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Category: Metabolic disorders

Explore our medication guides and pharmacology articles within this category.

Understanding which drugs cause lipodystrophy: A pharmacological overview

4 min read
The first reports linking lipodystrophy to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-positive individuals emerged in 1997. This condition, which alters how the body stores and uses fat, can be a challenging side effect for patients, significantly impacting both their physical appearance and metabolic health. Understanding **which drugs cause lipodystrophy** is crucial for both healthcare providers and patients to manage and mitigate its effects.

Is Fenofibrate an Anti-inflammatory? Understanding its Dual Action

3 min read
Fenofibrate, a drug primarily known for treating high cholesterol and triglycerides, has been shown to reduce systemic inflammation markers like C-reactive protein (hsCRP) by nearly 50% in patients with metabolic syndrome. This powerful effect suggests that fenofibrate is an anti-inflammatory agent, exerting benefits beyond its standard lipid-modulating actions.

Understanding How Much Sodium Is in Ammonul and Its Clinical Importance

4 min read
Each milliliter of the undiluted Ammonul solution contains 30.5 mg of sodium, a significant amount that requires careful management in patients, especially those susceptible to fluid overload or with impaired renal function. Understanding exactly **how much sodium is in ammonul** is critical for safe patient care during the treatment of acute hyperammonemia.

Understanding the Role: Is KUVAN an Enzyme Replacement Therapy?

4 min read
According to the FDA, Kuvan (sapropterin dihydrochloride) was approved in 2007 as a treatment for certain types of Phenylketonuria (PKU). So, is KUVAN an enzyme replacement therapy? The answer requires a closer look at its unique pharmacological function as a cofactor, not an enzyme replacement.

What can cause carnitine deficiency? Medications, Pharmacology, and More

4 min read
According to the National Institutes of Health, a plasma free carnitine concentration of 20 mcmol/L or less is considered abnormally low. Understanding **what can cause carnitine deficiency** is crucial for proper diagnosis, as it can stem from genetic defects, acquired medical conditions, or medication side effects.

Understanding How Does Ammonul Work to Treat Hyperammonemia

3 min read
Acute hyperammonemia, often linked to urea cycle disorders, can be a life-threatening medical emergency requiring prompt intervention. Ammonul, a critical medication containing sodium phenylacetate and sodium benzoate, works by providing alternative pathways for the removal of waste nitrogen, effectively bypassing the dysfunctional urea cycle.

What is kuvan for? Understanding a Key Medication for PKU Management

5 min read
Approved by the FDA in 2007, Kuvan (sapropterin dihydrochloride) is a prescription medication used to address the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). This treatment specifically targets patients with BH4-responsive PKU, lowering their blood phenylalanine levels in conjunction with a restricted diet.

What is the problem with tyrosine?

2 min read
Worldwide, the rare genetic disorder tyrosinemia type I affects about 1 in 100,000 individuals, highlighting a primary concern when discussing what is the problem with tyrosine [1.8.2]. While essential, this amino acid is not without significant health risks for certain populations.

What Type of Drug is PALYNZIQ? An Enzyme Replacement Therapy for PKU

3 min read
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare genetic disease affecting approximately 1 in 12,500 live births in the United States, resulting in the body's inability to properly break down the amino acid phenylalanine. For adults with persistently high and uncontrolled phenylalanine levels despite other treatments, a specialized medication known as PALYNZIQ offers a new therapeutic option by directly addressing this metabolic deficiency.

What is similar to trodusquemine?: Analogs, Mechanisms, and Research

5 min read
Trodusquemine, also known as MSI-1436, is a naturally occurring aminosterol originally isolated from the liver of dogfish sharks. A 2015 study showed that a synthetic analog, Claramine, displayed a similar selective inhibition of the enzyme PTP1B, demonstrating that compounds similar to trodusquemine exist in research and development.