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 Hydralazine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Hydralazine? Hydralazine is a direct-acting arterial vasodilator that relaxes smooth muscle in blood vessels, reducing blood pressure. This medication is administered orally or intravenously, used under medical supervision to manage hypertension and heart failure. Overview of Hydralazine Generic Name: Hydralazine Brand Name: Apresoline, generics Drug Group: Vasodilator (antihypertensive) Commonly Used For Treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Manage heart failure in combination with other drugs. Control hypertensive emergencies. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg), injectable (20 mg/mL) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism:…
Comprehensive Guide to Human Insulin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Human Insulin? Human Insulin is a recombinant form of the naturally occurring hormone insulin, used to regulate blood glucose levels by facilitating glucose uptake into cells and inhibiting hepatic glucose production. This medication is administered via subcutaneous injection, intravenous infusion, or insulin pumps, used under medical supervision to manage diabetes mellitus. Overview of Human Insulin Generic Name: Human Insulin Brand Name: Humulin, Novolin, generics Drug Group: Antidiabetic (insulin hormone) Commonly Used For Control blood sugar in type 1 diabetes. Manage type 2 diabetes in combination with oral…
Comprehensive Guide to Hydroxyurea: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Hydroxyurea? Hydroxyurea is an antimetabolite that inhibits DNA synthesis by blocking ribonucleotide reductase, used to reduce sickle cell crisis frequency and treat certain cancers. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to manage hematologic and oncologic conditions. Overview of Hydroxyurea Generic Name: Hydroxyurea Brand Name: Hydrea, Droxia, Siklos, generics Drug Group: Antimetabolite (cytotoxic, sickle cell disease modifier) Commonly Used For Reduce sickle cell disease complications. Treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Manage polycythemia vera (PV). Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (500 mg), tablets (100 mg, 1000 mg)…
Comprehensive Guide to Histrelin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Histrelin? Histrelin is a synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist that suppresses gonadotropin production by downregulating pituitary receptors, used to treat hormone-sensitive conditions like prostate cancer and central precocious puberty. This medication is administered via subcutaneous implant, used under medical supervision. Overview of Histrelin Generic Name: Histrelin Brand Name: Vantas, Supprelin LA Drug Group: GnRH agonist (hormone modulator) Commonly Used For Treat advanced prostate cancer. Manage central precocious puberty (CPP). Suppress hormone production in endometriosis. Key Characteristics Form: Subcutaneous implant (50 mg for 12 months) (detailed in Dosage section).…
Comprehensive Guide to Hyoscyamine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Hyoscyamine? Hyoscyamine is an anticholinergic medication that inhibits the action of acetylcholine on muscarinic receptors, reducing smooth muscle spasms and secretions in the gastrointestinal, urinary, and respiratory systems. This medication is administered orally, sublingually, or via injection, used under medical supervision to manage various spastic and hypersecretory conditions. Overview of Hyoscyamine Generic Name: Hyoscyamine Brand Name: Levsin, Anaspaz, generics Drug Group: Anticholinergic (antispasmodic) Commonly Used For Treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Manage bladder spasms. Reduce excessive salivation. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (0.125 mg, 0.375 mg), sublingual tablets…
Comprehensive Guide to Hexachlorophene: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Hexachlorophene? Hexachlorophene is a bisphenol antiseptic with bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties, effective against Gram-positive bacteria by disrupting cell wall synthesis. This medication is administered topically, used under medical supervision to prevent skin infections and as a surgical scrub. Overview of Hexachlorophene Generic Name: Hexachlorophene Brand Name: pHisoHex, generics Drug Group: Antiseptic (topical antimicrobial) Commonly Used For Prevent skin infections in neonates. Serve as a preoperative surgical scrub. Manage localized bacterial skin conditions. Key Characteristics Form: Topical liquid (3% aqueous solution), cream, or soap (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism:…
Comprehensive Guide to Hydromorphone: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Hydromorphone? Hydromorphone is a potent semi-synthetic opioid analgesic that binds to mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, alleviating moderate to severe pain. This medication is administered orally, via injection, or rectally, used under strict medical supervision for pain management. Overview of Hydromorphone Generic Name: Hydromorphone Brand Name: Dilaudid, Exalgo, generics Drug Group: Opioid analgesic (mu-opioid receptor agonist) Commonly Used For Manage acute postoperative pain. Treat chronic cancer-related pain. Relieve severe injury-induced pain. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg), extended-release tablets (8 mg,…
Comprehensive Guide to Glucagon: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Glucagon? Glucagon is a peptide hormone that increases blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver, serving as a critical emergency treatment for severe hypoglycemia. This medication is administered via injection or nasal spray, used under medical supervision in diabetic emergencies and diagnostic procedures. Overview of Glucagon Generic Name: Glucagon Brand Name: GlucaGen, Baqsimi, generics Drug Group: Hormone (glucagon-like peptide, hyperglycemic agent) Commonly Used For Treat severe hypoglycemia in diabetes. Facilitate diagnostic imaging of the gastrointestinal tract. Manage beta-blocker or calcium channel blocker overdoses (off-label).…
Comprehensive Guide to Glycopyrrolate: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Glycopyrrolate? Glycopyrrolate is an anticholinergic medication that inhibits the action of acetylcholine on muscarinic receptors, reducing secretions, gastrointestinal motility, and hyperhidrosis. This medication is administered orally, via injection, or as a topical solution, used under medical supervision to manage various conditions. Overview of Glycopyrrolate Generic Name: Glycopyrrolate Brand Name: Robinul, Cuvposa, Seebri, generics Drug Group: Anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) Commonly Used For Reduce excessive salivation (sialorrhea). Manage peptic ulcer symptoms. Treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (1 mg, 2 mg), oral solution (1 mg/5…
Comprehensive Guide to Goserelin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Goserelin? Goserelin is a synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist that suppresses pituitary gonadotropin release, reducing sex hormone levels to treat hormone-sensitive cancers and certain gynecological conditions. This medication is administered via subcutaneous implant, used under medical supervision for chronic therapy. Overview of Goserelin Generic Name: Goserelin Brand Name: Zoladex, generics Drug Group: GnRH agonist (hormonal therapy) Commonly Used For Treat prostate cancer. Manage breast cancer. Control endometriosis. Key Characteristics Form: Subcutaneous implant (3.6 mg, 10.8 mg) delivered every 28 days or 12 weeks (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism:…