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 Nitroprusside: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Nitroprusside? Nitroprusside is a potent vasodilator that acts by releasing nitric oxide, relaxing vascular smooth muscle to reduce blood pressure and cardiac workload. This medication is primarily used in critical care settings to manage hypertensive emergencies and heart failure, requiring careful monitoring. Overview of Nitroprusside Generic Name: Nitroprusside Brand Name: Nitropress, generics Drug Group: Vasodilator (nitric oxide donor) Commonly Used For Treat hypertensive emergencies. Manage acute heart failure. Control blood pressure during surgery. Key Characteristics Form: Lyophilized powder for IV infusion (50 mg/vial) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism:…
Comprehensive Guide to Nitroglycerin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Nitroglycerin? Nitroglycerin is a nitrate vasodilator that relaxes vascular smooth muscle, dilating blood vessels to improve blood flow and reduce cardiac workload. This medication is a cornerstone in managing angina pectoris, acute heart failure, and other cardiovascular conditions, with a rich history dating back to its discovery in the 19th century. Overview of Nitroglycerin Generic Name: Nitroglycerin Brand Name: Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, generics Drug Group: Nitrate (vasodilator) Commonly Used For Relieve angina pectoris. Treat acute heart failure. Manage hypertensive emergencies. Key Characteristics Form: Sublingual tablets (0.3 mg, 0.4…
Comprehensive Guide to Nitrofurantoin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Nitrofurantoin? Nitrofurantoin is a synthetic nitrofuran antibiotic that inhibits bacterial enzymes, primarily used to treat and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by susceptible bacteria. This medication is valued for its efficacy against common uropathogens, offering a targeted approach to urinary health. Overview of Nitrofurantoin Generic Name: Nitrofurantoin Brand Name: Macrobid, Macrodantin, generics Drug Group: Nitrofuran antibiotic Commonly Used For Treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). Prevent recurrent UTIs. Manage bacterial cystitis. Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (50 mg, 100 mg Macrobid; 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg Macrodantin)…
Comprehensive Guide to Nintedanib: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Nintedanib? Nintedanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets multiple receptors involved in angiogenesis and fibrosis, used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and certain cancers. This medication slows disease progression and improves quality of life, administered under specialized medical supervision. Overview of Nintedanib Generic Name: Nintedanib Brand Name: Ofev, generics Drug Group: Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (antifibrotic, antineoplastic) Commonly Used For Treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Manage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Slow disease progression in fibrotic conditions. Key Characteristics Form: Oral soft capsules (100 mg, 150 mg)…
Comprehensive Guide to Nimodipine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Nimodipine? Nimodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that selectively inhibits calcium influx into vascular smooth muscle cells, primarily used to prevent vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This medication is a critical tool in neurocritical care, administered under specialized supervision. Overview of Nimodipine Generic Name: Nimodipine Brand Name: Nymalize, Nimotop, generics Drug Group: Calcium channel blocker (dihydropyridine) Commonly Used For Prevent vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Manage cerebral ischemia. Support neurological recovery. Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (30 mg), oral solution (e.g., Nymalize 20 mg/10 mL), or IV (off-label…
Comprehensive Guide to Nilutamide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Nilutamide? Nilutamide is a nonsteroidal antiandrogen that blocks androgen receptors, inhibiting testosterone effects, primarily used in the treatment of prostate cancer. This medication is a key component in androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), administered under specialized medical supervision. Overview of Nilutamide Generic Name: Nilutamide Brand Name: Nilandron, generics Drug Group: Nonsteroidal antiandrogen Commonly Used For Treat metastatic prostate cancer. Manage hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Support androgen deprivation therapy. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (50 mg, 150 mg) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Competitively inhibits androgen binding to receptors, reducing prostate…
Comprehensive Guide to Nifedipine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Nifedipine? Nifedipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that inhibits calcium influx into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac cells, leading to vasodilation and reduced blood pressure. This medication is widely used to manage hypertension and angina, offering cardiovascular benefits under medical supervision. Overview of Nifedipine Generic Name: Nifedipine Brand Name: Adalat, Procardia, generics Drug Group: Calcium channel blocker (dihydropyridine) Commonly Used For Treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Manage angina pectoris (chest pain). Control Raynaud’s phenomenon. Key Characteristics Form: Immediate-release capsules (10 mg, 20 mg), extended-release tablets (30 mg,…
Comprehensive Guide to Nesiritide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Nesiritide? Nesiritide is a recombinant form of human B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) that promotes vasodilation and diuresis by activating guanylate cyclase receptors. This medication is primarily used to manage acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), offering symptomatic relief in hospitalized patients under close medical supervision. Overview of Nesiritide Generic Name: Nesiritide Brand Name: Natrecor, generics Drug Group: Natriuretic peptide (cardiovascular) Commonly Used For Treat acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Relieve dyspnea in heart failure patients. Manage fluid overload in critical care settings. Key Characteristics Form: Lyophilized powder for IV…
Comprehensive Guide to Neostigmine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Neostigmine? Neostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor that enhances acetylcholine activity by inhibiting its breakdown, primarily used to reverse neuromuscular blockade and treat myasthenia gravis. This medication plays a critical role in perioperative care and chronic neuromuscular management under medical supervision. Overview of Neostigmine Generic Name: Neostigmine Brand Name: Bloxiverz, Prostigmin, generics Drug Group: Cholinesterase inhibitor (anticholinesterase) Commonly Used For Reverse non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockade. Treat myasthenia gravis. Manage urinary retention or postoperative ileus. Key Characteristics Form: Injection (0.5 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL), oral tablets (15 mg), and ophthalmic solution (detailed…
Comprehensive Guide to Neomycin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Neomycin? Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, primarily used to treat or prevent bacterial infections. This medication is valued for its broad-spectrum activity against Gram-negative and some Gram-positive bacteria, often applied topically or orally in specific contexts. Overview of Neomycin Generic Name: Neomycin Brand Name: Neo-Fradin, generics (topical forms include Neosporin) Drug Group: Aminoglycoside antibiotic Commonly Used For Treat bacterial infections. Prevent infection in wounds or burns (topical). Reduce ammonia-producing bacteria in hepatic encephalopathy (oral). Key Characteristics…