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 Calcium Gluconate: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Calcium Gluconate? Calcium Gluconate is a calcium salt used to treat acute hypocalcemia and related conditions, providing bioavailable calcium to restore electrolyte balance. This medication is administered intravenously or orally to manage severe calcium deficits, cardiac arrhythmias, and magnesium toxicity, acting by increasing serum calcium levels and stabilizing cardiac membranes. Overview of Calcium Gluconate Generic Name: Calcium Gluconate Brand Name: Kalcinate, generics Drug Group: Calcium Supplement/Electrolyte Commonly Used For Treat acute hypocalcemia. Manage cardiac arrhythmias due to hypocalcemia. Reverse magnesium toxicity. Key Characteristics Form: Intravenous (IV) solution…
Comprehensive Guide to Candesartan: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Candesartan? Candesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that lowers blood pressure by blocking the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels. This medication is used to treat hypertension and heart failure, improving cardiovascular outcomes by reducing vascular resistance and protecting kidney function. Overview of Candesartan Generic Name: Candesartan Brand Name: Atacand, generics Drug Group: Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) Commonly Used For Treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Manage heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Protect renal function in certain conditions. Key Characteristics Form:…
Comprehensive Guide to Capecitabine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Capecitabine? Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapy agent that converts to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the body to treat various cancers. This medication inhibits DNA synthesis in cancer cells, making it effective against colorectal, breast, and gastric cancers, and is designed for convenient home administration with oncologist oversight. Overview of Capecitabine Generic Name: Capecitabine Brand Name: Xeloda, generics Drug Group: Antimetabolite/Chemotherapy Commonly Used For Treat colorectal cancer. Manage metastatic breast cancer. Address gastric cancer. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (150 mg, 500 mg) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Metabolized to…
Comprehensive Guide to Caspofungin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Caspofungin? Caspofungin is an echinocandin antifungal medication that inhibits the synthesis of β-(1,3)-D-glucan, a key component of fungal cell walls, used to treat invasive fungal infections. This medication is effective against Aspergillus and Candida species, offering a vital option for immunocompromised patients. Overview of Caspofungin Generic Name: Caspofungin Brand Name: Cancidas Drug Group: Echinocandin antifungal Commonly Used For Treat invasive aspergillosis. Manage candidemia. Control fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Key Characteristics Form: Injectable powder for reconstitution (50 mg, 70 mg vials) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Inhibits β-(1,3)-D-glucan…
Comprehensive Guide to Betrixaban: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Betrixaban? Betrixaban is an oral factor Xa inhibitor anticoagulant that prevents blood clot formation, used for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in high-risk patients. This medication reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) by inhibiting the coagulation cascade. Overview of Betrixaban Generic Name: Betrixaban Brand Name: Bevyxxa Drug Group: Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) Commonly Used For Prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Reduce DVT risk in hospitalized patients. Lower PE risk in at-risk populations. Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (40 mg, 80 mg) (detailed in Dosage…
Comprehensive Guide to Bleomycin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Bleomycin? Bleomycin is a chemotherapeutic antibiotic that induces DNA strand breaks, used to treat various cancers, particularly lymphomas and testicular cancer. This medication targets rapidly dividing cells, offering a potent option for combination cancer therapy. Overview of Bleomycin Generic Name: Bleomycin Brand Name: Blenoxane Drug Group: Antineoplastic antibiotic Commonly Used For Treat Hodgkin lymphoma. Manage non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Treat testicular cancer. Key Characteristics Form: Injectable powder for reconstitution (15 units/vial, 30 units/vial) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Induces DNA cleavage via free radical formation, inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. Approval:…
Comprehensive Guide to Bexarotene: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Bexarotene? Bexarotene is a retinoid medication that selectively activates retinoid X receptors (RXRs), used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). This medication promotes apoptosis of malignant T-cells and inhibits tumor growth, offering a targeted therapy for skin-based lymphomas. Overview of Bexarotene Generic Name: Bexarotene Brand Name: Targretin Drug Group: Retinoid (RXR-selective agonist) Commonly Used For Treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Manage skin lesions in lymphoma. Reduce tumor burden in advanced cases. Key Characteristics Form: Oral capsules (75 mg), topical gel (1%) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism: Activates RXR…
Comprehensive Guide to Brompheniramine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Brompheniramine? Brompheniramine is a first-generation antihistamine that blocks H1 receptors, used to relieve allergy symptoms and cold-related issues. This medication reduces histamine-mediated effects, alleviating sneezing, itching, and runny nose in allergic rhinitis and other conditions. Overview of Brompheniramine Generic Name: Brompheniramine Brand Name: Dimetane, Bromfed, generics Drug Group: First-generation antihistamine (anticholinergic) Commonly Used For Relieve allergy symptoms. Treat common cold symptoms. Manage itching and sneezing. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (4 mg), extended-release tablets (8 mg, 12 mg), syrup (2 mg/5 mL), often in combination with pseudoephedrine or…
Comprehensive Guide to Benzodiazepines: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What are Benzodiazepines? Benzodiazepines are a class of psychoactive drugs that enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, producing sedative, anxiolytic, muscle-relaxant, and anticonvulsant effects. This drug class is widely used to manage anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. Overview of Benzodiazepines Generic Names: Common examples: Diazepam, Lorazepam, Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Midazolam Brand Names: Valium (Diazepam), Ativan (Lorazepam), Xanax (Alprazolam), Klonopin (Clonazepam), Versed (Midazolam), generics Drug Group: Benzodiazepines (GABA-A receptor agonists) Commonly Used For Treat anxiety disorders. Manage insomnia and sleep disturbances. Control seizures and muscle spasms. Key…
Comprehensive Guide to Benztropine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Benztropine? Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication that reduces muscle stiffness and tremors by blocking acetylcholine activity in the central nervous system. This medication is primarily used to manage extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) caused by antipsychotic drugs and to treat Parkinson’s disease. Overview of Benztropine Generic Name: Benztropine Brand Name: Cogentin, generics Drug Group: Anticholinergic (antiparkinsonian) Commonly Used For Treat extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) from antipsychotics. Manage Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Reduce tremors and rigidity. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg), injectable solution (1 mg/mL) (detailed in…