What does this medicine do?
Every medicine here is explained from its official FDA label, rewritten in plain words: what it is for, common and serious side effects, who should be careful, what not to mix it with, and the questions to ask your pharmacist. Choose simple or detailed wording, switch to Arabic, listen to it, take a quick quiz or compare two medicines.
Not in the list? Press Explain it and MedicDecode reads its official FDA label for you (about a minute the first time).
Acetaminophen
A pain reliever and fever reducer
Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer. It is used to temporarily ease minor aches and pains and to lower fever.
Brands: Pain Reliever Extra Strength, TYLENOL Regular Strength, Extra Strength Pain Relief
Acyclovir
An antiviral medicine of the nucleoside analogue type, used against herpesviruses
Acyclovir is a prescription antiviral tablet taken by mouth to treat shingles, genital herpes, and chickenpox.
Brands: Zovirax
Albendazole
an anthelmintic drug, a medicine used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms
A prescription worm medicine taken by mouth to treat certain tapeworm infections that have formed cysts in the brain, liver, lungs, or abdomen.
Brands: ALBENZA
Albuterol
A bronchodilator (a medicine that opens the airways) of the beta-2 adrenergic type. The FDA class is not listed, so this description comes from the label's own wording.
Albuterol is a bronchodilator used to relieve airway tightening in people with reversible airway disease. This summary is based on the label for albuterol tablets taken by mouth, so check that it matches the product you have.
Brands: VENTOLIN HFA
Alendronate
a bisphosphonate, a medicine that slows the breakdown of bone by blocking cells called osteoclasts
A prescription tablet that helps build and protect bone strength in people with osteoporosis and some other bone conditions.
Brands: Binosto, FOSAMAX
Allopurinol
a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, a prescription medicine that acts on uric acid
Allopurinol is a prescription tablet used to manage gout and some other conditions linked to high uric acid. Serious skin reactions can happen, so the label asks people to stop the medicine and get medical help at the first sign of a rash.
Alprazolam
a benzodiazepine, a type of central nervous system medicine
Alprazolam is a prescription benzodiazepine tablet used for short-term relief of anxiety and for panic disorder in adults.
Brands: Xanax
Amitriptyline
An antidepressant of the tricyclic type
Amitriptyline is a prescription antidepressant tablet used to relieve the symptoms of depression.
Amlodipine
a calcium channel blocker, a type of medicine that relaxes blood vessels
Amlodipine is a prescription calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure and certain kinds of chest pain caused by poor blood flow to the heart.
Amoxicillin
a penicillin-class antibacterial medicine that works against bacteria
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that treats certain bacterial infections. It does not treat viral infections such as the common cold.
Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium
A penicillin-class antibacterial combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor, as the label describes it
A prescription liquid antibiotic for certain bacterial ear infections in young children, made by mixing powder with water.
Brands: Augmentin
Ampicillin Sodium
a penicillin-type antibacterial medicine
Ampicillin sodium is a penicillin-type antibiotic given into a vein to treat certain bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and urinary tract infections.
Apixaban
A factor Xa inhibitor, a blood thinner medicine (anticoagulant)
Apixaban is a prescription blood thinner that helps prevent harmful blood clots, such as those that can cause strokes or clots in the legs and lungs.
Brands: Eliquis
Aripiprazole
an atypical antipsychotic medicine
Aripiprazole is a prescription tablet used to treat schizophrenia, irritability linked to autistic disorder, and Tourette's disorder.
Artemether and Lumefantrine
an antimalarial medicine, which is a fixed combination of two blood-stage antimalarial ingredients (artemether, an artemisinin derivative, and lumefantrine)
Coartem is a prescription tablet used to treat acute, uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. It is taken with food over a 3-day course.
Brands: Coartem
Aspirin
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a platelet aggregation inhibitor
An over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer that the label says temporarily relieves several kinds of minor pain and fever.
Brands: Bayer Low Dose, HEB Effervescent Pain Relief, Family Wellness Pain Reliever
Atenolol
a beta-blocker (beta-adrenergic blocker). The label describes it as a beta 1-selective, or cardioselective, blocking agent.
Atenolol is a prescription beta-blocker tablet used to lower blood pressure and to treat certain heart conditions, including chest pain from angina and heart attacks.
