Tablet Medicine List

A

Acyclovir You might know this one as Zovirax. It’s an antiviral that fights cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles. Works best when you start at the very first tingle. Five times daily for cold sores is annoying but that’s what it takes. The generic is cheap and works just as well as the brand.

Alendronate Once a week you take this for osteoporosis, but there’s a whole ritual involved. First thing in the morning, full glass of water, then you can’t lie down or eat for 30 minutes. If you skip that part it’ll tear up your esophagus. Fosamax is the brand name and it really does strengthen bones over time.

Allopurinol Gout sufferers know this one well. It lowers uric acid so those brutal crystal deposits stop forming in your joints. Here’s the thing though: it won’t help during an active attack and might actually make flares worse at first. Takes a few weeks to really kick in but then it’s a game changer.

Amitriptyline Old antidepressant that found new life treating nerve pain, migraines, and insomnia. Elavil was the brand name. Take it at bedtime because it’ll knock you out. Dry mouth and weight gain are pretty common, and you want to start low because the side effects hit hard otherwise.

Amlodipine Blood pressure med that goes by Norvasc. Relaxes your vessels with once daily dosing. Simple stuff really. Swollen ankles bother a lot of people on it though. Works well alone or combined with other BP meds and takes a week or so for full effect.

Aripiprazole Abilify is what you’ll see on commercials. It’s an antipsychotic but also gets added to antidepressants when they’re not doing enough on their own. Once daily, and supposedly less weight gain than similar drugs. Some people get this weird restlessness that’s hard to describe.

Atomoxetine An ADHD medication that isn’t a stimulant, which matters for people who can’t take Adderall or Ritalin. Strattera is the brand. The catch is it takes weeks to work instead of hitting immediately like stimulants do. Once or twice daily with some stomach upset possible.

B

Benazepril Goes by Lotensin. ACE inhibitor that relaxes blood vessels and protects kidneys, especially helpful for diabetics. Once or twice daily dosing. You might develop that dry cough that ACE inhibitors are famous for. Generic is dirt cheap.

Bisoprolol Gentle beta blocker sold as Zebeta. Slows your heart for blood pressure and heart failure without as many side effects as the older options. Once daily is all it takes. You might feel tired with cold hands and feet, and definitely don’t stop it suddenly.

Buspirone Finally an anti-anxiety med that won’t get you hooked like Xanax does. Buspar is the brand. The big downside is waiting two to four weeks for it to actually work. No instant relief here. Some people think it’s amazing while others feel absolutely nothing from it.

C

Candesartan Blood pressure pill that goes by Atacand. Does basically what losartan does without causing that cough ACE inhibitors are known for. Once daily, might feel dizzy at first when standing up. Good for long term heart and kidney protection.

Carbamazepine Been around forever as Tegretol. Handles seizures but also nerve pain and bipolar disorder. The tricky part is it interacts with tons of other drugs, so your doctor needs to check everything you’re on. Blood tests happen periodically to make sure levels are right.

Carisoprodol Soma. Muscle relaxer that unfortunately feels good enough that people abuse it. Most places have made it a controlled substance now. Only for short term use like a couple weeks. Three times daily plus bedtime. Makes you drowsy and kind of loopy.

Chlorthalidone Water pill that might actually work better than the more common HCTZ for blood pressure. Once in the morning unless you want to be up peeing all night. Lasts longer in your system which supposedly makes it more effective. Same deal with checking potassium levels.

Clonidine Started as Catapres for blood pressure but now doctors use it for everything: ADHD, anxiety, withdrawal symptoms, hot flashes. Calms your nervous system down. Very drowsy at first. Whatever you do, don’t stop it suddenly or your blood pressure will spike.

Cyclobenzaprine Flexeril is what most people know it as. Muscle relaxer for back spasms and that sort of thing. Makes you extremely drowsy so lots of people just take it at bedtime even though it’s prescribed three times daily. Only meant for short term use, couple weeks max.

D

Dextroamphetamine Dexedrine. One of the original ADHD stimulants. Works fast and wears off fast unless you get extended release. Appetite disappears, sleep becomes difficult. Obviously a controlled substance. Sometimes combined with other amphetamine salts in products like Adderall.

