💊 Drug Reference

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a class of cardiovascular med

ACE inhibitors are widely used for the management of essential hypertension, particularly …

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs), also known as sartans, are a class of card

ARBs are indicated for the treatment of essential hypertension, especially in patients int…

Beta blockers are a class of medications that block beta-adrenergic receptors, p

Beta blockers are widely used for hypertension, particularly in younger patients or those …

Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (DHP-CCBs) are a class of cardiovascula

DHP-CCBs are a first-line treatment for essential hypertension, particularly in older pati…

Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (non-DHP CCBs) are a class of cardi

Non-DHP CCBs are primarily used for rate control in supraventricular tachyarrhythmias like…

Loop diuretics are a class of potent diuretics that act on the thick ascending l

Loop diuretics are indicated for the treatment of oedema associated with heart failure, li…

Thiazide diuretics are a class of diuretics that act on the distal convoluted tu

Thiazide diuretics are a first-line treatment for essential hypertension, particularly in …

Potassium-sparing diuretics are a class of diuretics that increase diuresis with

Potassium-sparing diuretics are indicated for the treatment of oedema and ascites associat…

Statins, or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, are a class of lipid-lowering medicati

Statins are indicated for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in individuals …

Ezetimibe is a selective cholesterol absorption inhibitor, often used as an adju

Ezetimibe is indicated for primary hypercholesterolaemia, either as monotherapy in patient…

Fibrates are a class of lipid-lowering drugs primarily used to reduce elevated t

Fibrates are indicated for severe hypertriglyceridaemia, particularly when there is a risk…

Nitrates are a class of vasodilators used primarily for the treatment and preven

They are indicated for the acute relief of angina pectoris (e.g., sublingual glyceryl trin…

Nicorandil is an anti-anginal drug that acts as a potassium channel activator an

Nicorandil is indicated for the prevention and long-term treatment of stable angina pector…

Ivabradine is a selective and specific inhibitor of the 'funny' current (If) in

Ivabradine is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of chronic stable angina pectoris in…

Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside derived from the foxglove plant, primarily used t

Digoxin is indicated for the control of ventricular rate in chronic atrial fibrillation, e…

Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and an antiplatelet ag

Low-dose aspirin is primarily used for secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events, su…

Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet agent belonging to the thienopyridine class. It i

Clopidogrel is used for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with a histo…

Ticagrelor is an antiplatelet agent, specifically a direct-acting, reversible P2

Ticagrelor is indicated for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in adult patients wi…

Dipyridamole is an antiplatelet agent and a vasodilator. It is often used in com

Dipyridamole, usually in modified-release formulation combined with aspirin, is indicated …

Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant belonging to the coumarin class. It acts as a

Warfarin is indicated for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE), in…

DOACs are a class of oral anticoagulant medications that directly inhibit specif

DOACs are primarily used for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients wi…

Low Molecular Weight Heparins (LMWHs) are a class of anticoagulant medications d

LMWHs are widely used for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in surgical and …

Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) is a rapidly acting parenteral anticoagulant that i

UFH is used for the acute treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (…

Fondaparinux is a synthetic selective Factor Xa inhibitor, belonging to the clas

Fondaparinux is indicated for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients …

Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic agent that inhibits fibrinolysis, thereby

Tranexamic acid is widely used to reduce bleeding in various clinical settings, including …

Adenosine is an endogenous nucleoside that acts as an antiarrhythmic agent, prim

The primary indication for adenosine is the rapid termination of paroxysmal supraventricul…

Amiodarone is a Class III antiarrhythmic agent, according to the Vaughan William

Amiodarone is used for a wide range of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, parti…

Flecainide is a Class Ic antiarrhythmic agent, according to the Vaughan Williams

Flecainide is primarily used for the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias…

Sotalol is a unique antiarrhythmic agent classified as a Class III antiarrhythmi

Sotalol is used for the treatment of various supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias.…

Atropine is an anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) agent, belonging to the class of

The primary indication for atropine is the treatment of symptomatic bradycardia, particula…

Insulin is a hormone replacement therapy, a polypeptide hormone produced by the

Insulin is indicated for all patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. In Type 2 Diabetes Me…

Metformin is a biguanide, an oral antihyperglycaemic agent and the first-line ph

Metformin is the first-line drug for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, especially in those who are…

Sulfonylureas are oral antihyperglycaemic agents used in the management of Type

Sulfonylureas are indicated for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus when diet and exercise alone are …

DPP-4 inhibitors (gliptins) are oral antihyperglycaemic agents used in the manag

DPP-4 inhibitors are indicated for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, typically as a second-line ag…

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (incretin mimetics) are injectable antihyperglycaemic ag