Atorvastatin
a statin, a cholesterol-lowering medicine of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor type
A prescription statin tablet taken once a day to help lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in certain adults.
Azithromycin
a macrolide antibacterial (antibiotic) medicine
An antibiotic prescribed for certain mild to moderate infections caused by bacteria. It does not treat viral infections such as the common cold.
Bisoprolol Fumarate
a beta-blocker, which the label describes as a synthetic, beta 1-selective (cardioselective) adrenoceptor blocking agent
A prescription tablet taken by mouth to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), either alone or with other blood pressure medicines.
Bupropion Hydrochloride
an aminoketone antidepressant, a type of medicine used to treat depression
A prescription antidepressant tablet used to treat major depressive disorder and to help prevent depression episodes that come back each autumn and winter in people with seasonal affective disorder.
Carbamazepine
a mood stabilizer, and an anticonvulsant (seizure) medicine, according to the label
Carbamazepine is a prescription tablet used to treat certain types of seizures and certain types of nerve pain on the face. It can cause serious skin reactions and blood problems, so the label asks for careful monitoring.
Brands: Carbamazepin
Carvedilol
A beta-blocker. The FDA lists it as both an alpha-adrenergic blocker and a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Carvedilol is a beta-blocker tablet that doctors prescribe for certain types of heart failure, for heart attack recovery in some patients, and for high blood pressure.
Brands: Coreg
Ceftriaxone
A broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic, as described on the official FDA label
Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic given into a vein or muscle to treat certain bacterial infections. It does not treat viral infections such as the common cold.
Cephalexin
a cephalosporin antibacterial medicine (an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections)
Cephalexin is a capsule antibiotic taken by mouth to treat certain bacterial infections. The label says it should only be used for infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.
Cetirizine
an antihistamine of the selective H1-receptor antagonist type
A liquid antihistamine that the label describes for relieving allergy symptoms in young children and for treating hives in children.
Brands: Childrens Allergy Relief, Childrens Zyrtec, All Day Allergy
Ciprofloxacin
a fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine
An antibiotic taken by mouth to treat certain bacterial infections. It has serious warnings about tendon, nerve, brain, and mood problems, and about muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis.
Brands: CILOXAN
Citalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant medicine
Citalopram is a prescription antidepressant tablet used to treat major depressive disorder in adults. It carries a boxed warning about suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Clindamycin Phosphate
A lincosamide antibacterial medicine
XACIATO is a single-dose vaginal gel that treats bacterial vaginosis, a bacterial infection of the vagina, in females 12 years and older.
Brands: XACIATO, Cleocin Phosphate
Clonazepam
a benzodiazepine, a type of medicine that slows activity in the central nervous system
Clonazepam is a prescription benzodiazepine tablet used to help control certain seizure disorders and to treat panic disorder. It carries serious warnings about breathing problems with opioids, abuse, addiction, and withdrawal.
Clopidogrel
A platelet inhibitor of the P2Y12 type (a thienopyridine). It is a blood thinner that keeps platelets from sticking together.
Clopidogrel is a prescription blood thinner that helps keep platelets from forming clots that can block arteries. It can cause serious bleeding.
Colchicine
an alkaloid medicine, a compound obtained from the autumn crocus plant (colchicum autumnale)
A prescription medicine used to prevent gout flares in adults.
Brands: Gloperba
Dapagliflozin
a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, a type of diabetes medicine
Dapagliflozin is a prescription tablet for adults with type 2 diabetes. It is used to lower the risk of hospital stays for heart failure and, along with diet and exercise, to help improve blood sugar control.
Dexamethasone
A corticosteroid, a synthetic adrenocortical steroid medicine that lowers inflammation and suppresses the immune system
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid taken by mouth as a liquid. The label describes it for many conditions, including allergic, inflammatory, skin, blood, and breathing disorders.
Diazepam
A benzodiazepine, a type of medicine that slows activity in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
Diazepam tablets are a prescription benzodiazepine used for anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasms, and some seizure disorders. Its boxed warning covers serious risks with opioids, abuse, and dependence.
Brands: Valtoco
Diclofenac Sodium
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The FDA class is not listed on the label.
A prescription NSAID tablet used to relieve the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. It carries a boxed warning about heart attack, stroke, and stomach bleeding.
