Not medical advice. This site is general information only. In an emergency call your local emergency number. For advice about your own health, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified health professional.
Mid 20th Century
65 medications
Amoxicillin
A semisynthetic penicillin antibiotic that is widely prescribed for children and adults. Amoxicillin is absorb...
Doxycycline
A tetracycline antibiotic used for a remarkably wide range of conditions. Doxycycline treats acne, Lyme diseas...
Metronidazole
An antibiotic effective against anaerobic bacteria and certain parasites. Metronidazole treats bacterial vagin...
Cephalexin
A first generation cephalosporin antibiotic commonly prescribed for skin infections, strep throat, and urinary...
Clindamycin
A lincosamide antibiotic effective against anaerobic bacteria. Clindamycin treats skin infections, dental absc...
Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim
A combination antibiotic also known as Bactrim or Septra. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim work synergistical...
Vancomycin
A powerful glycopeptide antibiotic reserved for severe infections including MRSA. Vancomycin was originally de...
Erythromycin
A macrolide antibiotic discovered in a soil sample from the Philippines. Erythromycin was the first macrolide,...
Gentamicin
An aminoglycoside antibiotic used for serious gram negative infections and sepsis. Gentamicin is derived from ...
Tetracycline
A broad spectrum antibiotic originally derived from Streptomyces bacteria. Tetracycline treats acne, respirato...
Nitrofurantoin
A urinary tract antiseptic specifically used for uncomplicated bladder infections. Nitrofurantoin concentrates...
Isoniazid
A first line tuberculosis medication that kills actively dividing TB bacteria. Isoniazid is used for both acti...
Rifampin
A key tuberculosis drug that kills both dividing and dormant TB bacteria. Rifampin is derived from Amycolatops...
Ibuprofen
A nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug developed by Boots Group in England. Ibuprofen treats headaches, muscle ...
Acetaminophen
Also known as paracetamol outside the US, acetaminophen is one of the most used medications in the world. It t...
Naproxen
A longer acting NSAID whose long half life permits less frequent dosing than short acting NSAIDs. Naproxen tre...
Diclofenac
A potent NSAID widely used outside the US for arthritis and pain. Diclofenac treats osteoarthritis, rheumatoid...
Fentanyl
A synthetic opioid roughly 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl treats breakthrough cancer pain...
Tramadol
A synthetic opioid with dual action: it binds to opioid receptors and inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine re...
Naloxone
A life saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. Naloxone or Narcan displaces opioids from receptors, ...
Metoprolol
A cardioselective beta 1 blocker widely prescribed for cardiovascular conditions. Metoprolol treats high blood...
Furosemide
A loop diuretic that removes excess fluid from the body. Furosemide or Lasix treats heart failure, kidney dise...
Hydrochlorothiazide
A thiazide diuretic that is one of the most prescribed blood pressure medications. Hydrochlorothiazide treats ...
Spironolactone
A potassium sparing diuretic that blocks aldosterone receptors. Spironolactone treats heart failure, high bloo...
Warfarin
The most widely used oral anticoagulant for decades. Warfarin or Coumadin prevents blood clots by inhibiting v...
Polio Vaccine
Developed by Jonas Salk and licensed in 1955, the injected polio vaccine uses killed virus. Albert Sabin later...
MMR Vaccine
A combined vaccine protecting against measles, mumps, and rubella. The MMR vaccine was developed by Maurice Hi...
Pneumococcal Vaccine
A vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, which cause pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections. ...
Meningococcal Vaccine
A vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis, a bacteria that causes meningitis and blood infections. Meningococca...
Diazepam
A benzodiazepine discovered by Leo Sternbach at Hoffmann La Roche. Diazepam or Valium was the top selling drug...
Lithium
A simple element that remains the gold standard treatment for bipolar disorder. Lithium treats mania and preve...
Methylphenidate
A central nervous system stimulant marketed as Ritalin. Methylphenidate treats ADHD by increasing dopamine and...
Loperamide
An opioid receptor agonist that does not cross the blood brain barrier. Loperamide or Imodium treats diarrhea ...
