Term
ATENOLOL - ORAL
Pronunciation: (ah-TEN-oh-lol)
Brand Name(s): Tenormin |
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Definition
This medication is a beta-blocker used to treat chest pain (angina) and high blood pressure. It is also used after an acute heart attack to improve survival. High blood pressure reduction helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems.
This drug works by blocking the action of certain natural chemicals in your body such as epinephrine on the heart and blood vessels. This results in a lowering of the heart rate, blood pressure, and strain on the heart.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used for irregular heartbeats, heart failure, migraine headache prevention, tremors and other conditions as determined by your doctor. |
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Term
LORAZEPAM - ORAL
Pronunciation: (lor-AYE-zeh-pam)
Brand Name(s): Ativan |
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Definition
This medication is used to treat anxiety. Lorazepam belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. This drug works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body (GABA).
OTHER USES: If directed by your doctor, this drug may also be used to reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, to prevent nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, and for sleeping trouble (insomnia). |
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Term
DULOXETINE - ORAL
Pronunciation: (dull-OX-eh-teen)
Brand Name(s): Cymbalta |
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Definition
Duloxetine is used to treat major depression and also used to relieve nerve pain (peripheral neuropathy) in diabetics.
This medication works by restoring the balance of two kinds of natural substances (neurotransmitters known as serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain, thereby improving mood and feelings of well-being. |
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Term
VENLAFAXINE SUSTAINED-RELEASE - ORAL
Pronunciation: (ven-luh-FAX-een)
Brand Name(s): Effexor XR |
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Definition
| This medication is an antidepressant (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor type) used in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder). It works by restoring the balance of natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain, thereby improving mood and feelings of well-being. |
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Term
HYDROCODONE/ACETAMINOPHEN - ORAL
Pronunciation: (hi-dro-CODE-own/ah-seet-ah-MIN-oh-fen)
Brand Name(s): Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Vicodin |
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Definition
This medication is a combination of a narcotic (hydrocodone) and a non-narcotic (acetaminophen) used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Hydrocodone works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, and acetaminophen decreases the formation of prostaglandins, therefore relieving pain.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used to suppress a cough. |
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Term
ESCITALOPRAM - ORAL
Pronunciation: (es-sye-TAL-oh-pram)
Brand Name(s): Lexapro |
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Definition
| Escitalopram is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This medication works by restoring the balance of certain chemicals in the brain to improve mood and feelings of well-being. It is known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). |
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Term
ATORVASTATIN - ORAL
Pronunciation: (uh-TORE-vuh-stah-tin)
Brand Name(s): Lipitor |
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Definition
Atorvastatin is an enzyme blocker (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor), also known as a "statin". It is used along with a proper diet to help lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. In general, this drug is prescribed after non-drug treatment options have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol (e.g., diet change, increase in exercise, weight loss if overweight). Reducing cholesterol and triglycerides help prevent strokes and heart attacks.
Atorvastatin is used in adults and children (10 years of age and older). Young girls must have had their first menstrual period before starting this medication. |
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Term
LISINOPRIL - ORAL
Pronunciation: (lyse-IN-oh-pril)
Brand Name(s): Prinivil, Zestril |
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Definition
This drug belongs to a group of medications called ACE inhibitors. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and in children 6 years of age and older. It works by relaxing blood vessels, causing them to widen. High blood pressure reduction helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems.
This medication is also used after an acute heart attack to improve survival, and is used with other drugs (e.g., "water pills"/diuretics, digoxin) to treat congestive heart failure.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes. |
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Term
PREGABALIN - ORAL
Pronunciation: (pree-GAH-ba-lin)
Brand Name(s): Lyrica |
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Definition
| This medication is used to treat pain caused by nerve damage due to diabetes and shingles (herpes zoster) infection. It is also used with other medications to treat certain types of seizures (partial onset seizures). |
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Term
MELOXICAM - ORAL
Pronunciation: (mel-OX-ih-cam)
Brand Name(s): Mobic |
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Definition
| Meloxicam is used to treat arthritis. It reduces pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints. Meloxicam is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). |
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Term
NAPROXEN - ORAL
Pronunciation: (nah-PROX-en)
Brand Name(s): Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn |
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Definition
| Naproxen is used to relieve pain and swelling (inflammation) from various conditions. It is used to treat headaches, muscle aches, backaches, tendonitis, dental pain, and menstrual cramps. It also reduces pain, swelling, and joint stiffness caused by arthritis, bursitis, and gout attacks. Reducing these symptoms helps you do more of your normal daily activities. This medication is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). |
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Term
GABAPENTIN - ORAL
Pronunciation: (gab-uh-PEN-tin)
Brand Name(s): Neurontin |
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Definition
Gabapentin is used with other medications to help control seizures in adults and children (3 years of age and older). It is also used to relieve nerve pain associated with shingles (herpes zoster) infection in adults.
