Acetic acid is a natural acidic substance that is normally found in vinegar. Acetic acid vaginal (for use in the vagina) is used to increase the acidity inside the vaginal canal. Acetic acid vaginal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Acetic acid is an antibiotic that treats infections caused by bacteria or fungus. Hydrocortisone is a steroid. It reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation. Acetic acid and hydrocortisone otic (for the ear) is a combination medicine used to treat infections in the ear canal, and to relieve the...

Acetohydroxamic acid helps prevent a build-up of ammonia in urine that can be caused by a bladder infection. Increased ammonia in urine can cause the growth of kidney stones. Acetohydroxamic acid is used to keep urine ammonia levels low in people who have a certain type of chronic bladder infection. Acetohydroxamic acid...

Acetylcysteine inhalation is used to thin the mucus in people with certain lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis, emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia, or tuberculosis. Acetylcysteine inhalation is also used during surgery or anesthesia, and to prepare the throat or lungs for a medical test. Acetylcysteine inhalation may...

Acetylcysteine is used to help prevent or lessen liver damage caused by taking large quantities of acetaminophen (Tylenol). There are other brands and forms of acetylcysteine available, and some can be purchased over the counter. Not all forms of this medicine are effective as an acetaminophen antidote. Do not attempt...

Rehabilitation (rehab) and/or physical therapy are the usual treatment for an Achilles tendon injury. For Achilles tendinopathy, physical therapy can decrease your pain. It can allow you to gradually return to your normal activities. For an Achilles tendon rupture, you can try a rehab program after surgery to repair the...

Discusses common Achilles tendon problems. Covers tendinopathy, which includes tendinitis and tendinosis. Also covers tendon tear or rupture, paratenonitis, peritendinitis, and bursitis. Discusses symptoms such as pain and swelling in back of leg or heel.

Guides through decision to have surgery for an Achilles tendon rupture. Describes different types of treatment and when surgery is the best option. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Acid products include toilet cleaners, battery acid, bleach, chemicals used in industry for crystal etching, and chemicals that are added to gas. Acid solids and liquids can cause injury, depending on the type, the strength, and the length of time the acid is in contact with the body. The damage is usually kept to the...

What are the most important things you need to know about your medicines? Make sure you know about each of the medicines you take. This includes why you take it, how to take it, what you can expect while you're taking it, and any warnings about the medicine. The information provided here is general. So be sure...

Acitretin is a retinoid, which is a form of vitamin A. Acitretin is used to treat severe psoriasis in adults. Acitretin is not a cure for psoriasis, and you may relapse after you stop taking this medication. Acitretin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

After an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, you lose leg strength and motion and stability of the knee. It is important that you regain your leg strength and motion as soon as possible, whether you choose to have surgery for your ACL injury or not. Exercises to regain muscle strength and knee motion should begin...

Guides through decision to have knee surgery for an ACL injury. Compares surgery to rest, exercise, and rehabilitation as treatment for an ACL injury. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Learn how ACL surgery is usually done and what to expect after surgery.

Aclidinium is a bronchodilator. Aclidinium is used to prevent bronchospasm in adults with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or other forms of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Aclidinium may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Aclidinium and formoterol is a combination medicine used to prevent airflow obstruction and reduce flare-ups in adults with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), including bronchitis and emphysema. This medicine is for use only in people with COPD and should not be used to treat asthma. Aclidinium and formoterol...

Discusses acne, a skin problem. Lists symptoms, including pimples. Covers causes such as puberty, medicines, and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome. Covers acne treatment for mild, moderate, and severe forms. Offers prevention tips.

Take a minute to learn about acne and what you can do about it.

Guides you through the decision to see a doctor for acne. Covers symptoms like pimples and blackheads. Looks at treating with medicines like benzoyl peroxide (nonprescription) and isotretinoin (prescription). Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Guides you through decision to take isotretinoin for severe acne. Looks at the benefits and risks of this medicine. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

You can help prevent acne from getting worse by the way you wash your face: Gently wash your face once or twice a day with warm water and a mild soap or acne wash. Use gentle, circling motions rather than scrubbing your face. Always completely rinse your skin after you wash it, and gently pat it dry. Avoid rubbing your...

Alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic acid, mandelic acid, and glycolic acid (for example, Alpha Hydrox) are often used in products to treat acne. These products work by drying up whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples and causing the top layer of your skin to peel. Skin care products that have AHAs are generally safe to use...

Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to treat severe acne or acne that is likely to leave scars. Antibiotics improve the look of your skin by killing bacteria that cause acne. This means you'll have fewer pimples and redness. Less acne means less acne scarring. You can put antibiotics directly on your skin (topically) or...

Benzoyl peroxide is a medicine you use to treat acne. It comes in different strengths in lotions, gels, soaps, and liquids. How does benzoyl peroxide treat acne? Benzoyl peroxide unclogs skin pores. It also helps stop bacteria from growing and causing acne pimples and cystic lesions. At first, acne may get worse. Your...

Salicylic acid is an active ingredient in some nonprescription acne treatments. When you apply it to your skin, it dries up whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. It also causes the top layer of your skin to peel. Products that contain salicylic acid may cause tingling and a mild redness of the skin. Use them less often...