GLP-1 receptor agonists are indicated for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, usually as a second or…

SGLT2 inhibitors (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors) are a class of ora

Primarily indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, often as an add-on ther…

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), also known as glitazones, are a class of oral antidia

Primarily used in type 2 diabetes mellitus, often as an add-on therapy, particularly in pa…

Levothyroxine is a synthetic preparation of thyroxine (T4), the primary hormone

The primary indication is for the treatment of hypothyroidism, regardless of its cause (e.…

Carbimazole is an antithyroid drug, a pro-drug that is metabolised to methimazol

Primarily indicated for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, including Graves' disease, toxic…

Propylthiouracil (PTU) is an antithyroid drug, belonging to the thionamide class

Primarily indicated for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, particularly in patients who can…

Hydrocortisone is a short-acting glucocorticoid, a type of corticosteroid. It is

Hydrocortisone is used for physiological replacement in adrenal insufficiency (e.g., Addis…

Prednisolone is an intermediate-acting synthetic glucocorticoid, a type of corti

Prednisolone is widely used for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties in …

Dexamethasone is a potent, long-acting synthetic glucocorticoid, a type of corti

Dexamethasone is used in conditions requiring potent and prolonged corticosteroid action, …

Fludrocortisone is a synthetic corticosteroid with potent mineralocorticoid acti

Fludrocortisone is primarily used for replacement therapy in primary adrenal insufficiency…

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are a class of medications that r

NSAIDs are widely used for the symptomatic relief of mild to moderate pain, such as headac…

Paracetamol is an analgesic and antipyretic agent, often classified as a non-opi

Paracetamol is indicated for the relief of mild to moderate pain, including headache, musc…

Weak opioids are a class of analgesic drugs used for moderate pain relief. They

These drugs are indicated for the management of moderate pain when non-opioid analgesics a…

Strong opioids are potent analgesic drugs primarily used for the management of s

Strong opioids are indicated for the relief of severe pain, such as that associated with c…

Naloxone is a pure opioid antagonist. It rapidly reverses the effects of opioid

Naloxone is indicated for the complete or partial reversal of opioid-induced respiratory d…

Local anaesthetics are a class of drugs that reversibly block nerve conduction w

Local anaesthetics are used for various procedures requiring localised pain control, such …

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressant me

Major Depressive Disorder is a primary indication. They are also widely used for anxiety d…

Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are a class of antidepressan

Major Depressive Disorder is a primary indication. They are also used for Generalised Anxi…

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) are an older class of antidepressant medication

While largely superseded by newer antidepressants, TCAs are still used for severe depressi…

Mirtazapine is a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA).

Mirtazapine is primarily indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder. It is o…

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) are an older class of antidepressants that

MAOIs are generally reserved for atypical depression, treatment-resistant depression, or w…

Typical antipsychotics, also known as first-generation antipsychotics, are a cla

Typical antipsychotics are indicated for the treatment of acute and chronic schizophrenia,…

Atypical antipsychotics, or second-generation antipsychotics, are a class of med

Atypical antipsychotics are first-line treatment for schizophrenia and other psychotic dis…

Lithium is a mood stabiliser, primarily used in the treatment of bipolar disorde

Lithium is primarily indicated for the prophylaxis of bipolar affective disorder, reducing…

Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic, unique in its efficacy for treatment-res

Clozapine is exclusively indicated for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, defined as inade…

Benzodiazepines are a class of psychoactive drugs that are central nervous syste

Benzodiazepines are indicated for the short-term management of severe anxiety, insomnia (w…

Z-drugs are a class of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, primarily used for the shor

Zopiclone is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia, particularly when the ins…

Sodium valproate is a broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug (AED) and a mood stabili

Sodium valproate is indicated for the treatment of generalised, partial, and myoclonic sei…

Carbamazepine is an antiepileptic drug (AED) and a mood stabiliser, structurally

Carbamazepine is a first-line treatment for focal (partial) seizures, with or without seco…

Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic drug (AED) and a mood stabiliser, often used as

Lamotrigine is indicated for focal (partial) seizures and generalised tonic-clonic seizure…

Levetiracetam is a broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug (AED) with a unique mechani

Levetiracetam is indicated for the treatment of focal (partial) seizures, myoclonic seizur…

Phenytoin is an antiepileptic drug, classified as a hydantoin derivative. It is

Phenytoin is used for the treatment of tonic-clonic seizures and focal (partial) seizures.…

Topiramate is an antiepileptic drug, often referred to as a broad-spectrum antic

Topiramate is indicated for the treatment of focal (partial) seizures and primary generali…

