Every active, documented in one place.

A broad-spectrum third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic with strong activity against most Gram-negative and many Gram-positive organisms. Taken orally, well absorbed and excreted primarily via the kidneys.

Mechanism

Binds to penicillin-binding proteins in the bacterial cell wall and inhibits the final transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis, causing cell wall lysis and bacterial death.

Clinical Use

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections, pharyngitis and tonsillitis, otitis media, acute bronchitis, uncomplicated gonorrhoea and typhoid fever.

Dosage Range

Adults: 200–400 mg once or twice daily for 5–14 days.

Safety Notes

Generally well tolerated. Diarrhoea is the most common side effect. Avoid in known cephalosporin/penicillin hypersensitivity. Dose adjustment in severe renal impairment.

A macrolide antibiotic with a long half-life allowing once-daily, short-course therapy. Concentrates within tissues and phagocytes, giving sustained anti-infective activity at the site of infection.

Mechanism

Binds reversibly to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome and blocks protein synthesis by inhibiting peptide translocation.

Clinical Use

Community-acquired respiratory infections, atypical pneumonia (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Legionella), skin and soft-tissue infections, and certain STIs.

Dosage Range

Adults: 250–500 mg once daily for 3–5 days.

Safety Notes

Mild GI upset is common. Rare risk of QT prolongation — caution in patients with cardiac arrhythmia or on other QT-prolonging drugs.

A broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone effective against many Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. Rapidly absorbed after oral dosing with excellent tissue penetration.

Mechanism

Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing DNA supercoiling and replication.

Clinical Use

Urinary tract infections, prostatitis, gastroenteritis and lower respiratory infections when a fluoroquinolone is appropriate.

Dosage Range

Adults: 200–400 mg twice daily for 5–10 days.

Safety Notes

Avoid in children, pregnancy and lactation. Watch for tendinopathy, photosensitivity and neuropsychiatric effects. Space away from antacids and cations.

An orally bioavailable prodrug of cefuroxime that is hydrolysed in the intestinal mucosa to the active antibiotic. Effective against many beta-lactamase-producing organisms.

Mechanism

Same beta-lactam mechanism as cefixime — inhibits bacterial cell wall biosynthesis via penicillin-binding-protein binding.

Clinical Use

Sinusitis, tonsillitis, otitis media, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, uncomplicated skin infections and early Lyme disease.

Dosage Range

Adults: 250–500 mg twice daily for 7–10 days.

Safety Notes

GI upset most common. Avoid in cephalosporin hypersensitivity. Take with food to improve absorption.

A weak antibiotic on its own, but a potent inhibitor of bacterial beta-lactamase enzymes. Combined with cephalosporins or penicillins to restore activity against resistant organisms.

Mechanism

Irreversibly binds bacterial beta-lactamase enzymes, protecting the co-administered beta-lactam antibiotic from enzymatic breakdown.

Clinical Use

Used in fixed combinations to broaden coverage against beta-lactamase-producing strains of H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis and Enterobacteriaceae.

Dosage Range

Typically 125 mg per dose in combination products.

Safety Notes

Diarrhoea is the main dose-related side effect. Rare cholestatic hepatitis on prolonged use.

An oral prodrug hydrolysed to cefpodoxime, active against a wide range of respiratory and urinary pathogens including many beta-lactamase producers.

Mechanism

Beta-lactam cell wall synthesis inhibitor (see cefixime).

Clinical Use

Acute community-acquired pneumonia, sinusitis, pharyngitis, uncomplicated skin infections and uncomplicated UTIs.

Dosage Range

Adults: 100–200 mg twice daily for 7–14 days.

Safety Notes

Take with food. GI upset and rash may occur. Contraindicated in cephalosporin hypersensitivity.

A parenteral aminoglycoside with strong activity against aerobic Gram-negative bacilli including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Given by injection under supervision.

Mechanism

Binds irreversibly to the 30S ribosomal subunit, causing mistranslation and rapid bactericidal killing.

Clinical Use

Serious hospital-acquired Gram-negative infections — septicaemia, complicated UTI, respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis.

Dosage Range

Adults: 3–5 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours, or once-daily dosing.

Safety Notes

Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity are the key risks — therapeutic drug monitoring is advised. Avoid in pregnancy where possible.

A spore-forming probiotic that survives gastric acid and antibiotic exposure, restoring healthy gut flora during and after antibiotic therapy.

Mechanism

Colonises the intestine and produces L(+)-lactic acid, lowering luminal pH and out-competing pathogenic bacteria; also supports mucosal immunity.

Clinical Use

Prevention and management of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, acute diarrhoea, and general gut health support.

Dosage Range

1.5–2.5 billion spores once or twice daily.