Digoxin Lanoxin is an old heart drug that’s still hanging around for certain rhythm problems and heart failure. Very tricky to dose because the line between helpful and toxic is thin. Blood levels need regular checking. Nausea and vision changes mean you’ve got too much in your system.

Divalproex Depakote handles seizures, bipolar disorder, and migraine prevention. Twice daily or once if you get extended release. Weight gain and hair thinning happen more than people would like. Needs blood tests for liver function and drug levels. Been around for decades now.

Donepezil For Alzheimer’s disease, sold as Aricept. It won’t cure anything but might slow the decline for a while and help with daily functioning. Once at bedtime usually. Nausea and diarrhea bother people at first. Takes weeks before anyone notices any difference.

Doxazosin Cardura relaxes the muscles in your prostate for easier urination and also brings down blood pressure as a bonus. Bedtime dosing is important because those first doses can really tank your BP. Dizziness when standing is common early on but usually settles down.

E

Ezetimibe Zetia works on cholesterol differently than statins do. Instead of stopping your liver from making it, this one blocks absorption in your gut. Once daily. Often added when statins alone aren’t getting your numbers where they need to be. Surprisingly few side effects honestly.

Etodolac Anti-inflammatory for arthritis that goes by Lodine. Two or three times daily depending on the dose. Supposedly easier on stomachs than ibuprofen and naproxen, though the same general risks apply. Not as well known but does similar work.

F

Felodipine Blood pressure med called Plendil. Extended release so just once daily. Swollen ankles are the common complaint. Grapefruit juice messes with blood levels significantly so you’ll need to skip that while taking it. Full effect takes a couple weeks.

Fenofibrate When statins aren’t doing enough for your triglycerides, Tricor often gets added. Once daily with food for better absorption. Can cause muscle problems especially if you’re already on a statin, so that combination needs monitoring. Liver tests happen periodically.

Ferrous Sulfate Plain old iron pills for anemia. Will absolutely constipate you and might upset your stomach pretty badly. Take with vitamin C to help absorption, but not with calcium because that blocks it. Your stools turn black which looks alarming but is completely harmless.

Finasteride Same drug sold as Proscar for enlarged prostates and Propecia for hair loss, just different doses. Once daily for either use but results take months to show up. Can mess with sexual function and even mood. Women who are pregnant shouldn’t even handle crushed pills.

Folic Acid B vitamin that’s crucial during pregnancy to prevent birth defects. Also prescribed alongside certain medications that deplete your body’s supply. Once daily usually. Since it’s water soluble, any excess just passes through without building up.

G

Gemfibrozil Lopid has been around forever for lowering triglycerides. Twice daily before meals. Interacts badly with statins and can cause serious muscle problems if combined, so doctors are careful about that. Older option but still gets used when appropriate.

Glimepiride Amaryl squeezes more insulin out of your pancreas for type 2 diabetes. Once daily with breakfast. Blood sugar can crash if you skip meals after taking it, which is the main risk. Weight gain happens over time like with most diabetes drugs in this class.

Guanfacine Does double duty as Tenex for blood pressure and Intuniv for ADHD. Works by calming your nervous system down. The drowsiness is significant, especially starting out. Extended release version for ADHD is smoother. Don’t stop abruptly or you’ll have problems.

H

Haloperidol Haldol is old school antipsychotic territory. Still gets used for severe agitation and psychiatric emergencies. The movement side effects are the big long term concern with this class of older drugs. Multiple times daily or injection form when things are urgent.

Hydralazine Directly relaxes blood vessels to drop blood pressure. Multiple times daily which isn’t convenient compared to newer options. Usually reserved for when other BP meds aren’t working or can’t be used safely. Long term high doses can cause a lupus-like syndrome.

Hydromorphone Dilaudid. Stronger than morphine actually, for severe pain when other options aren’t cutting it. Every four to six hours as needed. High addiction potential like all strong opioids. Definitely a controlled substance with all the prescribing restrictions that implies.

