💊 Medications A–Z
Plain‑English info. No fluff. Browse by name, class, or risk.
Class
Addiction level
Abuse risk
Weight gain
A
Alprazolam
Not officially licensed in the UK, but still one of the most infamous benzos thanks to US rap lyrics and dark-web availability. Fast-acting, short-lasting, and notorious for both …
Agomelatine
A melatonin-based antidepressant that works differently to the usual SSRIs/SNRIs. It aims to reset circadian rhythms while nudging serotonin receptors. The pitch is: better sleep,…
Atomoxetine
The non-stimulant ADHD med. Atomoxetine works by blocking noradrenaline reuptake, and is often given when stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamfetamine) don’t work or aren’t tolerate…
Amisulpride
A selective D2/D3 antagonist, unusual in that it doesn’t mess much with serotonin or histamine. That means it can improve negative symptoms (low motivation, social withdrawal) bet…
Asenapine
One of the more obscure atypicals in the UK, usually given for bipolar. The gimmick is the sublingual wafer — you stick it under your tongue and let it dissolve (no swallowing). T…
Amitriptyline
The granddad of antidepressants. Amitriptyline is technically a tricyclic, but in 2025 the NHS mostly hands it out for pain and sleep. At low doses it knocks you out cold; at high…
Aripiprazole
Marketed as the “diet antipsychotic” for years because it’s lighter on weight gain than the usual suspects, aripiprazole is a dopamine “partial agonist.” In real life, that means …
B
Bupropion
The “activating” antidepressant — dopamine and noradrenaline focused, so no serotonin fuzz. In the UK it’s more famous as Zyban for smoking cessation, but in the US it’s a big-nam…
Buspirone
Marketed as the “non-benzo benzo,” but it never really lived up to the hype. Buspirone is an anxiolytic that works on serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, not GABA. That means no buzz, no …
C
Cariprazine
Cariprazine is the new dopamine-modulating kid on the block. It hits D3 more than D2, which gives it a slightly different edge — sometimes described as “clearer” or more energisin…
Clorazepate
An oddball benzo, more common in Europe than the UK. It’s actually a prodrug that turns into nordiazepam (basically a Valium cousin) once in the body. Used for anxiety, seizures, …
Carbamazepine
Originally an epilepsy drug, carbamazepine doubles as a mood stabiliser — especially in mania or rapid cycling. It’s less sedating than valproate for some, but comes with a tangle…
Cyproheptadine
A strange one — an old antihistamine with the side effect of boosting appetite. Sometimes used in psychiatry for people struggling to gain weight (e.g. kids on stimulants, or seve…
Chlordiazepoxide
The old-school detox benzo. If you go into hospital for alcohol withdrawal, chances are you’ll meet Librium. It’s long-acting, smooth, and keeps the shakes and seizures at bay whi…
Chlorpromazine
The OG antipsychotic — the first one ever widely used. Low potency, heavily sedating, anticholinergic, and messy in terms of side effects. It paved the way for modern psychiatry b…
Clonazepam
The benzo with stamina. Clonazepam has a long half-life and is often used for seizures or panic disorder. Because it sticks around, it feels less like a “quick hit” and more like …
Clozapine
The big gun. Clozapine is the “last resort” antipsychotic — and also the only one proven to actually save lives in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. It can quiet voices where not…
Citalopram
Another NHS staple. Citalopram is often given as a “starter” SSRI because it’s relatively simple, but higher doses carry heart risks (QT prolongation), so most people are capped a…
Clomipramine
The “OCD TCA.” Clomipramine is one of the few antidepressants that actually has proper evidence for obsessive thoughts. It’s strong on serotonin, but that also means gnarly side e…
D
Diazepam
The classic benzo. Diazepam has been around since the 1960s and still shows up everywhere — for anxiety, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, even dental procedures. Long half-life …
Diphenhydramine
The “drowsy antihistamine” that made its way into almost every OTC sleep tablet. It’ll usually knock you out, but tolerance builds quickly and the side effects (dry mouth, constip…
Doxepin
Another sedating TCA, but this one has found a second life in sleep medicine. At tiny doses it acts mostly as an antihistamine — like prescription-strength Nytol. At higher doses,…
Dosulepin
The “do not use” antidepressant. Once common, dosulepin has been all but blacklisted in the UK because it’s particularly toxic in overdose. Old-school GPs still have patients on i…
Dexmethylphenidate
Basically the “refined” version of methylphenidate: just the active half of the molecule. Not common in the UK (more a US thing), but where it is used, people sometimes find it sh…
Duloxetine
The “two birds, one stone” SNRI. Duloxetine isn’t just used for depression and anxiety — it’s also licensed for neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and stress incontinence. That makes…
Dextroamphetamine