Safety Notes

Very well tolerated. Occasional mild bloating. Safe in most patient groups including children.

A non-opioid cough suppressant that acts on the cough centre in the medulla to reduce dry, non-productive cough.

Mechanism

Sigma-1 receptor agonism and NMDA antagonism at the medullary cough centre raise the cough reflex threshold.

Clinical Use

Symptomatic relief of dry, irritating cough.

Dosage Range

Adults: 10–20 mg every 4 hours; max 120 mg/day.

Safety Notes

Avoid with MAO inhibitors and SSRIs (serotonin syndrome risk). Not for productive cough.

A selective alpha-1 adrenergic agonist used to relieve nasal and sinus congestion associated with common cold and allergic rhinitis.

Mechanism

Vasoconstricts the dilated nasal mucosal blood vessels, reducing mucosal oedema and nasal airway resistance.

Clinical Use

Nasal and sinus congestion in cough–cold combinations.

Dosage Range

10–20 mg every 4 hours, orally.

Safety Notes

Use cautiously in hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, hyperthyroidism and in patients on MAO inhibitors.

A classic sedating antihistamine used in cough–cold formulations to dry secretions and reduce sneezing and rhinorrhoea.

Mechanism

Competitive blockade of peripheral H1 histamine receptors.

Clinical Use

Allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and adjunct in cold and cough preparations.

Dosage Range

Adults: 2–4 mg every 4–6 hours.

Safety Notes

May cause drowsiness — avoid driving. Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, urinary retention). Caution in elderly and in glaucoma or BPH.

An active metabolite of bromhexine that thins and mobilises airway mucus, easing expectoration.

Mechanism

Stimulates serous cell activity and surfactant production, reduces mucus viscosity and enhances ciliary clearance.

Clinical Use

Acute and chronic bronchitis, COPD exacerbations and post-operative pulmonary care with productive cough.

Dosage Range

Adults: 30–60 mg 2–3 times daily.

Safety Notes

Rarely causes GI upset or hypersensitivity. Safe in most populations at recommended doses.

A short-acting beta-2 selective bronchodilator used in reversible airway obstruction and in combination cough syrups for wheezy cough.

Mechanism

Stimulates beta-2 adrenergic receptors on bronchial smooth muscle, increasing intracellular cAMP and causing bronchodilation.

Clinical Use

Bronchospasm associated with bronchitis, asthma and COPD; often combined with mucolytics.

Dosage Range

Adults: 2.5–5 mg three times daily.

Safety Notes

May cause tremor, tachycardia and hypokalaemia at higher doses. Caution in cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism and diabetes.

A classical expectorant that increases the hydration of respiratory secretions, making cough more productive.

Mechanism

Stimulates gastric vagal receptors to reflexly increase respiratory tract fluid, reducing sputum viscosity.

Clinical Use

Productive cough with thick, tenacious sputum.

Dosage Range

Adults: 100–400 mg every 4 hours; max 2.4 g/day.

Safety Notes

Well tolerated. Occasional nausea, drowsiness or rash.

A naturally occurring compound from mint oils used in cough syrups and lozenges for its cooling and mildly anaesthetic effect on airway receptors.

Mechanism

Activates TRPM8 cold-sensitive receptors, providing a cooling sensation and mild local anaesthesia of the throat.

Clinical Use

Symptomatic relief of throat irritation and cough associated with cold.

Dosage Range

Low mg-level doses in combination syrups and lozenges.

Safety Notes

Avoid in infants for topical use around the face. Rare hypersensitivity.

The S-isomer of omeprazole, providing sustained suppression of gastric acid secretion. Available as an injection for acute upper GI bleeding and severe reflux.

Mechanism

Irreversibly binds the H+/K+-ATPase (proton pump) of gastric parietal cells, blocking the final step of acid secretion.

Clinical Use

Peptic ulcer disease, GERD, Zollinger–Ellison syndrome, prevention of stress ulcers and upper GI bleeding.

Dosage Range

20–40 mg IV once or twice daily.

Safety Notes

Long-term use: risk of hypomagnesaemia, B12 deficiency, and increased fracture risk. Monitor in prolonged therapy.

A rapidly-acting PPI with a short onset of anti-secretory action, giving reliable acid suppression through the day.

Mechanism

Same H+/K+-ATPase inhibition as esomeprazole.

Clinical Use

GERD, duodenal and gastric ulcer, functional dyspepsia.

Dosage Range

Adults: 20 mg once daily before breakfast.

Safety Notes

Well tolerated. Headache, diarrhoea most common.

The active levo-enantiomer of sulpiride used as a prokinetic and anti-emetic in functional GI disorders.

Mechanism

Selective dopamine D2 receptor antagonism in the gut and central chemoreceptor trigger zone accelerates gastric emptying and suppresses nausea.

