Depakote (divalproex sodium) is a medication regularly prescribed for the management of epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraine headaches. Other medical conditions for which Depakote is occasionally utilized as a complementary (i.e. adjunct) therapy include: AIDS, cancer, dopamine dysregulation syndrome (associated with Parkinson’s disease), schizophrenia. Most who are familiar with this drug understand that Depakote (divalproex …
Propranolol, sometimes referred to as “Inderal” (brand name), is a non-cardioselective sympatholytic beta blocker that was first synthesized by British scientist James Black in 1964. As a non-selective beta blocker, propranolol prevents endogenous catecholamines (e.g. norepinephrine and epinephrine) from activating Beta-1 and Beta-2 adrenergic receptors within the CNS (central nervous system) and PNS (peripheral nervous …
Prednisone is a synthetic pregnane corticosteroid that was first identified in 1950 by the American microbiologist Arthur Nobile, and thereafter, synthesized in 1955 by the Schering Corporation. As a synthetic derivative of cortisone, prednisone acts by mimicking the physiologic effects of cortisol, the chief endogenous hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex when the body is …
Mirena is a small T-shaped intrauterine device (IUD) that releases the progestin hormone “levonorgestrel” to prevent: pregnancy, heavy menstrual periods, and/or excessive build of the uterus lining in persons on estrogen replacement therapy. When properly inserted within the uterus, Mirena is programmed to release 20 micrograms of levonorgestrel per day, and is expected to remain …
Omeprazole is a medication prescribed for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); peptic ulcer disease; erosive esophagitis; eosinophilic esophagitis; Zollinger-Ellilson syndrome; and medical conditions associated with gastric acid hypersecretion. In some cases, omeprazole may also be utilized for the prophylaxis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (in at-risk populations) and as an adjunct treatment for H. …
Pantoprazole is a medication prescribed to treat: erosive esophagitis associated with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease); gastric acid hypersecretory conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome; and gastric ulceration induced by Helicobacter pylori infection. The medication was originally synthesized in 1985 and received FDA approval in 2000 throughout the United States under the brand name “Protonix.” Research indicates that, …
Lamictal (Lamotrigine) is a medication that was first approved by the FDA in 1994 for the treatment of partial seizures, later in 1998 for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and again 2003 for the management of bipolar disorder. Specifically, Lamictal is used to prevent and/or treat: focal seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, and acute depressive episodes or …