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Medical Information:Hydroxyurea (hye-DROX-ee-yoo-REE-ah)belongs to the group of medicines called antimetabolites. It is used to treat some kinds of cancer and to prevent painful episodes associated with sickle cell anemia.Hydroxyurea seems to interfere with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by hydroxyurea, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for months or years after the medicine is used.When used in sickle cell anemia, hydroxyurea appears to increase the flexibility of sickled cells.Hydroxyurea affects certain cells in the body, such as cancer cells or sickled red blood cells.Hydroxyurea is used to treat melanoma (a type of skin cancer), chronic myelocytic leukemia, cancer of the ovary, and primary squamous cell (skin) cancer of the head and neck. Hydroxyurea is also used to treat sickle cell anemia.Reducing the number of painful episodes and blood transfusions needed by adults with sickle cell anemia experiencing recurrent episodes associated with moderate to severe pain. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.Hydroxyurea is an antineoplastic agent. Exactly how it works is unknown, but it is thought to increase the ability of deformed red blood cells to change shape, which may lessen pain associated with sickle cell anemia. Estrogen is used to treat hot flushes ('hot flashes'; sudden strong feelings of heat and sweating) in women who are experiencing menopause ('change of life', the end of monthly menstrual periods). Some brands of estrogen are also used to treat vaginal dryness, itching, or burning, or to prevent osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who are experiencing or have experienced menopause. However, women who need a medication only to treat vaginal dryness or only to prevent osteoporosis should consider a different treatment. Some brands of estrogen are also to relieve symptoms of low estrogen in young women who do not produce enough estrogen naturally. Some brands of estrogen are also used to relieve the symptoms of certain types of breast and prostate (a male reproductive gland) cancer. Estrogen is in a class of medications called hormones. It works by replacing estrogen that is normally produced by the body.How should this medicine be used? Estrogen comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day. Estrogen is sometimes taken every day and sometimes taken according to a rotating schedule that alternates a period of time when estrogen is taken every day with a period of time when estrogen is not taken. When estrogen is used to relieve the symptoms of cancer, it is usually taken three times a day. Take estrogen at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take estrogen exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.Your doctor may start you on a low dose of estrogen and gradually increase your dose if your symptoms are still bothersome, or decrease your dose if your symptoms are well-controlled. Talk to your doctor about how well estrogen works for you.
Cardizem CD capsules contain an active ingredient called diltiazem hydrochloride. They are designed to release the active ingredient slowly so that it works over 24 hours and can be taken once a day (CD stands for "controlled delivery"). Cardizem CD capsules belong to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers or calcium antagonists. They work by opening up blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and lets more blood and oxygen reach the heart. They do not change the amount of calcium in your blood or bones.Cardizem CD capsules are used by some people to prevent angina and by others to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).Angina is a pain or uncomfortable sensation in the chest, often spreading to the arms or neck and sometimes to the shoulders and back. The pain of angina is due to a shortage of oxygen to the heart.High blood pressure can have many different causes including kidney disease, hardening of the arteries and some hormone imbalances. However, the vast majority of people with high blood pressure have no identifiable cause for it. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems such as a stroke or heart attack.How to use Cardizem OralTake this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 3-4 times daily or as directed by your doctor.The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, body size and response to therapy. If you are older or have severe liver problems, your dosage may need to be adjusted.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take up to two weeks before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. When used for angina, this medication must be taken regularly to be effective. It should not be used to treat angina when it occurs. Use other medications (e.g., sublingual nitroglycerin) to relieve an angina attack as directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.Do not suddenly stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. This medication is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women who have constipation as a major symptom. Tegaserod relieves constipation by shortening the time stool remains in the bowel, reducing stomach pain and bloating. It is also used in women with severe, long-term constipation. Use of tegaserod is FDA-restricted to women less than 55 years of age who have tried other treatments for constipation without relief, and who are free of heart disease (see also Side Effects and Precautions sections).This medication should not be used to treat IBS in women who have diarrhea as their major symptom, or if you currently have diarrhea or a history of frequent diarrhea.This medication has not been shown to work in men with IBS.How to use Tegaserod Hydrogen Maleate OralTake this medication by mouth, usually twice daily before meals; or as directed by your doctor. Take this medication for 4 to 6 weeks. If your symptoms improve, your doctor may recommend a second 4 to 6 weeks of treatment.What conditions does this medication treat?Tegaserod Hydrogen Maleate Oral may also be used to treat: Chronic Difficulty having a Bowel Movement, Constipation Predominant Irritable Colon
