252 articles
Jiuwei Zhike Oral Liquid
Jiuwei Zhike Oral Liquid (九味止咳口服液), a Category 1.1 innovative Chinese patent medicine approved in China in February 2024, treats wind-heat cough in acute tracheobronchitis; nine-herb formula by Yusen and Zhuohe Pharmaceutical, non-inferior to Jizhi syrup.
Keverprazan hydrochloride
Keverprazan hydrochloride (盐酸凯普拉生, H008, brand Beiwen) is a Chinese class 1 potassium-competitive acid blocker by Carephar, NMPA-approved in 2023 for duodenal ulcer, reflux esophagitis, and H. pylori eradication.
Lactulose
Lactulose, a synthetic galactose-fructose disaccharide, is an osmotic laxative and first-line therapy for hepatic encephalopathy; PEG outperforms it for chronic constipation.
Lafutidine
Lafutidine (Protecadin, Lafaxid) is a second-generation H2 receptor antagonist anti-ulcer drug marketed only in Japan and India, with nitric oxide-mediated gastroprotection and symptom benefit over famotidine in reflux esophagitis.
Lansoprazole
Lansoprazole (Prevacid, Zoton FasTabs) is a Japanese-developed proton pump inhibitor approved in the US in 1995 that blocks gastric (H+/K+)-ATPase to treat GERD, ulcers, H. pylori, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Larazotide
Larazotide (larazotide acetate, AT-1001), an eight-amino-acid synthetic zonulin antagonist peptide for celiac disease; showed symptom benefit in phase 2 gluten-challenge and GFD trials, but its phase 3 CeDLara trial was discontinued in 2022.
Laxative
Laxatives are medicines that help pass stools, used for constipation, bowel preparation, and opioid-related constipation. Four main types (bulk-forming, osmotic, stool softener, stimulant) differ in onset from 6 hours to 3 days; overuse risks dependency.
Lerisetron
Lerisetron (F-0930-RS2) is a 2-piperazinylbenzimidazole 5-HT3 receptor antagonist antiemetic developed by FAES Farma for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting; it reached phase III trials but was never marketed.
Levodropropizine
Levodropropizine, the levo (S)-enantiomer of dropropizine, is a non-opioid peripheral antitussive acting on airway C-fibers; used for dry cough in Europe (not US-approved), dosed 60 mg three times daily.
Levosalbutamol
Levosalbutamol (levalbuterol, Xopenex) is the active (R)-enantiomer of salbutamol, a short-acting beta2 agonist bronchodilator approved in 1999; meta-analyses show no consistent clinical superiority over racemic salbutamol in acute asthma.
Lianhua Qingke tablets
Lianhua Qingke tablets (连花清咳片), a 15-herb Chinese patent medicine by Yiling Pharmaceutical approved in China in May 2020 for acute tracheobronchitis cough with phlegm-heat obstructing lung syndrome; medical insurance Category B, OTC, Singapore-registered.
Linaprazan glurate (X842)
Linaprazan glurate (X842, CX842) is an ester prodrug of the potassium-competitive acid blocker linaprazan, developed by Cinclus Pharma and approved in China in December 2024 for reflux esophagitis.
Linerixibat
Linerixibat (GSK2330672, Lynavoy) is an ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor for cholestatic pruritus in primary biliary cholangitis; approved in the US (2026) and UK, positive CHMP opinion, 40 mg twice daily, main side effect diarrhea.
Liquid paraffin (drug)
Liquid paraffin (mineral oil, Paraffinum liquidum) is a petroleum-derived saturated hydrocarbon mixture used as a lubricant laxative for constipation; key hazards are lipoid pneumonia from aspiration and fat-soluble vitamin malabsorption.
Loperamide
Loperamide (Imodium) is a synthetic peripheral mu-opioid agonist antidiarrheal, OTC for acute diarrhea and prescription for chronic diarrhea and ileostomy; safe at ≤16 mg/day but cardiotoxic in overdose.
