Generic Equivalents

Dopamine reuptake inhibitors are used to treat depression and for smoking cessation.  Bupropion is the only member of this class marketed in the USA.

Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant that inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine.  Bupropion is also a nicotinic antagonist.

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Antihistamines are used to treat allergy symptoms.

Antihistamines (histamine antagonist) block the action of histamine at the H1 and H2 histamine receptors.  Antihistamines that primarily block the H1 receptor are used to treat allergies.

Allergens interact with immune cells to cause the release of histamine, which binds to the H1 receptor on other cells to produce the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Inhibition of histamine binding to target cells reduces allergic symptoms.

*Also contains Pseudoephedrine

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Thiazolidinediones are used to treat diabetes type 2.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) bind to the PPAR gamma (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma) receptor.  When the PPAR gamma is bound by a TZD, transcription of several genes is activated.  PPAR Gamma activation leads to decreased insulin resistance, modified adipocyte differentiation, decreased leptin levels, and angiogenesis is inhibited.

Recent studies indicate that Thiazolidinedione use may increase the risk of heart failure and myocardial infarction.

*Includes metformin
**Includes glimepiride

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2-Azetidinones (Cholesterol absorption inhibitors) are used to reduce cholesterol levels.  Ezetimibe is the only 2-Azetidinone on the market.

Ezetimibe is a cholesterol lowering medication that acts by decreasing cholesterol absorption in the small intestine. Ezetimibe binds to the Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) protein on intestinal epithelial cells and hepatocytes, preventing the absorption of dietary cholesterol.  This leads to lower serum cholesterol levels.

Because Ezetimibe works in a way very different than statins. Combining ezetimibe and a statin can result in even lower cholesterol levels than each drug could acheive if taken alone.

*Also contains simvastatin

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HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (Statins) are a class of drugs that lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the liver and other tissues.  Statins also increase the production of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors, causing lower serum LDL levels.

Statins are effective at lowering LDL cholesterol levels by as much as 60%.

Statins also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Statins are well-tolerated, but have two rare but significant side effects:  liver and muscle injury.

Three statins are available in generic form.

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