Medication
Natamycin
Natamycin belongs to a class of medicines called polyene antifungals. It is used as an eye suspension, usually a 5% eye drop, and is also available in some countries as a cream or lozenge.
3 min read
Health topic
Medication guides
Medicine guides in plain language: what common medicines are used for, how they work, the forms they come in, side effects and precautions.
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Medication
Tobramycin
Tobramycin belongs to a class of antibiotics called aminoglycosides. It is available as an injection, eye drops and ointment, and as a solution for inhalation.
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Medication
Ofloxacin
Ofloxacin belongs to a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It is available as tablets, an injection, eye drops, and ear drops.
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Medication
Moxifloxacin
Moxifloxacin belongs to a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It is available as tablets, an injection, and as eye drops.
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Medication
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medicine used for acne. It is available as a gel, cream, lotion, or wash in different strengths, commonly between 2.5% and 10%.
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Medication
Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin belongs to a class of medicines called retinoids, which are related to vitamin A. It is taken by mouth as a capsule.
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Medication
Minoxidil
Minoxidil belongs to a class of medicines called vasodilators. It is best known as a solution or foam applied to the scalp, and it is also available as tablets.
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Medication
Permethrin
Permethrin belongs to a class of medicines called pyrethroids, which are synthetic versions of natural insecticides found in chrysanthemum flowers. It is applied to the skin or hair as a cream or lotion.
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Medication
Mupirocin
Mupirocin belongs to a class of medicines called topical antibiotics. It is applied to the skin or inside the nose as an ointment or cream.
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Medication
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole belongs to a class of medicines called azole antifungals. It is available as a cream, a medicated shampoo, and as tablets.
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Medication
Terbinafine
Terbinafine belongs to a class of medicines called allylamine antifungals. It is available as tablets, creams, gels, and sprays.
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Medication
Levosalbutamol
Levosalbutamol, also known as levalbuterol, belongs to a class of medicines called short-acting beta-2 agonists. It is the active form of salbutamol and is used as an inhaler, a nebuliser solution, and a syrup.
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Medication
Tiotropium
Tiotropium belongs to a class of medicines called long-acting anticholinergics, or long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs). It is used as an inhaler, typically once a day.
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Medication
Ipratropium
Ipratropium belongs to a class of medicines called anticholinergics, also known as antimuscarinics. It is used as an inhaler, a nebuliser solution, and a nasal spray.
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Medication
Fluticasone
Fluticasone belongs to a class of medicines called corticosteroids. It is available as an inhaler, a nasal spray, and a skin cream or ointment.
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Medication
Salmeterol
Salmeterol belongs to a class of medicines called long-acting beta-2 agonists, or LABAs. It is used as an inhaler, usually together with an inhaled corticosteroid such as fluticasone.
3 min read
Medication
Formoterol
Formoterol belongs to a class of medicines called long-acting beta-2 agonists, often abbreviated as LABAs. It is used as an inhaler and is most often combined with an inhaled steroid.
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Medication
Budesonide
Budesonide belongs to a class of medicines called corticosteroids. It is available as an inhaler, a nebuliser solution, a nasal spray, and as tablets or a rectal foam for bowel conditions.
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Medication
Doxofylline
Doxofylline belongs to the xanthine group of medicines, the same broad family as theophylline. It is taken by mouth as tablets or syrup.
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Medication
Theophylline
Theophylline belongs to a class of medicines called methylxanthines, which are related to caffeine. It is taken by mouth as tablets or capsules and can also be given by injection in hospitals.
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Medication
Montelukast
Montelukast belongs to a class of medicines called leukotriene receptor antagonists. It is taken by mouth, usually once a day, as a tablet, chewable tablet, or granules.
3 min read
Medication
Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid, a man-made version of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing medicine used across many areas of medicine.
3 min read
Medication
Clopidogrel
Clopidogrel belongs to a class of medicines called antiplatelet agents, used to reduce the tendency of platelets, small blood cell fragments, to clump together and form clots.
2 min read
Medication
Diclofenac
Diclofenac belongs to a class of medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly abbreviated as NSAIDs, similar in class to ibuprofen but generally considered to have a stronger anti-inflammatory effect.
2 min read
Medication
Morphine
Morphine belongs to a class of medicines called opioids, and is one of the original reference compounds from which this entire class of pain-relieving medicines takes its name.
