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 Digoxin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Digoxin? Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside derived from the foxglove plant, used to treat heart failure and atrial arrhythmias by increasing myocardial contractility and controlling heart rate. This medication enhances cardiac output and is a cornerstone in managing specific cardiovascular conditions. Overview of Digoxin Generic Name: Digoxin Brand Name: Lanoxin Drug Group: Cardiac glycoside Commonly Used For Treat heart failure. Manage atrial fibrillation. Control atrial flutter. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (0.125 mg, 0.25 mg), oral solution (0.05 mg/mL), or intravenous solution (0.1 mg/mL, 0.25 mg/mL) (detailed in…
Comprehensive Guide to Dopamine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Dopamine? Dopamine is a naturally occurring catecholamine and a synthetic medication used to treat severe hypotension, shock, and heart failure by stimulating adrenergic receptors and increasing cardiac output. This medication acts as a vasopressor and inotropic agent in critical care settings. Overview of Dopamine Generic Name: Dopamine Brand Name: Intropin Drug Group: Catecholamine (vasopressor/inotrope) Commonly Used For Treat shock. Manage hypotension. Support heart failure. Key Characteristics Form: Intravenous solution (40 mg/mL, 200 mg/5 mL, 400 mg/mL vials) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Stimulates dopaminergic, beta-1, and alpha-1 adrenergic…
Comprehensive Guide to Donepezil: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Donepezil? Donepezil is a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease by increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain. This medication helps improve cognitive function and memory in patients with dementia, particularly in mild to moderate stages. Overview of Donepezil Generic Name: Donepezil Brand Name: Aricept Drug Group: Cholinesterase inhibitor Commonly Used For Manage Alzheimer’s disease. Improve memory in dementia. Support cognitive function in elderly patients. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (5 mg, 10 mg, 23 mg) or orally disintegrating tablets (5 mg, 10 mg) (detailed…
Comprehensive Guide to Disulfiram: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Disulfiram? Disulfiram is an alcohol deterrent used to support alcohol dependence treatment by causing unpleasant reactions when alcohol is consumed. This medication inhibits acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, leading to acetaldehyde accumulation and subsequent aversion to alcohol. Overview of Disulfiram Generic Name: Disulfiram Brand Name: Antabuse Drug Group: Alcohol dependence adjunct (aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor) Commonly Used For Support alcohol abstinence. Treat chronic alcoholism. Prevent relapse in alcohol use disorder. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (250 mg, 500 mg) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Inhibits acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, causing alcohol intolerance. Approval: FDA-approved…
Comprehensive Guide to Diphenhydramine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Diphenhydramine? Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine with anticholinergic properties, used to relieve allergy symptoms, induce sleep, and treat motion sickness. This medication blocks histamine H1 receptors, providing relief from itching, sneezing, and insomnia. Overview of Diphenhydramine Generic Name: Diphenhydramine Brand Name: Benadryl, Nytol, Sominex Drug Group: First-generation antihistamine Commonly Used For Relieve allergic reactions. Treat insomnia. Manage motion sickness. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets/capsules (25 mg, 50 mg), liquid (12.5 mg/5 mL), or topical cream (2%) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Blocks H1 histamine receptors and muscarinic acetylcholine…
Comprehensive Guide to Diltiazem: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Diltiazem? Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that inhibits calcium ion influx into cardiac and smooth muscle cells, used to treat hypertension, angina, and certain arrhythmias. This medication helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure, offering cardiovascular benefits. Overview of Diltiazem Generic Name: Diltiazem Brand Name: Cardizem, Tiazac, Dilacor Drug Group: Calcium channel blocker (non-dihydropyridine) Commonly Used For Treat hypertension. Manage angina pectoris. Control atrial fibrillation. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets/capsules (30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg, 120 mg), extended-release capsules (120 mg, 180 mg, 240 mg, 300…
Comprehensive Guide to Doxycycline: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Doxycycline? Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis, used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. This medication is valued for its efficacy against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as certain parasites. Overview of Doxycycline Generic Name: Doxycycline Brand Name: Vibramycin, Doryx, Oracea Drug Group: Tetracycline antibiotic Commonly Used For Treat acne. Manage respiratory infections. Prevent malaria. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets/capsules (20 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg), delayed-release capsules, or intravenous solution (100 mg/vial) (detailed in Dosage section).…
Comprehensive Guide to Doxorubicin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Doxorubicin? Doxorubicin is an anthracycline antibiotic used in chemotherapy to treat various cancers by interfering with DNA replication and RNA synthesis in cancer cells. This medication is a cornerstone in oncology, targeting solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Overview of Doxorubicin Generic Name: Doxorubicin Brand Name: Adriamycin, Rubex Drug Group: Anthracycline antibiotic (chemotherapeutic agent) Commonly Used For Treat breast cancer. Manage leukemia. Combat lymphomas. Key Characteristics Form: Intravenous solution (2 mg/mL, 10 mg, 20 mg, 50 mg vials) or liposomal formulation (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Inhibits topoisomerase II…
Comprehensive Guide to Doxepin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Doxepin? Doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) with antihistaminic properties, used to treat depression, anxiety, and insomnia. This medication works by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels while blocking histamine receptors, offering both mood stabilization and sedative effects. Overview of Doxepin Generic Name: Doxepin Brand Name: Sinequan, Silenor Drug Group: Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) Commonly Used For Treat major depressive disorder (MDD). Manage anxiety disorders. Relieve insomnia. Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg) or tablets (3 mg, 6 mg…
Comprehensive Guide to Doxazosin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Doxazosin? Doxazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blocker that relaxes smooth muscles in the prostate and blood vessels, improving urine flow and lowering blood pressure. This medication is widely used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hypertension, offering dual benefits for urinary and cardiovascular health. Overview of Doxazosin Generic Name: Doxazosin Brand Name: Cardura Drug Group: Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blocker Commonly Used For Treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Manage hypertension. Improve urinary symptoms. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg) or…