Clinical Use

Functional dyspepsia, diabetic gastroparesis, GERD with delayed emptying.

Dosage Range

25–75 mg per day, often as SR combination with PPI.

Safety Notes

Can raise prolactin (galactorrhoea, menstrual changes). Rare extrapyramidal effects at high doses.

A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with strong analgesic activity and improved GI tolerability compared with diclofenac.

Mechanism

Preferentially inhibits COX-2, reducing prostaglandin-mediated pain, inflammation and fever.

Clinical Use

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, dental pain, dysmenorrhoea and post-traumatic pain.

Dosage Range

Adults: 100 mg twice daily, or 200 mg SR once daily.

Safety Notes

Risk of GI bleeding, renal impairment, cardiovascular events with long-term use. Avoid in active peptic ulcer, severe renal or hepatic disease and third-trimester pregnancy.

A widely used analgesic and antipyretic with a very favourable safety profile at recommended doses.

Mechanism

Centrally acting inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis (COX-2 and possibly COX-3 in CNS) with weak peripheral anti-inflammatory action.

Clinical Use

Mild-to-moderate pain and fever; safe in most patient groups when dosed correctly.

Dosage Range

Adults: 500–1000 mg every 6 hours; max 4 g/day.

Safety Notes

Hepatotoxic in overdose. Avoid alcohol excess and chronic supratherapeutic dosing.

A long half-life NSAID given by injection for rapid relief of acute musculoskeletal pain and inflammation.

Mechanism

Non-selective COX inhibition suppressing prostaglandin synthesis, producing analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects.

Clinical Use

Acute pain in musculoskeletal injury, renal colic, post-operative pain.

Dosage Range

20–40 mg IM once daily, short courses only.

Safety Notes

Higher GI ulcer and skin reaction risk than newer NSAIDs. Contraindicated in active ulcer, severe renal impairment and hypersensitivity.

A semi-synthetic derivative of colchicoside with selective muscle-relaxant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions.

Mechanism

Agonist at GABA-A and glycine receptors, producing spinal-level muscle relaxation without generalised sedation.

Clinical Use

Painful muscle spasm in acute low-back pain, cervical spondylosis, torticollis and post-traumatic contracture.

Dosage Range

4–8 mg twice daily orally, short courses (≤7 days).

Safety Notes

Restricted to short-term use due to potential genotoxicity of a metabolite. Avoid in pregnancy and lactation.

A proteolytic enzyme derived from Serratia species used as an anti-inflammatory adjunct to reduce oedema and thin secretions.

Mechanism

Hydrolyses bradykinin, histamine and inflammatory exudates; reduces tissue swelling and improves lymphatic drainage.

Clinical Use

Post-operative oedema, trauma, sinusitis, dental and ENT surgery, and adjunct to NSAIDs.

Dosage Range

10–15 mg three times daily.

Safety Notes

Generally well tolerated. Caution in coagulation disorders and with anticoagulants.

A naturally occurring hydrophilic bile acid used to dissolve cholesterol gallstones and to protect hepatocytes in cholestatic liver disease.

Mechanism

Replaces toxic hydrophobic bile acids in the bile pool, stabilises hepatocyte membranes, reduces cholesterol absorption and has immunomodulatory effects on cholangiocytes.

Clinical Use

Primary biliary cholangitis, cholesterol gallstones, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cholestasis of pregnancy.

Dosage Range

10–15 mg/kg/day, usually 150–300 mg twice daily.

Safety Notes

Very well tolerated. Occasional diarrhoea. Avoid in radiolucent calcified stones and complete biliary obstruction.

A standardised extract from Silybum marianum with antioxidant, membrane-stabilising and anti-fibrotic effects on the liver.

Mechanism

Scavenges free radicals, inhibits hepatic lipid peroxidation, stabilises hepatocyte membranes and promotes protein synthesis in damaged liver cells.

Clinical Use

Adjunct therapy in chronic hepatitis, alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and drug-induced liver injury.

Dosage Range

140 mg two–three times daily.

Safety Notes

Excellent tolerability. Rare mild GI upset or allergic reaction.

A stable salt of two amino acids used to reduce blood ammonia in hepatic encephalopathy and chronic liver disease.

Mechanism

Provides substrates for the urea cycle in periportal hepatocytes and for glutamine synthesis in perivenous hepatocytes and muscle, both of which detoxify ammonia.

Clinical Use

Hepatic encephalopathy, hyperammonaemia, chronic liver disease.

Dosage Range

Oral: 3–6 g three times daily; IV formulations available for acute care.

Safety Notes

Well tolerated. Occasional nausea or GI upset.