I

Irbesartan Avapro does the same thing as losartan for blood pressure without that ACE inhibitor cough. Once daily dosing. Protects kidneys in diabetics which is a nice long term benefit. Dizziness at first when standing is normal and usually passes.

Isosorbide Mononitrate Imdur prevents chest pain in people with heart disease by opening up blood vessels and reducing heart workload. Extended release once daily in the morning. Headaches are extremely common at first and can be brutal while your body adjusts.

K

Ketoconazole Nizoral as an antifungal used to be prescribed orally more often, but liver problems limited that use significantly. Now it’s mostly the shampoo people know. When pills are prescribed, there are tons of drug interactions to navigate carefully.

Ketorolac Toradol packs a serious punch as an NSAID. Some people say it works as well as opioids for pain. The catch is you can only take it for five days max. All the usual anti-inflammatory warnings compressed into a short powerful burst. Always take with food.

L

Labetalol Beta blocker that also relaxes blood vessels, two mechanisms in one pill. Used for blood pressure and especially valuable during pregnancy when options are limited. Multiple times daily. Dizziness when standing is common while your body adjusts.

Lansoprazole Prevacid blocks stomach acid like Nexium and Prilosec do. Take before breakfast for best results. Over the counter strength handles heartburn while prescription doses tackle ulcers. Those capsules dissolve in your stomach so don’t crush them.

Levetiracetam Keppra for seizures is generally well tolerated except for one thing: mood changes and irritability are surprisingly common. People don’t always expect that from a seizure med. Twice daily dosing. Works for various seizure types and adjusts based on kidney function.

Levocetirizine Basically refined Zyrtec, sold as Xyzal. Once daily allergy relief usually taken in the evening. Claims to cause even less drowsiness than regular cetirizine. Over the counter now. Covers you for a full 24 hours of allergy symptoms.

Lithium One of the oldest psychiatric drugs still in use for bipolar disorder. The tricky part is blood levels need constant monitoring because toxic and effective doses aren’t far apart. Thirst and tremor are common, and long term use affects thyroid and kidneys.

Loperamide Imodium stops diarrhea by slowing your gut down. Over the counter and works quickly. Don’t use it if you have fever or bloody stools though. Keep doses reasonable and don’t use for more than a couple days without checking with someone.

Loratadine Claritin gives you 24 hours of allergy relief without drowsiness. Over the counter, once daily, works on all the usual stuff: sneezing, itching, runny nose. Basically side effect free for most people, which is why it’s so popular.

M

Meclizine Antivert or sometimes Dramamine for dizziness and motion sickness. Makes you drowsy, which kind of comes with the territory. Over the counter for travel nausea. Take before your trip to prevent rather than treat. Multiple doses for vertigo episodes.

Melatonin Sleep hormone supplement that technically isn’t a medicine but everyone uses it like one. Start low around half a milligram to one milligram because more isn’t actually better. Timing matters, so take it about 30 minutes before bed. Quality varies wildly between brands.

Memantine Namenda for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s. Won’t cure anything but might slow decline somewhat. Once or twice daily depending on formulation. Can be combined with Aricept. The irony is dizziness and confusion can actually be side effects.

Methotrexate Here’s a drug where the dosing schedule is critical: once weekly only for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Taking it daily by mistake happens more than you’d think and it’s dangerous. Regular blood tests are mandatory. Folic acid supplements help manage side effects.

Methylphenidate Ritalin and Concerta are the famous names. ADHD stimulant that works fast. Multiple times daily for regular or once for extended release. Appetite tanks and sleep gets difficult. Controlled substance with all the prescribing rules that involves.

Mirtazapine Remeron is an antidepressant that also boosts appetite and helps sleep, which can be good or bad depending on your situation. Bedtime dosing because it sedates heavily. Weight gain is significant for many people. Different mechanism than the usual SSRIs.

Modafinil Provigil promotes wakefulness for narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder. Once in the morning. Not technically classified as a stimulant but it functions like one. Lots of people try to get it off-label for fatigue and focus. Controlled substance.

N

Nabumetone Relafen is an anti-inflammatory for arthritis that you take once or twice daily. Claims to be gentler on stomachs than older NSAIDs, though all the same general risks still apply. Longer acting than ibuprofen. Not as famous but does similar work.