Levothyroxine
A synthetic thyroid hormone that replaces the natural hormone T4. Levothyroxine or Synthroid treats hypothyroi...
Prednisone
A synthetic corticosteroid that mimics cortisol. Prednisone treats a vast range of inflammatory and autoimmune...
Hydrocortisone
A corticosteroid identical to natural cortisol. Hydrocortisone or Cortef treats adrenal insufficiency includin...
Estradiol
The primary female estrogen hormone. Estradiol treats menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats,...
Clomiphene
A fertility medication that stimulates ovulation. Clomiphene or Clomid treats infertility in women who do not ...
Clemastine
A first generation antihistamine with anticholinergic properties. Clemastine or Tavist treats allergic rhiniti...
Ketamine
A unique anesthetic that produces dissociative anesthesia. Ketamine or Ketalar maintains blood pressure and br...
Isoflurane
An inhaled general anesthetic. Isoflurane or Forane is a halogenated ether that maintains general anesthesia. ...
Valproic Acid
A broad spectrum antiseizure medication also used for bipolar disorder and migraine prevention. Valproic acid ...
Carbamazepine
A first line medication for partial seizures and trigeminal neuralgia. Carbamazepine or Tegretol treats seizur...
Azathioprine
One of the first immunosuppressants for organ transplantation. Azathioprine or Imuran prevents organ rejection...
Methotrexate
A versatile medication used in oncology, rheumatology, and dermatology. Methotrexate treats certain cancers, r...
Cisplatin
A platinum based chemotherapy drug. Cisplatin or Platinol treats testicular, bladder, ovarian, and lung cancer...
Cyclophosphamide
A widely used chemotherapy drug. Cyclophosphamide or Cytoxan treats lymphoma, leukemia, breast cancer, and aut...
Doxorubicin
A powerful chemotherapy drug in the anthracycline class. Doxorubicin or Adriamycin treats breast cancer, lymph...
Tamoxifen
A selective estrogen receptor modulator or SERM. Tamoxifen or Nolvadex treats estrogen receptor positive breas...
Vincristine
A chemotherapy drug derived from the Madagascar periwinkle plant. Vincristine or Oncovin treats acute lymphobl...
Fluorouracil
A chemotherapy drug that inhibits DNA synthesis. Fluorouracil or 5 FU treats colon cancer, breast cancer, and ...
Timolol
A beta blocker eye drop that lowers intraocular pressure. Timolol or Timoptic was the first beta blocker appro...
Allopurinol
A medication that lowers uric acid levels. Allopurinol or Zyloprim treats gout and prevents kidney stones in p...
Colchicine
One of the oldest medications still in use, derived from the autumn crocus plant. Colchicine treats acute gout...
Hydroxychloroquine
A medication originally developed for malaria that is now mainly used for autoimmune diseases. Hydroxychloroqu...
Deferoxamine
A medication that binds excess iron and removes it from the body. Deferoxamine or Desferal treats iron poisoni...
Ampicillin
A broad spectrum penicillin that treats a wide range of bacterial infections. Ampicillin treats meningitis, en...
Indomethacin
One of the most potent NSAIDs, discovered in 1963. Indomethacin or Indocin treats acute gout, ankylosing spond...
Sulindac
An NSAID prodrug that may have less kidney toxicity than other NSAIDs. Sulindac or Clinoril treats osteoarthri...
Niacin
A B vitamin that at pharmacological doses lowers cholesterol. Niacin or nicotinic acid lowers LDL cholesterol ...
Fosfomycin
A unique antibiotic notable for very short treatment regimens for uncomplicated bladder infections. Fosfomycin...
Bromocriptine
A dopamine receptor agonist derived from ergot fungus. Bromocriptine or Parlodel treats prolactinomas, pituita...
Amphotericin B
A powerful antifungal known as amphotericin or by its nickname Ampho-terrible due to severe side effects. Amph...
Clotrimazole
An imidazole antifungal available over the counter. Clotrimazole or Lotrimin treats vaginal yeast infections, ...
Simethicone
A medication that relieves intestinal gas and bloating. Simethicone or Gas-X works by breaking up gas bubbles ...