Drugs A–Z

Fact-checked information on the medications patients ask us about most — sourced from FDA prescribing information and CMS pricing data, with clear answers on prescription status and safety. This directory is not exhaustive; call us at (860) 522-9289 if you don't see the medication you're looking for.

Short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (SABA) — bronchodilator

Albuterol (Ventolin)

Albuterol is the generic name behind Ventolin, ProAir, and Proventil — the rescue inhaler that treats sudden asthma and COPD flare-ups within minutes. Here's how it actually works, what separates the brand from the generic, real dosing, the overuse warning most pages skip, and what it costs.

Prescription required
Penicillin antibiotic + beta-lactamase inhibitor combination

Augmentin (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate)

Augmentin is amoxicillin combined with clavulanate potassium — the ingredient that lets it fight bacteria plain amoxicillin can't touch. Here's the real difference from amoxicillin, correct dosing, why GI side effects are more common, and what it actually treats (strep throat isn't on that list).

Prescription required
Macrolide antibiotic

Azithromycin (Zithromax)

Azithromycin — sold under the brand Zithromax and known to most patients as the "Z-Pak" — is one of the most-prescribed antibiotics in the country. Here's why a 3- or 5-day course keeps working after you stop taking it, what it actually treats, the FDA heart-rhythm warning worth knowing, and real pricing.

Prescription required
Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor

Cialis (Tadalafil)

Tadalafil — sold as Cialis, and as a far less expensive generic since 2018 — is a prescription-only PDE5 inhibitor known for lasting up to 36 hours. Here's daily vs. as-needed dosing, how it compares to Viagra, what it actually treats, and real pricing.

Prescription required
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), short-acting

Dapoxetine

Dapoxetine (Priligy) is approved by prescription in Mexico, the UK, and 50+ other countries — but not in the United States. Here's what that actually means, the real legal picture on personal importation, and what FDA-approved options exist here.

Tetracycline-class antibiotic

Doxycycline (Hyclate & Monohydrate)

One antibiotic, two common salt forms — hyclate and monohydrate — sold under names like Vibramycin, Monodox, and Doryx. Here's what actually differs between them, what doxycycline treats (and doesn't), and the interactions that matter.

Prescription required
5-alpha reductase inhibitor

Finasteride (Propecia)

Finasteride is the generic name behind both Propecia (1mg, for hair loss) and Proscar (5mg, for an enlarged prostate) — the same drug at two different doses for two different conditions. Here's how it actually works, the real side-effect numbers from FDA trials, the persistent-symptom reports most pages soften, and what it costs.

Prescription required
Serotonin receptor agonist/antagonist

Addyi (Flibanserin)

Often called "female Viagra," Addyi (flibanserin) is the first FDA-approved daily medication for low sexual desire in premenopausal women — a real prescription drug, not an unregulated "arousal pill." Here's what it actually treats, the alcohol rules, how it compares to Vyleesi, and real pricing.

Prescription required
Anticonvulsant (gabapentinoid)

Gabapentin (Neurontin)

Gabapentin is the generic name behind brand-name Neurontin — one of the most-prescribed medications in the country, for nerve pain and seizures, and widely used off-label for anxiety and sleep. Here's what it actually is, the controlled-substance question people keep asking, real dosing, and why stopping it suddenly is genuinely dangerous.

Prescription required
Loop diuretic

Lasix (Furosemide)

Furosemide — the "water pill" — is a prescription-only loop diuretic in the United States. Here's what it treats, why potassium monitoring matters, how it compares to other diuretics, and what your options are if cost is the real obstacle.

Prescription required
Thyroid hormone replacement (synthetic T4)

Levothyroxine (Synthroid)

Levothyroxine is the generic name behind Synthroid — the synthetic thyroid hormone that treats hypothyroidism and is one of the most-prescribed medications in the country. Here's how it actually works, why timing and consistency matter more than with most pills, the boxed warning most pages bury, and what it costs.

Prescription required
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)

Losartan (Cozaar)

Losartan is the generic name behind Cozaar — a widely prescribed blood pressure medication and the original angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Here's how it actually works, why it's often chosen over an ACE inhibitor, the pregnancy warning that matters most, and what it costs.

Prescription required
Biguanide (antidiabetic)

Metformin (Glucophage)

Metformin is the generic name behind Glucophage — the first-line medication for type 2 diabetes and one of the most-prescribed drugs in the country. Here's how it actually works, why starting slow matters more than most pages admit, the boxed warning worth understanding, and what it costs.

Prescription required
Nitroimidazole antimicrobial

Metronidazole

An antibiotic and antiprotozoal sold as oral tablets, topical gel/cream, and vaginal gel — treats everything from bacterial vaginosis to rosacea, and every form requires a prescription in the US.

Prescription required
Prostaglandin E1 analog

Misoprostol

Misoprostol (Cytotec) is FDA-approved to prevent stomach ulcers in patients on long-term NSAID therapy — a prescription-only medication with a serious boxed warning for pregnancy. Here's the real dosing, how it compares to the more commonly used alternative, and pricing.

Prescription required
Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)

Omeprazole (Prilosec)

Omeprazole is the generic name behind Prilosec — one of the most widely used acid reducers in the country, sold both over the counter and by prescription depending on strength and duration. Here's what actually separates OTC from Rx, real dosing by condition, the interaction most pages bury, and what it costs.

Prescription required
GLP-1 receptor agonist

Ozempic (Semaglutide)

Semaglutide is a prescription injectable (Ozempic) or oral tablet (Rybelsus) for type 2 diabetes — not an over-the-counter weight-loss product. Covers dosing, side effects, and how it compares to Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Mounjaro.

Prescription required
Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor

Sildenafil (Viagra)

Sildenafil — the active ingredient behind brand-name Viagra — is a prescription-only medication in the United States, available as a far less expensive generic since 2017. Here's what it actually treats, real dosing, brand vs. generic pricing, and what determines whether it's safe for you.

Prescription required