Patricia Weiser, PharmD

Healthline • November 30, 2021

Revlimid: Side Effects and What to Do About Them

If you have blood cancer, your doctor might suggest Revlimid (lenalidomide) as a treatment option. Revlimid is a prescription drug that’s taken to treat certain types of the following blood cancers in adults: Revlimid comes as a capsule that you swallow. It’s typically used as a long-term treatment. Your doctor might prescribe Revlimid along with another cancer treatment. Keep reading to learn about Revlimid’s mild and serious side effects. For more information about Revlimid, including details

Healthline • November 30, 2021

Levemir and Dosage: Forms, Strength, How to Use, and More

If you have diabetes, your doctor might prescribe Levemir as a treatment option. The active drug in Levemir is insulin detemir, which is a long-acting insulin. It’s used to lower blood sugar levels in: • adults and some children with type 1 diabetes Levemir comes as a liquid solution that you inject under your skin. It’s available in two forms: a prefilled pen and a vial. This article describes the dosages of Levemir, as well as its forms, strength, and how to use it. To learn more about Levemir

Healthline • November 29, 2021

Invokana: Side Effects, Dosage, Cost, Uses, and More

If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may recommend Invokana as a treatment option. It’s a prescription medication that’s used in adults with type 2 diabetes to: • help manage blood sugar levels, along with a balanced diet and exercise • lower the risk of serious cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems in people who also have cardiovascular disease • lower the risk of certain complications from diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage caused by diabetes) Your doctor may prescribe Invokana

Healthline • November 19, 2021

Imitrex and Dosage: Forms, Strengths, How to Take, and More

If you have migraine, your doctor may suggest Imitrex (sumatriptan) as a treatment option. It’s a prescription medication used to treat migraine (with or without aura) in adults. The injected form of this drug is also used to treat cluster headaches in adults. In addition to an injection given under your skin, Imitrex is also available as an oral tablet and a nasal spray. This article describes the dosages of Imitrex, as well as its forms, strengths, and how to take it. To learn more about Imitr

Healthline • November 17, 2021

Kyprolis: Side Effects and How to Manage Them

If you have multiple myeloma, your doctor may suggest Kyprolis (carfilzomib) as a treatment option. Learning about possible side effects can help you decide if this medication is the right choice for you. Kyprolis is a prescription drug used in adults to treat multiple myeloma in certain situations. Kyprolis is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional. (An IV infusion is an injection given into a vein over a period of time.) How long you’ll receive Kyprolis depends on y

Healthline • October 28, 2021

Humulin R U-500 for Diabetes: How to Use and More

If you’re looking at treatment options for diabetes, your doctor might suggest Humulin R U-500 (insulin human). Humulin R U-500 is a prescription medication that’s used to manage blood sugar levels in certain adults and children. Specifically, it’s used in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who need more than 200 units of insulin per day. For details about diabetes, see the “What is diabetes?” section below. Humulin R U-500 belongs to a group of biologic drugs called insulins. The active ingr

Healthline • October 21, 2021

Revlimid Dosage: Form, Strengths, How to Take, and More

If you have certain types of cancer that affect blood cells, your doctor may suggest Revlimid (lenalidomide) as a treatment option. Revlimid is a prescription medication that’s used to treat the certain types of the following cancers in adults: • certain types of cancer that affect white blood cells found in the lymph nodes and spleen including: Revlimid comes as a capsule that you swallow. It contains the active drug lenalidomide. Revlimid belongs to a group of medications called immunomodulato

Healthline • October 21, 2021

Tysabri Side Effects: What They Are and How to Manage Them

If you have multiple sclerosis (MS) or Crohn’s disease, your doctor might suggest Tysabri (natalizumab) as a treatment option. Along with other factors to consider, you may be wondering about the medication’s possible side effects. Tysabri is a prescription drug that’s used to treat MS and Crohn’s disease in adults. A healthcare professional will give you Tysabri as an intravenous (IV) infusion. This is an injection that slowly drips into your vein over a period of time. Tysabri infusions usuall

Healthline • October 19, 2021

Lantus: Dosage, Side Effects, Uses, and More

What are some frequently asked questions about Lantus? Find answers below to some common questions about Lantus. What is Lantus’ peak time, duration, and onset of action? Is it a fast-acting insulin? Below are the duration and onset-of-action times for Lantus. Lantus doesn’t have a peak time. (Peak time is the amount of time it takes for a drug to reach its maximum effect.) The effect of Lantus remains steady for up to 24 hours after it’s injected. The duration of this drug’s effect in your body

Healthline • October 18, 2021

Venclexta: Side Effects and How to Manage Them

If you have a certain type of cancer that affects your blood cells, your doctor might suggest Venclexta (venetoclax) as a treatment option. Learning about the possible side effects of Venclexta may help you and your doctor decide to add it to your treatment plan. Venclexta is a prescription medication. It’s used as a long-term treatment for the following conditions in adults: Venclexta comes as a tablet that you take by mouth once daily with food and water. For more information about Venclexta,