Brands: Arthritis Pain Reliever, up and up arthritis pain reliever
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride
an antihistamine (an antihistaminic agent) given by injection into a vein or deep into a muscle
This label covers a prescription injection of diphenhydramine, an antihistamine used when a by-mouth form is not practical. The brand names listed above are not named in this label, so they may refer to other products such as oral medicines.
Brands: Allergy Relief, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Childrens Allergy, Itch Relief
Divalproex Sodium
An anti-epileptic (anti-seizure) drug of the valproate type. The label also uses it to treat manic episodes of bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches.
Divalproex sodium is a prescription tablet used to treat certain seizures, manic episodes linked to bipolar disorder, and to prevent migraine headaches. It carries serious warnings about liver damage, harm to an unborn baby, and pancreas inflammation.
Brands: Depakote, Depakote ER
Dolutegravir
an HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), a type of HIV medicine
Dolutegravir is an HIV medicine that is used together with other HIV medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and some children.
Brands: Tivicay, Tivicay PD
Doxycycline
a tetracycline-class antibacterial medicine (an antibiotic)
Doxycycline is a prescription antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria. It is not used for viral illnesses such as the common cold.
Duloxetine
A serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) type of antidepressant medicine
A prescription capsule, taken once a day, used for depression, anxiety, and certain long-lasting pain conditions. It carries a boxed warning about suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Empagliflozin
a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, a prescription medicine that works on sugar handling in the kidneys
Empagliflozin, sold as Jardiance, is a prescription tablet used to lower blood sugar in some adults and children with type 2 diabetes. It is also used to lower the risk of certain heart and kidney problems in some adults.
Brands: Jardiance
Enalapril
An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
A prescription ACE inhibitor tablet used to treat high blood pressure and certain types of heart failure. It carries a boxed warning about harm to an unborn baby.
Brands: Vasotec
Escitalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant
Escitalopram is a prescription antidepressant used to treat major depression in adults and people 12 years and older, and generalized anxiety disorder in adults.
Brands: Lexapro
Esomeprazole
An acid reducer. The label gives this as its purpose, and no specific drug class is listed.
An over-the-counter acid reducer for frequent heartburn that happens 2 or more days a week. It is taken once a day for 14 days and is not meant for quick relief.
Brands: Acid Reducer
Estradiol
An estrogen hormone medicine
Estradiol is an estrogen hormone tablet. The label says it is used mainly to treat hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, and it has serious warnings about cancer, heart problems, stroke, blood clots, and dementia.
Brands: LYLLANA
Famotidine
A histamine-2 (H2) receptor blocker, a type of medicine that lowers stomach acid.
Famotidine is a prescription tablet that reduces stomach acid. It is used to treat ulcers, acid reflux (GERD), and certain conditions that cause too much acid.
Brands: acid reducer, heartburn relief, Basic Care Acid Reducer
Fexofenadine
an antihistamine, an allergy medicine sold over the counter
Fexofenadine is an over-the-counter antihistamine that the label says temporarily relieves allergy symptoms caused by hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies.
Brands: ALLERGY, ValuMeds 24-Hour Allergy Relief, Childrens Allegra Allergy
Finasteride
a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, a medicine that blocks an enzyme involved in making a hormone called DHT
A prescription tablet used to treat male pattern hair loss in men only. The label says it is not for women or children.
Fluconazole
an azole antifungal medicine, a type of medicine that treats fungal (yeast) infections
Fluconazole is a prescription tablet taken by mouth to treat certain yeast infections, including vaginal yeast infections caused by Candida.
Fluoxetine
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant medicine
Fluoxetine is a prescription capsule taken by mouth. The label says it treats depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, and panic disorder.
Fluticasone Propionate
A corticosteroid, which is a steroid medicine, given as a nasal spray
A prescription steroid nasal spray used to ease nose symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and nasal itching, caused by long-lasting (perennial) non-allergy nasal irritation.
Brands: Flovent Diskus, Allergy Relief
Furosemide
A loop diuretic, a type of medicine that helps the body get rid of extra fluid through urine
A prescription diuretic injection used to treat swelling (edema) linked to heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or kidney disease, and as added treatment for sudden fluid build-up in the lungs.
Brands: Lasix
Gabapentin
An antiepileptic (seizure) medicine. The label also describes it as a treatment for nerve pain after shingles.
