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 Loratadine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Loratadine? Loratadine is a second-generation antihistamine that blocks H1 receptors, reducing allergic symptoms such as itching, sneezing, and runny nose by inhibiting histamine release. This medication is administered orally, used over-the-counter or by prescription to manage allergic conditions. Overview of Loratadine Generic Name: Loratadine Brand Name: Claritin, Alavert, generics Drug Group: Antihistamine (H1 receptor antagonist) Commonly Used For Relieve seasonal allergic rhinitis. Manage chronic urticaria. Alleviate mild allergic reactions. Key Characteristics Form: Tablets (10 mg), orally disintegrating tablets (10 mg), syrup (1 mg/mL), or chewable tablets (5 mg)…
Comprehensive Guide to Lidocaine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Lidocaine? Lidocaine is a local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic agent that blocks sodium channels in nerve membranes, preventing nerve signal transmission to provide pain relief or manage cardiac arrhythmias. This medication is administered via injection, topical application, or intravenous infusion, used under medical supervision in various clinical settings. Overview of Lidocaine Generic Name: Lidocaine Brand Name: Xylocaine, Lidoderm, generics Drug Group: Local anesthetic, antiarrhythmic (Class IB) Commonly Used For Provide local anesthesia during procedures. Relieve neuropathic pain. Treat ventricular arrhythmias. Key Characteristics Form: Injectable solutions (0.5%, 1%, 2%), topical…
Comprehensive Guide to Levocetirizine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Levocetirizine? Levocetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine that blocks H1 receptors, reducing histamine-mediated symptoms such as itching, sneezing, and runny nose. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to manage allergic conditions. Overview of Levocetirizine Generic Name: Levocetirizine Brand Name: Xyzal, generics Drug Group: Antihistamine (H1 receptor antagonist) Commonly Used For Treat seasonal allergic rhinitis. Manage chronic urticaria. Relieve perennial allergic rhinitis. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (5 mg), oral solution (2.5 mg/5 mL) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Selectively inhibits H1 receptors with minimal sedative effects…
Comprehensive Guide to Leucovorin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Leucovorin? Leucovorin is a folate analog (folinic acid) used to enhance the effects of certain chemotherapeutic agents, rescue normal cells from methotrexate toxicity, and treat folate deficiency. This medication is administered orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly, used under medical supervision in oncology and hematology settings. Overview of Leucovorin Generic Name: Leucovorin (Folinic Acid) Brand Name: Wellcovorin, generic formulations Drug Group: Folate analog (antidote, chemotherapy adjunct) Commonly Used For Rescue from methotrexate toxicity. Enhance 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy. Treat megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency. Key Characteristics Form: Tablets (5 mg,…
Comprehensive Guide to Levonorgestrel: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Levonorgestrel? Levonorgestrel is a synthetic progestin used for emergency contraception, hormonal contraception, and treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding by inhibiting ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and altering the endometrium. This medication is administered orally, via intrauterine devices (IUDs), or implants, used under medical supervision. Overview of Levonorgestrel Generic Name: Levonorgestrel Brand Name: Plan B One-Step, Mirena, Kyleena, generics Drug Group: Progestin (contraceptive, emergency contraception) Commonly Used For Prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. Provide long-term contraception via IUD. Manage heavy menstrual bleeding. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (0.75 mg, 1.5…
Comprehensive Guide to Letrozole: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Letrozole? Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor that reduces estrogen production by blocking the enzyme aromatase, primarily used in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to manage endocrine-related conditions. Overview of Letrozole Generic Name: Letrozole Brand Name: Femara, generics Drug Group: Aromatase inhibitor (endocrine therapy) Commonly Used For Treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Induce ovulation in infertility treatment. Manage endometriosis symptoms. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (2.5 mg) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Inhibits aromatase,…
Comprehensive Guide to Levofloxacin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Levofloxacin? Levofloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic that inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, disrupting DNA replication and transcription. This medication is administered orally or intravenously, used under medical supervision to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Overview of Levofloxacin Generic Name: Levofloxacin Brand Name: Levaquin, generics Drug Group: Fluoroquinolone antibiotic (antibacterial) Commonly Used For Treat community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Manage urinary tract infections (UTIs). Address sinusitis and bronchitis. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg), oral solution (25 mg/mL), or IV infusion (5…
Comprehensive Guide to Levothyroxine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Levothyroxine? Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) that replaces or supplements thyroid hormone levels in the body, regulating metabolism and energy production. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to treat hypothyroidism and related conditions. Overview of Levothyroxine Generic Name: Levothyroxine Brand Name: Synthroid, Levoxyl, generics Drug Group: Thyroid hormone (hormone replacement) Commonly Used For Treat hypothyroidism. Manage thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression in thyroid cancer. Prevent goiter. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (25 mcg, 50 mcg, 75 mcg, 88 mcg, 100…
Comprehensive Guide to Leuprolide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Leuprolide? Leuprolide is a synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist that initially stimulates but ultimately suppresses pituitary gonadotropin release, reducing sex hormone levels (e.g., testosterone, estrogen). This medication is administered via injection, used under medical supervision to treat hormone-sensitive conditions like prostate cancer and endometriosis. Overview of Leuprolide Generic Name: Leuprolide Brand Name: Lupron, Eligard, generics Drug Group: GnRH agonist (hormone modulator) Commonly Used For Treat advanced prostate cancer. Manage endometriosis. Control precocious puberty. Key Characteristics Form: Injectable depot (3.75 mg, 7.5 mg, 11.25 mg, 22.5 mg, 30 mg)…
Comprehensive Guide to Latanoprost: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Latanoprost? Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2-alpha analog used to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma and ocular hypertension by increasing uveoscleral outflow. This medication is administered as ophthalmic drops, used under medical supervision to manage eye pressure-related conditions. Overview of Latanoprost Generic Name: Latanoprost Brand Name: Xalatan, generics Drug Group: Prostaglandin analog (antiglaucoma) Commonly Used For Treat open-angle glaucoma. Manage ocular hypertension. Reduce IOP in combination therapies. Key Characteristics Form: Ophthalmic solution (0.005%, single-use or multi-dose) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Enhances uveoscleral outflow, lowering IOP without affecting…