This list includes 49 medications that start with B, ranging from “Baclofen” to “Butorphanol”. These drugs include muscle relaxants, analgesics, antibiotics, and cardiovascular medicines commonly used worldwide.
Medications that start with B are approved generic drugs spanning many therapeutic areas. For example, Baclofen, introduced in the 1960s, remains a well-known muscle relaxant.
Below you’ll find the table with the following columns: Generic name, Brand names, Drug class, Main uses, Common side effects.
Generic name: The official nonproprietary name of the drug, so you can identify it across brands and countries.
Brand names: Common trade names let you recognize marketed versions and their packaging when you see them.
Drug class: The therapeutic category helps you understand how the medicine works and relates to similar drugs.
Main uses: Typical conditions or symptoms the medicine treats so you quickly see its primary purposes.
Common side effects: Typical adverse effects reported by patients, so you weigh benefits and tolerability.
Medications that start with B
| Name | Brand names | Drug class | Main indications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baclofen | Lioresal | Muscle relaxant | Spasticity from MS or spinal cord injury |
| Baloxavir marboxil | Xofluza | Antiviral (endonuclease inhibitor) | Uncomplicated influenza A and B |
| Baricitinib | Olumiant | JAK inhibitor | Rheumatoid arthritis, COVID-19 (severe cases) |
| Bedaquiline | Sirturo | Antitubercular (diarylquinoline) | Multidrug‑resistant tuberculosis |
| Beclomethasone | Qvar, Beconase | Corticosteroid | Asthma maintenance, allergic rhinitis |
| Bevacizumab | Avastin | Anti‑VEGF monoclonal antibody | Various solid tumors, off‑label ocular neovascular disease |
| Benazepril | Lotensin | ACE inhibitor | Hypertension, heart failure adjunct |
| Bendamustine | Treanda | Alkylating chemotherapy agent | Non‑Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia |
| Benztropine | Cogentin | Anticholinergic antiparkinsonian | Parkinsonism, antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms |
| Benzonatate | Tessalon | Antitussive (non‑opioid) | Symptomatic cough suppression |
| Benzathine benzylpenicillin | Bicillin L‑A | Long‑acting penicillin antibiotic | Syphilis, streptococcal infections |
| Bicalutamide | Casodex | Nonsteroidal antiandrogen | Prostate cancer |
| Bictegravir | Component of Biktarvy | Integrase strand transfer inhibitor | HIV‑1 infection (combined therapy) |
| Bimatoprost | Lumigan, Latisse | Prostaglandin analog (ophthalmic) | Open‑angle glaucoma, eyelash hypotrichosis |
| Bismuth subsalicylate | Pepto‑Bismol (OTC) | Antidiarrheal, antacid | Diarrhea, dyspepsia, upset stomach |
| Bivalirudin | Angiomax | Direct thrombin inhibitor (IV) | Anticoagulation during PCI, heparin‑induced thrombocytopenia alternative |
| Blinatumomab | Blincyto | Bispecific T‑cell engager (biologic) | Relapsed/refractory B‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia |
| Brentuximab vedotin | Adcetris | Antibody–drug conjugate | Hodgkin lymphoma, systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma |
| Brimonidine | Alphagan | Alpha‑2 adrenergic agonist (ophthalmic) | Open‑angle glaucoma, ocular hypertension |
| Brimonidine/timolol | Combigan | Alpha‑2 agonist + beta‑blocker (ophthalmic) | Glaucoma, ocular hypertension |
| Brinzolamide | Azopt | Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (ophthalmic) | Open‑angle glaucoma |
| Brivaracetam | Briviact | Anticonvulsant | Focal (partial) seizures |
| Bromocriptine | Parlodel | Dopamine agonist | Parkinson disease, hyperprolactinemia |
| Bromfenac | Bromday | Ophthalmic NSAID | Postoperative ocular inflammation |
| Bromhexine | Bisolvon | Mucolytic expectorant | Productive cough, bronchitis |
| Brompheniramine | Dimetapp (component) | First‑generation antihistamine | Allergic rhinitis, cold symptoms |
| Buprenorphine | Subutex, Suboxone (component) | Partial opioid agonist | Opioid use disorder, moderate pain |
| Buprenorphine/naloxone | Suboxone | Opioid partial agonist + antagonist | Opioid use disorder maintenance therapy |