Gabapentin is a prescription capsule taken by mouth to treat nerve pain that follows shingles in adults and, together with other medicines, certain partial seizures in adults and children 3 years and older.
Brands: GABARONE
Glimepiride
a sulfonylurea, a type of oral medicine used to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes
Glimepiride is a prescription tablet taken by mouth to help lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, together with diet and exercise.
Glipizide
a blood-sugar-lowering medicine of the sulfonylurea type
Glipizide is a prescription tablet that lowers blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. The label says it is used together with diet and exercise.
Hydrochlorothiazide
A thiazide diuretic, a type of medicine often called a 'water pill'
A prescription water pill that the label says is used to reduce swelling (edema) and to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Hydroxychloroquine
an antimalarial and antirheumatic drug, which means it is used for malaria and for certain joint and immune conditions
A prescription tablet used to treat or prevent malaria and to treat certain autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Brands: Plaquenil
Ibuprofen
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), a type of medicine that reduces pain, swelling, and fever
A prescription NSAID tablet used to ease arthritis symptoms, mild to moderate pain, and painful menstrual periods.
Insulin Glargine
an insulin analog, a long-acting man-made insulin used to treat diabetes
A long-acting insulin that is injected under the skin once a day to help control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes.
Brands: BASAGLAR KwikPen, TOUJEO, TOUJEO Max
Isoniazid
An antibacterial medicine of the antimycobacterial type, used against tuberculosis bacteria
Isoniazid is a prescription antibacterial used to treat tuberculosis and to prevent it in certain people. It carries a serious warning about liver damage.
Ivermectin
An antiparasitic medicine, sometimes called a worm-killing medicine (anthelmintic), that the FDA lists as an antiparasitic and pediculicide
Ivermectin is a prescription tablet used to treat two kinds of parasite infections: intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis.
Brands: STROMECTOL, RID One and Done, Sklice
Lamivudine
An antiviral medicine of the nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor type, used here for hepatitis B
A prescription antiviral tablet used to treat long-term (chronic) hepatitis B virus infection when the virus is active and the liver is inflamed.
Lamotrigine
An anti-epileptic (seizure) medicine and mood stabilizer. The label describes it as an anti-epileptic drug of the phenyltriazine class that is chemically unrelated to other anti-epileptic drugs.
Lamotrigine is a prescription tablet used to help control certain types of seizures in epilepsy, to convert some adults to single-medicine seizure control, and to help delay mood episodes in adults with bipolar I disorder. It carries a boxed warning about serious skin rashes.
Brands: SUBVENITE
Levetiracetam
An antiepileptic medicine, meaning a medicine used to treat seizures
Levetiracetam is a prescription seizure medicine taken by mouth. It is used to treat certain types of seizures in people from 1 month of age and older.
Levofloxacin
an antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone type
A prescription antibiotic taken by mouth to treat certain infections caused by bacteria in adults (and in some children, where indicated).
Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol
a combination birth control pill that contains a progestin and an estrogen
A birth control pill that uses two female hormones to help prevent pregnancy.
Brands: Ashlyna, Ayuna, Levora
Levothyroxine Sodium
a synthetic thyroid hormone (L-thyroxine, also called T4), described on the label as chemically identical to the hormone made by the human thyroid gland
A prescription thyroid hormone tablet used to replace hormone the body is not making enough of, and to help manage certain thyroid cancers.
Brands: THYQUIDITY, Unithroid
Liraglutide
a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a type of medicine that acts like a natural gut hormone called GLP-1 to help lower blood sugar
An injected medicine, used with diet and exercise, to help improve blood sugar in adults and children aged 10 and older with type 2 diabetes.
Brands: Saxenda, Victoza
Lisinopril
an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, a type of medicine that helps relax blood vessels to lower blood pressure
Lisinopril is a prescription ACE inhibitor tablet taken by mouth to lower blood pressure and to treat certain heart conditions.
Lithium Carbonate
A mood-stabilizing agent, which the label describes as a medicine used to treat bipolar I disorder
Lithium carbonate is a prescription mood stabilizer capsule. It is used to treat manic and mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder and to help prevent future episodes. It can cause serious side effects, especially lithium toxicity, so blood levels must be checked.
Loperamide
a synthetic antidiarrheal medicine
Loperamide is an antidiarrheal capsule used to control diarrhea. It has a boxed warning about serious heart rhythm problems and death when taken in amounts higher than recommended.
