Here you’ll find 55 Medications that start with A that begin with A, organized from “Abacavir” to “Aztreonam”. These entries cover approved generic drugs commonly used worldwide for infections, chronic conditions, and acute care.
Medications that start with A are generic drug names and active medicines used to treat many conditions. One notable example is Abacavir, an antiretroviral that reshaped HIV treatment options.
Below you’ll find the table with Generic name, Drug class, Common uses, Common side effects, and Brand names.
Generic name: Lists the standard, nonproprietary name you will see on prescriptions and labels, helping you identify the active drug quickly.
Drug class: Shows the medication’s pharmacologic group so you can understand how it works and compare related medications.
Common uses: Summarizes typical conditions or symptoms the drug treats so you can see its primary purposes at a glance.
Common side effects: Lists frequent or notable adverse effects so you can watch for symptoms and discuss concerns with those managing your care.
Brand names: Provides familiar trade names you may encounter, helping you match a generic drug to commercial products.
Last updated: September 28, 2025. Medical disclaimer: This list is informational and does not replace professional medical advice.
Medications that start with A
Generic Name
Brand Names
Drug Class
Common Uses
Abacavir
Ziagen
NRTI antiretroviral
HIV treatment
Abatacept
Orencia
T-cell costimulation modulator
Rheumatoid arthritis
Acetazolamide
Diamox
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
Glaucoma, altitude sickness
Acetaminophen
Tylenol; Panadol
Analgesic/antipyretic
Pain, fever
Acyclovir
Zovirax
Antiviral (nucleoside)
Herpes simplex and varicella
Adalimumab
Humira
TNF inhibitor biologic
Rheumatoid arthritis, IBD, psoriasis
Adapalene
Differin
Topical retinoid
Acne
Adefovir
Hepsera
Nucleotide antiviral
Chronic hepatitis B
Aflibercept
Eylea
VEGF inhibitor (biologic)
Age-related macular degeneration
Afatinib
Gilotrif
EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor
EGFR-mutated lung cancer
Albuterol
Ventolin; ProAir
Short-acting bronchodilator (β2 agonist)
Asthma, COPD rescue
Albendazole
Albenza
Anthelmintic
Parasitic worm infections
Alendronate
Fosamax
Bisphosphonate
Osteoporosis
Alfuzosin
Uroxatral
Alpha-1 blocker
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Aliskiren
Tekturna
Direct renin inhibitor
Hypertension
Almotriptan
Axert
Triptan (5-HT1 agonist)
Acute migraine
Alprazolam
Xanax
Benzodiazepine
Anxiety, panic disorder
Amantadine
Symmetrel
Antiviral/NMDA antagonist
Parkinson’s disease, influenza A
Amifampridine
Firdapse
Potassium channel blocker
Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome
Amifostine
Ethyol
Cytoprotective agent
Reduce chemotherapy/radiation toxicity
Amikacin
Amikin
Aminoglycoside antibiotic
Serious gram-negative infections
Amiodarone
Cordarone; Pacerone
Antiarrhythmic (class III)
Atrial and ventricular arrhythmias
Amitriptyline
Elavil
Tricyclic antidepressant
Depression, neuropathic pain
Amlodipine
Norvasc
Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker
Hypertension, angina
Amiodarone already listed
See above
See above
See above
Amoxicillin
Amoxil; Moxatag
Penicillin antibiotic
Ear, throat, respiratory infections
Amoxicillin/clavulanate
Augmentin
Penicillin with β-lactamase inhibitor
Resistant bacterial infections
Ampicillin
Principen
Penicillin antibiotic
Systemic bacterial infections
Amphotericin B
Fungizone; AmBisome
Polyene antifungal
Severe systemic fungal infections
Anakinra
Kineret
IL-1 receptor antagonist
Rheumatoid arthritis, autoinflammatory syndromes
Anastrozole
Arimidex
Aromatase inhibitor
Hormone receptor–positive breast cancer
Anidulafungin
Eraxis
Echinocandin antifungal
Invasive candidiasis
Apixaban
Eliquis
Direct factor Xa inhibitor
Stroke prevention, DVT/PE
Apalutamide
Erleada
Androgen receptor inhibitor
Prostate cancer
Aprepitant
Emend
NK1 receptor antagonist