Nadolol Corgard is a beta blocker with convenient once daily dosing. Blood pressure, chest pain, certain heart rhythms. Supposedly doesn’t cross into the brain as much, which might mean less fatigue. As with all beta blockers, don’t stop it abruptly.

Nifedipine Procardia handles blood pressure and chest pain. Extended release version is once daily. Works by relaxing blood vessels. Swollen ankles and facial flushing happen for some people. Don’t crush extended release, and skip the grapefruit juice.

Nitrofurantoin Macrobid is strictly for bladder infections, won’t help kidney infections at all. Twice daily with food for about a week usually. Turns your pee orange or brown which looks weird but is completely harmless. Been a UTI staple forever.

O

Olanzapine Zyprexa is an antipsychotic that works well for schizophrenia and bipolar. The downside is weight gain and blood sugar problems are major concerns long term. Once daily usually. Sedating especially when starting out. Dissolving form available for certain situations.

Olmesartan Benicar for blood pressure works like losartan and the others in its class. Once daily, no cough, dizziness at first. There were some reports of gut problems with long term high doses but it’s generally well tolerated for most people.

Oxcarbazepine Trileptal is related to carbamazepine but causes fewer drug interactions, which makes it easier to manage. Seizure medication taken twice daily. Can lower sodium levels, so blood tests are part of the deal. Dizziness and drowsiness happen while adjusting.

Oxybutynin Ditropan calms overactive bladders down. Reduces that urgent gotta-go-now feeling. Dry mouth is extremely common, along with constipation. Extended release has fewer side effects. The concern in older people is that it can cloud thinking.

P

Penicillin V The original antibiotic, basically. Still used for strep throat and dental infections after all these years. Four times daily is inconvenient but that’s how it works. If you’re allergic, you’re allergic, and there’s not much getting around that. Cheap and effective.

Phenazopyridine Azo bladder relief turns your pee bright orange, which catches people off guard the first time. Over the counter. Only meant for a couple days while antibiotics do the real work. Numbs bladder pain but doesn’t actually treat infection. Will stain everything.

Phenobarbital Old seizure medication and sedative that’s still around. Very sedating and interacts with practically everything. Blood levels need monitoring. Dependence develops with regular use. Controlled substance. One of the original anti-epileptic drugs.

Phenytoin Dilantin is a classic seizure medication that’s notoriously tricky to dose because blood levels bounce around unpredictably. Regular blood tests are part of life on this drug. Long term use can cause gum overgrowth and facial changes. Multiple times daily.

Pioglitazone Actos helps your body respond better to insulin for type 2 diabetes. Once daily. Weight gain and fluid retention are issues, and there have been concerns about heart failure. Less popular than it used to be because of the side effect profile.

Pramipexole Mirapex for Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome. Start low and work up gradually. Sudden sleep attacks can happen without warning, which is scary. Some people develop impulse control problems like gambling. Multiple times daily dosing.

Q

Quinapril Accupril is an ACE inhibitor like the others for blood pressure. Once or twice daily. Might cause that dry cough. Protects hearts and kidneys long term. Generic and affordable. Does what the class is supposed to do.

R

Rabeprazole Aciphex blocks stomach acid. Once or twice daily before eating. Does essentially the same thing as Nexium and Prilosec. Delayed release formulation so you swallow the pills whole without crushing.

Ramipril Altace has particularly good evidence behind it for heart protection after heart attacks. ACE inhibitor, once or twice daily. The usual cough possibility applies. Well studied and considered a reliable choice in the class.

Repaglinide Prandin for diabetes works on a different schedule than most. Take it before meals and skip it if you’re skipping the meal. Short acting, so there’s more flexibility in timing. Blood sugar can drop if you take it and don’t eat afterward.

Rivaroxaban Xarelto is a blood thinner that doesn’t require the constant monitoring warfarin does. Once or twice daily depending on why you’re taking it. Always with food for absorption. Bleeding is the obvious risk. There’s finally an antidote now, which there wasn’t for years.

