Patricia Weiser, PharmD

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

Healthline • July 30, 2021

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

If you have erectile dysfunction (ED) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), your doctor might suggest Cialis (tadalafil) as a treatment option for you. Cialis is a prescription medication that’s used to treat ED and symptoms of BPH (such as urination problems) in adult males.* It can also be used if you have both of these conditions. Cialis comes as a tablet that you’ll swallow whole. Cialis belongs to a group of drugs called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These drugs treat ED by relaxi

Healthline • July 30, 2021

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

If you have breast cancer, your doctor might suggest Faslodex (fulvestrant) as a treatment option for you. Along with other questions you have about the drug, you may be wondering about its side effects. Faslodex is a prescription drug. It’s used to treat certain forms of advanced or metastatic breast cancer* that are hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive) in females.† Your doctor may recommend Faslodex if you’ve gone through menopause or if you’ve already tried a similar type of drug that didn

Healthline • July 30, 2021

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

If you have prostate cancer or certain other conditions, your doctor might suggest Zoladex (goserelin) as a treatment option for you. Along with other questions you may have about the drug, you could be wondering about its side effects. Zoladex is a prescription drug that’s used in adults to treat the following conditions: • prostate cancer that hasn’t spread to areas outside of the prostate • advanced prostate cancer, which is cancer that has spread from the prostate to other parts of the body

Healthline • July 30, 2021

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

If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor might suggest Victoza (liraglutide) as a treatment option. So, you could be looking for more information about the drug, such as details about dosage. Victoza is a prescription medication that’s used to: • Improve blood sugar management in adults and in children ages 10 years and older who have type 2 diabetes. For this purpose, Victoza is a part of a treatment plan that includes a healthy diet and exercise. • Lower the risk of major cardiovascular proble

Healthline • July 6, 2021

Prednisone and Cost: Reducing Long-Term Costs and More

If you’re looking at treatment options for asthma or another inflammatory condition, you may want to learn more about prednisone. Prednisone is a generic prescription drug that’s used in adults and children to treat a range of conditions that involve inflammation (swelling and damage). Examples of these conditions include asthma, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis. Prednisone belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids (also known as steroids). Specifically, prednisone is a glucocorticoid.

Healthline • June 28, 2021

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

If you’re looking at treatment options for depression or schizophrenia, your doctor might suggest Rexulti (brexpiprazole) for you. Rexulti is a brand-name prescription medication that’s used to treat the following mental health conditions in adults: • Major depressive disorder (MDD). MDD is often simply referred to as depression. • Schizophrenia. With this condition, you may perceive things that are different from reality. Schizophrenia may involve hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia. Rexulti

Healthline • June 28, 2021

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

If you have a certain type of eye condition, your doctor might suggest Lucentis (ranibizumab) as a treatment option. Lucentis is a prescription medication that’s used to treat the following conditions in adults: • myopic choroidal neovascularization (abnormal blood vessels form in the back of the eye in people who have nearsightedness) Lucentis is a brand-name medication. (Biologic drugs are made using living cells.) The drug comes as a liquid solution that’s given by your doctor as an injection

Healthline • June 25, 2021

Omeprazole and Cost: Reducing Long-Term Drug Costs and More

If you’re looking at treatment options for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you may want to learn more about omeprazole (Prilosec). Omeprazole is a generic medication that’s used in adults and some children. The drug comes in prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) forms for conditions caused by too much acid in your stomach. Prescription omeprazole treats conditions that require diagnosis and supervision by a doctor, including: • conditions that cause overproduction of stomach acid, such

Healthline • June 25, 2021

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

If you have diabetes, your doctor might suggest Rybelsus (semaglutide) as a treatment option for you. It’s used with a healthy diet and exercise to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Rybelsus comes as a tablet that you’ll swallow. You’ll take it once a day, at least 30 minutes before your first meal, beverage, or other oral medications. You should take it with no more than 4 ounces of water (about half a cup). This drug is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and

Healthline • June 25, 2021

Atorvastatin and Cost: Generic, Brand Name, and More

If you’re looking at treatment options to improve your lipid levels (including cholesterol and triglycerides), you may want to learn more about atorvastatin (Lipitor). Atorvastatin is a generic prescription drug that’s used to: • improve cholesterol levels in adults and some children • reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel problems, such as heart attack and stroke, in certain adults Atorvastatin is used along with a balanced diet that’s low in saturated fat. Atorvastatin comes as a tablet th

Healthline • June 23, 2021

Cost and Losartan: How to Lower Long-Term Costs and More

If you’re looking at treatment options for high blood pressure, you may want to learn more about losartan (Cozaar). This includes information about cost. Losartan is a generic prescription drug that’s used in adults and some children to: • treat or help protect against diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage that can occur due to diabetes) • reduce risk for stroke in a person who has high blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy (a heart condition that causes the walls in the heart’s left ven