Medicine library

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Some records contain detailed evidence; others currently contain only basic identity and regulatory information. Reviewed conclusions appear only when they are available for a specific use and group of people.

Showing 1–60 of 360 records

Inclisiran (Leqvio)
RNA-silencing medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
High LDL cholesterol that stays high despite statins
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy / Rybelsus)
Peptide medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart and kidney risk that comes with them
Metformin (Glucophage)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Type 2 diabetes, and blood sugar that is too high
Aspirin (Bayer Aspirin, Ecotrin, Durlaza; acetylsalicylic acid)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Pain and fever; and, at low dose, preventing clots in people who already have heart or artery disease
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
High cholesterol, and the risk of a heart attack or a stroke
Adalimumab (Humira)
Antibody medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Rheumatoid arthritis and other long-term inflammatory diseases
Warfarin (Coumadin / Jantoven)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Preventing and treating blood clots, including stroke from an irregular heartbeat and clots on a mechanical heart valve
Cocaine (Goprelto and Numbrino — cocaine hydrochloride nasal solution 4%)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Numbing the inside of the nose for procedures and surgery there. That is the whole of its approved use
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nurofen, Caldolor)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Pain, fever and inflammation
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
Antibody medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Many advanced cancers, by releasing the immune brake on tumour-fighting T cells
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol, Calpol, Ofirmev (intravenous); paracetamol outside North America)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Pain and fever
Empagliflozin (Jardiance)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes with heart or kidney risk
Exagamglogene autotemcel (Casgevy)
Gene-editing or gene therapyApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia
Insulin glargine (Lantus)
Protein medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Once-daily background insulin for type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Lisinopril (Zestril / Prinivil)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
High blood pressure, heart failure, and the days after a heart attack
Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
High blood pressure, and chest pain from narrowed heart arteries
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Epilepsy, including seizures that start in one part of the brain, and long-term mood stabilisation in bipolar I disorder
Cannabidiol (CBD) (Epidiolex (oral solution); Epidyolex in Europe. Also sold unapproved in consumer products)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Seizures in three severe childhood epilepsies. Nothing else is approved, including everything CBD is sold for in shops
Gabapentin (Neurontin / Gralise / Horizant)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Nerve pain after shingles, and add-on treatment for some seizures
Secukinumab (Cosentyx)
Antibody medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and inflammatory spine disease
Acarbose (Precose)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Type 2 diabetes — a tablet that slows the digestion of starch in the gut
Bictegravir (Biktarvy)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
HIV infection, as one tablet containing three drugs
Abacavir (Ziagen; with lamivudine as Epzicom, and with dolutegravir and lamivudine as Triumeq)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
HIV-1 infection, as part of a combination regimen
Inotersen (Tegsedi)
Gene-silencing medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Hereditary ATTR Amyloidosis with Nerve Damage
Methylprednisolone (Medrol / Solu-Medrol / Depo-Medrol / A-Methapred / Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Severe inflammation, autoimmune flares and allergic reactions, particularly where a high dose is needed quickly by injection
Amoxicillin (Amoxil / Moxatag)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Bacterial infections of the ear, throat, sinuses, chest and urine
Desmopressin (DDAVP / Stimate / Nocdurna / Noctiva)
Peptide medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Passing far too much urine because the body is missing the hormone that concentrates it — and, separately, bleeding in mild haemophilia A or mild von Willebrand disease
Etanercept (Enbrel)
Protein medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and related long-term inflammatory diseases
Insulin Aspart (NovoLog / Fiasp / NovoLog Mix 70/30 / Kirsty / Merilog / Garzulys)
Protein medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Diabetes — the fast insulin taken around meals
Lecanemab (Leqembi)
Antibody medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Early Alzheimer disease, confirmed by an amyloid scan or spinal fluid test
Alirocumab (Praluent)
Antibody medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
High cholesterol after a heart attack, when statins are not enough
Hydrocortisone (Cortef / Solu-Cortef / A-Hydrocort / Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate / Alkindi Sprinkle)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Replacing the cortisol the adrenal glands cannot make, and — at higher exposure — inflammation and allergy
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid / Dilaudid-HP / Exalgo / Palladone)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Pain severe enough to need an opioid, especially where the dose must fit into a small injection
Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst / Acetadote / Cetylev)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
The antidote for a paracetamol overdose, and a very old drug for loosening thick mucus
Adefovir Dipivoxil (Hepsera)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Long-standing hepatitis B infection of the liver
Alogliptin (Nesina)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Type 2 diabetes — a once-daily tablet that extends the gut hormone signal
Dabigatran Etexilate (Pradaxa)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Preventing strokes in an irregular heartbeat, and treating clots in the legs and lungs
Epoetin alfa (Epogen / Procrit)
Protein medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Low red blood cell count caused by kidney failure, HIV treatment or chemotherapy
Etomidate (Amidate)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Putting a person to sleep for surgery when their blood pressure will not tolerate the usual drug
Meloxicam (Mobic, Vivlodex, Qmiiz ODT, Anjeso (intravenous))
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Arthritis pain and inflammation, taken once a day
Montelukast (Singulair)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Asthma taken as a daily tablet, and hay fever when other drugs fail
Nebivolol (Bystolic)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
High blood pressure
Alteplase (Activase / Cathflo Activase)
Protein medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Emergency clot-dissolving treatment for stroke, heart attack and major pulmonary embolism
Anastrozole (Arimidex)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
A breast cancer drug in women; used off-label in men to cut oestrogen and raise testosterone
Dupilumab (Dupixent)
Antibody medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Eczema, asthma and other diseases driven by the same allergic pathway
Insulin Degludec (Tresiba)
Protein medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Diabetes — the once-daily background insulin that lasts over 42 hours
Ivabradine (Corlanor)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
A weakened heart that keeps beating too fast, to keep you out of hospital
Ketorolac (Toradol, Sprix (intranasal), Acular and Acuvail (ophthalmic))
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Severe short-term pain, usually after surgery or in hospital
Liraglutide (Victoza / Saxenda)
Peptide medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Type 2 diabetes and long-term weight management
Thalidomide (Thalomid (1998); formerly Contergan, Distaval, Softenon)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Multiple myeloma and a painful inflammatory complication of leprosy — from the drug that caused the birth-defect disaster of 1961
Givosiran (Givlaari)
RNA-silencing medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Acute porphyria attacks — severe abdominal pain crises
Peginterferon Alfa-2a (Pegasys)
Protein medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Long-standing hepatitis B or hepatitis C, treated by stimulating the immune system rather than by attacking the virus directly
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Depression, anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder
Acyclovir (Zovirax / Sitavig / Avaclyr)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Shingles, genital herpes, chickenpox and severe herpes infections
Amitriptyline (Elavil / Endep / Amitril / Amitid — all discontinued as brands)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Depression — although most prescriptions today are at much lower doses for nerve pain, migraine prevention, irritable bowel syndrome or sleep
Apixaban (Eliquis)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Preventing stroke in an irregular heartbeat, and treating and preventing blood clots in the legs and lungs
Escitalopram (Lexapro / Cipralex)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Depression and generalised anxiety
Fluticasone (Flovent / Flovent HFA / Flovent Diskus / Flonase / Arnuity Ellipta / Cutivate)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
The daily preventer inhaler that keeps asthma quiet, and the same drug as a hay-fever spray and a skin cream
Methotrexate (Trexall / Otrexup / Rasuvo / Reditrex / Xatmep)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, severe psoriasis, and some cancers
Mirtazapine (Remeron / Remeron SolTab)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Depression — although it is very widely used off-label for its sedating and appetite-raising effects

