Penbutolol is used to treat high blood pressure.This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Pergolide is used with another medication to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (a disorder of the nervous system that causes difficulties with movement, muscle control, and balance). Pergolide is in a class of medications called dopamine agonists. It works by acting in place of dopamine, a natural substance in the brain that is needed to control movement.

Pirbuterol is used to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases. Pirbuterol is in a class of medications called beta-agonist bronchodilators. It works by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.

Potassium is essential for the proper functioning of the heart, kidneys, muscles, nerves, and digestive system. Usually the food you eat supplies all of the potassium you need. However, certain diseases (e.g., kidney disease and gastrointestinal disease with vomiting and diarrhea) and drugs, especially diuretics ('water pills'), remove potassium from the body. Potassium supplements are taken to replace potassium losses and prevent potassium deficiency.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

The combination of prazosin and polythiazide is used to treat high blood pressure. It is a combination of two medicines. Prazosin, an alpha-block antihypertensive, works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body. Polythiazide, a thiazide diuretic ('water pill'), causes the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

The combination of pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) and triprolidine (an antihistamine) relieves itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; and runny or stuffy nose caused by hay fever, allergies, and the common cold.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Pyrethrin with piperonyl butoxide kills parasites and their eggs. It is used to treat scabies (a skin infestation) and lice infestations of the head, body, and pubic area ('crabs'). Pyrethrin with piperonyl butoxide does not prevent these infestations.

Pantoprazole is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and injury of the food pipe (esophagus). It is also used to treat conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Pantoprazole is in a class of medications called proton-pump inhibitors. It works by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach.

Progestin-only oral contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy. Progestin is a female hormone. It works by preventing the release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation) and changing the cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus. Progestin-only oral contraceptives are a very effective method of birth control, but they do not prevent the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Pimecrolimus is used to control the symptoms of atopic dermatitis (a skin disease that is also called eczema). Pimecrolimus is only used to treat patients who cannot take other medications for atopic dermatitis, or whose symptoms were not controlled by other medications. Pimecrolimus is in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by preventing the activation of certain cells that cause itching and redness of the skin.

Progesterone is used as a part of hormone replacement therapy in women who have passed menopause (the change of life) and have not had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus). Hormone replacement therapy usually includes estrogen, which is used to treat symptoms of menopause and reduce the risk of developing certain diseases. However, estrogen can also cause abnormal thickening of the lining of the uterus and increase the risk of developing uterine cancer. Progesterone helps to prevent this thickening and decreases the risk of developing uterine cancer. Progesterone is also used to bring on menstruation (period) in women of childbearing age who have had normal periods and then stopped menstruating. Progesterone is in a class of medications called progestins (female hormones). It works as part of hormone replacement therapy by decreasing the amount of estrogen in the uterus. It works to bring on menstruation by replacing the natural progesterone that some women are missing.

Pancrelipase is used to improve digestion of foods and prevent frequent, fatty, foul-smelling bowel movements in people who have a condition that affects the pancreas (a gland that produces several substances that the body needs to function normally) such as cystic fibrosis (an inborn disease that causes problems with breathing, digestion, and reproduction), chronic pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas that does not go away), or a blockage in the passages between the pancreas and the intestine, or who have had surgery to remove all or part of the pancreas or stomach. Pancrelipase is also sometimes used to test how well the pancreas is working. Pancrelipase is in a class of medications called enzymes. Pancrelipase acts in place of the natural substances normally made by the pancreas. It works by breaking down fats, proteins, and starches from food into smaller substances that can be absorbed from the intestine. This allows the body to use these substances for energy and prevents them from being passed as frequent, fatty bowel movements.

Primidone is used to control seizures.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Phenelzine, a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, and an antidepressant, is used to treat depression.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Prochlorperazine is used to treat the nausea and vomiting caused by radiation therapy, cancer chemotherapy, surgery, and other conditions. It is also used to treat psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and hostility.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Phentermine is used, in combination with diet and exercise, to help you lose weight. It works by decreasing your appetite.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Phenazopyridine relieves urinary tract pain, burning, irritation, and discomfort, as well as urgent and frequent urination caused by urinary tract infections, surgery, injury, or examination procedures. However, phenazopyridine is not an antibiotic; it does not cure infections.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Promethazine relieves itchy, red, irritated, watery eyes; runny nose; sneezing; and itchy skin caused by hay fever and allergies. It is also used for motion sickness, before and after surgery as a sedative to relieve apprehension, and to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Propoxyphene is used to relieve mild to moderate pain.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Procainamide is used to treat abnormal heart rhythms. It works by making your heart more resistant to abnormal activity.