This medication is used to treat intestinal worm infections such as pinworm, roundworm, and hookworm. Pyrantel belongs to a class of drugs known as anthelmintics. It works by making the worms unable to move (paralyzed) so that the body can remove them naturally.This drug is not recommended for use in children younger than 2 years unless directed by the doctor.How to use Pyrantel Pamoate OralShake the medication well before using. Take this medication by mouth with or without food or as directed by your doctor.Dosage is based on your weight and response to treatment. Depending on the type of worm infection you have, your doctor may direct you to take the medication only once or for several days. Your doctor may also direct you to repeat the dose in 2 weeks.This medication may be taken with milk or fruit juice. It is not necessary to take a laxative before, during, or after taking this medication.What conditions does this medication treat?Pyrantel Pamoate Oral is used to treat the following:Infestation by Roundworms, Pinworm Infection, Infection caused by More than One Type of WormPyrantel Pamoate Oral may also be used to treat: Hookworm Infection caused by Ancylostoma Duodenale, Hookworm Infection caused by Uncinaria Hookworms, Hookworm Infection caused by Necator Americanus, An Infection caused by Worms, Moniliformis Parasite Sirolimus is used with other medications to prevent rejection of a kidney transplant. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as immunosuppressants. It works by weakening your body's defense system (immune system) to help your body accept the new organ as if it were your own.How to use Rapamune OralTake this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Do not take more than 40 milligrams in any 24-hour period. If you have nausea or an upset stomach, you may take this drug with food, although this may cause your body to absorb less of the drug. However, you must choose one way (with food or without food) and always take this medication the same way so that your body always absorbs the same amount of drug. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.Dosage is based on your weight, medical condition, blood test results (e.g., sirolimus trough levels), and response to therapy.Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often without your doctor's approval. Your condition will not improve any faster and the risk of serious side effects may be increased. Also, do not stop taking this medication without your doctor's approval.Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. It is important to take all doses on time to keep the amount of medicine in your body at a constant level. Remember to take it at the same time each day.The tablet and solution forms of this medication may deliver different amounts of medication. Do not switch between the tablet and solution forms without your doctor's permission and directions.Other medications (e.g., antibiotics, immunosuppressants) may also be prescribed to help prevent infection in your body and to help prevent rejection of the transplanted organ. Take these additional medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor.Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.Rapamune Oral is used to treat the following:Prevent Kidney Transplant RejectionRapamune Oral may also be used to treat: Prevention of Cardiac Transplant Rejection
Metaproterenol is used to treat wheezing and shortness of breath from lung problems (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, emphysema). Controlling these symptoms can decrease time lost from work or school. Metaproterenol is a bronchodilator (beta-2 receptor agonist) that works by opening breathing passages to make breathing easier. This drug is also known as orciprenaline in other countries.How to use Alupent OralTake this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 3-4 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.If taking the syrup, measure the dose carefully using a medication cup/spoon available from your pharmacist.Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not take more of this medication or take it more often than recommended by your doctor. If you have been directed to use this medication on a daily schedule, use it regularly at the same times each day in order to get the most benefit from it.If you take other asthma drugs by mouth or inhaling devices, ask your doctor about how to correctly take this medication with your other asthma medicines.If you notice less effect than usual from this medication, if your symptoms get worse, or if you feel you need to take any of your asthma medications more often than recommended, seek immediate medical attention. Dorzolamide is used to treat glaucoma, a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision. Dorzolamide decreases the pressure in the eye.Dorzolamide comes as eyedrops. Dorzolamide eyedrops usually are applied three times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use dorzolamide exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.Dorzolamide controls glaucoma but does not cure it. Continue to use dorzolamide even if you feel well. Do not stop using dorzolamide without talking to your doctor.To use the eyedrops, follow these instructions: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye. Remove the protective cap. Make sure that the end of the dropper is not chipped or cracked. Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else. Hold the dropper tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and contaminating the remaining contents. Lie down or tilt your head back. Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper tip as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it. Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose. With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye down to form a pocket. Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. Placing drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging. Close your eye and press lightly against the lower lid with your finger for 2-3 minutes to keep the medication in the eye. Do not blink. Replace and tighten the cap right away. Do not wipe or rinse it off. Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again. Ondansetron injection is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy and surgery. Ondansetron is in a class of medications called 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of serotonin, a natural substance that may cause nausea and vomiting.Ondansetron comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein) or into a muscle by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. When ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, it is usually given 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy. Additional doses may be given 4 hours after the first dose and 8 hours after the first dose. When ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by surgery, it is usually given just before the surgery. Ondansetron is also sometimes given after surgery to patients who are experiencing nausea and vomiting and did not receive ondansetron before surgery.
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