2 min read
Medication
Hydrochlorothiazide
Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to a class of medicines called thiazide diuretics, one of the most commonly used categories of medicines for managing blood pressure.
2 min read
Medication
Furosemide
Furosemide belongs to a class of medicines called loop diuretics, a group known for producing a relatively strong and fast effect on fluid elimination compared to other diuretic classes.
2 min read
Medication
Prednisolone
Prednisolone belongs to a class of medicines called corticosteroids, specifically a synthetic version designed to mimic the effects of cortisol, a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands.
2 min read
Medication
Loperamide
Loperamide belongs to a class of medicines called antidiarrheal agents, and works through a mechanism related to, though distinct in its overall effect from, opioid medicines.
2 min read
Medication
Ondansetron
Ondansetron belongs to a class of medicines called serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, a category primarily used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting.
2 min read
Medication
Pantoprazole
Pantoprazole belongs to a class of medicines called proton pump inhibitors, commonly abbreviated as PPIs, the same class as omeprazole, used to reduce stomach acid production.
2 min read
Medication
Diazepam
Diazepam belongs to a class of medicines called benzodiazepines, a group known for their calming, muscle-relaxing, and anti-seizure properties.
2 min read
Medication
Sertraline
Sertraline belongs to a class of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, commonly abbreviated as SSRIs, a widely used category of antidepressant medicines.
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Medication
Warfarin
Warfarin belongs to a class of medicines called anticoagulants, often referred to in general terms as blood thinners, though it doesn't actually thin the blood in a literal sense.
2 min read
Medication
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone medicine, used as a replacement or supplement for the insulin the body's own pancreas would normally produce, and belongs to a broader category of medicines used to manage diabetes.
2 min read
Medication
Levothyroxine
Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of thyroxine, one of the main hormones naturally produced by the thyroid gland, and belongs to a class of medicines called thyroid hormone replacements.
2 min read
Medication
Metoprolol
Metoprolol belongs to a class of medicines called beta blockers, specifically one that's considered relatively selective for effects on the heart.
2 min read
Medication
Salbutamol (Albuterol)
Salbutamol, also known as albuterol in some countries, belongs to a class of medicines called short-acting beta-2 agonists, commonly used to relieve breathing difficulties.
2 min read
Medication
Loratadine
Loratadine belongs to a class of medicines called antihistamines, and like cetirizine, is part of a newer generation generally associated with less drowsiness than older antihistamines.
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Medication
Cetirizine
Cetirizine belongs to a class of medicines called antihistamines, specifically a newer generation often described as less sedating compared to older antihistamines.
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Medication
Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin belongs to a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones, a group known for being effective against a broad range of bacteria.
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Medication
Azithromycin
Azithromycin belongs to a class of antibiotics called macrolides, and is notable for its relatively long duration of action compared to many other antibiotics.
2 min read
Medication
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin belongs to a class of medicines called penicillins, a broader category of antibiotics, and is one of the most widely used antibiotics in the world.
2 min read
Medication
Losartan
Losartan belongs to a class of medicines called angiotensin II receptor blockers, commonly abbreviated as ARBs, used primarily to manage blood pressure.
2 min read
Medication
Atorvastatin
Atorvastatin belongs to a class of medicines called statins, formally known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, used to manage cholesterol levels in the blood.
2 min read
Medication
Amlodipine
Amlodipine belongs to a class of medicines called calcium channel blockers, specifically a subgroup often used for their effects on blood vessels.
2 min read
Medication
Metformin
Metformin belongs to a class of medicines called biguanides, and is one of the most widely used oral medicines for managing blood sugar levels.
2 min read
Medication
Domperidone
Domperidone belongs to a class of medicines called antiemetics and prokinetic agents, meaning it's associated both with reducing nausea and with helping food move through the digestive tract.
2 min read
Medication
Omeprazole
Omeprazole belongs to a class of medicines called proton pump inhibitors, commonly abbreviated as PPIs. It's one of the most widely prescribed medicines in this category worldwide.
2 min read
Medication
Aspirin
Aspirin, also known by its chemical name acetylsalicylic acid, belongs to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class. It also has a distinct additional property, an antiplatelet effect, that sets it apart f...
2 min read
Medication
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen belongs to a class of medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly abbreviated as NSAIDs. It's one of the most widely used medicines in this class worldwide.
2 min read
Medication
Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)
Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is classified as an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). It's one of the most widely used over-the-counter medicines in the world.
2 min read