Pentobarbital, a barbiturate, is used in the short-term treatment of insomnia (to help you fall asleep and stay asleep for a proper rest). It is also used as a sedative to relieve anxiety and induce sleep before surgery.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Propylthiouracil is used to treat hyperthyroidism, a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. It also is taken before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine therapy.

Propranolol is used to treat high blood pressure. It is also used to prevent angina (chest pain) and heart attacks. It works by relaxing your blood vessels so your heart doesn't have to pump as hard. Propranolol is also used to treat abnormal heart rhythms.

Propranolol is also used to prevent migraine headaches and tremors.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Phytonadione (vitamin K) is used to prevent bleeding in patients with low thrombin levels or vitamin K deficiency.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Prednisolone reduces the irritation, redness, burning, and swelling of eye inflammation caused by chemicals, heat, radiation, infection, allergy, or foreign bodies in the eye. It sometimes is used after eye surgery.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Pilocarpine is used to treat glaucoma, a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision. Pilocarpine relieves the symptoms of glaucoma.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Pindolol is used to treat high blood pressure. It works by relaxing your blood vessels so your heart doesn't have to pump as hard.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Penicillin V potassium is an antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as pneumonia, scarlet fever, and ear, skin, and throat infections. It also is used to prevent recurrent rheumatic fever and chorea. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Penciclovir is used on the lips and faces of adults to treat cold sores caused by herpes simplex virus. Penciclovir does not cure herpes infections but decreases pain and itching if applied when the earliest symptoms first appear.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Propafenone is used to treat arrhythmias and to maintain a normal heart rate. It acts on the heart muscle to improve the heart's rhythm.

Permethrin kills parasites and their eggs. It is used to treat scabies (a skin infestation) and lice infestations of the head, body, and pubic area ('crabs'). Permethrin does not prevent these infestations.

Pancrelipase (pan-kre-LI-pase) is used to help digestion in certain conditions in which the pancreas is not working properly. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Pancrelipase contains the enzymes needed for the digestion of proteins, starches, and fats.

Pancrelipase is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
• Delayed-release capsules (U.S. and Canada)
• Powder (U.S.)
• Tablets (U.S.)

Physostigmine (fi-zoe-STIG-meen ) is used to treat certain types of glaucoma.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Ophthalmic
• Ophthalmic ointment (U.S.)
• Ophthalmic solution (eye drops) (U.S.)

Pimozide ( PIM-oh-zide) is used to treat the symptoms of Tourette's syndrome. It is meant only for patients with severe symptoms who cannot take or have not been helped by other medicine.

Pimozide works in the central nervous system to help control the vocal outbursts and uncontrolled, repeated movements of the body (tics) that interfere with normal life. It will not completely cure the tics, but will help to reduce their number and severity.

Pimozide may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Oral
• Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

Pneumococcal (NEU-mo-KOK-al) vaccine polyvalent is an active immunizing agent used to prevent infection by pneumococcal bacteria. It works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease.

The following information applies only to the polyvalent 23 pneumococcal vaccine. Other polyvalent pneumococcal vaccines may be available in countries other than the U.S.

Pneumococcal infection can cause serious problems, such as pneumonia, which affects the lungs; meningitis, which affects the brain; bacteremia, which is a severe infection in the blood; and possibly death. These problems are more likely to occur in older adults and persons with certain diseases or conditions that make them more susceptible to a pneumococcal infection or more apt to develop serious problems from a pneumococcal infection.

Unless otherwise contraindicated, immunization against pneumococcal disease is recommended for all adults and children 2 years of age and older, especially:

• Older adults, especially those 65 years of age and older.
• Adults and children 2 to 64 years of age with chronic illnesses.
• Adults and children 2 to 64 years of age with sickle cell disease, those with spleen problems or without spleens, and those who are to have their spleens removed.
• Adults and children 2 to 64 years of age who are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease because of other illness (e.g., heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, alcoholism, and liver disease).
• Adults and children 2 to 64 years of age who are living in special environments or social settings (e.g., Alaskan Natives and certain American Indian populations) and residents of nursing homes and other long-term-care facilities.
• Adults and children 2 to 64 years of age with decreased disease-fighting ability (e.g., those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, organ or bone marrow transplantations, and cancer).

Immunization against pneumococcal infection is not recommended for infants and children younger than 2 years of age, because these persons cannot produce enough antibodies to the vaccine to protect them against a pneumococcal infection.

Pneumococcal vaccine usually is given only once to each person. Additional injections are not given, except in special cases, because of the possibility of more frequent and more severe side effects.