Chemotherapy-induced nausea prevention
Apomorphine
Apokyn
Dopamine agonist
Parkinson’s “off” episodes
Aripiprazole
Abilify
Atypical antipsychotic
Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder
Arformoterol
Brovana
Long-acting β2 agonist
COPD maintenance
Arsenic trioxide
Trisenox
Antineoplastic agent
Acute promyelocytic leukemia
Artesunate
Artesunate (generic)
Antimalarial
Severe malaria
Asenapine
Saphris
Atypical antipsychotic
Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder
Aspirin
Bayer; Ecotrin
NSAID / antiplatelet
Pain, fever, MI/stroke prevention
Atazanavir
Reyataz
Protease inhibitor (antiretroviral)
HIV treatment
Atenolol
Tenormin
β1-selective beta-blocker
Hypertension, angina
Atorvastatin
Lipitor
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)
High cholesterol, CVD prevention
Atropine
Atropen
Anticholinergic agent
Bradycardia, organophosphate poisoning
Atovaquone
Mepron
Antiparasitic/antiprotozoal
Pneumocystis jirovecii, malaria
Avanafil
Stendra
PDE5 inhibitor
Erectile dysfunction
Azacitidine
Vidaza
Hypomethylating agent
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Azelaic acid
Finacea; Azelex
Topical antimicrobial/keratolytic
Acne, rosacea
Azelastine
Astelin; Astepro
Antihistamine (intranasal/ophthalmic)
Allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis
Azilsartan
Edarbi
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
Hypertension
Azithromycin
Zithromax; Z-Pak
Macrolide antibiotic
Respiratory, skin infections
Aztreonam
Azactam
Monobactam antibiotic
Gram-negative infections, penicillin allergy
Azathioprine
Imuran
Immunosuppressant (purine analog)
Organ transplant, autoimmune disease
Descriptions
Abacavir
Inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase; may cause hypersensitivity in HLA-B*57:01 carriers; used in combination HIV therapy.
Abatacept
Modulates immune activation to reduce joint inflammation; infection and infusion-reaction risk; used for moderate–severe RA.
Acetazolamide
Reduces fluid production and alters pH; causes tingling, frequent urination; used for glaucoma and altitude illness.
Acetaminophen
Reduces pain and fever via central action; liver damage risk with overdose; widely used across ages.
Acyclovir
Inhibits viral DNA synthesis; nausea and headache common, rare kidney effects; for HSV/VZV infections.
Adalimumab
Blocks TNF to reduce inflammation; infection risk and injection-site reactions; used for autoimmune diseases.
Adapalene
Normalizes skin cell turnover; may cause dryness and irritation; used for mild–moderate acne.
Adefovir
Inhibits viral DNA polymerase; possible kidney toxicity and low phosphate; used in HBV treatment.
Aflibercept
Binds VEGF to reduce abnormal vessel growth; injection-site reactions and vision changes; used in retinal disease.
Afatinib
Blocks EGFR signaling; diarrhea and skin rash common; used in certain lung cancers.
Albuterol
Relaxes airway muscles to relieve wheeze; tremor and rapid heartbeat may occur; common inhaler rescue therapy.
Albendazole
Disrupts parasite metabolism; GI upset and headache possible; used for tapeworms and roundworms.
Alendronate
Slows bone resorption; can cause heartburn, rare jaw bone problems; used to prevent fractures.
Alfuzosin
Relaxes prostate and bladder neck muscles; may cause dizziness or low blood pressure; improves urine flow.
Aliskiren
Blocks renin to lower blood pressure; dizziness and diarrhea possible; alternative antihypertensive agent.
Almotriptan
Narrows cranial vessels to relieve migraine pain; may cause dizziness and fatigue; for acute attacks.
Alprazolam
Enhances GABA for anxiolytic and sedative effects; sedation, dependence, and withdrawal possible; short-term use typical.
Amantadine
Increases dopamine activity and has antiviral effects; insomnia and livedo reticularis risk; used in PD and some influenza cases.
Amifampridine
Improves neuromuscular transmission to reduce weakness; may cause paresthesia and abdominal pain; used for LEMS.
