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 Morphine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Morphine? Morphine is a potent opioid analgesic derived from the opium poppy, acting on mu-opioid receptors to relieve moderate to severe pain. This medication is administered via oral, intravenous, intramuscular, or epidural routes, used under strict medical supervision for acute and chronic pain management. Overview of Morphine Generic Name: Morphine Brand Name: MS Contin, Roxanol, generics Drug Group: Opioid analgesic (narcotic) Commonly Used For Manage severe acute pain (e.g., post-surgical). Treat chronic cancer pain. Alleviate dyspnea in palliative care. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (15 mg, 30 mg,…
Comprehensive Guide to Montelukast: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Montelukast? Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist that blocks the action of leukotrienes, substances in the body that cause inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus production. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to manage asthma and allergic rhinitis. Overview of Montelukast Generic Name: Montelukast Brand Name: Singulair, generics Drug Group: Leukotriene receptor antagonist (anti-asthmatic, anti-allergic) Commonly Used For Prevent asthma attacks. Relieve seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms. Manage exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Key Characteristics Form: Tablets (10 mg), chewable tablets (4 mg, 5 mg), oral granules (4 mg) (detailed in…
Comprehensive Guide to Mometasone: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Mometasone? Mometasone is a synthetic corticosteroid that reduces inflammation, itching, and redness by inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediators and suppressing immune responses. This medication is administered topically (cream, ointment, lotion), intranasally, or via inhalation, used under medical supervision to treat allergic, inflammatory, and respiratory conditions. Overview of Mometasone Generic Name: Mometasone Brand Name: Elocon, Nasonex, Asmanex, generics Drug Group: Corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory, antiallergic) Commonly Used For Treat eczema and psoriasis. Manage allergic rhinitis. Control asthma symptoms. Key Characteristics Form: Topical cream/ointment/lotion (0.1%), nasal spray (50 mcg/spray), inhalation powder…
Comprehensive Guide to Mirtazapine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Mirtazapine? Mirtazapine is a tetracyclic antidepressant that enhances noradrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission by acting as an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist and serotonin receptor modulator. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to treat major depressive disorder and other mood disorders. Overview of Mirtazapine Generic Name: Mirtazapine Brand Name: Remeron, generics Drug Group: Tetracyclic antidepressant (noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant – NaSSA) Commonly Used For Treat major depressive disorder (MDD). Manage insomnia associated with depression. Alleviate anxiety disorders. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (7.5 mg, 15 mg,…
Comprehensive Guide to Minocycline: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Minocycline? Minocycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, effective against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This medication is administered orally or intravenously, used under medical supervision to treat bacterial infections and certain inflammatory conditions. Overview of Minocycline Generic Name: Minocycline Brand Name: Minocin, Dynacin, generics Drug Group: Tetracycline antibiotic (antibacterial, anti-inflammatory) Commonly Used For Treat acne vulgaris. Manage respiratory tract infections. Address rheumatoid arthritis (off-label). Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (50 mg, 75 mg,…
Comprehensive Guide to Midazolam: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Midazolam? Midazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine that enhances the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), producing sedative, anxiolytic, amnestic, and muscle-relaxant effects. This medication is administered via intravenous, intramuscular, oral, or nasal routes, used under medical supervision for procedural sedation, anesthesia induction, and seizure management. Overview of Midazolam Generic Name: Midazolam Brand Name: Versed, generic formulations Drug Group: Benzodiazepine (sedative-hypnotic, anticonvulsant) Commonly Used For Induce sedation for medical procedures. Manage status epilepticus. Provide preoperative anxiolysis. Key Characteristics Form: IV injection (1 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL), IM injection (5…
Comprehensive Guide to Metronidazole: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Metronidazole? Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic and antiprotozoal agent that disrupts DNA synthesis in anaerobic bacteria and certain parasites, effectively treating infections caused by susceptible organisms. This medication is administered orally, intravenously, or topically, used under medical supervision for bacterial and parasitic infections. Overview of Metronidazole Generic Name: Metronidazole Brand Name: Flagyl, MetroGel, generics Drug Group: Nitroimidazole (antibiotic, antiprotozoal) Commonly Used For Treat bacterial vaginosis. Manage amebiasis and giardiasis. Cure Clostridium difficile infections. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (250 mg, 500 mg), IV infusion (500 mg/100 mL), topical…
Comprehensive Guide to Metoprolol: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Metoprolol? Metoprolol is a selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocker that reduces heart rate, cardiac output, and blood pressure by inhibiting the effects of adrenaline on the heart. This medication is administered orally or intravenously, used under medical supervision to manage cardiovascular conditions. Overview of Metoprolol Generic Name: Metoprolol Brand Name: Lopressor, Toprol-XL, generics Drug Group: Beta-blocker (cardioselective) Commonly Used For Treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Manage angina pectoris. Improve survival post-myocardial infarction. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg), extended-release tablets (25 mg, 50…
Comprehensive Guide to Metformin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Metformin? Metformin is a biguanide oral antidiabetic medication that lowers blood glucose levels by decreasing hepatic glucose production, improving insulin sensitivity, and enhancing peripheral glucose uptake. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus. Overview of Metformin Generic Name: Metformin Brand Name: Glucophage, Fortamet, generics Drug Group: Biguanide (antidiabetic) Commonly Used For Manage type 2 diabetes mellitus. Improve glycemic control in prediabetes. Support weight management in diabetic patients. Key Characteristics Form: Immediate-release tablets (500 mg, 850 mg, 1000 mg), extended-release tablets…
Comprehensive Guide to Methylprednisolone: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Methylprednisolone? Methylprednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid that reduces inflammation, suppresses the immune response, and alleviates symptoms of various autoimmune and allergic conditions. This medication is administered orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly, used under medical supervision for a range of inflammatory disorders. Overview of Methylprednisolone Generic Name: Methylprednisolone Brand Name: Medrol, Solu-Medrol, generics Drug Group: Corticosteroid (glucocorticoid, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive) Commonly Used For Treat rheumatoid arthritis. Manage multiple sclerosis exacerbations. Relieve severe allergic reactions. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg, 32 mg), injectable (125 mg,…