This vaccine is to be administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor or other health care professional. It is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Poliovirus ( poe-lee-oh VYE-russ) vaccine is an active immunizing agent used to prevent poliomyelitis (polio). It works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus that causes polio.

There are two types of polio vaccine that are given by injection, poliovirus vaccine inactivated (IPV) and poliovirus vaccine inactivated enhanced potency (eIPV). In the U.S. and Canada the type of vaccine that is given by injection is eIPV. The type of vaccine that is given by mouth is called poliovirus vaccine live oral (OPV).

Polio is a very serious infection that causes paralysis of the muscles, including the muscles that enable you to walk and breathe. A polio infection may leave a person unable to breathe without the help of an iron lung, unable to walk without leg braces, or confined to a wheelchair. There is no cure for polio.

Immunization against polio is recommended for all infants from 6 to 12 weeks of age, all children, all adolescents up to 18 years of age, and certain adults who are at greater risk for exposure to polioviruses than the general population, including:

• Persons traveling to areas or countries where polio is uncontrolled, whether or not they have been vaccinated against polio in the past.
• Persons who live in areas where polio infection still occurs.
• Adults who have not been vaccinated or who have not had the complete series of vaccinations against polio and who live in households with children who are to be given the oral polio vaccine (OPV).
• Employees in day-care centers and group homes for children, such as orphanages.
• Employees in medical facilities, such as hospitals and doctors' offices.
• Laboratory workers handling samples that may contain polioviruses.

Immunization against polio is not recommended for infants younger than 6 weeks of age, because antibodies they received from their mothers before birth may interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccine. Infants who were immunized against polio before 6 weeks of age should receive the complete polio immunization series.

This vaccine is to be administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor or other health care professional. It is available in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Potassium is needed to maintain good health. Although a balanced diet usually supplies all the potassium a person needs, potassium supplements may be needed by patients who do not have enough potassium in their regular diet or have lost too much potassium because of illness or treatment with certain medicines.

There is no evidence that potassium supplements are useful in the treatment of high blood pressure.

Lack of potassium may cause muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, mood changes, or nausea and vomiting.

Injectable potassium is administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor. Some forms of oral potassium may be available in stores without a prescription. Since too much potassium may cause health problems, you should take potassium supplements only if directed by your doctor. Potassium supplements are available with your doctor's prescription in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Potassium Bicarbonate
  • Tablets for solution (U.S. and Canada)
• Potassium Bicarbonate and Potassium Chloride
  • Powder for solution (U.S. and Canada)
  • Tablets for solution (U.S. and Canada)
• Potassium Bicarbonate and Potassium Citrate
  • Tablets for solution (U.S.)
• Potassium Chloride
  • Extended-release capsules (U.S. and Canada)
  • Solution (U.S. and Canada)
  • Powder for solution (U.S. and Canada)
  • Powder for suspension (U.S.)
  • Extended-release tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Potassium Gluconate
  • Elixir (U.S. and Canada)
  • Tablets (U.S.)
• Potassium Gluconate and Potassium Chloride
  • Solution (U.S.)
  • Powder for solution (U.S.)
• Potassium Gluconate and Potassium Citrate
  • Solution (U.S.)
• Trikates
  • Solution (U.S.)

Parenteral
• Potassium Acetate
  • Injection (U.S.)
• Potassium Chloride
  • Concentrate for injection (U.S. and Canada)

Importance of Diet

Pyrithione ( peer-i-THYE-one) is used to help control the symptoms of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp.

This medicine is available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use of this medicine for your medical condition.

Pyrithione is available in the following dosage forms:

Topical
• Bar (U.S. and Canada)
• Cream (U.S. and Canada)
• Lotion (U.S.)
• Lotion shampoo (U.S. and Canada)

The polyethylene glycol (pol-ee-ETH-i-leen GLYE-col) (PEG) and electrolytes solution is used to clean the colon (large bowel or lower intestine) before certain tests or surgery of the colon. The PEG-electrolyte solution is usually taken by mouth. However, sometimes it is given in the hospital through a nasogastric tube (a tube inserted through the nose).

The PEG-electrolyte solution acts like a laxative. It causes liquid stools or mild diarrhea. In this way, it flushes all solid material from the colon, so the doctor can have a clear view of the colon.

The PEG-electrolyte solution is available only with your doctor's prescription. It is available in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
• Powder for oral solution (U.S. and Canada)

Pamidronate ( pa-mi-DROE-nate) is used to treat hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) that may occur with some types of cancer. It is also used to treat Paget's disease of bone and to treat bone metastases (spread of cancer).