Lubiprostone
Lubiprostone (Amitiza) is a ClC-2 chloride channel activator laxative approved by FDA in 2006 for chronic idiopathic constipation, later for IBS-C in women and opioid-induced constipation.
Maalox
Maalox, an antacid brand of aluminum hydroxide plus magnesium hydroxide, often with simethicone (Maalox Plus), for heartburn, dyspepsia, and gas; fast-acting MgOH2 balanced against constipating AlOH3, with kidney failure contraindications and 2-hour drug separation.
Magaldrate anhydrous
Magaldrate anhydrous (CAS 74978-16-8), also called aluminum magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate, is a synthetic non-absorbable antacid, formula Al5Mg10(OH)31(SO4)2·xH2O, brand Riopan, discontinued in the US market.
Magnesium citrate
Magnesium citrate (trimagnesium dicitrate) is an osmotic saline laxative sold OTC for short-term occasional constipation and used in colonoscopy bowel prep; acts within 30 minutes to 6 hours, limited to one week, avoided in kidney disease.
Maralixibat
Maralixibat (Livmarli, maralixibat chloride) is an oral IBAT/ASBT inhibitor by Mirum Pharmaceuticals, first FDA-approved 29 September 2021 for cholestatic pruritus in Alagille syndrome, later for PFIC, lowering serum bile acids by blocking intestinal bile acid reabsorption.
Mebeverine
Mebeverine (Colofac, Duspatalin) is an antispasmodic direct smooth muscle relaxant for IBS cramps and pain, given as 135 mg tablets three times daily or 200 mg modified-release capsules twice daily; it has negligible oral bioavailability and meta-analyses show no significant benefit over placebo.
Mepenzolate
Mepenzolate (Cantil, mepenzolate bromide) is a quaternary ammonium antimuscarinic antispasmodic, ATC A03AB12, FDA-approved November 14, 1956 and later discontinued; used in Japan for IBS and studied for COPD.
Mesalazine
Mesalazine (mesalamine, 5-ASA) is a topical anti-inflammatory drug, the active moiety of sulfasalazine, used first-line for mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis and colonic Crohn's disease; delivered via pH-dependent, time-dependent, azo-bonded, and rectal formulations.
Methantheline
Methantheline (methanthelinium bromide; Banthine, Vagantin) is a quaternary ammonium antimuscarinic drug used in Europe since the 1950s for overactive bladder, hypersalivation, and hyperhidrosis; not available in the US.
Methylhomatropine
Methylhomatropine, sold as homatropine methylbromide (CAS 80-49-9), is a quaternary ammonium muscarinic antagonist derived from homatropine, used in antacid antispasmodic combinations and formerly with hydrocodone in Hycodan.
Methylnaltrexone
Methylnaltrexone (Relistor) is a quaternary naltrexone derivative, the first peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist, given subcutaneously or orally for opioid-induced constipation without reducing analgesia.
Metoclopramide
Metoclopramide (Maxolon, Reglan) is a benzamide D2 antagonist, 5-HT4 agonist, and 5-HT3 antagonist anti-emetic and prokinetic, discovered in the 1950s from procainamide, limited by tardive dyskinesia risk and EU 5-day dosing caps.
Misoprostol
Misoprostol, a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog, is used by the FDA for reducing gastric ulcers. Internationally, it is favored for cervical ripening, labor induction, and treating PPH.
Montelukast
Montelukast (Singulair) is an oral leukotriene receptor antagonist for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, first FDA-approved in 1998 and given a 2020 Boxed Warning for neuropsychiatric events.
Mosapride
Mosapride (mosapride citrate, AS-4370) is a benzamide partial 5-HT4 agonist prokinetic launched in Japan in 1998 for functional dyspepsia; dosed 5 mg three times daily, cardiac-safe versus cisapride, unavailable in the USA and UK.