AVONEX (interferon beta 1-a) – an interferon beta product commonly used to treat patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The mechanism by which Avonex exerts its effects in the treatment of MS is unknown. FDA approved uses: Avonex is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to slow […]
SUBOXONE (buprenorphine and naloxone) – a sublingual tablet containing buprenorphine and naloxone commonly used to treat opiate dependence. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kappa-opioid receptor. Naloxone is a potent antagonist at mu-opioid receptors and produces opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms in individuals physically dependent on full […]
NAMENDA (memantine) – an orally active NMDA receptor antagonist commonly used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Persistent activation of central nervous system N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors by the excitatory amino acid glutamate has been hypothesized to contribute to the symptomatology of Alzheimer’s disease. Memantine is postulated to exert its therapeutic effect through its action as a low […]
HERCEPTIN (trastuzumab) – an HER2/neu receptor antagonist commonly used to treat certain cancers. The HER2 (or c-erbB2) proto-oncogene encodes a transmembrane receptor protein of 185 kDa, which is structurally related to the epidermal growth factor receptor. Herceptin has been shown, in both in vitro assays and in animals, to inhibit the proliferation of human tumor […]