This medicine is to be administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Paclitaxel ( PAK-li-tax-el) belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics. It is used to treat cancer of the ovaries, breast, certain types of lung cancer, and a cancer of the skin and mucous membranes more commonly found in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It may also be used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by your doctor.

Paclitaxel interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by paclitaxel, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used.

Before you begin treatment with paclitaxel, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.

Paclitaxel is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Proguanil ( pro-GWAN-il) belongs to a group of medicines called antimalarials. It is used to prevent malaria, a red blood cell infection transmitted by the bite of a mosquito.

Malaria transmission occurs in large areas of Central and South America, Hispaniola, sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania. Country-specific information on malaria can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or from the CDC's web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel.

This medicine may be given together with another medicine to prevent malaria infection.

Proguanil is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Oral
• Tablets (Canada)

Paroxetine (pa-ROX-uh-teen) is used to treat mental depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Paroxetine belongs to a group of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicines are thought to work by increasing the activity of the chemical serotonin in the brain.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Extended-release tablets (U.S.)
• Oral suspension (U.S.)
• Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

Prussian (PRUSH-en) blue is used to treat thallium poisoning and radiocesium poisoning. It works by combining with thallium and radiocesium in the intestines. The combination is then removed from the body through the stools. By removing the thallium or radiocesium, the medicine lessens damage to your body's organs and tissues.

Prussian blue is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Oral
• Capsules (Germany)

Progestins (proe-JES-tins ) are hormones. They are used by both men and women for different purposes.

Progestins are prescribed for several reasons:

• To properly regulate the menstrual cycle and treat unusual stopping of the menstrual periods (amenorrhea). Progestins work by causing changes in the uterus. After the amount of progestins in the blood drops, the lining of the uterus begins to come off and vaginal bleeding occurs (menstrual period). Progestins help other hormones start and stop the menstrual cycle.
• To help a pregnancy occur during egg donor or infertility procedures in women who do not produce enough progesterone. Also, progesterone is given to help maintain a pregnancy when not enough of it is made by the body.
• To prevent estrogen from thickening the lining of the uterus (endometrial hyperplasia) in women around menopause who are being treated with estrogen for ovarian hormone therapy (OHT). OHT is also called hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).
• To treat pain that is related to endometriosis, a condition where the endometrial tissue which lines the uterus becomes displaced in other female organs.
• To treat a condition called endometriosis or unusual and heavy bleeding of the uterus (dysfunctional uterine bleeding) by starting or stopping the menstrual cycle.
• To help treat cancer of the breast, kidney, or uterus. Progestins help change the cancer cell's ability to react to other hormones and proteins that cause tumor growth. In this way, progestins can stop the growth of a tumor.
• To test the body's production of certain hormones such as estrogen.
• To treat loss of appetite and severe weight or muscle loss in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or cancer by causing certain proteins to be produced that cause increased appetite and weight gain.

Progestins may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Depending on how much and which progestin you use or take, a progestin can have different effects. For instance, high doses of progesterone are necessary for some women to continue a pregnancy while other progestins in low doses can prevent a pregnancy from occurring. Other effects include causing weight gain, increasing body temperature, developing the milk-producing glands for breast-feeding, and relaxing the uterus to maintain a pregnancy.

Progestins can help other hormones work properly. Progestins may help to prevent anemia (low iron in blood), too much menstrual blood loss, and cancer of the uterus.

Progestins are available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Medrogestone
  • Tablets (Canada)
• Medroxyprogesterone
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Megestrol
  • Oral suspension (U.S. and Canada)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Norethindrone
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Progesterone
  • Capsules (U.S. and Canada)

Parenteral
• Hydroxyprogesterone
  • Injection (U.S.)
• Medroxyprogesterone
  • Intramuscular injection (U.S. and Canada)
  • Subcutaneous injection (U.S.)
• Progesterone
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Vaginal
• Progesterone
  • Gel (U.S.)
  • Suppositories

Plague vaccine is an active immunizing agent used to prevent infection by plague bacteria. It works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease.

Plague is a serious disease that can cause death. It is caused by a germ called Yersinia pestis, and is spread most often by infected rodents and by the bites of infected fleas. Plague may also be spread by close person-to-person contact with infected persons (such as occurs with persons living in the same household) who may carry plague bacteria in their nose and throat. Some infected persons do not appear to be sick, but they can still spread the germ to others.

If you are traveling to plague-infected areas of Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the western third of the United States, plague vaccine may help prevent plague infection. However, plague vaccine does not provide 100% protection. Therefore, it is very important to avoid contact with domestic and wild animals that may be infected, even if you have received the vaccine. To reduce your chance of getting plague from the bites of infected fleas, use insect repellent on exposed parts of your body, such as legs and ankles. Also apply DEET or another insecticide to clothes and outer bedding according to manufacturers' directions.

