Medicine library

Browse medicines

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 357 records

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
Psilocybin (COMP360 (COMPASS Pathways synthetic formulation); no marketed product)
Small chemical medicineControlled substance; no approved US useDetailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Nothing approved. Tested for depression that has not responded to other treatments, and for depression and anxiety in people with cancer
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
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
Cardarine (GW501516; also written GW1516 in anti-doping documents)
Small chemical medicineIn Phase 2 testingDetailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Abandoned cholesterol and metabolic drug, still sold as a fat burner
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
Rofecoxib (Vioxx)
Small chemical medicineWithdrawn from the marketDetailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Arthritis and pain relief, from a painkiller designed to spare the stomach
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
Heroin (Diamorphine, Diacetylmorphine) (Diamorphine Hydrochloride for Injection — a licensed medicine in the United Kingdom. Originally marketed by Bayer as Heroin from 1898)
Small chemical medicineControlled substance; no approved US useDetailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
In the UK, severe pain after surgery, during a heart attack, in terminal illness, and breathlessness in acute heart failure. In the US, nothing — it is in the schedule reserved for drugs with no accepted medical use
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
MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) (Midomafetamine — the proposed non-proprietary name in NDA 215455. No marketed product)
Small chemical medicineControlled substance; no approved US useDetailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Nothing approved. Two completed phase 3 trials tested it, with therapy, for post-traumatic stress disorder; the FDA turned the application down and asked for another trial
2,4-Dinitrophenol (Marketed in the United States from 1933 under many names, including Formula 281 and Nitromet; sold online today as DNP)
Small chemical medicineWithdrawn from the marketDetailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Weight loss — the drug works and the same mechanism is what kills people
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
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
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
LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) (Delysid (Sandoz, 1947-1966); MM120 / lysergide D-tartrate in current trials)
Small chemical medicineControlled substance; no approved US useDetailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Nothing, legally, in the United States — it is a Schedule I drug. It is being tested in late-stage trials for generalised anxiety disorder
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
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
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
Ranitidine (Zantac)
Small chemical medicineWithdrawn from the marketDetailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
A heartburn and ulcer tablet, sold on prescription and over the counter
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
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
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
Lorcaserin (Belviq, Belviq XR)
Small chemical medicineWithdrawn from the marketDetailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
A twice-daily weight-loss tablet
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
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
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
Hydroxyprogesterone caproate (Makena)
Small chemical medicineWithdrawn from the marketDetailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
A weekly injection in pregnancy intended to prevent a repeat premature birth
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
Resmetirom (Rezdiffra)
Small chemical medicineFDA accelerated approval (based on an earlier result expected to predict benefit; follow-up evidence may be required)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Fatty liver disease with inflammation and moderate to advanced scarring
Brexpiprazole (Rexulti)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Depression that has not responded to an antidepressant alone, schizophrenia, and agitation in Alzheimer disease
Budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler / Pulmicort Respules / Rhinocort / Uceris / Ortikos)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Taken every day to keep asthma quiet, and in other forms for Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis and hay fever
Clonidine (Catapres / Catapres-TTS / Nexiclon / Javadin / Duraclon; extended-release tablets for ADHD)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
High blood pressure; separately, in an extended-release form, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Edoxaban (Savaysa)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Stroke prevention in an irregular heartbeat, and treatment of clots in the legs and lungs
Eltrombopag (Promacta / Promacta Kit)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Raising a dangerously low platelet count by telling the bone marrow to make more, rather than by stopping the body destroying them
Esomeprazole (Nexium / Nexium 24HR)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Reflux and heartburn, including reflux that has visibly damaged the gullet, and prevention of stomach ulcers caused by anti-inflammatory painkillers
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
Modafinil (Provigil; Alertec, Modiodal and Modavigil outside the United States)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Prescribed for excessive sleepiness; taken off-label to think better
Pioglitazone (Actos)
Small chemical medicineApproved in the United States (FDA)Detailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Type 2 diabetes — a tablet that makes the body respond to its own insulin
2C-B (4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine) (Sold briefly in Europe in the early 1990s as Nexus, Erox and Performax before scheduling; no approved product)
Small chemical medicineControlled substance; no approved US useDetailed record
Use listed on the medicine record
Nothing. It is a Schedule I phenethylamine that has just become the subject of controlled brain-imaging research because its effects differ from psilocybin's in ways researchers want to understand

Metformin (Glucophage)

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

Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Psilocybin (COMP360 (COMPASS Pathways synthetic formulation); no marketed product)

Warfarin (Coumadin / Jantoven)

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

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nurofen, Caldolor)

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

Empagliflozin (Jardiance)

Cardarine (GW501516; also written GW1516 in anti-doping documents)

Lisinopril (Zestril / Prinivil)

Rofecoxib (Vioxx)

Amlodipine (Norvasc)

Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

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

Gabapentin (Neurontin / Gralise / Horizant)

Heroin (Diamorphine, Diacetylmorphine) (Diamorphine Hydrochloride for Injection — a licensed medicine in the United Kingdom. Originally marketed by Bayer as Heroin from 1898)

Acarbose (Precose)

MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) (Midomafetamine — the proposed non-proprietary name in NDA 215455. No marketed product)

2,4-Dinitrophenol (Marketed in the United States from 1933 under many names, including Formula 281 and Nitromet; sold online today as DNP)

Bictegravir (Biktarvy)

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

Amoxicillin (Amoxil / Moxatag)

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

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) (Delysid (Sandoz, 1947-1966); MM120 / lysergide D-tartrate in current trials)

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

Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst / Acetadote / Cetylev)

Adefovir Dipivoxil (Hepsera)

Alogliptin (Nesina)

Dabigatran Etexilate (Pradaxa)

Etomidate (Amidate)

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

Montelukast (Singulair)

Nebivolol (Bystolic)

Ranitidine (Zantac)

Anastrozole (Arimidex)

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

Ivabradine (Corlanor)

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

Lorcaserin (Belviq, Belviq XR)

Sertraline (Zoloft)

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

Acyclovir (Zovirax / Sitavig / Avaclyr)

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

Apixaban (Eliquis)

Escitalopram (Lexapro / Cipralex)

Hydroxyprogesterone caproate (Makena)

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

Mirtazapine (Remeron / Remeron SolTab)

Resmetirom (Rezdiffra)

Brexpiprazole (Rexulti)

Budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler / Pulmicort Respules / Rhinocort / Uceris / Ortikos)

Clonidine (Catapres / Catapres-TTS / Nexiclon / Javadin / Duraclon; extended-release tablets for ADHD)

Edoxaban (Savaysa)

Eltrombopag (Promacta / Promacta Kit)

Esomeprazole (Nexium / Nexium 24HR)

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

Modafinil (Provigil; Alertec, Modiodal and Modavigil outside the United States)

Pioglitazone (Actos)

2C-B (4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine) (Sold briefly in Europe in the early 1990s as Nexus, Erox and Performax before scheduling; no approved product)