GENERIC NAME: alendronate

BRAND NAME: Fosamax

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Alendronate is in a class of medications used to strengthen bone. Bone is in a constant state of remodeling, whereby old bone is removed by cells called osteoclasts, and new bone is laid down by cells called osteoblasts. Alendronate inhibits bone removal by the osteoclasts....

What is aldesleukin or L2?

This is another biological treatment for cancer of the kidney.  IL2 is produced naturally as one of the chemicals of the immune system.  It usually works to stimulate white blood cells (lymphocytes) to fight infection.  IL2 can now be manufactured in laboratories.  Artificially made IL2 is called 'aldesleukin'.  But whether you hear it called IL2, interleukin 2 or aldesleukin, it is all the same thing really.

Albuterol

BRAND NAMES: Ventolin; Proventil

Albuterol is a bronchodilator used in treating asthma and other conditions with reversible airway obstruction. Asthma is a breathing problem involving widespread narrowing of the airways (bronchial tubes). Airways are breathing passages that allow air to move in and out of the lungs. These airways can be narrowed due to the accumulation of mucus, spasm of the muscles that surround these airways, or swelling of the lining of the airways. Airway narrowing leads to shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and congestion. Albuterol dilates bronchial airways by relaxing the surrounding bronchial muscles. Albuterol can also be helpful in patients with emphysema and chronic bronchitis when their symptoms are partially related to reversible airway obstruction....

Adefovir

Adefovir an experimental antiviral medication that is able to inhibit enzymes necessary for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and HIV to reproduce.  Viruses like HIV and HBV use the genetic material in the body’s cells to produce more virus which can infect other cells.  Because adefovir may also decrease the amount of HBV found in the bloodstream, it is currently being studied as a treatment to prevent liver damage that is caused by HBV....

Adapalene (Differin®)

This is a designer Retinoid, and its molecular make-up is similar to that of vitamin A.

How Do I Use This Acne Medication?

• Apply to the whole area that is affected by acne
• Your skin should be dry when you apply it
• It can be used once or twice a day, or as directed by your doctor
• It is stable in sunlight so you can use it in the daytime
• Do not use if you are pregnant, or if you have eczema

Acyclovir

BRAND NAME: Zovirax

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Viral illnesses differ from bacterial infections in that viruses are not living organisms, but rather take over living cells and reproduce themselves, often at the expense of the host cell. Acyclovir is an antiviral drug which acts against the Herpes viruses, including herpes simplex 1 and 2 (cold sores and genital herpes), varicella-zoster (shingles and chicken pox), and the Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis). Acyclovir inhibits the replication of viral DNA needed to reproduce itself. Virally infected cells absorb more acyclovir than normal cells and convert more of it to an active form which prolongs its antiviral activity where it is most needed....