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 Permethrin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Permethrin? Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide and acaricide that targets the nervous systems of parasites, commonly used topically to treat infestations like scabies and lice. This medication is a cornerstone in managing parasitic skin conditions, offering effective relief with proper application. Overview of Permethrin Generic Name: Permethrin Brand Name: Nix, Elimite, generics Drug Group: Pyrethroid (topical antiparasitic) Commonly Used For Treat scabies infestations. Eliminate head, pubic, and body lice. Control parasitic skin infections. Key Characteristics Form: Topical cream (5%), lotion (1%), or shampoo (1%) (detailed in Dosage…
Comprehensive Guide to Perindopril: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Perindopril? Perindopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that lowers blood pressure by blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, promoting vasodilation. This medication is widely used to manage hypertension, heart failure, and cardiovascular risk, offering significant benefits in chronic disease management. Overview of Perindopril Generic Name: Perindopril Brand Name: Aceon, Coversyl, generics Drug Group: ACE inhibitor (antihypertensive) Commonly Used For Treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Manage heart failure. Reduce cardiovascular events post-myocardial infarction. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg) (detailed…
Comprehensive Guide to Pentoxifylline: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Pentoxifylline? Pentoxifylline is a xanthine derivative that improves blood flow by reducing blood viscosity and enhancing red blood cell flexibility, primarily used to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD) and related circulatory issues. This medication supports tissue oxygenation, making it a valuable option for chronic vascular conditions. Overview of Pentoxifylline Generic Name: Pentoxifylline Brand Name: Trental, generics Drug Group: Xanthine derivative (hemorheologic agent) Commonly Used For Treat intermittent claudication in peripheral artery disease (PAD). Improve blood flow in chronic occlusive arterial disease. Manage circulatory insufficiency. Key Characteristics Form: Extended-release…
Comprehensive Guide to Pentazocine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Pentazocine? Pentazocine is a synthetic opioid analgesic with mixed agonist-antagonist properties, acting on kappa and mu opioid receptors to relieve moderate to severe pain. This medication is used for acute and chronic pain management, often as an alternative to pure agonists, administered under medical supervision. Overview of Pentazocine Generic Name: Pentazocine Brand Name: Talwin, generics Drug Group: Opioid analgesic (mixed agonist-antagonist) Commonly Used For Relieve moderate to severe pain. Manage postoperative pain. Treat chronic pain conditions. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (50 mg), injectable solution (30 mg/mL) (detailed…
Comprehensive Guide to Pentamidine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Pentamidine? Pentamidine is an antiprotozoal and antifungal agent that inhibits DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in susceptible organisms, primarily used to treat Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and leishmaniasis. This medication is a critical option for immunocompromised patients, administered under specialized care. Overview of Pentamidine Generic Name: Pentamidine Brand Name: Pentam 300, generics Drug Group: Antiprotozoal/antifungal Commonly Used For Treat Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). Manage visceral leishmaniasis. Prevent PCP in high-risk patients. Key Characteristics Form: Lyophilized powder for injection (300 mg/vial) or aerosolized solution (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Disrupts parasite…
Comprehensive Guide to Penicillin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Penicillin? Penicillin is a group of beta-lactam antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by targeting penicillin-binding proteins, first discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928. This antibiotic revolutionized medicine, treating a wide range of bacterial infections, and remains a cornerstone of antimicrobial therapy. Overview of Penicillin Generic Name: Penicillin (e.g., Penicillin G, Penicillin V) Brand Name: Various (e.g., Pfizerpen, Pen-Vee K, generics) Drug Group: Beta-lactam antibiotic Commonly Used For Treat bacterial infections. Prevent infection in surgical or dental procedures. Manage streptococcal infections. Key Characteristics Form: Injectable (Penicillin G)…
Comprehensive Guide to Pegfilgrastim: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Pegfilgrastim? Pegfilgrastim is a long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) that stimulates the production and release of neutrophils from the bone marrow, used to reduce the incidence of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. This medication is a critical supportive therapy in oncology, administered under medical supervision. Overview of Pegfilgrastim Generic Name: Pegfilgrastim Brand Name: Neulasta, Neulasta Onpro, generics Drug Group: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF, hematopoietic growth factor) Commonly Used For Reduce febrile neutropenia in chemotherapy patients. Support neutrophil recovery post-stem cell transplantation. Manage severe chronic neutropenia. Key…
Comprehensive Guide to Paroxetine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Paroxetine? Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that increases serotonin levels in the brain by blocking its reuptake, used primarily to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions. This medication is a cornerstone in psychopharmacology, offering relief under medical supervision. Overview of Paroxetine Generic Name: Paroxetine Brand Name: Paxil, Seroxat, generics Drug Group: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI, antidepressant) Commonly Used For Treat major depressive disorder (MDD). Manage anxiety disorders. Alleviate obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (10 mg, 20 mg,…
Comprehensive Guide to Pantoprazole: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Pantoprazole? Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that suppresses gastric acid secretion by irreversibly inhibiting the H+/K+-ATPase enzyme in parietal cells. This medication is widely used to treat acid-related disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcers, enhancing patient comfort and healing. Overview of Pantoprazole Generic Name: Pantoprazole Brand Name: Protonix, 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 (20 mg, 40 mg), oral…
Comprehensive Guide to Panitumumab: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Panitumumab? Panitumumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), inhibiting cancer cell growth and survival. This medication is primarily used in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with wild-type KRAS, administered under specialized oncology care. Overview of Panitumumab Generic Name: Panitumumab Brand Name: Vectibix, generics Drug Group: Monoclonal antibody (antineoplastic) Commonly Used For Treat metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Manage EGFR-expressing tumors. Improve progression-free survival in cancer patients. Key Characteristics Form: Single-use vials for IV infusion (100 mg/5 mL, 400 mg/20…