Medicines: A extra

• Aciclovir:

  • Brand names: Action Cold Sore Cream, Boots Avert, Cymex Ultra, Lypsyl Aciclovir 5%, Virasorb, Zovirax


  An antiviral drug used in treatment of herpes infections, can cause cold sores & genital herpes

  Dosage form: tablets, liquid, injection, cream & eye ointment

  Cream commonly used to treat cold sores & can speed up healing of lesions, provided it is started as soon as symptoms occur & as the lesions appear.

  Tablets & injection are used to treat severe herpes infections, shingles, chickenpox & genital herpes. Tablets - also used to prevent herpes infection with weak immunity
• Acrivastine

  • Brand names: Benadryl Allergy Relief 


  Non- drowsy antihistamine, helps the symptoms of allergies.

  Used to treat hay fever, conjunctivitis, eczema & hives as well as for reactions to insect bites & stings & some food allergies.

  Available on prescription & can be brought

  Dosage form: capsules. Sometimes it's combined with a decongestant- pseudoephedrine to unblock nose & sinuses.

  Taken up to 3x daily

  Common side effects: dry mouth & dizziness
• Adalimumab

  • Brand names: Humira, Amgevita, Hyrimoz, Idacio, Imraldi, Yuflyma 


  Biological medicine - made from proteins / other substances produced by body, used to reduce inflammation by acting on immune system

  Used to treat inflammation of the: joints, skin, spine, gut & ulcers in lining of gut & layer beneath white of eyeball

  Humira is brand - others are biosimilars, works in the same way, by blocking part of immune system to reduce inflammation

  Available on prescription - pre-filled syringe / injection pen

  Takes a few works to work & can make you more likely to get infections
• Alendronic acid

  • Brand names: Binosto, Fosamax, Fosamax Once Weekly 


  Bisphosphonate - helps bones stay as strong as possible. Used to treat osteoporosis or to prevent corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis & to prevent post-menopausal osteoporosis in women at risk

  Only available on prescription. Dosage form: Tablet, soluble tablet & liquid

  Usually taken once a week or once daily - need to be taken at the same time / same day of the week on a empty stomach

  Common side effect: Constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, muscle / joint pain, indigestion, bloating / wind, itching, hair loss
• Alginates combined with antacids

  • Brand names: Acidex, Gastrocote, Gaviscon, Peptac liquid aniseed, Rennie heartburn relief 


  Alginates combined with antacids form a 'raft' that floats on surface of stomach contents - reduces reflux & protects lining of esophagus from attack by acid regurgitated from stomach

  Dosage form: Chewable tablets, liquid & powder
• Antacids:

  • Brand names: Gaviscon, Pepto-bismol, Nexium, Alka-Seltzer, Peptac Peppermint, Rennie 


  Antacids are medicines that neutralize acid in stomach to relieve indigestion & heartburn. May help if you have indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux or GORD, stomach ulcer or gastritis

  Antacids ingredients: Alu-minimum hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium trisilicate, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate & sodium carbonate

  Some antacids contain an alginate (coats your gullet with protective layer) & simeticone (reduces flatulence)

  Relieve symptoms quickly for a few hours
• Allopurinol

  • Brand names: Caplenal, Cosuric, Rimapurinol, Zyloric & Uricto 


  An xanthine oxidase inhibitor - works by reducing the production of uric acid in body, high levels of uric acid can cause gout attacks / kidney stones.

  Is used to prevent gout attacks - does not treat them once they occur

  Only available on prescription & comes as tablets

  Can take several months to benefit from drug & first few months can cause gout attacks - an NSAID can help

  Comes as 100mg - 300mg, can increase in severe cases - follow doctors advice

  Common side effects: Nausea & Vomiting