Ropinirole Requip treats Parkinson’s and restless legs like pramipexole does. Multiple times daily or extended release once. Same concerning side effects: sudden sleepiness and impulse control issues like compulsive gambling. Start low and increase slowly.

S

Selegiline Eldepryl for Parkinson’s disease. It’s an MAO inhibitor, which means dietary restrictions apply at higher doses. Once or twice daily. Can interact badly with certain foods and medications. There’s a patch form that gets around some of the restrictions.

Sildenafil Viagra. You know what it’s for. Also prescribed at different doses for pulmonary hypertension. Take about an hour before you need it to work. Never combine with nitrates. Headache and flushing are common. Effects last about four hours.

Sitagliptin Januvia works on diabetes through a different pathway than metformin or the older drugs. Once daily with or without food. Won’t cause low blood sugar on its own. Some people report joint pain. Often combined with metformin in one pill.

Sucralfate Carafate coats ulcers with a protective barrier while they heal. Four times daily on an empty stomach, which is a hassle. Don’t take it with other medications because it interferes with absorption. Constipating. Old school approach that still works.

Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim Bactrim combines two antibiotics for UTIs, respiratory infections, and certain skin problems. Twice daily with lots of water. Sun sensitivity is real. Allergic reactions happen more often than with some other antibiotics. Generic and cheap.

Sulfasalazine Azulfidine treats inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Multiple times daily. Turns pee orange, which is harmless. Nausea and headache are common at first. Takes weeks to work for arthritis. Contains sulfa, so allergies apply.

T

Tadalafil Cialis lasts way longer than Viagra, up to 36 hours, which is why some people prefer it. Also helps with enlarged prostate symptoms at lower daily doses. Back pain and headaches are common complaints. Never ever combine with nitrates.

Temazepam Restoril for sleep. Take right before you get in bed. Helps with both falling asleep and staying asleep through the night. Like all benzos, dependence develops with regular use. Meant for short term only. Next day grogginess is possible.

Telmisartan Micardis for blood pressure works without causing that ACE inhibitor cough. Once daily. Does what losartan and the others in the class do. Most people tolerate it well without much trouble.

Terazosin Hytrin relaxes smooth muscles in the prostate and blood vessels. Bedtime dosing matters because those first doses can really tank your blood pressure dramatically. Dizziness when standing is common at first but usually improves.

Ticagrelor Brilinta prevents blood clots after heart attacks or stents. Twice daily. Different mechanism than Plavix. There’s this weird side effect unique to this drug where people feel short of breath. Bleeding risk comes with the territory.

Tolterodine Detrol for overactive bladder. Twice daily or extended release once. Dry mouth is very common but supposedly less than with older options. Helps reduce urgency and those constant trips to the bathroom.

U

Ursodiol Actigall dissolves certain types of gallstones and treats some liver conditions. Two or three times daily with food. Dissolving stones takes months of patience. Also used to protect the liver during certain medical treatments.

V

Valproic Acid Depakene handles seizures, bipolar disorder, and migraine prevention. Multiple times daily. Weight gain and hair thinning bother people. Needs blood tests for liver function. Big warning: causes birth defects, so not for women who might become pregnant.

Valsartan Diovan for blood pressure works without the cough. Once or twice daily. Protects hearts and kidneys over time. Had some manufacturing contamination issues a few years back that caused recalls, but the drug itself works well.

Varenicline Chantix helps people quit smoking by reducing cravings and blocking nicotine’s rewarding effects. Start taking it before your actual quit date. Nausea is common, and vivid dreams are almost expected. Mood changes can happen. Usually a twelve week course.

Z

Ziprasidone Geodon is an antipsychotic for schizophrenia and bipolar that supposedly causes less weight gain than similar drugs. Twice daily and you really need to take it with food or it won’t absorb properly. Heart rhythm monitoring sometimes needed.

Zonisamide Zonegran for seizures can be added to other anti-seizure meds when they’re not doing enough alone. Once or twice daily. Kidney stones and excessive sweating are possible. Some people actually lose weight on it. Contains sulfa, so watch for allergies.

References:

Drugs & Medications A to Z.

Medicines A to Z.

WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines.

Model List of Essential Medicines.

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