A–H of drugs
Acetylcysteine (mucolytic)
Reduces the viscosity of secretions associated with impaired or
abnormal mucus production.
Side-effects: bronchoconstriction, nausea and vomiting.
acyclovir (antiviral)
Used against infections caused by herpes virus (herpes simplex and
varicella zoster).
Adenosine (anti-arrhythmic)
Reverses supraventricular tachycardias to sinus rhythm.
Side-effects: chest pain, dyspnoea, nausea, bronchospasm, facial flush
Adrenaline/epinephrine (sympathomimetic agent)
Used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation to stimulate
heart activity and raise low blood pressure.
Side-effects: dry mouth, anxiety, restlessness, palpitations, tremor,
headache, blurred vision, hypertension, tachycardias.
Alendronate (bisphosphonate)
Inhibits the release of calcium from bone by interfering with
the activity of osteoclasts, thereby reducing the rate of bone
turnover.
Side-effects: oesophageal irritation and ulceration, gastroin-
testinal upset, increased bone pain in Paget’s disease.
Alfentanil (opioid analgesic)
Fast-acting, it is used as a respiratory depressant in patients needing
prolonged assisted ventilation.
, Side-effects: drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, dry
mouth.
Allopurinol (anti-gout)
A prophylactic for gout and uric acid kidney stones.
Side-effects: rash, itching, nausea.
Aminophylline (xanthine)
Acts as a bronchodilator and is used for reversible airways obstruction
and intravenously for acute severe asthma.
Side-effects : tachycardias, palpitations, nausea, headache, insomnia,
arrhythmias, convulsions.
Amiodarone (anti-arrhythmic)
Slows nerve impulses in the heart muscle..
Side-effects: photosensitivity, reversible corneal depositions,
liver damage and thyroid disorders.
Amitriptyline (tricyclic antidepressant)
Used as a long-term treatment for depression, particularly when
accompanied by anxiety or insomnia, owing to its sedative properties
Side-effects: drowsiness, sweating, dry mouth, blurred vision
Amlodipine (calcium channel blocker)
Used to treat hypertension and angina
Side-effects: oedema, headache, dizziness, fatigue
Aspirin (NSAID)
Used as an anti-inflammatory, as an analgesic and to reduce
fever. It also inhibits thrombus formation and is used to
reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Side-effects: gastric irritation leading to dyspepsia and bleeding
Acetylcysteine (mucolytic)
Reduces the viscosity of secretions associated with impaired or
abnormal mucus production.
Side-effects: bronchoconstriction, nausea and vomiting.
acyclovir (antiviral)
Used against infections caused by herpes virus (herpes simplex and
varicella zoster).
Adenosine (anti-arrhythmic)
Reverses supraventricular tachycardias to sinus rhythm.
Side-effects: chest pain, dyspnoea, nausea, bronchospasm, facial flush
Adrenaline/epinephrine (sympathomimetic agent)
Used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation to stimulate
heart activity and raise low blood pressure.
Side-effects: dry mouth, anxiety, restlessness, palpitations, tremor,
headache, blurred vision, hypertension, tachycardias.
Alendronate (bisphosphonate)
Inhibits the release of calcium from bone by interfering with
the activity of osteoclasts, thereby reducing the rate of bone
turnover.
Side-effects: oesophageal irritation and ulceration, gastroin-
testinal upset, increased bone pain in Paget’s disease.
Alfentanil (opioid analgesic)
Fast-acting, it is used as a respiratory depressant in patients needing
prolonged assisted ventilation.
, Side-effects: drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, dry
mouth.
Allopurinol (anti-gout)
A prophylactic for gout and uric acid kidney stones.
Side-effects: rash, itching, nausea.
Aminophylline (xanthine)
Acts as a bronchodilator and is used for reversible airways obstruction
and intravenously for acute severe asthma.
Side-effects : tachycardias, palpitations, nausea, headache, insomnia,
arrhythmias, convulsions.
Amiodarone (anti-arrhythmic)
Slows nerve impulses in the heart muscle..
Side-effects: photosensitivity, reversible corneal depositions,
liver damage and thyroid disorders.
Amitriptyline (tricyclic antidepressant)
Used as a long-term treatment for depression, particularly when
accompanied by anxiety or insomnia, owing to its sedative properties
Side-effects: drowsiness, sweating, dry mouth, blurred vision
Amlodipine (calcium channel blocker)
Used to treat hypertension and angina
Side-effects: oedema, headache, dizziness, fatigue
Aspirin (NSAID)
Used as an anti-inflammatory, as an analgesic and to reduce
fever. It also inhibits thrombus formation and is used to
reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Side-effects: gastric irritation leading to dyspepsia and bleeding
