Drugs & Medications

Analgesics are drugs that relieve pain. Analgesics include paracetamol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), narcotic drugs, synthetic drugs with narcotic properties and various others. On this forum, you can talk about acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, buprenorphine, diamorphine (heroin), fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, opium, oxycodone, tramadol, and other analgesics.

Antacids neutralize stomach acid and relieve indigestion and heartburn. Some commonly used brand names are: Alamag, Almacone, Alu-Cap, Antacid Gelcaps, Calglycine, Dicarbosil, Di-Gel, Gelusil, Losopan, Maalox, Magnalox, Mi-Acid, Mygel, Nephrox, Riopan, and Uro-Mag. Whichever you are using or are thinking of using, talk about it here.

Antianxiety drugs depress the central nervous system and suppress anxiety, sleepiness and relax muscles. They are also called downers or minor tranquilizers. When abused, many of these drugs can lead to unconsciousness and death. Sedatives include: barbiturates, benzodiazepines, carisoprodol, glutethimide, ketamine (Ketaset®), opioids, opium, and zopiclone. Talk about all antianxiety drugs on this forum.

Antiarrhythmics control heartbeat irregularities. Antiarrhythmics include Betapace (sotalol), Cardizem (diltiazem), Covera (verapamil), Inderal (propranolol), Isoptin (verapamil), Pacerone (amiodarone), Ethmozine (moricizine), Lopressor (metoprolol), Mexitil (mexiletine), Norpace (disopyramide), Procanbid (procainamide), Pronestyl (procainamide), Quinidex Extentabs (quinidine sulfate), Rythmol (propafenone), Tambocor (flecainide), Tenormin (atenolol), Tiazac (diltiazem), Tikosyn (dofetilide), Tonocard (tocainide), Toprol XL (metoprolol). Are you using any of these drugs? This is the place to discuss them.

Antibiotics combat bacterial infection. Antibiotics include Penicillin, Cephalosporin, Polymyxin B, Amphotericin B, Erythromycin, Neomycin, Streptomycin, Tetracycline, Vancomycin, Gentamicin, and Rifamycin. Discuss your prescriptions and side effects here.

Anticoagulants prevent blood from clotting while Thrombolytics dissolve and disperse blood clots. Anticoagulants include Warfarin, Heparin, Certoparin, Bivalirudin, Dalteparin, Enoxaparin etc. Thrombolytics include t-PA, reteplase, tenecteplase, anistreplase, streptokinase and urokinase. Talk about them on this forum.

This forum is the place to discuss anticonvulsants, which prevent epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants include Barbiturates ( Barbexaclone, Metharbital, Methylphenobarbital, Phenobarbital, Primidone), Hydantoins (Ethotoin, Fosphenytoin, Mephenytoin, Phenytoin), Oxazolidinediones (Ethadione, Paramethadione, Trimethadione),Succinimides (Ethosuximide, Mesuximide, Phensuximide), Benzodiazepines (Clobazam, Clonazepam, Clorazepate, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Midazolam, Nitrazepam, Temazepam), Carboxamides (Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine, Rufinamide), Fatty acid derivatives (Valpromide, Valnoctamide), Carboxylic acids (Valproic acid (Sodium valproate & Valproate semisodium). That’s a lot of drugs to deal with! Whichever one(s) you are on, you can talk about your experiences here.

Are you on antidepressants, about to start, or hoping to come off them? Antidepressants can be divided into the following classes: Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), Norepinephrine/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (NRIs aka NERIs/NARIs), Dopamine reuptake inhibitors (DRIs), Opioids, Selective serotonin reuptake enhancers (SSREs), Novel antidepressants and Tetracyclic antidepressants. Discuss the benefits and disadvantages of different types of antidepressants on this forum, and share your experience.

Antidiarrheals are drugs used for the relief of diarrhea. There are two types: those that thicken the stool (Kaolin/pectin and bismuth subsalicylate ) and those that slow intestinal spasms (iphenoxylate/atropine, difenoxin/atropine, and loperamide). Talk about them here.

This forum is dedicated to antiemetics — which treat nausea and vomiting. Antiemetics include 5HT3 receptor (type of serotonin receptor) antagonists, Dopamine antagonists, Antihistamines and Cannabinoids.

Antifungals are used to treat fungal infections that affect the hair, skin, nails, or mucous membranes. They can be divided into Polyene antimycotic (Natamycin, Rimocidin), imidazole and triazole (Miconazole, Ketoconazole, Clotrimazole), Allylamines (Terbinafine, Amorolfine and Naftifine), Echinocandin (Anidulafungin, Caspofungin) and others.

Come to this forum to look for information about antihistamines, drugs that counteract the effects of histamine, a chemical involved in allergic reactions. Also feel free to share your experiences with specific antihistamines, or give advice to others.

Antihypertensives lower blood pressure. Blood pressure lowering drugs can be divided into diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, centrally acting antihypertensives and sympatholytics. Come here to share which work for you, and what your side effects are.

