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 Methotrexate: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Methotrexate? Methotrexate is an antimetabolite and antifolate drug that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, disrupting DNA synthesis and cell proliferation, primarily used to treat cancer, autoimmune diseases, and severe psoriasis. This medication is administered orally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously, used under medical supervision. Overview of Methotrexate Generic Name: Methotrexate Brand Name: Trexall, Rheumatrex, generics Drug Group: Antimetabolite (antifolate, chemotherapeutic, immunosuppressant) Commonly Used For Treat certain cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. Manage rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Control severe psoriasis. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg),…
Comprehensive Guide to Methadone: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Methadone? Methadone is a synthetic opioid agonist used to relieve severe pain and manage opioid dependence by acting on mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system. This medication is administered orally or via injection, used under strict medical supervision to treat chronic pain and substance use disorders. Overview of Methadone Generic Name: Methadone Brand Name: Dolophine, Methadose, generics Drug Group: Opioid agonist (analgesic, maintenance therapy) Commonly Used For Treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Manage chronic pain. Alleviate cancer-related pain. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (5 mg, 10 mg),…
Comprehensive Guide to Meropenem: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Meropenem? Meropenem is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins, effective against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria. This medication is administered via intravenous infusion, used under medical supervision to treat severe bacterial infections. Overview of Meropenem Generic Name: Meropenem Brand Name: Merrem, generics Drug Group: Carbapenem antibiotic (antibacterial) Commonly Used For Treat complicated intra-abdominal infections. Manage bacterial meningitis. Address hospital-acquired pneumonia. Key Characteristics Form: Vials for IV infusion (500 mg, 1 g) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Inhibits cell wall…
Comprehensive Guide to Memantine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Memantine? Memantine is an NMDA receptor antagonist that regulates glutamate activity in the brain, used to manage symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease by improving cognitive function. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to support patients with neurodegenerative conditions. Overview of Memantine Generic Name: Memantine Brand Name: Namenda, Ebixa, generics Drug Group: NMDA receptor antagonist (anti-dementia agent) Commonly Used For Treat moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Manage vascular dementia symptoms. Support cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (5 mg, 10…
Comprehensive Guide to Meloxicam: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Meloxicam? Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis to alleviate pain, inflammation, and stiffness. This medication is administered orally or via injection, used under medical supervision to treat chronic and acute musculoskeletal conditions. Overview of Meloxicam Generic Name: Meloxicam Brand Name: Mobic, Vivlodex, generics Drug Group: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Commonly Used For Relieve osteoarthritis pain. Manage rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (7.5 mg, 15 mg), oral suspension (7.5 mg/5…
Comprehensive Guide to Mebendazole: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Mebendazole? Mebendazole is an anthelmintic medication that inhibits the polymerization of tubulin in parasitic worms, disrupting their glucose uptake and leading to their immobilization and death. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to treat various parasitic infections. Overview of Mebendazole Generic Name: Mebendazole Brand Name: Vermox, Emverm, generics Drug Group: Anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) Commonly Used For Treat pinworm infections. Manage roundworm infections. Eradicate whipworm infections. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (100 mg), chewable tablets (100 mg), or oral suspension (20 mg/mL) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism:…
Comprehensive Guide to Lovastatin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Lovastatin? Lovastatin is a statin medication that lowers cholesterol levels by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme critical to cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to manage hypercholesterolemia and reduce cardiovascular risk. Overview of Lovastatin Generic Name: Lovastatin Brand Name: Mevacor, generics Drug Group: Statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, lipid-lowering agent) Commonly Used For Treat high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia). Reduce the risk of heart attack. Prevent cardiovascular events in at-risk patients. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg) (detailed…
Comprehensive Guide to Losartan: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Losartan? Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that inhibits the action of angiotensin II on AT1 receptors, lowering blood pressure and protecting kidney function. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to manage hypertension and related conditions. Overview of Losartan Generic Name: Losartan Brand Name: Cozaar, generics Drug Group: Angiotensin II receptor blocker (antihypertensive, renoprotective) Commonly Used For Treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Manage diabetic nephropathy. Reduce stroke risk in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (25 mg, 50…
Comprehensive Guide to Liraglutide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Liraglutide? Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that mimics the incretin hormone to enhance insulin secretion, suppress glucagon release, and promote weight loss. This medication is administered via subcutaneous injection, used under medical supervision to manage type 2 diabetes and obesity. Overview of Liraglutide Generic Name: Liraglutide Brand Name: Victoza, Saxenda, generics Drug Group: GLP-1 receptor agonist (antidiabetic, anti-obesity) Commonly Used For Improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Promote weight loss in obesity. Reduce cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients. Key Characteristics Form: Prefilled pens for…
Comprehensive Guide to Lisinopril: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Lisinopril? Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that lowers blood pressure by blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to treat hypertension and heart failure. Overview of Lisinopril Generic Name: Lisinopril Brand Name: Prinivil, Zestril, generics Drug Group: ACE inhibitor (antihypertensive, cardioprotective) Commonly Used For Treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Manage heart failure. Improve survival post-myocardial infarction. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg) (detailed…