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 Vinflunine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Vinflunine? Vinflunine is a vinca alkaloid chemotherapeutic agent that inhibits microtubule dynamics, arresting cancer cell division during mitosis. This medication is primarily used to treat advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, offering a treatment option in oncology under specialized supervision. 2. Overview of Vinflunine Generic Name Vinflunine Brand Name Javlor, generics Drug Group Vinca alkaloid (antineoplastic) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat advanced urothelial carcinoma. Manage metastatic bladder cancer. Control cancer progression in chemotherapy settings. Key Characteristics Form: Concentrate for solution for infusion (50 mg/2…
Comprehensive Guide to Vinpocetine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Vinpocetine? Vinpocetine is a synthetic derivative of vincamine, a natural alkaloid from the periwinkle plant (Vinca minor), known for its nootropic and cerebroprotective properties. This medication enhances cerebral blood flow and neuroprotection, commonly used to manage cognitive decline and cerebrovascular disorders. 2. Overview of Vinpocetine Generic Name Vinpocetine Brand Name Cavinton, Intelectol, generics Drug Group Nootropic, vasodilator Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Improve memory and cognitive function. Treat cerebrovascular insufficiency. Manage symptoms of dementia. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (5 mg, 10 mg), intravenous…
Comprehensive Guide to Vismodegib: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Vismodegib? Vismodegib is a Hedgehog pathway inhibitor that blocks the SMO receptor, suppressing tumor growth in cancers driven by this pathway. This medication is primarily used to treat advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), offering a targeted therapy option under specialized oncologic care. 2. Overview of Vismodegib Generic Name Vismodegib Brand Name Erivedge, generics Drug Group Hedgehog pathway inhibitor (antineoplastic) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Manage metastatic skin cancers. Control locally advanced BCC. Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (150…
Comprehensive Guide to Visilizumab: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Visilizumab? Visilizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the CD3 receptor on T-cells, modulating immune responses. This medication is primarily investigated for severe autoimmune conditions and transplant rejection, administered under strict medical supervision due to its immunomodulatory effects. 2. Overview of Visilizumab Generic Name Visilizumab Brand Name Nuvion (investigational, not widely marketed) Drug Group Monoclonal antibody (immunosuppressant) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat severe ulcerative colitis. Manage acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Investigate transplant rejection prevention. Key Characteristics Form: Intravenous infusion (formulation varies by…
Comprehensive Guide to Vitamin D: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Vitamin D? Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for calcium absorption, bone health, and immune function, synthesized in the skin upon sunlight exposure or obtained through diet and supplements. This nutrient exists in two main forms: D2 (ergocalciferol) from plants and D3 (cholecalciferol) from animal sources or UVB exposure, playing a critical role in overall wellness. 2. Overview of Vitamin D Generic Name Vitamin D (D2: Ergocalciferol, D3: Cholecalciferol) Brand Name Various (e.g., D-Vita, Calciferol, generics) Drug Group Fat-soluble vitamin (nutritional supplement) Commonly Used For…
Comprehensive Guide to Vitamin K: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Vitamin K? Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for blood clotting and bone health, existing in two primary forms: phylloquinone (K1) from plants and menaquinones (K2) from animal sources and fermentation. This nutrient plays a critical role in synthesizing clotting factors and maintaining skeletal integrity. 2. Overview of Vitamin K Generic Name Vitamin K (includes K1 and K2) Brand Names Phytonadione (K1), Menaquinone (K2), generics Drug Group Fat-soluble vitamin, coagulation factor precursor Commonly Used For This vitamin is used to: Prevent and treat bleeding disorders.…
Comprehensive Guide to Voclosporin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Voclosporin? Voclosporin is a calcineurin inhibitor that suppresses immune responses by inhibiting T-cell activation, primarily used to treat lupus nephritis. This medication offers a targeted approach to managing autoimmune kidney disease, administered under specialized medical supervision. 2. Overview of Voclosporin Generic Name Voclosporin Brand Name Lupkynis, generics Drug Group Calcineurin inhibitor (immunosuppressant) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat lupus nephritis. Manage autoimmune kidney inflammation. Support immunosuppressive therapy. Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (7.9 mg) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Inhibits calcineurin, reducing interleukin-2 production…
Comprehensive Guide to Vonoprazan: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Vonoprazan? Vonoprazan is a potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) that inhibits gastric H+/K+-ATPase, providing potent and rapid suppression of gastric acid production. This medication is primarily used to treat acid-related disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Helicobacter pylori infections, offering an alternative to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). 2. Overview of Vonoprazan Generic Name Vonoprazan Brand Name Voquezna, generics (e.g., Takecab in Japan) Drug Group Potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB, anti-ulcer) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Eradicate Helicobacter pylori infections. Manage…
Comprehensive Guide to Vonicog Alfa: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Vonicog Alfa? Vonicog alfa is a recombinant von Willebrand factor (rVWF) designed to replace deficient or dysfunctional von Willebrand factor (VWF) and factor VIII (FVIII) in patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD). This medication is a critical therapy for managing bleeding episodes and perioperative care, administered under specialized supervision. 2. Overview of Vonicog Alfa Generic Name Vonicog alfa Brand Name Vonvendi, generics Drug Group Recombinant von Willebrand factor (hemostatic agent) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat von Willebrand disease (VWD). Manage bleeding episodes…
Comprehensive Guide to Voriconazole: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Voriconazole? Voriconazole is a broad-spectrum triazole antifungal that inhibits ergosterol synthesis by targeting fungal cytochrome P450 enzymes, primarily used to treat invasive fungal infections. This medication is a critical option for immunocompromised patients, administered under specialized care. 2. Overview of Voriconazole Generic Name Voriconazole Brand Name Vfend, generics Drug Group Triazole antifungal Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat invasive aspergillosis. Manage candidemia in non-neutropenic patients. Control fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (50 mg, 200 mg), powder for IV infusion…