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Relpax (Eletriptan) Side Effects & Adverse Reactions (List)

Relpax (Eletriptan) is a medication manufactured by Pfizer Inc. for the acute treatment of migraine headaches (with or without aura) in adults.  It was initially approved by the FDA in 2002 and is regarded as a highly effective abortive agent, engineered to attenuate already-occurring migraine attacks.  Chemically, Relpax is classified as a second generation triptan …

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Nortriptyline For Migraines: An Alternative Prophylactic

Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that was initially FDA approved in 1964 (under the brand name “Pamelor”) for the treatment of major depression.  It is regarded as chemical successor to Amitriptyline based on the fact that Nortriptyline is Amitriptyline’s predominant psychoactive metabolite.  Since Nortriptyline has been on the market since the mid-1960s, researchers are …

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Amitriptyline For Migraines: An Effective Prophylactic Agent

Amitriptyline (brand name “Elavil”) is a medication that was initially approved by the FDA in 1961 for the treatment of major depressive disorder.  Due to its three-ring chemical structure, it is formally classified as a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA).  Though not formally approved in the United States to treat conditions other than major depression, Amitriptyline is …

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Imitrex (Sumatriptan) Side Effects & Adverse Reactions (List)

Sumatriptan (brand names “Imitrex”) is a synthetic medication that was initially approved in 1991 for the treatment of migraine and cluster headaches.  Chemically, it is classified as a “triptan” or tryptamine-based agent and is identified as a structural analogue of various alkaloids such as bufotenine and DMT (dimethyltryptamine).  When administered following the onset of a …

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Fioricet “High”: Intoxication From Butalbital-Containing Agents

Fioricet is a medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of three specific types of headaches including: tension, muscle contraction, and post-dural puncture.  It contains a unique blend of a barbiturate (butalbital 50 mg), a pain reliever (acetaminophen 300 mg), and a stimulant (caffeine 40 mg); hence the reason it is sometimes abbreviated as Butal-Acet-Caff.  …

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Fioricet For Migraines: A Non-Evidence-Based Intervention

Fioricet is a brand name medication comprised of the following ingredients: butalbital (50 mg), acetaminophen (300 mg), and caffeine (40 mg).  The combination of a barbiturate (butalbital), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (acetaminophen), and central nervous system stimulant (caffeine) – seem to act synergistically to alleviate various types of headaches.  Medically, Fioricet is approved by the …

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Minocycline For Depression: Antibiotics As Antidepressants?

Minocycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic of the tetracycline classification, indicating that its chemical structure consists of 4 hydrocarbon rings.  The fact that minocycline has a broad-spectrum mechanism indicates that it targets a wide-range of pathogenic (Gram-positive and Gram-negative) bacteria.  In fact, when compared to other tetracycline drugs, minocycline is regarded as having the “broadest spectrum” …

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