Inclisiran (Leqvio)

Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy / Rybelsus)

Metformin (Glucophage)

Aspirin (Bayer Aspirin, Ecotrin, Durlaza; acetylsalicylic acid)

Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Adalimumab (Humira)

Warfarin (Coumadin / Jantoven)

Cocaine (Goprelto and Numbrino — cocaine hydrochloride nasal solution 4%)

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nurofen, Caldolor)

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol, Calpol, Ofirmev (intravenous); paracetamol outside North America)

Empagliflozin (Jardiance)

Exagamglogene autotemcel (Casgevy)

Insulin glargine (Lantus)

Lisinopril (Zestril / Prinivil)

Amlodipine (Norvasc)

Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

Cannabidiol (CBD) (Epidiolex (oral solution); Epidyolex in Europe. Also sold unapproved in consumer products)

Gabapentin (Neurontin / Gralise / Horizant)

Secukinumab (Cosentyx)

Acarbose (Precose)

Bictegravir (Biktarvy)

Abacavir (Ziagen; with lamivudine as Epzicom, and with dolutegravir and lamivudine as Triumeq)

Inotersen (Tegsedi)

Methylprednisolone (Medrol / Solu-Medrol / Depo-Medrol / A-Methapred / Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate)

Amoxicillin (Amoxil / Moxatag)

Desmopressin (DDAVP / Stimate / Nocdurna / Noctiva)

Etanercept (Enbrel)

Insulin Aspart (NovoLog / Fiasp / NovoLog Mix 70/30 / Kirsty / Merilog / Garzulys)

Lecanemab (Leqembi)

Alirocumab (Praluent)

Hydrocortisone (Cortef / Solu-Cortef / A-Hydrocort / Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate / Alkindi Sprinkle)

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid / Dilaudid-HP / Exalgo / Palladone)

Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst / Acetadote / Cetylev)

Adefovir Dipivoxil (Hepsera)

Alogliptin (Nesina)

Dabigatran Etexilate (Pradaxa)

Epoetin alfa (Epogen / Procrit)

Etomidate (Amidate)

Meloxicam (Mobic, Vivlodex, Qmiiz ODT, Anjeso (intravenous))

Montelukast (Singulair)

Nebivolol (Bystolic)

Alteplase (Activase / Cathflo Activase)

Anastrozole (Arimidex)

Dupilumab (Dupixent)

Insulin Degludec (Tresiba)

Ivabradine (Corlanor)

Ketorolac (Toradol, Sprix (intranasal), Acular and Acuvail (ophthalmic))

Liraglutide (Victoza / Saxenda)

Thalidomide (Thalomid (1998); formerly Contergan, Distaval, Softenon)

Givosiran (Givlaari)

Peginterferon Alfa-2a (Pegasys)

Sertraline (Zoloft)

Acyclovir (Zovirax / Sitavig / Avaclyr)

Amitriptyline (Elavil / Endep / Amitril / Amitid — all discontinued as brands)

Apixaban (Eliquis)

Escitalopram (Lexapro / Cipralex)

Fluticasone (Flovent / Flovent HFA / Flovent Diskus / Flonase / Arnuity Ellipta / Cutivate)

Methotrexate (Trexall / Otrexup / Rasuvo / Reditrex / Xatmep)

Mirtazapine (Remeron / Remeron SolTab)