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 Escitalopram: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Escitalopram? Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that increases serotonin levels in the brain, helping to regulate mood and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision for various mental health conditions. Overview of Escitalopram Generic Name: Escitalopram Brand Name: Lexapro, generics Drug Group: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (antidepressant, anxiolytic) Commonly Used For Treat major depressive disorder (MDD). Manage generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Reduce symptoms of social anxiety disorder. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (5 mg, 10 mg, 20…
Comprehensive Guide to Esomeprazole: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Esomeprazole? Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces stomach acid production by inhibiting the H+/K+-ATPase enzyme in gastric parietal cells. This medication is administered orally or intravenously, used under medical supervision to treat acid-related disorders. Overview of Esomeprazole Generic Name: Esomeprazole Brand Name: Nexium, generics Drug Group: Proton pump inhibitor (anti-ulcer, antisecretory) Commonly Used For Treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heal erosive esophagitis. Prevent gastric ulcers. Key Characteristics Form: Oral delayed-release capsules (20 mg, 40 mg), tablets, oral suspension, or IV injection (20 mg, 40 mg)…
Comprehensive Guide to Estradiol: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Estradiol? Estradiol is a bioidentical estrogen hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle, supports reproductive health, and alleviates menopausal symptoms. This medication is administered orally, transdermally, or vaginally, used under medical supervision for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other estrogen-deficient states. Overview of Estradiol Generic Name: Estradiol Brand Name: Estrace, Vivelle-Dot, Climara, generics Drug Group: Estrogen (hormone replacement, contraceptive component) Commonly Used For Manage menopausal symptoms. Treat hypoestrogenism. Support transgender hormone therapy. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg), transdermal patches (0.025 mg/day, 0.05 mg/day),…
Comprehensive Guide to Ezetimibe: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Ezetimibe? Ezetimibe is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor that blocks the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine, lowering blood lipid levels. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to manage hypercholesterolemia and related cardiovascular risks. Overview of Ezetimibe Generic Name: Ezetimibe Brand Name: Zetia, generics Drug Group: Cholesterol absorption inhibitor (antihyperlipidemic) Commonly Used For Reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Manage mixed hyperlipidemia. Prevent cardiovascular events in high-risk patients. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (10 mg) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Inhibits Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) protein,…
Comprehensive Guide to Empagliflozin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Empagliflozin? Empagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that reduces blood glucose by preventing glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, promoting its excretion in urine. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to manage type 2 diabetes and related cardiovascular conditions. Overview of Empagliflozin Generic Name: Empagliflozin Brand Name: Jardiance, generics Drug Group: SGLT2 inhibitor (antidiabetic, cardioprotective) Commonly Used For Improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Reduce cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients. Manage heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (10…
Comprehensive Guide to Enalapril: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Enalapril? Enalapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, lowering blood pressure and reducing strain on the heart and kidneys. This medication is administered orally, used under medical supervision to manage hypertension and heart failure. Overview of Enalapril Generic Name: Enalapril Brand Name: Vasotec, generics Drug Group: ACE inhibitor (antihypertensive, cardioprotective) Commonly Used For Treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Manage heart failure. Prevent kidney damage in diabetic nephropathy. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg,…
Comprehensive Guide to Enoxaparin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Enoxaparin? Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) that inhibits factor Xa and thrombin, preventing blood clot formation. This medication is administered via subcutaneous injection, used under medical supervision to manage and prevent thromboembolic disorders. Overview of Enoxaparin Generic Name: Enoxaparin Brand Name: Lovenox, generics Drug Group: Low molecular weight heparin (anticoagulant) Commonly Used For Prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Treat pulmonary embolism (PE). Manage acute coronary syndromes. Key Characteristics Form: Subcutaneous injection (30 mg/0.3 mL, 40 mg/0.4 mL, 60 mg/0.6 mL, 80 mg/0.8 mL, 100 mg/mL…
Comprehensive Guide to Etanercept: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Etanercept? Etanercept is a biologic tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor that binds to TNF-alpha, reducing inflammation in autoimmune conditions. This medication is administered via subcutaneous injection, used under medical supervision to manage chronic inflammatory diseases. Overview of Etanercept Generic Name: Etanercept Brand Name: Enbrel, generics Drug Group: TNF inhibitor (biologic, immunosuppressive) Commonly Used For Treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Manage psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Reduce symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. Key Characteristics Form: Subcutaneous injection (25 mg, 50 mg vials or prefilled syringes) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Neutralizes TNF-alpha,…
Comprehensive Guide to Ethinyl Estradiol: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Ethinyl Estradiol? Ethinyl estradiol is a synthetic estrogen used in hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), mimicking natural estradiol to regulate the menstrual cycle and support estrogen-deficient states. This medication is commonly combined with progestins, administered under medical supervision to balance hormonal effects. Overview of Ethinyl Estradiol Generic Name: Ethinyl estradiol Brand Name: Various (e.g., in combination with norgestimate as Ortho Tri-Cyclen, with norethindrone as Loestrin), generics Drug Group: Estrogen (contraceptive, hormone replacement) Commonly Used For Prevent pregnancy in combination with progestins. Manage menopausal symptoms in…
Comprehensive Guide to Etonogestrel: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Etonogestrel? Etonogestrel is a synthetic progestin used as a contraceptive and in hormone therapy, derived from 19-nortestosterone, which prevents ovulation and thickens cervical mucus. This medication is delivered via implants or vaginal rings, administered under medical supervision to ensure effective contraception and hormonal balance. Overview of Etonogestrel Generic Name: Etonogestrel Brand Name: Nexplanon (implant), NuvaRing (vaginal ring component) Drug Group: Progestin (contraceptive, hormonal therapy) Commonly Used For Prevent pregnancy through long-term contraception. Manage menstrual irregularities. Support hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in specific cases. Key Characteristics Form: Subdermal implant…