Anti-Inflammatory drugs reduce inflammation and its symptoms like redness, heat, swelling, and increased blood flow found in infections. Anti-Inflammatories include Aspirin, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Ketoprofen, Naproxen, ansd Tiaprofenic.

Antineoplastics are drugs that treat cancer — inhibit or prevent the growth or development of malignant cells. They include alkylating agents, antibiotics, antimetabolites and antimitotic agents. Cytotoxics can be also used as antineoplastics. Ask questions or look for information about antineoplastics here.

Antipsychotics treat symptoms of severe psychiatric disorders. They are divided into typical (Phenothiazines and Butyrophenones), atypical (Clozapine, Olanzapine, Risperidone, etc) and Dopamine partial agonists (Aripiprazole).

Antipyretics reduce fever, so they’re also known simply as fever reducers). The most common antipyretics are the painkillers aspirin and acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol and tylenol).

Antivirals treat viral infections or protect against influenza. Antivirals include anti-herpesvirus agents (Aciclovir, Cidofovir, Docosanol, Famciclovir), anti-influenza agents (Amantadine, Oseltamivir, Peramivir, Rimantadine, Zanamivir), and antiretroviral drugs. Come in here to discuss them!

Barbiturates act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, causing mild sedation to anesthesia. Some barbiturates are: Amobarbital (Sodium Amytal; hypnotics), Aprobarbital (hypnotic), Butabarbital (hypnotics), Butalbital (Fiorinal; sedative), Hexobarbital (Sombulex; hypnotic/anesthetic), Methylphenobarbital (Mebaral; antianxiety, anticonvulsant), Pentobarbital (Nembutal; hypnotic), Phenobarbital (Luminal; hypnotic, sedative, anticonvulsant), Secobarbital (Seconal; hypnotic), Sodium thiopental, Talbutal (Lotusate; hypnotic) and Thiobarbital (anesthetic). Talk about them on this forum!

Beta blockers are used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems. Some beta blockers are Atenolol, Metoprolol and Propranolol. Come here to discuss how your beta-blockers are working for you and what side effects you are experiencing.

Bronchodilators open up the bronchial tubes within the lungs when the tubes have become narrowed by muscle spasms. Bronchodilators can be short acting or long acting. The most common bronchodilators are Ventolin, Primatene (epinephrine), Flixotide, Serevent, Accu-Hale, and Albuterol.

Corticosteroids are drugs related to cortisol, a hormone produced in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids are used primarily as anti-inflammatories but could be also used for treating some malignancies or natural hormone deficiency. Corticosteroid Drugs Include: Betamethasone (Celestone), Budesonide (Entocort EC), Cortisone (Cortone), Dexamethasone (Decadron), Hydrocortisone (Cortef), Prednisolone (Prelone), Prednisone (Deltasone) and Triamcinolone (Kenacort, Kenalog).

Cough suppressants may act centrally on the brain or locally on the respiratory tract to suppress the cough reflex. Cough suppressants include dextromethorphan (DXM), noscapine, ethyl morphine and codeine. Expectorants thin the mucus that blocks the air tubes leading to the lungs. This makes the mucus easier to cough up. The most common expectorant is Guaifenesin.

Decongestants reduce swelling of the mucus membranes and relieve nasal congestion. Topical decongestants include ephedrine, oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, Pseudoephedrine, Tramazoline and Xylometazoline. Pill form decongestants include pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. There are also OTC nose sprays and drops. Which decongestant do you use? Discuss it here.

Immunosuppressives prevent or reduce the body's normal reaction to invasion by disease or foreign tissues. They are used to treat autoimmune diseases and to help prevent rejection of organ transplants. Zathioprine, adrenal corticosteroid hormones, and cyclosporin are the most widely used immunosuppressive drugs.

Laxatives are drugs used to relieve constipation. Laxatives include bulk-forming laxatives, lubricants, stool softeners, saline laxatives, stimulant laxatives and combinations. Use this forum to discuss the laxative of your choice.

Muscle Relaxants are drugs that relieve muscle spasm. You have centrally-acting muscle relaxants like Benzodiazepines and Methocarbamol as well as smooth muscle relaxants like dicyclomine. There are several other skeletal muscle relaxants: Baclofen, Carisoprodol, Chlorzoxazone, Cyclobenzaprine, Dantrolene, Metaxalone, Orphenadrine, Pancuronium and Tizanidine. Discuss the pros, cons and side effects of various muscle relaxants.

Prescription stimulants are drugs that make you more alert and wakeful. They stimulate both the central nervous system and sympathetic nervous system and often produce euphoric feelings. Stimulants are used to treat narcolepsy and other sleep disorders and help patients with ADD or ADHD. The most used stimulants are Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall and Adderall XR although there are some improved drugs called eugeroics. Modafinil and adrafinil, marketed as Provigil and Olmifon belong to this class.

The drugs and medication section of SteadyHealth has a huge number of different forums — but there are still some medications that aren’t covered under any of them. If you are looking for information about drugs that ARE NOT LISTED on any of the other forums, you can post here.