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 Finasteride: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Finasteride? Finasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that reduces dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels by blocking the enzyme responsible for its conversion from testosterone, used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenetic alopecia. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision for hormonal and hair loss conditions. Overview of Finasteride Generic Name: Finasteride Brand Name: Proscar, Propecia, generics Drug Group: 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (anti-androgen) Commonly Used For Treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Manage male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). Reduce prostate cancer risk (off-label consideration). Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (5…
Comprehensive Guide to Famotidine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Famotidine? Famotidine is an H2 receptor blocker that reduces stomach acid production by inhibiting histamine action on parietal cells, used to treat acid-related disorders. This medication is administered orally or intravenously, used under medical supervision for gastrointestinal conditions. Overview of Famotidine Generic Name: Famotidine Brand Name: Pepcid, generics Drug Group: H2 receptor antagonist (anti-ulcer, antisecretory) Commonly Used For Treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heal duodenal ulcers. Relieve heartburn. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (20 mg, 40 mg), oral suspension (40 mg/5 mL), or IV injection (20 mg/2 mL)…
Comprehensive Guide to Ferrous Sulfate: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Ferrous Sulfate? Ferrous sulfate is an iron supplement used to treat or prevent iron deficiency anemia by replenishing iron stores essential for hemoglobin synthesis and oxygen transport. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to address nutritional deficiencies. Overview of Ferrous Sulfate Generic Name: Ferrous sulfate Brand Name: Feosol, Slow Fe, generics Drug Group: Iron supplement (hematologic agent) Commonly Used For Treat iron deficiency anemia. Prevent iron deficiency in at-risk populations. Support pregnancy-related iron needs. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (325 mg, equivalent to 65…
Comprehensive Guide to Furosemide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Furosemide? Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, promoting rapid diuresis and excretion of excess fluid. This medication is administered orally or intravenously, used under medical supervision to manage edema and hypertension. Overview of Furosemide Generic Name: Furosemide Brand Name: Lasix, generics Drug Group: Loop diuretic (antihypertensive, diuretic) Commonly Used For Treat edema associated with heart failure. Manage hypertension. Relieve pulmonary edema. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg), oral solution…
Comprehensive Guide to Fluticasone: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Fluticasone? Fluticasone is a synthetic corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and immune responses by inhibiting the release of substances that cause swelling, redness, and allergic reactions. This medication is administered via nasal spray, inhalation, or topical cream, used under medical supervision to manage respiratory and dermatologic conditions. Overview of Fluticasone Generic Name: Fluticasone Brand Name: Flonase, Flovent, Cutivate, generics Drug Group: Corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory, antiallergic) Commonly Used For Treat allergic rhinitis. Manage asthma. Relieve eczema and dermatitis. Key Characteristics Form: Nasal spray (50 mcg/spray), inhalation powder (44 mcg, 110 mcg,…
Comprehensive Guide to Fluoxetine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Fluoxetine? Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that increases serotonin levels in the brain, helping to regulate mood and alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision for various mental health conditions. Overview of Fluoxetine Generic Name: Fluoxetine Brand Name: Prozac, Sarafem, generics Drug Group: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (antidepressant, anxiolytic) Commonly Used For Treat major depressive disorder (MDD). Manage obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Relieve premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (10 mg, 20…
Comprehensive Guide to Fidaxomicin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Fidaxomicin? Fidaxomicin is a macrocyclic antibiotic that inhibits bacterial RNA polymerase, targeting Clostridium difficile with minimal disruption to normal gut flora. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to treat C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Overview of Fidaxomicin Generic Name: Fidaxomicin Brand Name: Dificid, generics Drug Group: Macrocyclic antibiotic (anti-infective) Commonly Used For Treat Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Prevent recurrent C. difficile-associated diarrhea. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (200 mg) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Inhibits RNA synthesis in C. difficile, sparing beneficial gut bacteria. Approval: FDA-approved…
Comprehensive Guide to Fluorometholone: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Fluorometholone? Fluorometholone is a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation, redness, and swelling in the eyes by inhibiting the release of substances that cause these symptoms. This medication is administered as ophthalmic drops or ointment, used under medical supervision to treat ocular inflammatory conditions. Overview of Fluorometholone Generic Name: Fluorometholone Brand Name: FML, Flarex, generics Drug Group: Corticosteroid (ophthalmic anti-inflammatory) Commonly Used For Treat allergic conjunctivitis. Manage anterior uveitis. Relieve postoperative inflammation. Key Characteristics Form: Ophthalmic suspension (0.1%, 0.25%), ointment (0.1%) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Suppresses inflammation via…
Comprehensive Guide to Epinephrine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Epinephrine? Epinephrine is a catecholamine hormone and neurotransmitter that acts as a non-selective adrenergic agonist, stimulating alpha and beta receptors to manage acute allergic reactions, cardiac arrest, and anaphylaxis. This medication is administered via injection, inhalation, or topical routes, used under medical supervision in emergency and therapeutic settings. Overview of Epinephrine Generic Name: Epinephrine Brand Name: EpiPen, Adrenalin, generics Drug Group: Catecholamine (vasopressor, bronchodilator, cardiac stimulant) Commonly Used For Treat anaphylaxis and allergic emergencies. Manage cardiac arrest. Relieve severe asthma attacks. Key Characteristics Form: Auto-injectors (0.3 mg, 0.15…
Comprehensive Guide to Erythromycin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Erythromycin? Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit, effective against a variety of Gram-positive and some Gram-negative bacteria. This medication is administered orally, topically, or intravenously, used under medical supervision to treat bacterial infections. Overview of Erythromycin Generic Name: Erythromycin Brand Name: Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, generics Drug Group: Macrolide antibiotic (antibacterial) Commonly Used For Treat respiratory tract infections. Manage skin and soft tissue infections. Prevent endocarditis in at-risk patients. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (250 mg, 500 mg), delayed-release…