OTHER USES: Gabapentin may also be used to treat other nerve pain conditions (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia). |
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Term
AMLODIPINE - ORAL
Pronunciation: (am-LOW-dih-peen)
Brand Name(s): Norvasc |
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Definition
| Amlodipine is used with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), certain kinds of chest pain (chronic stable angina, vasospastic angina, coronary artery disease). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Relieving symptoms of angina can increase your ability to exercise and perform strenuous work. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. It may relieve the symptoms of angina by relaxing narrowed blood vessels and lowering blood pressure so that the heart muscle does not have to work as hard to pump blood through your body. |
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Term
OXYCODONE - ORAL
Pronunciation: (ox-ee-KOH-doan)
Brand Name(s): OxyIr, Percolone, Roxicodone |
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Definition
| This medication is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It acts on certain centers in the brain to give you pain relief. Oxycodone is a narcotic pain reliever (opiate-type). |
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Term
PAROXETINE CONTROLLED-RELEASE - ORAL
Pronunciation: (pair-OX-eh-teen)
Brand Name(s): Paxil CR |
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Definition
This medication is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression, panic attacks, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder- PMDD).
Paroxetine should not be used in children less than 18 years of age. It has not been shown to be effective for depression in children or teenagers. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
SSRI's work by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain (neurotransmitters), thereby improving mood and feelings of well-being. |
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Term
PREDNISONE - ORAL
Pronunciation: (PRED-nih-sone)
Brand Name(s): Deltasone |
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Definition
| Prednisone is a corticosteroid hormone (glucocorticoid). It decreases your immune system's response to various diseases to reduce symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions. It is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood disorders, breathing problems, certain cancers, eye problems, immune system diseases, and skin diseases. |
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Term
OXYCODONE/ACETAMINOPHEN - ORAL
Pronunciation: (oxy-CODE-own/ah-seet-ah-MIN-oh-fen)
Brand Name(s): Percocet, Tylox |
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Definition
| This medication is a combination of a narcotic (oxycodone) and a non-narcotic (acetaminophen) used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, and acetaminophen decreases the formation of prostaglandins, therefore relieving pain. |
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Term
FLUOXETINE - ORAL
Pronunciation: (flew-OX-eh-teen)
Brand Name(s): Prozac, Sarafem |
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Definition
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, certain eating disorders (bulimia), and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD).
This medication works by restoring the balance of natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain, thereby improving mood and feelings of well-being.
OTHER USES: This drug is also used to treat certain other eating disorders (anorexia nervosa), obesity, and depression associated with bipolar disorder. |
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Term
QUETIAPINE - ORAL
Pronunciation: (kweh-TIE-ah-peen)
Brand Name(s): Seroquel |
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Definition
This medication is used with or without other medications to treat certain mental/mood conditions (e.g., manic phase of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia). Quetiapine is known as an anti-psychotic drug (atypical type). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain.
This medication can decrease hallucinations and improve your concentration. It helps you to think more clearly and positively about yourself, feel less nervous, and take a more active part in everyday life. Quetiapine can help prevent severe mood swings or decrease how often mood swings occur |
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Term
TOPIRAMATE - ORAL
Pronunciation: (toe-PEER-uh-mate)
Brand Name(s): Topamax |
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Definition
Topiramate is used alone or with other medications to prevent and control seizures (epilepsy). This medication is also used to prevent migraine headaches and reduce how often you may get them. Topiramate will not work to treat a migraine headache once it occurs. If you get a migraine headache, treat it as directed by your doctor (e.g., take pain medications, decrease sound and light).
Topiramate is an anti-seizure medication (anticonvulsant) that works in several ways to prevent seizures and migraines. |
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Term
TRAMADOL - ORAL
Pronunciation: (TRAH-muh-dall)
Brand Name(s): Ultram |
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Definition
| This medication is used to relieve moderate pain. It is similar to narcotic pain medications. It works on certain nerves in the brain that control how you experience pain. |
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Term
HYDROCODONE/ACETAMINOPHEN - ORAL
Pronunciation: (hi-dro-CODE-own/ah-seet-ah-MIN-oh-fen)
Brand Name(s): Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Vicodin |
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Definition
This medication is a combination of a narcotic (hydrocodone) and a non-narcotic (acetaminophen) used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Hydrocodone works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, and acetaminophen decreases the formation of prostaglandins, therefore relieving pain.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used to suppress a cough. |
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Term
BUPROPION EXTENDED RELEASE - ORAL (ANTIDEPRESSANT)
Pronunciation: (byou-PRO-pee-on)
Brand Name(s): Wellbutrin XL |
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Definition
This medication is used to treat depression. It can improve your mood and feelings of well-being. It may work by restoring the balance of certain natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain.
Bupropion is also used to help people quit smoking by decreasing your cravings and nicotine withdrawal effects.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It may also be used in combination with other mood stabilizers to treat bipolar disorder (depressive phase). |
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Term
ALPRAZOLAM - ORAL
Pronunciation: (al-PRAZ-oh-lam)
Brand Name(s): Xanax |
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Definition
| Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. It works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body (GABA). |
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Term
SERTRALINE - ORAL
Pronunciation: (SER-truh-leen)
Brand Name(s): Zoloft |
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Definition
Sertraline is used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). It is known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
This medication may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and the number of panic attacks. It may also reduce the urge to perform repeated tasks (compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, and checking) that interfere with daily living. This medication works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals (neurotransmitters such as serotonin) in the brain. |
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