The “pure” amphetamine salt, giving you the central stimulant effects without the extra filler of mixed amphetamines. More common in the US than the UK, but available in some case…
E
Escitalopram
The “cleaned-up” version of citalopram — literally the active isomer. Marketed as being smoother and more tolerable, and some people genuinely do better on it. Still an SSRI, so s…
Eszopiclone
The shinier cousin of zopiclone. It’s not officially available everywhere in the UK, but it’s essentially the same family — another Z-drug hypnotic. Same problems apply: short-ter…
F
Fluoxetine
The original SSRI blockbuster. Fluoxetine came with the promise of being lighter, easier, and less lethal than the old TCAs — and it delivered. It’s energising for some, jittery f…
Fluphenazine
Another high-potency phenothiazine that’s been around for decades. Oral tablets exist, but the depot injection is where it’s mostly seen — long-acting and cheap. The flip side? Hi…
Fluvoxamine
The forgotten SSRI. Rarely prescribed in the UK compared to sertraline or fluoxetine, but it has a niche in OCD. It’s heavily involved in drug interactions (CYP1A2 and CYP2C19), w…
Flupentixol
Available in both oral and depot forms. At low doses it can be mildly stimulating (sometimes used in depression), at higher doses it’s a straightforward typical antipsychotic with…
G
Guanfacine
An alpha-2 agonist, originally a blood pressure med, now used for ADHD (especially in kids). It calms the nervous system by reducing adrenaline signalling. That means less hyperar…
Gabapentin
Pregabalin’s older sibling, with a similar profile but generally seen as weaker. Still used for neuropathic pain and occasionally anxiety, but not as fashionable now. It’s less co…
H
Haloperidol
The classic “high-potency” antipsychotic. Legendary in psych wards for calming acute agitation and psychosis — and infamous for its side effects. It blocks dopamine hard, which ca…
Hydroxyzine
The “antihistamine in disguise.” Technically an allergy drug, but used in psychiatry for anxiety and sleep. It doesn’t carry benzo addiction risks, but it’s sedating, dry-mouthy, …
I
Imipramine
One of the first antidepressants ever made, and it shows. Imipramine basically laid the groundwork for all the modern drugs — but it’s bulky, messy, and rarely used these days. Th…
Isocarboxazid
The forgotten MAOI. Still technically available in the UK, but barely prescribed compared to phenelzine or tranylcypromine. It has the same diet and interaction problems, and its …
L
Lisdexamfetamine
The NHS’s go-to amphetamine for ADHD. Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine, meaning it only kicks in after your body processes it. That makes it smoother, longer-las…
Levomepromazine
Phenothiazine royalty when it comes to sedation. It’s still used in palliative care for its strong calming and anti-sickness effects, but in psychiatry it’s more of a last-ditch o…
Lofepramine
A slightly safer tricyclic that hung around longer than most of its siblings. Marketed as being less dangerous in overdose, it still carries all the usual TCA baggage: anticholine…
Lithium
The granddaddy of mood stabilisers — and one of the few psych meds that genuinely saves lives. Lithium has decades of evidence for bipolar disorder, reducing suicide risk, and kee…
Lurasidone
The newer, shinier atypical — pitched as being cleaner, lighter, and safer. Lurasidone is less sedating, less weight-inducing, and even licensed for bipolar depression. The downsi…
Lamotrigine
The “gentle” mood stabiliser. Lamotrigine is especially good for bipolar depression, with less weight gain or sedation than many alternatives. But it comes with a slow-as-hell tit…
Lorazepam
The NHS favourite for short-term calming. Lorazepam kicks in fast, doesn’t hang around as long as diazepam, and is often used in hospitals for acute agitation, seizures, or before…
M
Methylphenidate
The backbone of UK ADHD prescribing. Methylphenidate is a stimulant that boosts dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain. Short-acting forms can be buzzy and up-and-down; long-acti…
Modafinil
The “wakefulness” drug. Modafinil was designed for narcolepsy but quickly became infamous as the smart-drug of choice for students, shift workers, and tech bros. In reality, it ke…
Mirtazapine
The “antidepressant that makes you eat and sleep.” At low doses it’s heavily sedating, at higher doses it can paradoxically become less so. Famous for causing intense munchies, we…
Moclobemide
The “diet-friendly” MAOI — technically a RIMA (reversible inhibitor of MAO-A). Unlike the classic irreversible ones, you don’t need to live in constant fear of accidentally eating…
N
Nortriptyline
Amitriptyline’s “cleaner” child. It’s a bit less sedating, a bit easier to tolerate, and sometimes used where amitriptyline worked but the grogginess was unbearable. Still a TCA, …
Nitrazepam
Another hypnotic benzo, once famous for its nickname “Moggies.” Strong, sedating, and long-lasting — which also means a groggy hangover the next day. Largely phased out now becaus…
O
Olanzapine
Olanzapine is legendary — both for knocking psychosis flat and for ballooning waistlines. It’s sedating, heavy, and often described as “the drug that’ll make you eat the sofa.” On…
