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 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…
Comprehensive Guide to Vorinostat: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Vorinostat? Vorinostat is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor that induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells by altering gene expression. This medication is primarily used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and is under investigation for other malignancies, administered under specialized oncology care. 2. Overview of Vorinostat Generic Name Vorinostat Brand Name Zolinza, generics Drug Group Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor (antineoplastic) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Manage advanced lymphoma stages. Explore treatment for other cancers. Key Characteristics…
Comprehensive Guide to Vortioxetine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Vortioxetine? Vortioxetine is a multimodal antidepressant that acts as a serotonin modulator and stimulator (SMS), influencing multiple serotonin receptors to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). This medication enhances mood regulation and cognitive function, offering a unique approach in psychiatric care. 2. Overview of Vortioxetine Generic Name Vortioxetine Brand Name Trintellix, Brintellix (previously), generics Drug Group Serotonin modulator and stimulator (antidepressant) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat major depressive disorder (MDD). Improve cognitive function in depression. Manage persistent depressive symptoms. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets…
Comprehensive Guide to Vosoritide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Vosoritide? Vosoritide is a synthetic analog of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) that stimulates cartilage growth by activating the NPR-B receptor, used to treat achondroplasia—the most common form of dwarfism. This medication offers a targeted approach to improve growth in children with this genetic condition. 2. Overview of Vosoritide Generic Name Vosoritide Brand Name Voxzogo, generics (where available) Drug Group C-type natriuretic peptide analog (growth-promoting agent) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat achondroplasia in children. Promote longitudinal bone growth. Improve height outcomes in skeletal dysplasias.…
Comprehensive Guide to Voxelotor: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Voxelotor? Voxelotor is a hemoglobin S (HbS) polymerization inhibitor that increases hemoglobin’s oxygen affinity, reducing sickling of red blood cells in sickle cell disease (SCD). This medication offers a novel approach to managing SCD symptoms, improving quality of life for affected patients. 2. Overview of Voxelotor Generic Name Voxelotor Brand Name Oxbryta, generics Drug Group HbS polymerization inhibitor (hematology) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat sickle cell disease (SCD). Reduce hemolysis and vaso-occlusive events. Improve hemoglobin levels. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (500 mg,…
Comprehensive Guide to Voxilaprevir: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Voxilaprevir? Voxilaprevir is an NS3/4A protease inhibitor that targets the hepatitis C virus (HCV) by blocking viral replication, used in combination with other direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) to treat chronic HCV infection. This medication is a cornerstone in managing HCV genotypes 1–6, offering high cure rates under specialized care. 2. Overview of Voxilaprevir Generic Name Voxilaprevir Brand Name Vosevi (combination with sofosbuvir and velpatasvir) Drug Group NS3/4A protease inhibitor (antiviral) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Manage HCV with…
Comprehensive Guide to Vutrisiran: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Vutrisiran? Vutrisiran is an RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic that reduces transthyretin (TTR) protein production, used to treat hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (hATTR amyloidosis) with polyneuropathy or cardiomyopathy. This medication offers a targeted approach to managing this rare genetic disorder, administered under specialized care. 2. Overview of Vutrisiran Generic Name Vutrisiran Brand Name Amvuttra, generics Drug Group RNA interference therapeutic (antisense oligonucleotide) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. Manage hATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy. Slow disease progression in TTR amyloidosis. Key Characteristics Form:…
Comprehensive Guide to Ubrogepant: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Ubrogepant? Ubrogepant is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist designed to block CGRP receptors, alleviating acute migraine attacks with or without aura. This medication offers a non-vasoconstrictive option for migraine management, administered orally under medical supervision. 2. Overview of Ubrogepant Generic Name Ubrogepant Brand Name Ubrelvy, generics Drug Group CGRP receptor antagonist (migraine treatment) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat acute migraine attacks. Manage migraine with or without aura. Reduce migraine-associated symptoms. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (50 mg, 100 mg) (detailed in…
Comprehensive Guide to Ulipristal Acetate: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Ulipristal Acetate? Ulipristal acetate is a selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) that inhibits or delays ovulation and alters the endometrium, primarily used as an emergency contraceptive and for uterine fibroid management. This medication offers a non-invasive option for reproductive health challenges, administered under medical guidance. 2. Overview of Ulipristal Acetate Generic Name Ulipristal acetate Brand Name Ella, Esmya, Fibristal (varies by region), generics Drug Group Selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. Manage uterine fibroids.…
Comprehensive Guide to Umeclidinium: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More 1. What is Umeclidinium? Umeclidinium is a long-acting antimuscarinic bronchodilator that inhibits muscarinic receptors in the airways, reducing bronchoconstriction. This medication is primarily used to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), improving breathing and quality of life for affected patients. 2. Overview of Umeclidinium Generic Name Umeclidinium Brand Name Incruse Ellipta, Anoro Ellipta (with vilanterol), Trelegy Ellipta (with fluticasone and vilanterol) Drug Group Long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA, bronchodilator) Commonly Used For This medication is used to: Treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Reduce exacerbations in COPD patients. Improve airflow and…