Brands: anti-diarrheal, anti diarrheal, Imodium A-D
Loratadine
a non-drowsy antihistamine, a type of medicine that works against allergy symptoms
Loratadine is a liquid antihistamine used to temporarily relieve allergy symptoms and itching caused by hives. The label describes it as non-drowsy when taken as directed.
Brands: Allergy Relief, DG Health Allergy Relief, Non-Drowsy Allergy Relief
Lorazepam
A benzodiazepine, a type of anxiety medicine
Lorazepam is a prescription benzodiazepine tablet used to treat anxiety disorders and to relieve anxiety symptoms over the short term. It can cause drowsiness and can be habit-forming, and stopping it suddenly can be dangerous.
Losartan Potassium
an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), a type of medicine used to lower blood pressure
A prescription tablet that helps lower high blood pressure and is also used in some people with heart enlargement or type 2 diabetes kidney disease.
Brands: Losortan Potassium
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
A progestin hormone. The label describes it as a derivative of progesterone. The FDA pharmacologic class is not listed.
A prescription progestin hormone tablet used to treat periods that have stopped or abnormal uterine bleeding caused by a hormone imbalance, and to help lower the chance of uterine cancer in some postmenopausal women who take estrogen.
Brands: Depo-Provera, Depo-SubQ Provera
Metformin
a diabetes medicine of the biguanide type
A prescription tablet that helps lower high blood sugar in adults and children aged 10 and older with type 2 diabetes, used together with diet and exercise.
Brands: Riomet
Methotrexate
A dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, a type of medicine that works against folate (a vitamin-like substance cells use to grow and divide). The FDA pharmacologic class is not listed on the label.
A prescription tablet used for certain cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, a childhood form of arthritis, and severe psoriasis. It can cause serious harm, including harm to an unborn baby and death, so it needs close medical monitoring.
Metoclopramide
A stomach and gut medicine. The label describes it as affecting how the stomach and intestines move. The label does not give an FDA drug class.
A liquid medicine for adults that helps with heartburn from acid reflux and with stomach emptying problems in people with diabetes. It carries a serious warning about involuntary movement disorders.
Metoprolol Tartrate
A beta blocker. The label describes it as a selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocking agent, which means it mainly blocks beta-1 receptors, found largely in the heart.
A beta blocker given into a vein in a hospital coronary care unit to treat certain heart attacks in patients whose blood pressure and heart condition are stable.
Brands: Lopressor
Metronidazole
An antimicrobial medicine of the nitroimidazole type, used to treat certain bacterial and parasitic infections
A prescription antibiotic-type medicine taken by mouth to treat certain parasite infections, certain serious bacterial infections, and a sexually transmitted infection called trichomoniasis.
Brands: Vandazole, LIKMEZ
Mirtazapine
An antidepressant medicine. The label describes it as having a tetracyclic chemical structure and belonging to the piperazino-azepine group of compounds.
A prescription antidepressant tablet used to treat a type of depression called major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
Montelukast
A leukotriene receptor antagonist, a medicine that blocks substances in the body called leukotrienes.
A prescription tablet taken by people aged 15 and older to help control asthma, prevent exercise-induced asthma, and relieve allergy symptoms of the nose, but it carries a boxed warning about serious mental health side effects.
Brands: Singulair
Morphine Sulfate
a strong prescription opioid pain medicine (the label describes it as an opioid agonist)
A long-acting prescription opioid pain medicine for severe pain that needs daily, around-the-clock treatment when other options are not enough.
Naproxen
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which is a medicine that reduces pain, swelling, and inflammation
Naproxen is a prescription NSAID tablet used to relieve pain and the signs of conditions such as arthritis, gout, tendonitis, bursitis, and painful menstrual cramps. It carries serious warnings about heart attack, stroke, and stomach bleeding.
Nifedipine
a calcium channel blocker of the dihydropyridine type
A once-a-day extended-release tablet that is used to treat high blood pressure. It is swallowed whole on an empty stomach.
Nitrofurantoin
an antibacterial medicine of the nitrofuran type, used for urinary tract infections
An antibiotic capsule used to treat certain urinary tract infections caused by bacteria that the medicine can kill.