Oxcarbazepine
A carbamazepine spin-off designed to be “cleaner.” It does away with some of the blood test hassle and interactions, but it’s still not widely used in the UK for mood disorders. S…
P
Propranolol
A beta-blocker best known for stage fright. Propranolol doesn’t treat anxiety at its root, but it stops the physical adrenaline surge — shaking hands, racing heart, sweaty palms. …
Pregabalin
A gabapentinoid that started life as an epilepsy drug but exploded in use for anxiety and nerve pain. In the UK it’s classed as a controlled drug now because misuse spiralled — it…
Promethazine
Another sedating antihistamine that doubles as a cheap sleep aid. Promethazine has been around forever, and in the UK it’s still available over the counter in some forms. It doesn…
Perphenazine
A mid-potency typical antipsychotic that never really became fashionable in the UK. It’s sometimes used for psychosis and, in the past, nausea, but it’s mostly faded into obscurit…
Paroxetine
The problem child of SSRIs. Paroxetine works — it’s effective for anxiety and depression — but it’s notorious for being a bastard to stop. Withdrawal can be brutal: brain zaps, fl…
Pimozide
This one’s niche: mainly prescribed for Tourette’s syndrome and severe tics. It’s got a bad reputation for QT prolongation, meaning ECGs are often required if you’re on it. Not a …
Phenelzine
The heavyweight irreversible MAOI. For people with treatment-resistant depression or severe social anxiety, phenelzine can be life-changing — but it comes with a laundry list of d…
Paliperidone
Think of paliperidone as risperidone’s long-acting cousin — literally, it’s the active metabolite. Available in fancy monthly or 3-monthly injections, it’s pushed as a compliance-…
Q
R
Risperidone
The straight-laced workhorse of antipsychotics. Risperidone is effective, predictable, and cheap — the NHS loves it. It can calm psychosis and mania pretty quickly, and it’s also …
Reboxetine
A norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) that was hyped in the 90s but never quite lived up to the hype. Less effective than SSRIs, more side effects (dry mouth, constipation, in…
S
Sertraline
The NHS’s golden child. Sertraline is the first-line antidepressant for just about everything: depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, you name it. It’s cheap, effective, and tolerated by…
Sulpiride
Another benzamide antipsychotic like amisulpride, but older and less selective. Low sedation, fairly “clean” compared to the old phenothiazines, but prolactin elevation is a given…
T
Trazodone
The antidepressant that accidentally became a sleep med. Trazodone is technically an SARI (serotonin antagonist/reuptake inhibitor), but in the UK it’s mostly prescribed at low do…
Topiramate
Originally for epilepsy and migraines, but sometimes used off-label for mood stabilisation or to counter weight gain from antipsychotics. Topiramate has a reputation for making pe…
Trimipramine
The oddball TCA. Unlike the others, trimipramine doesn’t hit monoamines as hard, so it’s less stimulating and more about sedation. It’s sometimes used in insomnia or depression wi…
Temazepam
The “sleep benzo.” Prescribed mainly for insomnia, temazepam works quickly and knocks most people out within half an hour. Trouble is, tolerance builds fast, and suddenly the same…
Tranylcypromine
Another old-school irreversible MAOI, but more stimulating than phenelzine. Some describe it as having a bit of a “speedy” edge — energy, drive, and sometimes anxiety if the dose …
Triazolam
A very short-acting benzo that used to be popular for insomnia. These days it’s barely used in the UK because it wears off too fast, often leaving people awake again at 3am — or w…
V
Venlafaxine
The Marmite antidepressant. Some people swear venlafaxine saved their life, others will never forgive it for the withdrawal alone. It’s an SNRI, so it boosts both serotonin and no…
Valproate
A heavy hitter for mania and mood stabilisation. Valproate works, but the side effects are serious: weight gain, sedation, tremor, liver risks, and in pregnancy, a huge risk of bi…
Vortioxetine
The “new kid on the block” antidepressant, marketed as having pro-cognitive effects. It tweaks multiple serotonin receptors rather than just blocking reuptake, which supposedly ma…
Z
Zopiclone
The “Z-drug” hypnotic that replaced benzos for sleep — and turned out to be just as habit-forming. Zopiclone knocks you out fast, but the metallic aftertaste is legendary, and dep…
Zolpidem
One of the infamous “Z-drugs.” Zolpidem is designed for short-term insomnia treatment and works fast — but it’s notorious for weird side effects. People report sleep-eating, sleep…
Ziprasidone
Not as common in the UK, ziprasidone is known elsewhere as the “slim” antipsychotic, because it tends to avoid weight gain. It works, but the NHS doesn’t stock it as much, partly …
Zuclopenthixol
An old-school thioxanthene antipsychotic. It comes in tablets, but it’s most famous for its depot injections — often used when someone isn’t taking oral meds. There’s even a rapid…