Dictionary of drugs

The Dictionary of Drugs is a comprehensive resource that provides information on pharmaceuticals, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and various compounds used in the treatment of diseases.

Introduction

This dictionary aims to offer detailed descriptions, usage guidelines, pharmacological information, and therapeutic classifications for a wide array of drugs. Please consult a healthcare professional before using any medication listed in this dictionary. The general format to use is noted below although it may vary based on the drug or drug related article.

Overview

(General information about the drug, its uses, and its importance)

Medical Uses

(Detailed description of the conditions treated by the drug)

Side Effects

(Information on possible side effects and their frequency)

Mechanism of Action

(Explanation of how the drug works at the molecular or cellular level)

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

(How the drug affects the body)

Pharmacokinetics

(How the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes the drug)

History

(Information about the discovery, development, and approval of the drug)

How to Use This Dictionary

Navigate to the section that corresponds to the first letter of the generic drug name you are looking for and follow the link to read more about it.

Dictionary of Drugs

This dictionary serves as a reference for commonly prescribed medications, detailing their uses, mechanism of action, side effects, and other essential pharmacological information. Each entry aims to provide a concise overview, suitable for both healthcare professionals and the general public.

A

• Acetaminophen

Also known as paracetamol, it is used primarily as a pain reliever and fever reducer. Over-the-counter availability.

• Amoxicillin

An antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Belongs to the penicillin group of drugs.

B

• Bisoprolol

A beta blocker used in the management of hypertension and heart-related ailments.

• Buprenorphine

An opioid medication used to treat opioid addiction, acute pain, and chronic pain.

C

• Ciprofloxacin

A broad-spectrum antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone class, used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.

• Citalopram

An antidepressant belonging to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

D

• Diazepam

Belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, used to treat anxiety, seizures, and muscle spasms.

• Diclofenac

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and inflammatory disorders.

E

• Esomeprazole

A proton pump inhibitor that reduces stomach acid, used for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and ulcers.

• Ethinylestradiol

A synthetic form of estrogen used in various forms of birth control and in menopausal hormone therapy.

F

• Fentanyl

A potent synthetic opioid analgesic with a rapid onset and short duration of action.

• Fluoxetine

An SSRI antidepressant used in the treatment of major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and more.

G

• Gabapentin

An anti-epileptic medication used to treat neuropathic pain and as an adjunctive therapy in partial seizures.

• Glimepiride

An oral medication used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.

H

• Hydrochlorothiazide

A diuretic medication often used to treat high blood pressure and swelling due to fluid build up.

• Hydroxychloroquine

Used to prevent and treat malaria, and also used in rheumatology for conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

I

• Ibuprofen

A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for relieving pain, helping with fever, and reducing inflammation.

• Insulin

Hormone replacement therapy for managing diabetes mellitus.

J

• Januvia (Sitagliptin)

An oral antihyperglycemic of the DPP-4 inhibitor class.

• Jardiance (Empagliflozin)

Used to treat type 2 diabetes and heart failure.

K

• Ketamine

Used for starting and maintaining anesthesia.

• Ketoconazole

An antifungal medication used to treat a number of fungal infections.

L

• Lisinopril

An ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.

• Loratadine

An antihistamine used to treat allergies.

M

• Metformin

A medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

• Morphine

A pain medication of the opiate variety which is found naturally in a number of plants and animals.

N

• Naproxen

A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis.

• Nifedipine

A medication used to manage angina, high blood pressure, Raynaud's phenomenon, and premature labor.

O

• Omeprazole

A proton pump inhibitor that decreases stomach acid production, used in the treatment of GERD, peptic ulcer disease, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

• Oxycodone

An opioid analgesic drug used for relief of moderate to severe pain.

P

• Paroxetine

An SSRI antidepressant used to treat major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

• Penicillin

The first widely used antibiotic and is still used today for treating some types of bacterial infections.

Q

• Quetiapine

An atypical antipsychotic used for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.

• Quinapril

An ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension and heart failure.

R

• Ranitidine

Historically used to reduce stomach acid production in patients with conditions such as peptic ulcer disease and GERD. (Note Ranitidine has been withdrawn from many markets due to contamination concerns.)

• Risperidone

An atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability in people with autism.

S

• Sertraline

An SSRI antidepressant used in the treatment of major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

• Simvastatin

A lipid-lowering medication used to control elevated cholesterol, or hyperlipidemia.

T

• Tamoxifen

A medication that is used to prevent breast cancer in women and treat breast cancer in women and men.

• Tramadol

An opioid pain medication used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain.

U

• Ursodiol

Used to dissolve certain types of gallstones, to prevent gallstones from forming in overweight patients who are losing weight rapidly, and to treat a certain type of liver disease.

V

• Valacyclovir

An antiviral drug used in the management of herpes simplex, herpes zoster (shingles), and herpes B.

• Venlafaxine

An SNRI antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia.

W

• Warfarin

An anticoagulant that is often used as a blood thinner to prevent the formation of a harmful clot inside the body.

X

• Xanax (Alprazolam)

A benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and panic disorders.

Y

• Yohimbine

Used to improve and help maintain the ability to achieve an erection and as a general stimulant.

Z

• Zolpidem

Used for the short-term treatment of sleeping problems.