Brands: Nitrofurantion
Olanzapine
An atypical antipsychotic, a prescription medicine used for certain mental health conditions
A prescription tablet used to treat schizophrenia and certain mood episodes of bipolar I disorder. Its boxed warning covers higher risk of death in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis.
Omeprazole
a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), a type of medicine that lowers the amount of acid in the stomach
Omeprazole is a prescription medicine that reduces stomach acid. It is used to help heal certain ulcers and to relieve heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux.
Ondansetron
A serotonin-3 receptor antagonist, a medicine that blocks serotonin 5-HT3 receptors to help prevent nausea and vomiting
Ondansetron is a prescription medicine taken by mouth to help prevent nausea and vomiting linked to certain cancer treatments, radiation therapy, and surgery.
Oseltamivir
An influenza neuraminidase inhibitor, a type of antiviral medicine used against the flu
A prescription antiviral capsule used to treat the flu in people who have had symptoms for no more than 2 days, and to help prevent the flu.
Brands: oseltamavir phosphate
Pantoprazole
a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), a medicine that reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes
Pantoprazole is a prescription proton pump inhibitor used to reduce stomach acid. It is used for erosive esophagitis linked to GERD, to help keep that damage healed, and for conditions where the stomach makes too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome.
Brands: Protonix Delayed-Release
Paroxetine
A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant medicine
Paroxetine is a prescription SSRI tablet used in adults to treat depression and several anxiety-related conditions.
Phenytoin
An anti-epileptic (seizure) medicine. The label describes it as related to barbiturates in chemical structure, and it belongs to the hydantoin group of medicines.
Phenytoin is a prescription chewable tablet used to treat certain types of seizures, and to prevent and treat seizures during or after brain surgery.
Pioglitazone
a diabetes medicine of the thiazolidinedione type
A prescription tablet taken once a day, with diet and exercise, to help adults with type 2 diabetes improve blood sugar control. It carries a boxed warning about heart failure.
Prednisolone
a corticosteroid, a type of steroid medicine. The label describes glucocorticoids as adrenocortical steroids, both naturally occurring and synthetic, that are readily absorbed from the stomach and intestines.
Prednisolone is a steroid liquid taken by mouth that is used for many conditions, including hormone problems, arthritis, skin, allergy, eye, lung, blood, and some cancer-related conditions.
Prednisone
a corticosteroid, a type of steroid medicine that works like the adrenocortical (adrenal gland) steroids the body makes naturally
Prednisone is a corticosteroid tablet prescribed for many conditions, including swelling and inflammation, allergic conditions, autoimmune diseases, and some cancers.
Pregabalin
an antiepileptic drug, which is a seizure medicine that is also used to treat certain types of nerve pain and fibromyalgia
Pregabalin is a prescription capsule used for certain types of nerve pain, fibromyalgia, and partial-onset seizures that are treated together with other seizure medicines.
Primaquine
An antimalarial medicine of the 8-aminoquinoline group, as described in the label
A prescription antimalarial tablet used to prevent vivax malaria from coming back after the first infection is treated.
Quetiapine
An atypical antipsychotic medicine
A prescription antipsychotic tablet, taken once a day, used for schizophrenia, certain bipolar disorder episodes, and add-on treatment for major depressive disorder.
Brands: Seroquel
Rifampin
an antibiotic of the rifamycin type
Rifampin is an antibiotic given by IV infusion to treat tuberculosis when a person cannot take medicine by mouth, and to clear meningococcal bacteria from people who carry them without being sick.
Risperidone
an atypical antipsychotic medicine
Risperidone is a prescription medicine used to treat schizophrenia, certain manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder, and irritability linked to autistic disorder.
Rivaroxaban
a factor Xa inhibitor, a type of blood thinner (anticoagulant)
A prescription blood thinner taken by mouth that helps lower the chance of certain blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes in adults with coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease.
Brands: Xarelto
Rosuvastatin
a cholesterol-lowering medicine of the statin type (an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor)
A prescription statin tablet that lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol and is used to help lower the risk of certain heart and blood vessel problems.
Semaglutide
A GLP-1 receptor agonist, a type of medicine that works like the natural GLP-1 hormone in the body
Semaglutide is a prescription injection taken once a week. This summary is based on the Ozempic label, which describes it for adults with type 2 diabetes.