| Budesonide | Pulmicort, Entocort | Corticosteroid | Asthma maintenance, Crohn’s disease (ileocolonic) |
| Budesonide/formoterol | Symbicort (component) | Inhaled corticosteroid + LABA | Asthma, COPD maintenance |
| Bumetanide | Bumex | Loop diuretic | Edema due to heart failure, renal disease |
| Bupropion | Wellbutrin, Zyban | Norepinephrine‑dopamine reuptake inhibitor | Depression, smoking cessation |
| Bupropion/naltrexone | Contrave | NDRI + opioid antagonist combo | Chronic weight management adjunct |
| Buserelin | Suprefact | GnRH agonist | Prostate cancer, endometriosis, assisted reproductive protocols |
| Buspirone | Buspar | Anxiolytic (5‑HT1A partial agonist) | Generalized anxiety disorder |
| Butalbital | Component of Fioricet | Barbiturate (usually in combination) | Tension headache, migraine (combination products) |
| Butorphanol | Stadol | Opioid analgesic (kappa agonist) | Moderate to severe pain, migraine (nasal) |
| Benralizumab | Fasenra | Monoclonal antibody (IL‑5 receptor) | Severe eosinophilic asthma |
| Besifloxacin | Besivance | Fluoroquinolone antibiotic (ophthalmic) | Bacterial conjunctivitis |
| Betamethasone | Celestone | Corticosteroid | Inflammatory conditions, dermatologic disorders |
| Betaxolol | Betoptic | Beta‑1 selective blocker (ophthalmic/systemic) | Open‑angle glaucoma, hypertension (oral) |
| Bezlotoxumab | Zinplava | Monoclonal antibody (C. difficile toxin B) | Prevention of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection |
| Biperiden | Akineton | Anticholinergic antiparkinsonian | Parkinsonism, drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms |
| Bisacodyl | Dulcolax (generic) | Stimulant laxative | Constipation, bowel prep |
| Bosentan | Tracleer | Endothelin receptor antagonist | Pulmonary arterial hypertension |
| Bosutinib | Bosulif | Tyrosine kinase inhibitor | Chronic myeloid leukemia |
| Bupivacaine | Marcaine | Local anesthetic (amide) | Local/epidural anesthesia for surgery and labor |
| Bezafibrate | Bezalip | Fibric acid derivative | Hypertriglyceridemia, mixed dyslipidemia |
| Benzocaine | Topical anesthetics (generic) | Local anesthetic (topical) | Topical pain relief for mucous membranes, minor procedures |
Descriptions
Baclofen
Centrally acting muscle relaxant used for spasticity; may cause drowsiness and weakness. Avoid abrupt cessation due to withdrawal. Typical oral 5–80 mg daily.
Baloxavir marboxil
Single-dose oral antiviral for influenza; most effective when given within 48 hours of symptoms. Watch for gastrointestinal side effects.
Baricitinib
Oral immunomodulator for inflammatory diseases; increases infection risk and requires blood count and lipid monitoring. Typical RA dose 2–4 mg daily.
Bedaquiline
Specialist therapy for MDR-TB; can prolong QT interval and requires ECG monitoring. Used as part of combination regimens.
Beclomethasone
Inhaled or intranasal steroid to reduce airway/nasal inflammation. Used long-term for control; low systemic exposure with inhaled formulations.
Bevacizumab
Anti‑angiogenic antibody used in cancer and (off-label) ocular injections. Risks include hypertension, bleeding, and impaired wound healing.
Benazepril
Oral ACE inhibitor for blood pressure control; may cause cough, hyperkalemia, and renal function changes. Typical 10–40 mg daily.
Bendamustine
Cytotoxic chemotherapy used for lymphoid malignancies; causes myelosuppression, infection risk, and nausea.
Benztropine
Reduces tremor and rigidity; causes dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, cognitive effects in elderly.
Benzonatate
Peripherally acting cough suppressant; swallow capsules whole to avoid local anesthesia of mouth/throat. Typical 100–200 mg as needed.
Benzathine benzylpenicillin
Intramuscular long‑acting penicillin used for syphilis and some streptococcal infections; single-dose regimens used in early disease.
Bicalutamide
Oral antiandrogen for prostate cancer therapy; may cause hot flashes, gynecomastia, and liver enzyme effects.
Bictegravir
Key integrase inhibitor used in single‑tablet HIV regimens; used only in combination with other antiretrovirals.
