List of drugs: S

List of Drugs: S is a comprehensive catalog encompassing a wide range of pharmaceuticals, biologics, and substances used in the treatment, management, and diagnosis of diseases and conditions. This list includes both generic and brand names of drugs that start with the letter 'S'. Each entry is linked to detailed articles about the drug's medical uses, pharmacology, side effects, and regulatory status.

Salmeterol

Salmeterol is a long-acting beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist (LABA) used in the maintenance and prevention of asthma symptoms and in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is often administered via inhalation. Salmeterol works by relaxing the muscles in the airways, thereby opening them and making it easier to breathe.

Salbutamol

Salbutamol, also known as albuterol in the United States, is a medication that opens up the medium and large airways in the lungs. It is used to treat asthma, including asthma attacks, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It can be taken by mouth, inhaled, or used intravenously.

Sertraline

Sertraline is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Sertraline works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which has mood-lightening effects.

Simvastatin

Simvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication used to control elevated cholesterol, or hyperlipidemia. It is a member of the statin class of pharmaceuticals and works by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in the liver.

Sildenafil

Sildenafil, marketed as Viagra among other names, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Its effectiveness for treating sexual dysfunction in women has not been demonstrated. Sildenafil acts by blocking phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), an enzyme that promotes breakdown of cGMP, which regulates blood flow in the penis.

Sofosbuvir

Sofosbuvir is a medication used for the treatment of hepatitis C. It is generally recommended with other medications and is used to treat all six genotypes of hepatitis C. Sofosbuvir works by inhibiting the RNA polymerase that the hepatitis C virus uses to replicate its RNA.

Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan is a medication used for the treatment of migraine headaches. It is a serotonin receptor agonist that works by narrowing blood vessels in the head, stopping pain signals from being sent to the brain, and blocking the release of substances that cause nausea, light sensitivity, and other symptoms of migraine.