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 Ranibizumab: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Ranibizumab? Ranibizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody fragment that inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), used to treat various retinal disorders by reducing abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage. This medication is administered via intravitreal injection, offering a targeted approach to preserve vision. Overview of Ranibizumab Generic Name: Ranibizumab Brand Name: Lucentis, generics Drug Group: Anti-VEGF agent (ophthalmic) Commonly Used For Treat neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Manage diabetic macular edema (DME). Address retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Key Characteristics Form: Solution for intravitreal injection (0.5…
Comprehensive Guide to Ramipril: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Ramipril? Ramipril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that reduces blood pressure and protects the heart and kidneys by blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. This medication is widely used to manage hypertension, heart failure, and other cardiovascular conditions, improving patient outcomes with long-term therapy. Overview of Ramipril Generic Name: Ramipril Brand Name: Altace, generics Drug Group: ACE inhibitor (antihypertensive) Commonly Used For Treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Manage heart failure post-myocardial infarction. Prevent cardiovascular events in at-risk patients. Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (1.25…
Comprehensive Guide to Raltegravir: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Raltegravir? Raltegravir is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) that blocks the integration of HIV-1 DNA into host DNA, preventing viral replication. This medication is a cornerstone in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for both treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients, administered under medical supervision. Overview of Raltegravir Generic Name: Raltegravir Brand Name: Isentress, Isentress HD, generics Drug Group: Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI, antiretroviral) Commonly Used For Treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children. Manage HIV in treatment-naïve and -experienced patients. Support viral suppression in ART regimens. Key Characteristics Form: Film-coated…
Comprehensive Guide to Raloxifene: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Raloxifene? Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that mimics estrogen’s beneficial effects on bone while acting as an anti-estrogen in breast and uterine tissues. This medication is primarily used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and to reduce breast cancer risk in high-risk individuals. Overview of Raloxifene Generic Name: Raloxifene Brand Name: Evista, generics Drug Group: Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) Commonly Used For Prevent and treat postmenopausal osteoporosis. Reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Manage bone health in at-risk…
Comprehensive Guide to Rabeprazole: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Rabeprazole? Rabeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that suppresses gastric acid secretion by inhibiting the H+/K+-ATPase enzyme in parietal cells. This medication is widely used to treat acid-related disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcers, improving patient comfort and healing rates. Overview of Rabeprazole Generic Name: Rabeprazole Brand Name: AcipHex, Pariet, generics Drug Group: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI, anti-ulcer) Commonly Used For Treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heal and prevent peptic ulcers. Manage Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Key Characteristics Form: Delayed-release tablets (10 mg, 20 mg) and…
Comprehensive Guide to Quinupristin/Dalfopristin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Quinupristin/Dalfopristin? Quinupristin/Dalfopristin is a combination of two streptogramin antibiotics that inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by targeting the 50S ribosomal subunit, used to treat serious Gram-positive bacterial infections. This medication is reserved for multidrug-resistant infections, administered under strict medical supervision. Overview of Quinupristin/Dalfopristin Generic Name: Quinupristin/Dalfopristin Brand Name: Synercid, generics Drug Group: Streptogramin antibiotic (antibacterial) Commonly Used For Treat vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) infections. Manage complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI). Control nosocomial pneumonia caused by susceptible bacteria. Key Characteristics Form: Lyophilized powder for IV infusion (500 mg/vial,…
Comprehensive Guide to Quinine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Quinine? Quinine is an antimalarial alkaloid derived from the bark of the Cinchona tree, historically used to treat malaria by interfering with parasite metabolism. This medication remains a critical option for severe malaria and off-label uses, administered under medical supervision. Overview of Quinine Generic Name: Quinine Brand Name: Qualaquin, generics Drug Group: Antimalarial (quinoline derivative) Commonly Used For Treat uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Manage nocturnal leg cramps (off-label). Control severe malaria in combination therapy. Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (324 mg), IV solution (for hospital use) (detailed in…
Comprehensive Guide to Quinidine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Quinidine? Quinidine is a class IA antiarrhythmic agent derived from the cinchona bark, historically used to treat cardiac arrhythmias by blocking sodium and potassium channels. This medication remains relevant for managing specific heart rhythm disorders, administered under close medical supervision. Overview of Quinidine Generic Name: Quinidine Brand Name: Quinidex, Cardioquin, generics Drug Group: Class IA antiarrhythmic Commonly Used For Treat atrial fibrillation and flutter. Manage ventricular arrhythmias. Control malaria (historical use). Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (200 mg, 300 mg), extended-release tablets (324 mg), or injectable solution (80…
Comprehensive Guide to Quinapril: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Quinapril? Quinapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that reduces blood pressure and strain on the heart by blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. This medication is widely used to manage hypertension and heart failure, offering cardiovascular protection under medical supervision. Overview of Quinapril Generic Name: Quinapril Brand Name: Accupril, generics Drug Group: ACE inhibitor (antihypertensive) Commonly Used For Treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Manage heart failure. Reduce cardiovascular risk. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg) (detailed in…
Comprehensive Guide to Quetiapine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Quetiapine? Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic that modulates dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 receptors, used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder (MDD). This medication stabilizes mood and reduces psychotic symptoms, often prescribed under psychiatric supervision. Overview of Quetiapine Generic Name: Quetiapine Brand Name: Seroquel, Seroquel XR, generics Drug Group: Atypical antipsychotic Commonly Used For Treat schizophrenia. Manage bipolar disorder (mania, depression). Address major depressive disorder as an adjunct. Key Characteristics Form: Immediate-release tablets (25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg)…