Amifostine
Protects healthy cells from chemo/radiation damage; nausea and low blood pressure possible; used during certain cancer treatments.
Amikacin
Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis; nephrotoxicity and hearing loss risks; used IV for severe infections.
Amiodarone
Prolongs cardiac action potentials; thyroid, lung, liver toxicity and photosensitivity possible; for difficult arrhythmias.
Amitriptyline
Raises serotonin and norepinephrine; anticholinergic effects and drowsiness; used for mood and chronic pain.
Amlodipine
Lowers vascular resistance to reduce blood pressure; ankle swelling and flushing possible; common BP medication.
Amiodarone already listed
See above
Amoxicillin
Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis; rash and GI upset common; widely used for common infections.
Amoxicillin/clavulanate
Clavulanate protects amoxicillin from enzymes; diarrhea common; useful for sinus and bite infections.
Ampicillin
Cell wall synthesis inhibitor; rash and GI upset; IV and oral formulations for various infections.
Amphotericin B
Binds fungal ergosterol to kill fungi; infusion reactions and kidney toxicity common; for life-threatening fungal disease.
Anakinra
Blocks IL-1 to reduce inflammation; injection-site reactions and infection risk; used in certain inflammatory conditions.
Anastrozole
Reduces estrogen production; hot flashes and bone loss may occur; for postmenopausal breast cancer.
Anidulafungin
Inhibits fungal cell wall synthesis; mild liver enzyme changes and infusion reactions possible; IV therapy for candida bloodstream infections.
Apixaban
Inhibits factor Xa to prevent clots; bleeding risk present; used for AF and thromboembolism.
Apalutamide
Blocks androgen signaling to slow cancer growth; fatigue and rash common; for advanced prostate cancer.
Aprepitant
Blocks substance P-mediated vomiting; fatigue and hiccups noted; used with other antiemetics.
Apomorphine
Stimulates dopamine receptors to rapidly reverse immobility; nausea and low blood pressure may occur; rescue therapy for PD.
Aripiprazole
Partial dopamine agonist; akathisia and weight gain possible; used for psychotic and mood disorders.
Arformoterol
Long-acting bronchodilator; may cause tremor and palpitations; used for daily COPD control.
Arsenic trioxide
Induces cancer cell differentiation in APL; QT prolongation and differentiation syndrome possible; used in APL therapy.
Artesunate
Rapidly kills malaria parasites; fever reduction and GI upset possible; IV form used for severe malaria.
Asenapine
Blocks dopamine and serotonin receptors; oral numbness and sedation possible; used sublingually.
Aspirin
Inhibits COX enzymes and platelet aggregation; GI bleeding risk; used for pain and cardiovascular prevention.
Atazanavir
Inhibits HIV protease; can cause jaundice and GI upset; part of antiretroviral regimens.
Atenolol
Reduces heart rate and blood pressure; fatigue and cold extremities possible; used for blood pressure control.
Atorvastatin
Lowers LDL cholesterol; muscle pain and liver enzyme changes possible; used to reduce heart disease risk.
Atropine
Blocks muscarinic receptors to increase heart rate; dry mouth and blurry vision possible; also used in ophthalmology.
Atovaquone
Disrupts parasite mitochondrial function; GI upset and rash possible; used for PCP and malaria.
Avanafil
Enhances blood flow to penis by PDE5 inhibition; headache and flushing common; used for ED.
Azacitidine
Incorporates into DNA/RNA to modify gene expression; cytopenias and GI effects common; used in MDS.
Azelaic acid
Reduces bacteria and inflammation; can cause skin dryness and irritation; used in dermatology.
Azelastine
Blocks histamine receptors; bitter taste and drowsiness possible; used for allergy symptoms.
Azilsartan
Blocks angiotensin receptors to lower blood pressure; dizziness and high potassium possible; antihypertensive option.
Azithromycin
Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis; diarrhea and QT prolongation risk; common outpatient antibiotic.
Aztreonam
Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis; IV/INH use; generally safe in penicillin allergy.
Azathioprine
Inhibits DNA synthesis in immune cells; infection risk and bone marrow suppression possible; used for autoimmune conditions.
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