Acquired von Willebrand disease is a rare bleeding disorder that might be caused by other medical problems or medicines. It prevents blood from clotting properly. It is rarer than the inherited form of von Willebrand disease. Medical problems that might cause acquired von Willebrand disease include: Lymph disorders...

Acrivastine and pseudoephedrine is a combination medicine used to treat runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and sinus congestion caused by allergies. Acrivastine and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Discusses actinic keratosis (solar keratosis), a type of skin growth caused by sun exposure. Describes how skin will look and feel. Covers treatment options. Explains risk for squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer). Offers prevention tips.

Active listening is a dynamic process that includes: Paying attention to what another person is saying. Thinking about what the person has just said. Responding in a way that lets the person know that you understood what he or she was trying to say. Hearing is different from listening...

Most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer have localized cancer, which means that the cancer hasn't spread outside the prostate. Some men who have localized prostate cancer choose active surveillance, which allows them to avoid or delay having surgery or radiation. Active surveillance is an option for men with...

Acupressure may help relieve or shorten the duration of your morning sickness symptoms. Acupressure is based on Eastern medicine practices used to open up blocked energy pathways in the body. Instead of using acupuncture needles, you or a practitioner presses on a small area of the body to treat a given ailment...

Discusses a traditional Chinese therapy that uses very thin needles placed in the skin to influence energy flow (called chi or qi). Explains its complementary medicine use for pain and conditions such as headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome. Covers safety issues.

This cancer information summary provides an overview of the use of acupuncture as a treatment for individuals with cancer or cancer-related disorders. The summary includes a brief history of acupuncture practice, a review of laboratory and animal studies, the results of clinical observations and trials, and possible...

Acupuncture applies needles, heat, pressure, and other treatments to one or more places on the skin known as acupuncture points (see Question 1). Clinical trials report the use of acupuncture relieves nausea and vomiting from anticancer therapies (see Question 5). Other trials have studied the use of acupuncture in...

Learn about acupuncture and massage for low back pain.

Describes acute bronchitis, which is short-term inflammation of the tubes carrying air to the lungs. Explains difference between bronchitis and pneumonia. Includes causes and symptoms like cough. Covers treatment options.

Covers angina and symptoms that happen when the heart does not get enough blood. Covers unstable angina and heart attack. Discusses treatment with medicines, angioplasty, or bypass surgery. Offers prevention tips.

What is acute flaccid myelitis? Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare condition that affects the spinal cord. It causes certain muscles and reflexes in the body to stop working normally. Anyone can get AFM. How is acute flaccid myelitis diagnosed? A doctor will do a physical exam to check for weakness, such as in the...

Discusses acute kidney injury (which used to be called acute renal failure), which means your kidneys suddenly stop working normally. Includes prerenal acute kidney injury. Covers causes like kidney or liver disease. Includes symptoms like little urine (oliguria) when you urinate. Covers dialysis.

Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to function. To treat kidney failure effectively, it is important to know whether kidney disease has developed suddenly (acute) or over the long term (chronic). Many conditions, diseases, and medicines can create situations that lead to acute and chronic kidney...

What is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)? Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a lung problem. It happens when fluid builds up in the lungs, causing breathing failure and low oxygen levels in the blood. ARDS is life-threatening, because it keeps organs like the brain and kidneys from getting the...

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus so that the body can fight off the infection. Acyclovir will not cure herpes, but it can lessen the symptoms of the infection. Acyclovir injection is used to treat severe infections caused by herpes viruses, including severe forms of...

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus in the body. Acyclovir will not cure herpes, but it can lessen the symptoms of the infection. Acyclovir is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, such as genital herpes, cold sores, shingles, and chicken pox. Sitavig is for...

Acyclovir topical (for the skin) is an antiviral medicine that is used to treat skin symptoms caused by the herpes virus. Acyclovir topical cream is used to treat cold sores on the lips and face. Acyclovir topical ointment is used to treat genital herpes lesions. There is no cure for herpes and acyclovir will not...

Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine. Hydrocortisone is a steroid. Acyclovir and hydrocortisone topical (for the skin) is a combination medicine that is used to treat cold sores in adults and children at least 6 years old. This medicine will not cure or prevent cold sores caused by herpes, but it can lessen the symptoms...

Adalimumab reduces the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation. Adalimumab is used to treat many inflammatory conditions in adults, such as ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis, and a skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa...

Benzoyl peroxide has an antibacterial effect. It also has a mild drying effect, which allows excess oils and dirt to be easily washed away from the skin. Adapalene is similar to vitamin A. It helps the skin renew itself. Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide topical (for the skin) is a combination medicine used to treat acne...

Adapalene is a medicine similar to vitamin A. It helps the skin renew itself. Adapalene topical (for use on the skin) is used to treat severe acne in people who are at least 12 years old. Adapalene topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Sugars are a type of carbohydrate that occurs naturally or that is added to a food. Foods such as milk and fruits have naturally occurring sugars. The sugar in fruit is called fructose. The sugar in milk and yogurt is called lactose. Added sugars are those that do not occur naturally in a food or drink but are added...

What is Addison's disease? Addison's disease develops when the adrenal glands, which are above the kidneys, are not able to make enough of the hormones cortisol and, sometimes, aldosterone. Your body needs both of these hormones to work as it should. Cortisol helps the body cope with extreme physical stress from...