Brands: Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
Sertraline
An SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), a type of antidepressant medicine, according to the label
Sertraline is a prescription tablet that the label describes as an SSRI. It is used to treat several conditions, including depression, anxiety-related conditions, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Sildenafil
A phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor, a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction
A prescription tablet taken by mouth to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), which is difficulty getting or keeping an erection.
Brands: Viagra
Simvastatin
a cholesterol-lowering medicine of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor type (often called a statin)
A prescription cholesterol-lowering tablet, used along with diet to lower harmful cholesterol and fats in the blood and to help lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and related procedures in certain people.
Sitagliptin
a DPP-4 inhibitor, a type of medicine used to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes
Sitagliptin is a prescription tablet taken once a day, along with diet and exercise, to help lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Brands: JANUVIA
Spironolactone
An aldosterone antagonist, a type of prescription medicine the FDA classifies this way
Spironolactone is a prescription tablet, classed as an aldosterone antagonist, that the label describes for heart failure, high blood pressure, edema (fluid buildup), and a condition called primary hyperaldosteronism.
Brands: Aldactone
Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim
An antibacterial combination of two medicines: a sulfonamide antimicrobial and a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor antibacterial.
A prescription antibiotic tablet used for certain bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, some ear infections in children, and a lung infection called Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia.
Tadalafil
a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which is a medicine that blocks an enzyme called PDE5
A prescription tablet taken by mouth to treat erectile dysfunction and/or the signs and symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
Tamsulosin
An alpha-blocker medicine. The label calls it an alpha 1 adrenoceptor antagonist that acts on the prostate. The FDA class is not listed.
A prescription capsule taken once a day to ease the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
A nucleotide analog medicine. The label calls it an HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor and an HBV reverse transcriptase inhibitor. The FDA class is not listed.
A prescription tablet used with other medicines to treat HIV-1 infection, and alone or as treatment for long-term (chronic) hepatitis B. The label says it is not a cure for HIV-1.
Brands: Viread
Tramadol
an opioid pain medicine, also called an opioid analgesic
Tramadol is a strong prescription opioid pain medicine for adults with pain severe enough to need an opioid, when other treatments are not enough. It carries serious risks, including addiction, overdose, and death.
Trazodone
an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) type, which the label also describes as a 5HT2 receptor antagonist
A prescription antidepressant tablet used in adults to treat major depressive disorder (MDD).
Valacyclovir
an antiviral medicine. The label describes it as a deoxynucleoside analogue DNA polymerase inhibitor, and it is the hydrochloride salt of the L-valyl ester of acyclovir.
An antiviral tablet taken by mouth to treat certain herpes infections, including cold sores, genital herpes, shingles (herpes zoster), and chickenpox in some children.
Valsartan
An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), a type of medicine used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions
Valsartan is a prescription medicine that lowers blood pressure and is also used in some adults with heart failure or after a heart attack.
Venlafaxine
An antidepressant. The label's patient information describes it as a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).
A prescription antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder (depression).
Warfarin Sodium
A blood thinner (anticoagulant) of the vitamin K antagonist type. The label says it acts by blocking vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.
A prescription blood thinner used to treat blood clots and lower the chance that new clots form. Because it can cause serious bleeding, the label asks for regular blood tests (INR) to check how it is working.
Brands: Jantoven
Zolpidem Tartrate
a sleep medicine of the imidazopyridine class. The label describes it as a GABA A receptor positive modulator.
A prescription sleep medicine taken by mouth at bedtime for the short-term treatment of trouble falling asleep. This summary is based on the zolpidem tartrate tablet label.
Brands: Ambien CR
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Men's health and urine flow (3)
How these medicine pages are made
Each page starts from the medicine’s official label published by the US Food and Drug Administration (the same document a pharmacist works from, available on DailyMed). The label is long and written for professionals, so MedicDecode rewrites it in plain words: what the medicine is for, how it is usually taken, its common and serious side effects, who should be careful, what not to mix it with, and what it says about pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Nothing is added from outside the label, and nothing on a page tells you what dose to take or whether to start or stop a medicine: that is always a conversation with your prescriber or pharmacist. Every page links to the full label, to MedlinePlus from the US National Library of Medicine and, where it has one, the NHS medicine guide.
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MedicDecode explains medicine labels; it does not give medical advice. Always follow your prescriber and pharmacist.