264 articles
Aceclofenac
Aceclofenac is an oral NSAID prodrug of diclofenac, launched in Spain in 1984, used for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, acting through sustained conversion to diclofenac with COX-1 sparing.
Acemetacin
Acemetacin (Rantudil, Emflex, TV 1322) is a glycolic acid ester prodrug of indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, low back pain, and postoperative pain, with better gastric tolerability than indomethacin.
Acrivastine
Acrivastine (Benadryl Allergy Relief, Semprex-D) is a short-acting second-generation H1 antihistamine, a triprolidine derivative, taken 8 mg up to three times daily for hay fever and chronic urticaria, with 1.5-hour half-life and low but measurable sedation.
Alcaftadine
Alcaftadine is a topical antihistamine and mast-cell stabilizer used as a 0.25% eye drop, sold as Lastacaft, approved in 2010 to prevent itching from allergic conjunctivitis.
Alclofenac
Alclofenac (Mervan, Prinalgin) is a withdrawn phenylacetic acid NSAID, C11H11ClO3, ATC M01AB06, used for rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis; withdrawn from the UK in 1979 over vasculitis and rash.
Aminopyrine
Aminopyrine, also called aminophenazone or amidopyrine, is a synthetic pyrazolone drug marketed as Pyramidon in 1896, used for pain, fever, and inflammation, and withdrawn from most industrialized markets after it was linked to agranulocytosis.
Amlexanox
Amlexanox (Aphthasol, Solfa) is a TBK1/IKKε-inhibiting anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory drug: a 5% oral paste for aphthous ulcers, approved in the US in 1996, and oral tablets in Japan for asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Analgesic
Analgesic (painkiller, pain reliever): medicine that relieves pain. Main classes are acetaminophen (paracetamol), NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, and opioids; differs from anesthetics by reducing pain without loss of consciousness.
Anileridine
Anileridine (Leritine, Lerinol) is a discontinued synthetic piperidine opioid analgesic related to meperidine, FDA-approved in 1957 by Merck, about 4 times as potent as pethidine, now DEA Schedule II.
Anrikefon injection
Anrikefon injection (安瑞克芬注射液, HSK21542, brand Sishujing) is Haisco's peripheral kappa opioid receptor agonist, approved in China in May 2025 for post-abdominal-surgery pain and in September 2025 for dialysis-related pruritus, without narcotic control.
Antazoline
Antazoline, an imidazoline first-generation H1 antihistamine (C17H19N3), treats allergic conjunctivitis in eye drops and, as mesylate, converts recent-onset atrial fibrillation, in clinical use in Poland.
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-inflammatory: drugs that reduce inflammation, spanning NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, COX inhibitors), glucocorticoids (cortisone, dexamethasone), DMARDs, and cytokine-targeting biologics; aspirin introduced 1899.
Antihistamine
An antihistamine, also called a histamine antagonist, is a drug that counteracts histamine during allergic reactions, used for rhinitis, urticaria, conjunctivitis, and itching; second-generation drugs are preferred.
Antipyretic
Antipyretic: drug class that lowers fever by inhibiting hypothalamic prostaglandin E2 synthesis; main agents are acetaminophen, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, and aspirin; ibuprofen slightly more effective, aspirin restricted in children due to Reye syndrome.
Antipyrine
Antipyrine, also known as phenazone, is a synthetic pyrazolone drug introduced in 1883 as the first fully synthetic drug, now used mainly in ear drops for ear pain.
Antrafenine
Antrafenine (Stakane) is a piperazine-derivative non-narcotic analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug, COX-inhibiting, with naproxen-comparable efficacy in 1983 osteoarthritis trials; now largely replaced, it holds a 2024 US orphan designation for rare epilepsies.
Articaine
Articaine (Carticaine) is a thiophene-containing amide dental local anesthetic, synthesized in Germany in 1969 and marketed as 4% solution with epinephrine; meta-analyses show faster onset and better infiltration success than lidocaine with comparable safety.
Aspirin
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), Bayer's 1899 NSAID synthesized in pure stable form by Felix Hoffmann in 1897; pain, fever, antiplatelet uses, COX mechanism, USPSTF primary-prevention limits, bleeding and Reye's syndrome risks.
Astringent
Astringent: a substance that contracts skin or mucous membranes by precipitating surface proteins (Latin adstringere). Includes aluminum salts like Burow's solution, tannins, and the trigeminal oral sensation astringency.
AYUSH-M3
AYUSH-M3 (Ayush M-3) is a CCRAS-coded polyherbal Ayurvedic formulation for migraine, also listed for prehypertension, now in a 360-patient double-blind placebo-controlled multicentric trial (CTRI/2021/12/038548) at CARI New Delhi, RML Hospital, and NIMHANS Bengaluru.
AYUSH-MML oil (MML Taila)
AYUSH-MML oil (MML Taila) is a CCRAS-coded polyherbal Ayurvedic medicated oil under development for pain management, with completed pharmaceutical standardization and ongoing rodent toxicity and analgesic studies.
AYUSH-SDM tablets
AYUSH-SDM tablets are a CCRAS-coded Ayurvedic polyherbal tablet, a general nervine tonic, developed through standardization, completed animal toxicity testing, and clinical study, and listed as ready for technology transfer.
Azatadine
Azatadine (Optimine, Sch 10649) is a discontinued first-generation sedating H1-antihistamine related to cyproheptadine, developed by Schering-Plough; cat tests wrongly suggested it was nonsedating, and its carbamate derivatives yielded loratadine.
Azelastine
Azelastine, a phthalazinone H1-antihistamine developed as Asta Pharma compound A 5610, is used as a nasal spray (Astelin, Astepro) for allergic and vasomotor rhinitis, as eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis, and with fluticasone as Dymista.
Benadryl
Benadryl, the brand name for diphenhydramine, is a first-generation antihistamine synthesized in 1943 by George Rieveschl and launched in 1946 by Parke, Davis as the first popular oral antihistamine, used for allergies, sleep, and motion sickness.
Bendazac
Bendazac (bendazac lysine, bendazolic acid) is an indazole NSAID whose main action is inhibiting protein denaturation; its lysine salt was used as eyedrops and 500 mg oral tablets to delay cataract, and it was withdrawn in several regions over hepatotoxicity concerns.
Benorilate
Benorilate (benorylate, Benoral) is a mutual prodrug ester of aspirin and paracetamol, hydrolyzed by esterases, used for rheumatic pain, dosed twice daily, with better gastric tolerance than aspirin; it lacks FDA approval.
Benoxinate
Benoxinate (oxybuprocaine) is a 0.4% topical ester ophthalmic anesthetic for tonometry, gonioscopy, and foreign body removal; onset about 1 minute, duration about 20 minutes; prolonged use causes corneal toxicity.
Benzhydrocodone
Benzhydrocodone is a prodrug of hydrocodone, developed as KP201 and sold in the United States with acetaminophen as Apadaz, approved in February 2018 for acute pain.
Benzocaine
Benzocaine, the ethyl ester of 4-aminobenzoic acid, is a topical sodium-channel-blocking local anesthetic discovered by Eduard Ritsert in 1903, used in Orajel and similar products but restricted for teething due to methemoglobinemia risk.