpine (generic), formerly marketed as Rau-Sed Drug Group Antihypertensive (adrenergic neuron blocker) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat hypertension. Manage mild psychiatric disorders. Control high…
Comprehensive Guide to Repaglinide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Repaglinide? Repaglinide is a meglitinide-class oral antidiabetic agent that stimulates insulin release from pancreatic beta cells by closing ATP-sensitive potassium channels. This medication is used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), offering rapid-acting glycemic control, particularly in meal-related glucose spikes. 2. Overview of Repaglinide Generic Name Repaglinide Brand Name Prandin, generics Drug Group Meglitinide (antidiabetic) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Control type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Manage postprandial hyperglycemia. Improve glycemic control in combination therapy. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (0.5 mg, 1…
Comprehensive Guide to Remdesivir: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Remdesivir? Remdesivir is a broad-spectrum antiviral medication that inhibits viral RNA polymerase, primarily used to treat severe COVID-19 and other viral infections. This medication has gained prominence for its role in managing hospitalized patients with respiratory complications, administered under medical supervision. 2. Overview of Remdesivir Generic Name Remdesivir Brand Name Veklury, generics Drug Group Nucleoside analog (antiviral) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat severe COVID-19. Manage hospitalized patients with viral pneumonia. Address emerging viral infections. Key Characteristics Form: Lyophilized powder or solution for IV…
Comprehensive Guide to Regorafenib: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Regorafenib? Regorafenib is a multi-kinase inhibitor that targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR), and other tyrosine kinases, used to treat advanced cancers. This medication is a critical therapy for patients with metastatic disease, administered under specialized oncology care. 2. Overview of Regorafenib Generic Name Regorafenib Brand Name Stivarga, generics Drug Group Multi-kinase inhibitor (antineoplastic) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Manage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Control gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets…
Comprehensive Guide to Rasagiline: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Rasagiline? Rasagiline is a selective monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitor that increases dopamine levels in the brain by preventing its breakdown, primarily used to treat Parkinson’s disease. This medication helps manage motor symptoms and is often employed in early or advanced stages of the condition under neurological supervision. 2. Overview of Rasagiline Generic Name Rasagiline Brand Name Azilect, generics Drug Group MAO-B inhibitor (antiparkinsonian) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat Parkinson’s disease. Manage motor symptoms in early and advanced stages. Improve quality of…