Plague vaccine is to be administered only by or under the supervision of a doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S.)

Pentosan (PEN-toe-san) is used to relieve the symptoms of the bladder condition called interstitial cystitis.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Oral
• Capsules (U.S. and Canada)

Podofilox (po-do-FIL-ox) is used to remove certain types of warts on the outside skin of the genital areas (penis or vulva). The gel is used also to treat warts between the genitals and the rectum, the solution is not. Neither the gel nor the solution is used to treat warts that occur inside the rectum, vagina, or urine passageways inside the penis (male) or the vulva (female). Podofilox works by destroying the skin of the wart.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form(s):

Topical
• Gel (U.S.)
• Solution (U.S.)

Porfimer (POR-fi-mer) belongs to the group of medicines known as antineoplastics. It is used, together with a special laser light, to treat cancer of the esophagus (the part of the digestive tract that carries food to the stomach) and to treat a form of lung cancer.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S.)

Palivizumab ( pal-i-VI-zu-mab) belongs to a group of medicines known as immunizing agents. Palivizumab is used to prevent infection in children and babies caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This medicine works by giving your body the antibodies it needs to protect it against RSV infection.

RSV infection can cause serious problems that affect the lungs, such as pneumonia and bronchitis, and in severe cases even can cause death. These problems are more likely to occur in infants and children younger than 6 months of age with chronic lung disease and breathing problems and in babies who were premature, and babies who were born with heart disease.

Palivizumab is used to prevent serious lower respiratory tract infection caused by the RSV.

Onset of RSV activity usually occurs in November and continues through April, but it may begin earlier or continue later in certain communities. A good way to help prevent RSV infection is to receive palivizumab before the start of the RSV season.

Palivizumab is to be administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor or other health care professional. It is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Pioglitazone (pye-oh-GLI-ta-zone) is used to treat a certain type of diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) called type 2 diabetes. It may be used alone, with insulin, or with metformin or another type of oral diabetes medicine called a sulfonylurea. Pioglitazone is to be used when diet and exercise plus another diabetes medicine do not result in good blood sugar control.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Oral
• Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

Pemirolast ( pe-MEER-oh-last) is used to treat the itching in your eyes that happens with allergies.

Pemirolast works by preventing certain types of inflammatory cells from releasing irritating substances that cause allergic symptoms.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Topical
• Ophthalmic solution (U.S.)

Peginterferon alfa-2b (peg-in-ter-FEER-on alfa-2b ) is a synthetic (man-made) version of substances normally produced in the body to fight infection. Peginterferon alfa-2b is used to treat chronic hepatitis C. It is used for patients who have never been treated by alpha interferons and who do not have symptoms of worsening liver disease.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S.)

Pimecrolimus ( pim-e-KROW-li-mus) cream is used for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. This is a skin condition where there is itching, redness and inflammation, much like an allergic reaction. Pimecrolimus helps to suppress these symptoms which are a reaction caused by the body's immune system. It can be used for short-term or long-term periodic treatment. It is often used when other types of treatment are either not working or when you cannot tolerate other types of treatment.

Pimecrolimus is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Topical
• Cream (U.S.)

Peginterferon alfa-2a (peg in-ter-FEER-on alf-a 2a) is a synthetic (man-made) version of substances normally produced in the body to fight infection. Peginterferon alfa-2a is used to treat chronic hepatitis C. It is used for patients who have never been treated by alpha interferons.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S.)

Pegvisomant (peg VI soe mant) is used to treat a condition called acromegaly, which is caused by too much growth hormone in the body. Too much growth hormone produced in adults causes the hands, feet, and parts of the face to become large, thick, and bulky. Other problems such as arthritis also can develop. Pegvisomant works by binding to the growth hormone receptor and preventing the actions of too much growth hormone.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Parental
• Injection (US)

Pemetrexed ( pem-ah-TREX-ed) belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics. It is used to treat a type of cancer called malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). This cancer affects the inside lining of the chest cavity. Pemetrexed is given with cisplatin, another anti-cancer medicine (chemotherapy). Pemetrexed is also used to treat a type of lung cancer. For this treatment, pemetrexed is given alone, not with cisplatin.

To lower your chances of side effects of pemetrexed, you must also take folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ prior to and during your treatment with pemetrexed. Your doctor will prescribe a medicine called a "corticosteroid" to take for 3 days during your treatment with pemetrexed. Corticosteroid medicines lower your chances of getting skin reactions with pemetrexed.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S.)