A synthetic glucocorticoid derived from prednisolone, with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity and a reportedly lower impact on bone density and glucose metabolism than equivalent prednisolone doses.

Mechanism

Binds cytosolic glucocorticoid receptors, translocates to the nucleus and modulates transcription of anti-inflammatory genes while suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Clinical Use

Duchenne muscular dystrophy, nephrotic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, severe asthma, autoimmune and allergic disorders.

Dosage Range

Adults: 6–90 mg/day depending on indication.

Safety Notes

Long-term risks: Cushingoid features, osteoporosis, hyperglycaemia, infection, adrenal suppression. Taper gradually; do not stop abruptly.

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids from marine sources supporting cardiovascular, cognitive, joint and skin health.

Mechanism

Compete with arachidonic acid to produce less-inflammatory eicosanoids; incorporate into cell membranes to improve fluidity and receptor signalling.

Clinical Use

Hypertriglyceridaemia, cardiovascular risk reduction, joint stiffness, dry-eye and general wellness.

Dosage Range

500–1000 mg combined EPA+DHA daily.

Safety Notes

Mild fishy aftertaste. Caution at high doses in patients on anticoagulants.

A group of water-soluble vitamins essential for energy metabolism, neurological function, red-cell production and skin health.

Mechanism

Serve as cofactors for enzymes in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, homocysteine remethylation and neurotransmitter synthesis.

Clinical Use

Nutritional deficiency, peripheral neuropathy, alcoholism-related deficiency, adjunct in hepatic support formulations.

Dosage Range

Standard RDA-level doses in combination products.

Safety Notes

Water-soluble — very safe. High-dose B6 for long periods can cause sensory neuropathy.

The amide form of niacin; cofactor for NAD/NADP-dependent enzymes central to cellular energy metabolism and DNA repair.

Mechanism

Precursor to NAD+/NADP+, supporting redox reactions, ADP-ribose signalling and hepatocyte energy metabolism.

Clinical Use

Pellagra prevention, adjunct in hepatic support and dermatology.

Dosage Range

50–100 mg once daily in combination products.

Safety Notes

Well tolerated (no flushing, unlike nicotinic acid). Rare hepatotoxicity at very high doses.

Precursor of coenzyme A, essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids and for adrenal hormone synthesis.

Mechanism

Incorporated into coenzyme A and acyl-carrier protein used across metabolism.

Clinical Use

Nutritional supplementation in combination formulas; supports skin and hair health.

Dosage Range

5–20 mg daily in combination products.

Safety Notes

Extremely safe.

A water-soluble vitamin critical for amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis and haemoglobin production.

Mechanism

Converted to pyridoxal-5-phosphate, a cofactor for over 100 enzymes involved in transamination, decarboxylation and glycogen phosphorylase activity.

Clinical Use

Nausea in pregnancy, isoniazid-induced neuropathy prevention, homocysteine reduction and adjunct in stone prevention.

Dosage Range

10–50 mg daily. Chronic doses > 200 mg/day may cause neuropathy.

Safety Notes

Safe at recommended doses; long-term high dose can cause sensory neuropathy.

A standardised combination of plant extracts (typically including turmeric, green tea, grape seed, ginger and similar botanicals) chosen for their antioxidant and adaptogenic properties.

Mechanism

Polyphenols and flavonoids scavenge reactive oxygen species, modulate NF-κB signalling and support endogenous antioxidant systems (glutathione, SOD).

Clinical Use

Everyday wellness, oxidative-stress support, cardiovascular and joint health adjunct.

Dosage Range

One softgel once or twice daily with food.

Safety Notes

Generally well tolerated. Check for interactions if on anticoagulants or immunosuppressants.

An alkalinising salt used to raise urinary pH and citrate, preventing recurrence of calcium-oxalate and uric-acid kidney stones.

Mechanism

Metabolised to bicarbonate, alkalinising urine and increasing urinary citrate — a natural inhibitor of calcium stone formation.

Clinical Use

Calcium-oxalate, uric-acid and cystine stone prevention; distal renal tubular acidosis.

Dosage Range

1080–2160 mg two or three times daily with meals.

Safety Notes

Caution in hyperkalaemia, severe renal impairment and with potassium-sparing diuretics or ACE inhibitors.

A highly bioavailable form of magnesium involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions, including energy production, muscle and nerve function.

Mechanism

Provides elemental magnesium as a cofactor for ATP-dependent enzymes; also acts as an inhibitor of calcium-oxalate crystallisation in urine.

Clinical Use

Magnesium deficiency, muscle cramps, stone-prevention combinations and constipation at higher doses.

Dosage Range

300–600 mg daily divided doses.

Safety Notes

Diarrhoea at higher doses. Caution in renal impairment.