Prescription vitamin D differs from over-the-counter vitamin D in that prescription vitamin D is used for many conditions and not just as a dietary supplement. Prescription vitamin D is available in various forms and different formulations....
Bacterial infections can occur anywhere in your body from your skin to your prostate. It can cause respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. If you find yourself with one of these infections, your doctor may prescribe a medication...
Pravastatin is a prescription drug that lowers levels of blood cholesterol and other lipid compounds, such as triglycerides and low density lipoproteins, also called LDL cholesterol. Pravastatin was developed by Bristol Myers Squibb and marketed...
Millions of Americans take at least one prescription medication. In most cases, following the specific instructions for taking a specific medication is important to the overall effectiveness of that drug. Instructions may include dietary...
Doctors and health professionals train to administer prescription drugs because of the possible dangers. Although prescription drugs provide many health benefits in treating illnesses, when misused, prescription drugs can lead to serious health...
Human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, is a hormone produced during pregnancy that is used to treat infertility problems in women. It also is used to increase sperm counts in men and to treat pre-pubertal cryptorchidism in boys -- a condition when...
Darvoct, the brand name for propoxyphene combined with acetaminophen, is a narcotic that is in the opioid category of pain killers. It is effective in reducing pain by causing a barrier in the brain that blocks receptors that allow the perception...
Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, affects one in five Americans, according to MayoClinic.com. Allergic rhinitis is an allergic condition that causes cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, nasal congestion and postnasal...
Many kids these days are more sedentary than parents prefer, often leading to weight gain. Weight loss efforts and activities should involve the entire family, according to the Mayo Clinic. The number of children diagnosed with childhood obesity...
Valium, or diazepam, is one of the best-known anti-anxiety drugs. Doctors prescribe it most often to treat anxiety disorders and for short-term relief from extreme nervousness and tension. Valium enhances the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid...
NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat many forms of arthritis. NSAIDs reduce the swelling in your joint, which in turn relieves pain. Naproxen, aspirin and ibuprofen are all over-the-counter NSAIDs that are effective for...
The Food and Drug Administration approves the marketing of prescription drugs after reviewing their safety and efficacy based on clinical studies. However, it is common to discover in post-marketing that some of these drugs have dangers that can...
More than four million Americans have chronic constipation according to the National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse. Constipation occurs when the lower intestine absorbs too much water from the waste passing through the digestive...
Illicit drugs are widely acknowledged as a problem in society, but the legal and medical approval of a drug goes not guarantee that it is without risk. A vast slate of negative effects can result from the use of legal prescription drugs as well....
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is an anxiety-based disorder that impacts over two million Americans in a given year. Onset of symptoms can occur in childhood, adolescence or adulthood, says the National Institute of Mental Health. OCD is...
Physicians prescribe prescription drugs to treat and prevent diseases, disorders and abnormal conditions. Prescription drugs are chemical substances that can enhance, change or alter the structure or processes of the mind and body. In the course...
Singulair is a prescription drug created to assist in the long-term prevention of asthma as well as relieving stuffy nose and sneezing from allergies. Ingested in either tablet, granule or chewable tablet form, the formula is given to both...
Burned tissue or skin gets easily infected because the skin has lost its ability to protect the underlying tissues from microorganisms and debris. Fluids from blood vessels also leak onto the wound and cause the tissue to swell. Second- and...
Psychotic depression, otherwise known as major depression with psychotic features, is one of the most severe forms of depression. Medline Plus, a service of U.S. National Library of Medicine, indicates that psychosis consists of a lowered...
Produced by the placenta, human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone released in the urine of pregnant women. Fertility doctors prescribe HCG to cause ovulation in women who are experiencing conception difficulties. More recently, HCG has been used...
Men's health concerns can be anything from prostate problems to erectile dysfunction. There are many pharmaceutical formulas on the market to address these concerns, but there are those that would prefer to attempt treatment with herbs. Before...
Nexium is the brand name for esomeprazole magnesium, a medication used to treat and heal the effects from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A 40 mg capsule of Nexium is on the higher end of the dosing scale. It is prescribed at this dose for...
Diflucan is a brand name for fluconazole, an antifungal antibiotic. It is used as both treatment and prevention against candidiasis, a fungus often referred to as "yeast." Such infections can occur throughout the body with results ranging from...
There are both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to help with the intense pain of migraine headaches. There also are some medications to help prevent the onset of migraines. Migraines may appear from nowhere or may be foreshadowed by...
Red yeast rice is a culture of the yeast, Monascus purpureus, grown on rice and consumed as food or dried and prepared as a supplement. It may have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health and may help to lower cholesterol. So far, hair loss...
Yasmin is a form of hormonal birth control. A woman on Yasmin must take 21 active pills followed by seven inactive pills. During the inactive pills, she will have her period, which is why Yasmin is sometimes used to regulate a woman's menstrual...
Some cases of acne just won't yield to over-the-counter treatment. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that Americans spend around $1.2 billion annually to treat pimples, and most of that goes toward prescription medications. If you have...
Potassium citrate serves as an electrolyte in the body. Potassium helps conduct nerve and muscle messages coming from the brain to the rest of the body. Doctors may recommend potassium citrate for kidney problems such as kidney stones, according...
Prescription drugs belong to the western medical system. They have saved countless lives and improved the lives of countless others. But they do have their drawbacks. Most prescription drugs have side effects, some of which are severe. However,...