Levodopa is a dopamine precursor and the most effective symptomatic treatment fo

Levodopa is the primary treatment for motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease, particularly …

Dopamine agonists are a class of drugs that directly stimulate dopamine receptor

Dopamine agonists are used as monotherapy in early Parkinson's disease to delay the need f…

Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors are a class of drugs used in the treatmen

MAO-B inhibitors are used as monotherapy in early Parkinson's disease to provide symptomat…

COMT inhibitors are a class of drugs used in the management of Parkinson's disea

COMT inhibitors are indicated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease as an adjunct to le…

Anticholinergics are a class of drugs that block the action of acetylcholine. In

Anticholinergics are primarily indicated for the treatment of drug-induced parkinsonism, o…

Short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs) are a class of bronchodilator medications u

SABAs are indicated for the rapid relief of asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, breathlessn…

Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs) are bronchodilator medications that provide

LABAs are indicated as maintenance therapy for asthma, always in combination with an inhal…

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory medications delivered direct

ICS are indicated as first-line maintenance therapy for persistent asthma of all severitie…

LAMAs are bronchodilators used in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonar

The primary indication for LAMAs in the UK is the maintenance treatment of chronic obstruc…

SAMAs are bronchodilators primarily used for the rapid relief of bronchospasm in

The main indication for SAMAs in the UK is the relief of acute bronchospasm in chronic obs…

Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists (LTRAs) are a class of medications used in the

LTRAs are primarily indicated as an add-on therapy for the maintenance treatment of mild t…

Theophylline is a methylxanthine bronchodilator used in the management of chroni

In the UK, theophylline is typically reserved for severe, persistent asthma or COPD that r…

Penicillins are a broad class of beta-lactam antibiotics, derived from the Penic

Penicillins are indicated for a wide range of bacterial infections, including respiratory …

Cephalosporins are a class of beta-lactam antibiotics, structurally and pharmaco

They are widely used for a variety of bacterial infections, including respiratory tract in…

Macrolides are a class of bacteriostatic antibiotics characterised by a large ma

They are commonly used for respiratory tract infections, including community-acquired pneu…

Tetracyclines are a class of broad-spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotics. They are

They are used for various infections, including acne vulgaris, rosacea, community-acquired…

Aminoglycosides are a class of bactericidal antibiotics primarily effective agai

They are typically reserved for serious Gram-negative infections, including septicaemia, c…

Fluoroquinolones are a class of broad-spectrum bactericidal antibiotics. They ar

They are typically reserved for serious infections where other antibiotics are unsuitable,…

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic, a class of antimicrobials primarily use

Vancomycin is a crucial antibiotic for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) …

Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic and antiprotozoal agent, effective

Metronidazole is widely used for anaerobic bacterial infections, including intra-abdominal…

Trimethoprim is a folate antagonist antibiotic. Co-trimoxazole is a combination

Trimethoprim is primarily used for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the UK…

Nitrofurantoin is a nitrofuran antibiotic, specifically used for the treatment a

Nitrofurantoin is a first-line agent for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections (UTI…

Azole antifungals are a broad class of synthetic antifungal agents, including bo

Azoles are used for a wide range of fungal infections. Fluconazole is common for candidias…

Echinocandins are a class of antifungal drugs, often referred to as 'penicillin

Echinocandins are primarily indicated for invasive candidiasis, including candidaemia, and…

Aciclovir is an antiviral drug, specifically a synthetic purine nucleoside analo

Aciclovir is indicated for the treatment of herpes simplex infections of the skin and muco…

Oseltamivir is an antiviral drug belonging to the class of neuraminidase inhibit

Oseltamivir is indicated for the treatment of influenza in adults and children who present…

Antiretrovirals (ARVs) are a diverse group of drugs used in combination to treat

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is indicated for all individuals diagnosed with HIV infection…

Methotrexate is an antimetabolite, specifically a folic acid antagonist. It is u

In low doses, methotrexate is a cornerstone treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic …

Sulfasalazine is an aminosalicylate derivative, often classified as a disease-mo

In the UK, sulfasalazine is primarily used for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particula…

Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial drug with significant immunomodulatory and

In the UK, it is widely used for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), particularly for skin…

Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant drug, classified as an antimetabolite. It i

In the UK, it is widely used for organ transplant rejection prophylaxis, often in combinat…

Ciclosporin is a calcineurin inhibitor, classified as an immunosuppressant. It i

In the UK, its primary use is for the prophylaxis of organ transplant rejection (kidney, l…

Tacrolimus is a macrolide lactone, classified as a calcineurin inhibitor and a p

In the UK, its primary use is for the prophylaxis of organ transplant rejection (kidney, l…