Healthline • September 30, 2021

Zetia Side Effects: What They Are and How to Manage Them

If you have high cholesterol, your doctor might suggest Zetia (ezetimibe) as a treatment option. Learning about the drug’s possible side effects can help you decide whether to add it to your treatment plan. Zetia is a prescription medication that’s used along with a low-cholesterol diet. The drug is usually prescribed long term to reduce blood cholesterol levels in adults and some children with: For these uses, your doctor may prescribe Zetia along with other medications to reduce cholesterol le

Healthline • September 17, 2021

Rituxan Side Effects: What They Are and How to Manage Them

What are the mild side effects of Rituxan? Rituxan may cause mild side effects in some people. Depending on the condition you’re using Rituxan to treat, the side effects may vary. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Rituxan include: • inflammation (swelling and irritation) of the airways in your lungs • fluid buildup in your hands, legs, or feet * To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below. In most cases, these side effects should

Healthline • September 17, 2021

Plaquenil and Dosage: Strength, Form, When to Use, and More

NOT USED FOR COVID-19 Hydroxychloroquine, the active drug in Plaquenil, is not recommended for use in treating COVID-19 (the illness caused by the new coronavirus). Do not take any prescription drug, including Plaquenil, unless your doctor recommends that you do so. For current information about the COVID-19 outbreak, explore our live updates. And for information about how to prepare, advice on prevention and treatment, and expert recommendations, visit our coronavirus hub. Plaquenil (hydroxych

Healthline • September 15, 2021

Mesalamine and Cost: Generic, Brand Names, and More

If you’re looking at treatment options for ulcerative colitis, you may want to learn more about mesalamine. Mesalamine is a generic prescription drug. It’s used to treat ulcerative colitis in adults and some children. Mesalamine also comes in several brand-name versions. (For more information, see the “Is mesalamine available as a brand-name drug?” section below.) The generic drug is available in the following forms that you take by mouth: Mesalamine also comes as a rectal suppository and a rect

Healthline • September 9, 2021

Cost and Ivermectin: How to Lower Costs and More

Ivermectin not approved for COVID-19 Ivermectin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat or prevent COVID-19. The FDA has issued a regarding the dangers of taking this drug in large doses or for unapproved uses. And it’s not safe for humans to take medications meant for animals. (Ivermectin prescribed for animals is very different from ivermectin prescribed for humans.) Do not take any prescription drug, including ivermectin, unless your doctor recommends that you do so

Healthline • September 1, 2021

Descovy for PrEP: Effectiveness, How to Take, and More

If you’re looking at treatment options to reduce your risk of HIV, your doctor might suggest Descovy (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide). Descovy is a prescription medication that’s used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in adults and adolescents who: • weigh at least 35 kilograms (about 77 pounds) • are HIV-negative but at risk of contracting HIV through sex. (But Descovy for PrEP is not meant for use in females* who are at risk of contracting HIV from vaginal sex.) PrEP is for people who ar

Healthline • August 26, 2021

Cymbalta Side Effects: What They Are and How to Manage Them

If you have depression, an anxiety disorder, or pain caused by certain conditions, your doctor might suggest Cymbalta (duloxetine) as a treatment option. Along with other questions you may have about the drug, you could be wondering about its side effects. Cymbalta is a prescription drug that’s used as a long-term treatment for several different conditions. Cymbalta is approved to treat the following conditions in adults: • fibromyalgia (a condition that causes pain throughout the body) • long-t

Healthline • August 13, 2021

Calquence: Side Effects and What to Do About Them

If you’re looking at treatment options for certain types of leukemia or lymphoma, your doctor might suggest Calquence (acalabrutinib). Along with other questions you may have about the drug, you could be wondering about its side effects. Calquence is a prescription medication that’s used to treat the following types of cancer in adults: • mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), for which you’ve already tried at least one other medication Calquence comes as a capsule that you swallow, and it’s available in o

Healthline • July 30, 2021

Viagra and Dosage: Strengths, Form, When to Use, and More

If you have erectile dysfunction (ED), your doctor might suggest Viagra (sildenafil) as a treatment option for you. As a result, you could be looking for more information about the drug, such as details about dosage. Viagra is a prescription medication that’s used to treat ED in adult males.* A person who has this condition can’t get or keep an erection. This medication comes as a tablet that you’ll take by mouth. Viagra belongs to a group of drugs called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. I

Healthline • July 30, 2021

Dupixent: Side Effects, Cost, Uses, and More

If you have certain forms of eczema, asthma, or sinusitis, your doctor may prescribe Dupixent for you. It’s a prescription drug that’s used to treat the following conditions: • Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (eczema). For this condition, Dupixent is used in adults and some children when topical prescription drugs aren’t working well. (Medicated skin creams are examples of topical treatments.) Dupixent can also be tried when medicated skin creams can’t be used. • Certain forms of moderate t