Bimatoprost
Topical eye drop reduces intraocular pressure; also used to promote eyelash growth. May darken iris or eyelid skin.
Bismuth subsalicylate
Over‑the‑counter agent for diarrhea and dyspepsia; avoid in children with viral illnesses due to Reye syndrome risk.
Bivalirudin
Short‑acting IV anticoagulant used in percutaneous coronary interventions; monitor for bleeding.
Blinatumomab
Immunotherapy linking T cells to CD19+ B cells; significant cytokine release and neurotoxicity risks—requires close monitoring.
Brentuximab vedotin
Targets CD30-positive cells delivering cytotoxic payload; peripheral neuropathy and myelosuppression are common adverse effects.
Brimonidine
Topical eye medication lowering intraocular pressure; may cause ocular allergy or systemic sedation in rare cases.
Brimonidine/timolol
Combination eye drop to reduce intraocular pressure; monitor for systemic beta‑blocker effects like bradycardia or bronchospasm.
Brinzolamide
Topical agent that decreases aqueous humor production; common side effect is a bitter taste.
Brivaracetam
Adjunctive therapy for partial‑onset seizures; generally well tolerated, may cause dizziness and somnolence.
Bromocriptine
Dopamine agonist used for Parkinsonism and prolactinomas; may cause nausea, orthostatic hypotension, and psychiatric effects.
Bromfenac
Eye drop NSAID used for pain and inflammation after ocular surgery; local irritation possible.
Bromhexine
Expectorant that thins mucus to aid clearance; used in respiratory conditions with thick secretions.
Brompheniramine
Sedating antihistamine for allergy relief and cold symptoms; can cause drowsiness and anticholinergic effects.
Buprenorphine
Partial opioid agonist used for opioid dependence and pain; risk of respiratory depression with other depressants; sublingual or transdermal formulations.
Buprenorphine/naloxone
Combination reduces misuse risk and manages withdrawal; typically given sublingually as film or tablet.
Budesonide
Inhaled or oral steroid used for asthma control or inflammatory bowel disease; lower systemic exposure than some steroids.
Budesonide/formoterol
Combination inhaler provides anti‑inflammatory and bronchodilator effects; used for maintenance therapy and symptom control.
Bumetanide
Potent loop diuretic for fluid overload; monitor electrolytes and kidney function. Typical 0.5–2 mg daily.
Bupropion
Antidepressant used also for smoking cessation; lowers seizure threshold—avoid in seizure disorder or eating disorders.
Bupropion/naltrexone
Combination medication for weight management alongside lifestyle changes; monitor for psychiatric and seizure risks.
Buserelin
Suppresses gonadotropin secretion after initial flare; used in hormone‑dependent conditions, requires specialist supervision.
Buspirone
Nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytic with delayed onset (weeks); minimal sedation and low abuse potential.
Butalbital
Sedative barbiturate commonly combined with acetaminophen and caffeine for headache; risk of dependence and sedation.
Butorphanol
Mixed opioid agonist–antagonist available IM/IV or nasal spray; can cause sedation and respiratory depression with other depressants.
Benralizumab
Reduces eosinophils to improve asthma control; given by subcutaneous injection every 4–8 weeks.
Besifloxacin
Topical antibiotic eye drop for bacterial eye infections; use guided by local resistance patterns.
Betamethasone
Potent steroid available topical, oral, or injectable; monitor for systemic effects with prolonged use.
Betaxolol
Topical eye drop lowers intraocular pressure; systemic beta effects possible if absorbed.
Bezlotoxumab
Single IV dose given during CDI treatment to reduce recurrence in high‑risk patients; adjunctive therapy.
Biperiden
Used for tremor and acute dystonia from antipsychotics; causes anticholinergic side effects and confusion in elderly.
Bisacodyl
Oral or suppository stimulant laxative for short‑term relief; avoid long‑term use to prevent dependence.
Bosentan
Oral therapy for PAH; monitor liver enzymes and pregnancy tests due to teratogenicity.
Bosutinib
Oral TKI for CML treatment; common GI side effects and cytopenias require monitoring.
Bupivacaine
Long‑acting local anesthetic for regional blocks and epidurals; risk of cardiotoxicity at high plasma levels.
Bezafibrate
Lipid‑lowering agent used for high triglycerides and mixed dyslipidemia; monitor liver function and muscle symptoms.
Benzocaine
Topical anesthetic found in sprays or ointments; rare risk of methemoglobinemia, especially in infants.