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 Olmesartan: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Olmesartan? Olmesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that inhibits the action of angiotensin II, relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. This medication is widely used to manage hypertension and related cardiovascular conditions, offering renal and cardiac protection under medical supervision. Overview of Olmesartan Generic Name: Olmesartan Brand Name: Benicar, generics (e.g., Olmesartan Medoxomil) Drug Group: Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB, antihypertensive) Commonly Used For Treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Reduce cardiovascular risk. Manage chronic kidney disease in hypertensive patients. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (5…
Comprehensive Guide to Olaparib: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Olaparib? Olaparib is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor that prevents DNA repair in cancer cells with BRCA1/2 mutations, used in targeted therapy for specific cancers. This medication is a breakthrough in precision oncology, administered under specialized supervision. Overview of Olaparib Generic Name: Olaparib Brand Name: Lynparza, generics Drug Group: PARP inhibitor (antineoplastic) Commonly Used For Treat ovarian cancer. Manage breast cancer. Control prostate cancer. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (100 mg, 150 mg) or capsules (50 mg) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Inhibits PARP enzymes, inducing synthetic…
Comprehensive Guide to Olanzapine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Olanzapine? Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic that modulates dopamine and serotonin receptors, primarily used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This medication helps stabilize mood and reduce psychotic symptoms, offering a cornerstone in psychiatric care under medical supervision. Overview of Olanzapine Generic Name: Olanzapine Brand Name: Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis (orally disintegrating), generics Drug Group: Atypical antipsychotic Commonly Used For Treat schizophrenia. Manage bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed episodes). Address treatment-resistant depression. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20…
Comprehensive Guide to Ofloxacin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Ofloxacin? Ofloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic that inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing DNA replication and bacterial growth. This medication is widely used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, offering effective therapy across multiple body systems. Overview of Ofloxacin Generic Name: Ofloxacin Brand Name: Floxin, generics Drug Group: Fluoroquinolone (antibiotic) Commonly Used For Treat bacterial infections. Manage urinary tract infections (UTIs). Address respiratory tract infections. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg), ophthalmic solution (0.3%), otic solution (0.3%) (detailed in…
Comprehensive Guide to Octreotide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Octreotide? Octreotide is a synthetic somatostatin analog that mimics natural somatostatin to inhibit the release of various hormones and peptides, used to manage conditions like acromegaly, carcinoid syndrome, and bleeding esophageal varices. This medication offers targeted therapy for endocrine and gastrointestinal disorders under specialized care. Overview of Octreotide Generic Name: Octreotide Brand Name: Sandostatin, Sandostatin LAR (long-acting release), generics Drug Group: Somatostatin analog Commonly Used For Treat acromegaly. Manage carcinoid syndrome. Control bleeding esophageal varices. Key Characteristics Form: Injection (50 mcg/mL, 100 mcg/mL, 500 mcg/mL) and long-acting depot…
Comprehensive Guide to Obeticholic Acid: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Obeticholic Acid? Obeticholic acid is a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist that regulates bile acid synthesis and metabolism, primarily used to treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). This medication offers a targeted approach to managing cholestatic liver diseases, administered under specialized care. Overview of Obeticholic Acid Generic Name: Obeticholic acid Brand Name: Ocaliva, generics Drug Group: FXR agonist (hepatoprotective) Commonly Used For Treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Manage cholestatic liver disease. Improve liver enzyme levels. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (5 mg, 10 mg) (detailed in Dosage section).…
Comprehensive Guide to Nystatin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Nystatin? Nystatin is a polyene antifungal agent that disrupts fungal cell membranes by binding to ergosterol, primarily used to treat candidiasis and other fungal infections. This medication is widely employed in topical, oral, and systemic forms to combat yeast overgrowth, offering a safe option for various patient populations. Overview of Nystatin Generic Name: Nystatin Brand Name: Mycostatin, Nilstat, generics Drug Group: Polyene antifungal Commonly Used For Treat oral thrush (candidiasis). Manage cutaneous candidiasis. Prevent fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Key Characteristics Form: Topical cream/ointment (100,000 units/g), oral suspension…
Comprehensive Guide to Nortriptyline: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Nortriptyline? Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that increases levels of serotonin and norepinephrine by inhibiting their reuptake, used to treat depression, neuropathic pain, and other mood disorders. This medication is valued for its efficacy in managing chronic conditions, often requiring careful monitoring. Overview of Nortriptyline Generic Name: Nortriptyline Brand Name: Pamelor, Aventyl, generics Drug Group: Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) Commonly Used For Treat major depressive disorder (MDD). Manage neuropathic pain. Alleviate chronic pain conditions. Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg), oral…
Comprehensive Guide to Norfloxacin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Norfloxacin? Norfloxacin is a synthetic fluoroquinolone antibiotic that inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, disrupting DNA replication and transcription. This medication is widely used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, offering broad-spectrum activity against gram-negative and some gram-positive pathogens. Overview of Norfloxacin Generic Name: Norfloxacin Brand Name: Noroxin, generics Drug Group: Fluoroquinolone (antibiotic) Commonly Used For Treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). Manage bacterial gastroenteritis. Address prostatitis. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (400 mg) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Inhibits bacterial DNA replication, leading to cell death.…
Comprehensive Guide to Nivolumab: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Nivolumab? Nivolumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that targets the PD-1 receptor on T-cells, enhancing the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. This medication is a cornerstone in immunotherapy for various advanced malignancies, administered under specialized oncology care. Overview of Nivolumab Generic Name: Nivolumab Brand Name: Opdivo, generics Drug Group: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (monoclonal antibody, antineoplastic) Commonly Used For Treat advanced melanoma. Manage lung cancer. Control renal cell carcinoma. Key Characteristics Form: Intravenous infusion (10 mg/mL concentrate, 100 mg/10 mL or 240 mg/24 mL vials) (detailed in Dosage…