Here you’ll find 48 Medications that start with S, organized from “Sacubitril” to “Suvorexant”. Many of these medicines treat heart conditions, mental health, pain, infection, and sleep disorders.
Medications that start with S are generic drug names beginning with S that treat many common conditions. Historically, early sulfonamide antibiotics helped shape modern drug therapy.
Below you’ll find the table with Medication, Drug class, Common uses, and Common side effects.
Medication: Shows the generic name and common brand names so you can quickly identify the drug you are researching.
Drug class: Groups medications by therapeutic class to help you understand how a drug works and what alternatives exist.
Common uses: Summarizes the main conditions the medication treats, so you can see clinical applications at a glance.
Common side effects: Lists frequent side effects to help you recognize and discuss possible reactions with a clinician.
Last updated: 28 September 2025
Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice.
Medications that start with S
| Name (Generic name) | Brand names | Drug class | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacubitril | Entresto (with valsartan) | Neprilysin inhibitor (part of ARNI) | Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction |
| Salbutamol | Ventolin, Proventil | Short-acting beta2-agonist bronchodilator | Asthma, COPD rescue |
| Salicylic acid | Various OTC preparations | Topical keratolytic, anti-vern | Wart removal, acne, calluses (topical) |
| Salmeterol | Serevent | Long-acting beta2-agonist bronchodilator | Asthma maintenance, COPD |
| Salsalate | Disalcid | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) | Pain, arthritis, inflammation |
| Saxagliptin | Onglyza | DPP-4 inhibitor (antidiabetic) | Type 2 diabetes |
| Scopolamine | Hyoscine patch, Scopace | Anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) | Motion sickness, nausea, drooling |
| Secnidazole | Solosec | Nitroimidazole antibiotic/protozoal | Bacterial vaginosis, protozoal infections |
| Secukinumab | Cosentyx | Monoclonal antibody, IL-17A inhibitor | Psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis |
| Selegiline | Emsam (patch), Eldepryl | MAO-B inhibitor (antiparkinson/antidepressant) | Parkinson’s disease, depression (patch) |
| Selinexor | Xpovio | Selective inhibitor of nuclear export (anticancer) | Relapsed multiple myeloma, lymphomas |
| Selpercatinib | Retevmo | RET kinase inhibitor (targeted cancer therapy) | RET fusion-positive cancers |
| Selexipag | Uptravi | Prostacyclin IP receptor agonist | Pulmonary arterial hypertension |
| Sevoflurane | Ultane | Inhalational general anesthetic | General anesthesia for surgery |
| Semaglutide | Ozempic, Rybelsus (oral) | GLP-1 receptor agonist (antidiabetic) | Type 2 diabetes, chronic weight management |
| Sertraline | Zoloft | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) | Depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD |
| Sertaconazole | Ertaczo | Topical antifungal (imidazole) | Dermatophyte and yeast skin infections |
| Sertindole | Serdolect | Atypical antipsychotic | Schizophrenia (some regions) |
| Siltuximab | Sylvant | Monoclonal antibody (IL-6 inhibitor) | Castleman disease |
| Simvastatin | Zocor | HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) | High cholesterol, cardiovascular risk reduction |
| Siponimod | Mayzent | S1P receptor modulator (oral) | Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis |
| Sitagliptin | Januvia | DPP-4 inhibitor (antidiabetic) | Type 2 diabetes |
| Sodium nitroprusside | Nitropress | Direct vasodilator (IV antihypertensive) | Hypertensive emergency, controlled hypotension during surgery |
| Sodium oxybate | Xyrem | CNS depressant (GHB salt) | Narcolepsy with cataplexy |
| Solifenacin | Vesicare | Antimuscarinic (bladder antispasmodic) | Overactive bladder, urinary urgency |
| Sofosbuvir | Sovaldi | NS5B polymerase inhibitor (antiviral) | Hepatitis C virus infection |
| Sorafenib | Nexavar | Multi-kinase inhibitor (anticancer) | Liver, kidney, thyroid cancers |
| Sotalol | Betapace | Nonselective beta-blocker with class III antiarrhythmic effects | Arrhythmias (atrial, ventricular) |
| Spironolactone | Aldactone | Aldosterone antagonist (potassium-sparing diuretic) | Heart failure, hypertension, edema, acne |
| Sufentanil | Sufenta | Potent opioid analgesic | Severe pain, anesthesia analgesia |
| Succinylcholine | Anectine (suxamethonium) | Depolarizing neuromuscular blocker | Rapid-sequence intubation, anesthesia muscle relaxation |
| Sucralfate | Carafate | Mucosal protectant (GI) | Peptic ulcer disease, mucosal protection |
