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 Ergocalciferol (D2): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Ergocalciferol (D2)? Ergocalciferol (D2) is a fat-soluble vitamin D analog derived from ergosterol, which enhances calcium absorption and supports bone health by regulating parathyroid hormone levels. This medication is used to treat vitamin D deficiency and related disorders, administered under medical supervision to maintain optimal mineral metabolism. Overview of Ergocalciferol (D2) Generic Name: Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) Brand Name: Drisdol, generics Drug Group: Vitamin D analog (fat-soluble vitamin) Commonly Used For Correct vitamin D deficiency. Treat rickets and osteomalacia. Support bone health in chronic conditions. Key Characteristics Form:…
Comprehensive Guide to Etodolac: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Etodolac? Etodolac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis to alleviate pain and inflammation. This medication is widely used for arthritis and acute pain management, administered under medical supervision to minimize adverse effects. Overview of Etodolac Generic Name: Etodolac Brand Name: Lodine, generics Drug Group: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Commonly Used For Relieve pain and inflammation in arthritis. Manage acute pain conditions. Reduce swelling in musculoskeletal disorders. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (400 mg, 500 mg), extended-release tablets (600…
Comprehensive Guide to Eplerenone: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Eplerenone? Eplerenone is a selective aldosterone receptor antagonist that blocks aldosterone’s effects on the kidneys, reducing sodium retention and potassium excretion. This medication is primarily used to manage heart failure and hypertension, administered under medical supervision to optimize cardiovascular and renal outcomes. Overview of Eplerenone Generic Name: Eplerenone Brand Name: Inspra, generics Drug Group: Aldosterone antagonist (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, diuretic) Commonly Used For Treat heart failure post-myocardial infarction. Manage hypertension. Reduce cardiovascular mortality in specific populations. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (25 mg, 50 mg) (detailed in Dosage…
Comprehensive Guide to Eszopiclone: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Eszopiclone? Eszopiclone is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agent that acts on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA-A) receptor to promote sleep onset and maintenance. This medication is a cornerstone treatment for insomnia, widely prescribed to improve sleep quality and duration, and is managed under medical supervision to minimize risks of dependency. Overview of Eszopiclone Generic Name: Eszopiclone Brand Name: Lunesta, generics Drug Group: Non-benzodiazepine hypnotic (sedative-hypnotic) Commonly Used For Treat insomnia characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Manage short-term sleep disturbances. Improve sleep quality in chronic insomnia cases. Key…
Comprehensive Guide to Erlotinib: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Erlotinib? Erlotinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks tumor cell growth by inhibiting EGFR signaling. This medication is primarily used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic cancer, administered under specialized oncology care. Overview of Erlotinib Generic Name: Erlotinib Brand Name: Tarceva, generics Drug Group: EGFR inhibitor (antineoplastic) Commonly Used For Treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Manage pancreatic cancer. Control EGFR-mutated tumors. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (25 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Inhibits…
Comprehensive Guide to Everolimus: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Everolimus? Everolimus is a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor that suppresses immune responses and tumor growth by inhibiting mTOR signaling pathways. This medication is used in oncology, transplant medicine, and rare diseases, administered under specialized care to manage complex conditions. Overview of Everolimus Generic Name: Everolimus Brand Name: Afinitor, Zortress, generics Drug Group: mTOR inhibitor (immunosuppressant, antineoplastic) Commonly Used For Treat advanced cancers. Prevent organ transplant rejection. Manage tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg) or dispersible tablets (e.g.,…
Comprehensive Guide to Etravirine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Etravirine? Etravirine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that blocks HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, preventing viral replication. This medication is designed for treatment-experienced patients with resistant HIV strains, offering a vital option in antiretroviral therapy (ART) under specialized care. Overview of Etravirine Generic Name: Etravirine Brand Name: Intelence, generics Drug Group: Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI, antiretroviral) Commonly Used For Treat HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients. Manage multidrug-resistant HIV. Support viral suppression in ART regimens. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (100 mg, 200 mg, 25 mg for pediatric…
Comprehensive Guide to Dacarbazine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Dacarbazine? Dacarbazine is an alkylating antineoplastic agent that inhibits DNA synthesis by methylating guanine, used primarily in chemotherapy to treat various cancers. This medication is a key component in managing metastatic malignancies, administered under specialized supervision. Overview of Dacarbazine Generic Name: Dacarbazine Brand Name: DTIC-Dome, generics Drug Group: Alkylating agent (antineoplastic) Commonly Used For Treat malignant melanoma. Manage Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Control metastatic cancers. Key Characteristics Form: Lyophilized powder for injection (100 mg, 200 mg/vial) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Methylates DNA, disrupting replication and transcription. Approval: FDA-approved (1975…
Comprehensive Guide to Dactinomycin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Dactinomycin? Dactinomycin is a potent antineoplastic antibiotic that inhibits DNA-dependent RNA synthesis by intercalating into DNA, primarily used in chemotherapy to treat various cancers. This medication is critical in managing pediatric and adult malignancies, often administered under specialized care. Overview of Dactinomycin Generic Name: Dactinomycin Brand Name: Cosmegen, generics Drug Group: Antineoplastic antibiotic Commonly Used For Treat certain cancers. Manage pediatric tumors. Control metastatic disease. Key Characteristics Form: Lyophilized powder for injection (0.5 mg/vial) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Binds to DNA, blocking RNA polymerase and halting cancer…
Comprehensive Guide to Dapagliflozin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Dapagliflozin? Dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that lowers blood glucose levels by promoting urinary glucose excretion. This medication is primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure, offering glycemic control and cardiovascular benefits. Overview of Dapagliflozin Generic Name: Dapagliflozin Brand Name: Farxiga, generics Drug Group: SGLT2 inhibitor (antidiabetic) Commonly Used For Manage type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Treat heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Reduce cardiovascular risk. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (5 mg, 10 mg) (detailed in Dosage section).…