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 Betamethasone: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Betamethasone? Betamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid with potent anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and immunosuppressive effects. It is widely used in the treatment of a variety of diseases, including dermatological diseases, rheumatic diseases, endocrine disorders, respiratory diseases, and other inflammatory conditions. Betamethasone can be used in many dosage forms: topical, oral, injectable, or eye/ear drops, depending on the clinical indication. Overview of Betamethasone Generic Name: Betamethasone Brand Name: Celestone, Diprolene, generics Drug Group: Corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) Commonly Used For Treat inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Manage rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. Reduce…
Comprehensive Guide to Benzonatate: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Benzonatate? Benzonatate is a non-narcotic antitussive agent that suppresses cough reflex by anesthetizing stretch receptors in the respiratory tract. This medication acts peripherally to reduce the cough response triggered by irritation, offering relief without central nervous system depression. Its mechanism involves stabilizing sensory nerve endings, making it a targeted therapy for acute and chronic cough conditions. Overview of Benzonatate Generic Name: Benzonatate Brand Name: Tessalon, generics Drug Group: Antitussive (non-opioid) Commonly Used For Relieve cough due to common cold or bronchitis. Manage chronic cough associated with conditions like…
Comprehensive Guide to Bimatoprost: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Bimatoprost? Bimatoprost is a synthetic prostaglandin F2-alpha analog that reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) by enhancing uveoscleral outflow. This medication mimics natural prostaglandins to improve aqueous humor drainage, making it a cornerstone therapy for glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Its mechanism involves activating FP receptors, offering a targeted approach to ocular pressure management. Overview of Bimatoprost Generic Name: Bimatoprost Brand Name: Lumigan, Latisse, generics Drug Group: Prostaglandin analog (ophthalmic) Commonly Used For Lower intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma. Treat ocular hypertension. Promote eyelash growth (cosmetic use with Latisse). Key Characteristics Form: Ophthalmic solution…
Comprehensive Guide to Benzoyl Peroxide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Benzoyl Peroxide? Benzoyl Peroxide is a potent topical antimicrobial and oxidizing agent used to treat acne by reducing Propionibacterium acnes and unclogging pores. This medication releases oxygen radicals to kill bacteria and decrease inflammation, making it a first-line therapy for acne vulgaris. Its mechanism involves keratolytic and antibacterial actions, offering a multifaceted approach to skin health. Overview of Benzoyl Peroxide Generic Name: Benzoyl Peroxide Brand Name: Benzac, PanOxyl, Clearasil, generics Drug Group: Topical antimicrobial/keratolytic Commonly Used For Treat mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Manage rosacea-related inflammation. Prevent…
Comprehensive Guide to Betaxolol: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Betaxolol? Betaxolol is a selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocker used to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma and manage hypertension. This medication lowers IOP by decreasing aqueous humor production and controls blood pressure by reducing cardiac output. Its cardioselective action minimizes respiratory side effects, making it valuable in ocular and cardiovascular care. Overview of Betaxolol Generic Name: Betaxolol Brand Name: Betoptic, Kerlone, generics Drug Group: Beta-1 adrenergic blocker (selective) Commonly Used For Lower IOP in open-angle glaucoma. Treat ocular hypertension. Manage mild to moderate hypertension. Key Characteristics Form: Ophthalmic solution (0.25%,…
Comprehensive Guide to Beclomethasone: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Beclomethasone? Beclomethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid with potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, used to manage asthma, allergic rhinitis, and other inflammatory conditions. This medication reduces inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and stabilizing cell membranes, offering relief through inhalation, nasal spray, or topical application. Overview of Beclomethasone Generic Name: Beclomethasone Brand Name: Qvar, Beconase, Clenil, generics Drug Group: Corticosteroid (inhaled/nasal/topical) Commonly Used For Control asthma symptoms. Treat allergic rhinitis. Reduce inflammation in eczema or psoriasis. Key Characteristics Form: Inhalation aerosol (40 mcg, 80 mcg), nasal spray (50 mcg), and…
Comprehensive Guide to Benazepril: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Benazepril? Benazepril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that lowers blood pressure by blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. This medication reduces vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion, aiding in hypertension management and heart failure treatment. Its cardioprotective effects make it a key therapy in cardiovascular care. Overview of Benazepril Generic Name: Benazepril Brand Name: Lotensin, generics Drug Group: ACE inhibitor Commonly Used For Treat hypertension. Manage heart failure. Protect kidneys in diabetic nephropathy. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg)…
Comprehensive Guide to Bicalutamide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Bicalutamide? Bicalutamide is a non-steroidal anti-androgen that blocks androgen receptors, used primarily to treat prostate cancer by inhibiting testosterone-driven tumor growth. This medication competes with androgens at receptor sites, reducing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and slowing disease progression, often as part of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Overview of Bicalutamide Generic Name: Bicalutamide Brand Name: Casodex, generics Drug Group: Anti-androgen (non-steroidal) Commonly Used For Treat advanced prostate cancer. Manage hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Reduce flare-ups with LHRH agonists. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (50 mg, 150 mg) (detailed in Dosage…
Comprehensive Guide to Buprenorphine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Buprenorphine? Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist with high affinity for mu-opioid receptors, used for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and chronic pain management. This medication provides analgesia and suppresses withdrawal symptoms with a ceiling effect on respiratory depression, making it a safer option for opioid dependence therapy. Overview of Buprenorphine Generic Name: Buprenorphine Brand Name: Suboxone, Subutex, Butrans, Sublocade, generics Drug Group: Partial opioid agonist Commonly Used For Treat opioid use disorder. Manage chronic pain. Suppress opioid withdrawal. Key Characteristics Form: Sublingual tablets/films (2 mg, 8 mg),…
Comprehensive Guide to Bosentan: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More What is Bosentan? Bosentan is an endothelin receptor antagonist that blocks endothelin-1, a potent vasoconstrictor, used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and other vascular conditions. This medication improves exercise capacity and delays disease progression by dilating blood vessels and reducing pulmonary vascular resistance. Overview of Bosentan Generic Name: Bosentan Brand Name: Tracleer, generics Drug Group: Endothelin receptor antagonist Commonly Used For Treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Manage digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis. Improve exercise tolerance in heart failure. Key Characteristics Form: Oral tablets (62.5 mg, 125 mg) (detailed in Dosage section). Mechanism:…