| Sulfadiazine | Various generics | Sulfonamide antibiotic | Topical/systemic infections, toxoplasmosis (with pyrimethamine) |
| Sulfadoxine | Fansidar (with pyrimethamine) | Long-acting sulfonamide antimalarial (combo) | Malaria treatment/prophylaxis (combo) |
| Sulfacetamide | Bleph-10 | Topical sulfonamide antibiotic | Bacterial conjunctivitis, acne rosacea topical |
| Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim | Bactrim, Septra | Sulfonamide plus diaminopyrimidine antibiotic | UTIs, respiratory infections, PCP prophylaxis |
| Sulfasalazine | Azulfidine | 5-ASA + sulfonamide (anti-inflammatory) | Ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis |
| Sulindac | Clinoril | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) | Pain, arthritis, inflammation |
| Sumatriptan | Imitrex, Treximet (combo) | Serotonin 5-HT1 agonist (triptan) | Acute migraine attacks |
| Suvorexant | Belsomra | Orexin receptor antagonist (sleep aid) | Insomnia (difficulty falling/staying asleep) |
| Sunitinib | Sutent | Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (anticancer) | Renal cell carcinoma, GIST, pancreatic NETs |
| Sirolimus | Rapamune | mTOR inhibitor, immunosuppressant | Prevention of organ transplant rejection |
| Sulpiride | Dogmatil | Typical/atypical antipsychotic (selective D2 antagonist) | Schizophrenia, depressive disorders (some countries) |
| Sodium thiosulfate | Pedmark | Antidote/chemo protective agent | Cisplatin toxicity prevention, cyanide antidote adjunct |
| Sevelamer | Renagel, Renvela | Phosphate binder (non-absorbable polymer) | Hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease |
| Streptomycin | Streptomycin | Aminoglycoside antibiotic | Tuberculosis, severe Gram-negative infections |
| Streptokinase | Streptase | Fibrinolytic/thrombolytic enzyme | Acute myocardial infarction, PE, DVT (selected uses) |
| Streptozocin | Zanosar | Alkylating antineoplastic agent | Pancreatic islet-cell tumors (oncology) |
Descriptions
Sacubitril
Sacubitril (given with valsartan) enhances natriuretic peptides to reduce heart-failure hospitalizations; watch for low blood pressure, hyperkalemia, and angioedema risk, avoid with recent ACE inhibitor.
Salbutamol
Rapid-acting inhaled bronchodilator used for acute wheeze; can cause tremor, tachycardia, headache; short-term relief only, monitor heart rate.
Salicylic acid
Topical acid that softens and removes warty or scaly skin; common local irritation and peeling; used in many OTC wart and acne products.
Salmeterol
Long-acting inhaled bronchodilator for control of asthma/COPD symptoms; not for acute attacks; may increase risk if used without inhaled steroids.
Salsalate
Oral anti-inflammatory related to salicylates used for pain and rheumatic conditions; can cause GI upset, bleeding risk, and should be used cautiously with other NSAIDs.
Saxagliptin
Oral diabetes medicine that increases incretin hormones to lower blood sugar; generally well tolerated but may increase risk of heart failure in some patients.
Scopolamine
Used as a transdermal patch for motion sickness and to reduce secretions; can cause dry mouth, drowsiness, blurred vision, confusion in older adults.
Secnidazole
Single-dose oral antibiotic for certain vaginal and protozoal infections; may cause GI upset and metallic taste; avoid alcohol with some nitroimidazoles.
Secukinumab
Biologic for moderate–severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis; reduces inflammation but increases infection risk; require pre-treatment screening for TB.
Selegiline
Selective MAO-B inhibitor at low doses used for Parkinson’s and as a transdermal antidepressant; interactions with serotonergic drugs and tyramine precautions at higher doses.
Selinexor
Oral anticancer drug that blocks nuclear export proteins; can cause fatigue, nausea, low platelets and white cells; used in refractory cancers under specialist care.
Selpercatinib
Targeted therapy for cancers with RET alterations (lung, thyroid); can produce liver enzyme changes, hypertension; given under oncology supervision.
Selexipag
Oral drug to lower pulmonary vascular resistance in pulmonary arterial hypertension; common side effects include headache, jaw pain, nausea.
Sevoflurane
Volatile anesthetic with rapid onset and recovery used in operating rooms; may cause hypotension, respiratory depression, and rare malignant hyperthermia in susceptible individuals.
Semaglutide
Injectable (and oral form) GLP‑1 analog that lowers blood sugar and body weight; can cause nausea, may delay gastric emptying, monitor for pancreatitis.
Sertraline
Common antidepressant used for depression and anxiety disorders; side effects include nausea, sleep changes, sexual dysfunction, and rare serotonin syndrome with interacting drugs.
