Reviewed by our Medical Board · Updated June 2026
Cure.Care · Medications Encyclopedia

Know your medications with confidence.

A medically reviewed encyclopedia of 2,000+ medications — what each one treats, how it works, common side effects and how to use it safely. Clear, calm, jargon-free.

  • 0+ Medications
  • 0+ Drug classes
  • 0 A–Z index pages
  • 0% Evidence-based
This encyclopedia is educational and never personal medical advice. Always follow the dosage your doctor or pharmacist gives you, and never start, stop or change a medicine without professional guidance.
Most Searched

The medications people look up most

A quick, plain-language overview of each — what it treats, how it’s usually taken, and what to keep in mind.

Browse A–Z index
These overviews are educational and don’t replace your doctor’s or pharmacist’s advice. Dosage, suitability and brand availability vary by person and country — always follow your own prescription.
Full A–Z Index

Every medication, from A to Z

Jump to any letter to browse the full drug encyclopedia. Tap a letter to preview what’s inside.

A
Medications starting with A
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Use Medicines Safely

A few simple rules that keep medicines safe

Most medicines are very safe when used the right way. These calm, practical guidelines help you avoid the most common — and most preventable — mistakes.

Always do

Take it the safe way

Simple habits that make every medicine safer and more effective.

  • Follow the exact dose and timing your doctor prescribed
  • Read the leaflet and check the expiry date
  • Keep an up-to-date list of everything you take
  • Store medicines cool, dry and out of children’s reach
Ask first

Check before you combine

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before doing any of these.

  • Mixing prescription, OTC or herbal products together
  • Taking medicines while pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Drinking alcohol with certain medications
  • Starting a new supplement alongside a prescription
Never do

Avoid these entirely

Common shortcuts that carry real, avoidable risk.

  • Doubling a dose because you missed one
  • Stopping antibiotics or other courses early
  • Sharing prescription medicines with others
  • Using leftover or expired medicines

Wondering if two medicines mix safely?

Use our educational Drug Interaction Checker to see known interactions between medicines — then confirm with your pharmacist.

Open Interaction Checker

This guidance is general and educational — it can’t replace advice tailored to you. If you think you’ve taken too much of any medicine or have a serious reaction, call 112 or contact a poison helpline immediately.

Guided Tools

Check, calculate and understand your medicines

Free, private and educational tools to help you use medications more confidently. They support your conversation with a doctor — they don’t replace it.

Interaction Checker · preview

Pick two medicines to see a sample check

Check

Choose two medicines above to see an example interaction note.

Open the full Interaction Checker

Educational preview only · always confirm with your pharmacist

Common Questions

Medications, answered simply

Clear, calm answers to the things people ask most about taking medicines safely.

What’s the difference between a generic and a brand-name medicine?

A generic medicine contains the same active ingredient, strength and effect as its brand-name version — usually at a lower cost. For example, paracetamol is the generic name, while Crocin and Calpol are brand names. Regulators require generics to work the same way as the original brand.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

Generally, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for the next one, skip the missed dose and carry on as normal — never double up to catch up. Because advice differs by medicine, check the leaflet or ask your pharmacist.

Can I stop a medicine once I feel better?

Not without advice. Many medicines — including antibiotics and treatments for blood pressure, diabetes or mental health — need to be continued even when you feel well. Stopping early can let the problem return or worsen. Always speak to your doctor before stopping.

Is it safe to take two medicines together?

Many are safe together, but some interact — reducing effectiveness or raising the risk of side effects. Before combining prescription, over-the-counter or herbal products, try our educational interaction checker and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.

What’s the difference between prescription and OTC medicines?

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can be bought without a prescription for minor, short-term issues — like paracetamol for pain. Prescription medicines need a doctor’s authorisation because they require medical supervision for correct dosing and safety.

Are the medication pages medically reviewed?

Yes. Every page is written for clarity and reviewed by the Cure.Care Medical Board against trusted sources like the WHO, NIH, the British National Formulary and the FDA. Each page shows a last-reviewed date and is for education only — never personal medical advice.

Have a question about a specific medicine? Explore the Health Answers hub for thousands of plain-language drug answers.
Browse Health Answers
Our Standards

Reviewed, referenced and kept current

This page is part of the Cure.Care medications encyclopedia. It’s written for clarity and reviewed against trusted drug-information sources, so you can read with confidence.

  • Evidence-basedGrounded in WHO, FDA, NIH, BNF & CDSCO data.
  • Kept currentUpdated as drug guidance and safety data change.
  • Editorially transparentClear policies on review and corrections.

Medical disclaimer: The medication information on Cure.Care is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Dosage, suitability and brand availability vary by individual and country — never start, stop or change a medicine without consulting a qualified doctor or pharmacist. If you suspect an overdose or serious reaction, call 112 immediately. Read our full Medical Disclaimer.