Sertaconazole
Topical antifungal cream used for ringworm and yeast skin infections; may cause local irritation or burning.
Sertindole
Antipsychotic used for schizophrenia in some countries; can help psychosis but requires ECG monitoring for QT prolongation and may raise prolactin.
Siltuximab
Biologic used for multicentric Castleman disease; lowers inflammatory symptoms but raises infection risk and requires specialist monitoring.
Simvastatin
Oral cholesterol-lowering statin that reduces LDL and cardiovascular events; common side effects include muscle aches and rare liver enzyme elevations.
Siponimod
Oral drug that reduces MS relapses by modulating lymphocyte trafficking; monitor heart rate, liver tests, and for infections.
Sitagliptin
Oral agent increasing incretin levels to lower glucose; generally well tolerated, rare pancreatitis reports, low hypoglycemia risk unless combined with sulfonylureas/insulin.
Sodium nitroprusside
Rapid-acting IV vasodilator for very high blood pressure; very effective but risks cyanide toxicity with prolonged/high-dose use and causes reflex tachycardia.
Sodium oxybate
Oral central nervous system depressant used for narcolepsy symptoms and cataplexy; can cause sedation, respiratory depression, and has abuse potential; tightly controlled distribution.
Solifenacin
Oral medication reducing bladder muscle overactivity; side effects include dry mouth, constipation, and urinary retention in some patients.
Sofosbuvir
Oral direct-acting antiviral for hepatitis C with high cure rates; usually combined with other antivirals; side effects mild, very effective but costly.
Sorafenib
Oral targeted therapy for certain advanced cancers; common side effects include diarrhea, hand–foot skin reaction, and hypertension.
Sotalol
Used to treat certain heart rhythm disorders; can slow heart rate and prolong QT interval—requires ECG monitoring and renal dose adjustments.
Spironolactone
Blocks aldosterone to reduce fluid and blood pressure; useful in heart failure and acne; can raise potassium and cause hormonal side effects like gynecomastia.
Sufentanil
Very potent opioid used in anesthesia and severe pain; risk of profound respiratory depression, sedation, and requires careful monitoring.
Succinylcholine
Short-acting paralytic used for intubation; rapid onset but can cause muscle fasciculations, hyperkalemia, malignant hyperthermia in susceptible patients.
Sucralfate
Forms protective barrier over ulcers to promote healing; common constipation and may interfere with absorption of other oral medicines.
Sulfadiazine
Sulfonamide antibiotic used with pyrimethamine for toxoplasmosis; allergic reactions (rash) and blood dyscrasias are possible.
Sulfadoxine
Used in combination with pyrimethamine for malaria; resistance is common in many regions and allergic reactions can occur.
Sulfacetamide
Topical eye/skin antibiotic for superficial infections; watch for sulfonamide allergy and local irritation.
Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
Combination antibiotic effective against many bacterial infections and Pneumocystis jirovecii; may cause rash, hypersensitivity, and increased potassium.
Sulfasalazine
Anti-inflammatory compound active in the gut; useful for ulcerative colitis and some arthritis; can cause GI upset, rash, and reversible oligospermia.
Sulindac
Oral NSAID for pain and arthritis; risks include GI bleeding, renal impairment and cardiovascular events similar to other NSAIDs.
Sumatriptan
Abortive migraine medication that narrows cranial blood vessels and reduces inflammation; may cause chest tightness, tingling, and is contraindicated with uncontrolled blood pressure or recent stroke.
Suvorexant
Oral hypnotic that blocks wake-promoting orexin receptors to aid sleep; can cause next-day drowsiness and rare sleep paralysis or complex sleep behaviors.
Sunitinib
Oral targeted therapy for several cancers; common adverse effects include fatigue, hand–foot syndrome, hypertension, and cytopenias.
Sirolimus
Immunosuppressant used to prevent transplant rejection; increases infection risk, impairs wound healing, and can raise cholesterol and triglycerides.
Sulpiride
Antipsychotic used in some countries for psychosis and depression; can cause sedation, extrapyramidal symptoms, and hormonal effects like raised prolactin.
Sodium thiosulfate
Used to reduce some chemotherapy toxicities and as cyanide antidote adjunct; intravenous use requires specialist dosing, may cause nausea and low blood pressure.
Sevelamer
Oral phosphate binder for dialysis patients to control serum phosphate; GI side effects like bloating and constipation are common.
Streptomycin
Older aminoglycoside antibiotic used for TB and some serious infections; risks include ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, requires serum monitoring.
Streptokinase
Clot-dissolving enzyme used in some acute thrombotic emergencies; major bleeding and allergic reactions are key risks.
Streptozocin
Chemotherapy agent used for certain pancreatic tumors; can cause nausea, kidney toxicity, low blood counts, and requires specialist care.