Here you’ll find 47 Medications that start with L, organized from “Labetalol” to “Lymecycline”. This collection lists generics commonly used for blood pressure, infections, acne, pain, and mental health.
Medications that start with L are medications whose generic names begin with the letter L, covering many classes. A familiar example is “lisinopril”, a globally prescribed blood pressure medicine that shows how one letter links many treatments.
Below you’ll find the table with Generic name, Drug class, Common uses, Common side effects, and Brand names.
Generic name: The official nonproprietary name of each medication, so you can identify the active ingredient quickly.
Drug class: The pharmacological category shows how the drug works and helps you compare similar treatments at a glance.
Common uses: Typical medical conditions or symptoms the medication treats, so you can see practical purposes without technical detail.
Common side effects: Frequent adverse effects patients experience, helping you weigh benefits and discuss possible issues with a clinician.
Brand names: Well-known proprietary names that the drug may be sold under, useful if you recognize a brand rather than a generic.
Medications that start with L
| Name | Brand names | Drug class | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labetalol | Trandate | Beta-blocker | High blood pressure |
| Lacosamide | Vimpat | Anticonvulsant | Epilepsy (seizures) |
| Lactulose | Generlac; Enulose | Laxative; Ammonia reducer | Constipation; Hepatic encephalopathy |
| Lamivudine | Epivir | Antiretroviral (NRTI) | HIV; Hepatitis B |
| Lamotrigine | Lamictal | Anticonvulsant; Mood stabilizer | Epilepsy; Bipolar disorder |
| Lansoprazole | Prevacid | Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) | Acid reflux; GERD; Ulcers |
| Lanthanum carbonate | Fosrenol | Phosphate binder | High phosphate in kidney disease |
| Lapatinib | Tykerb | Kinase inhibitor (cancer therapy) | HER2-positive breast cancer |
| Latanoprost | Xalatan | Prostaglandin analog | Glaucoma |
| Leflunomide | Arava | Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) | Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Lenalidomide | Revlimid | Immunomodulatory drug | Multiple myeloma; Cancers |
| Lenvatinib | Lenvima | Kinase inhibitor (cancer therapy) | Thyroid, liver, and kidney cancer |
| Letrozole | Femara | Aromatase inhibitor | Breast cancer |
| Leucovorin | Folic acid analog | Chemotherapy rescue; Anemia | |
| Leuprolide | Lupron; Eligard | Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist | Prostate cancer; Endometriosis |
| Levalbuterol | Xopenex | Short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) | Asthma; COPD |
| Levetiracetam | Keppra | Anticonvulsant | Epilepsy (seizures) |
| Levobunolol | Betagan | Beta-blocker (ophthalmic) | Glaucoma |
| Levocarnitine | Carnitor | Amino acid derivative | Carnitine deficiency |
| Levocetirizine | Xyzal | Antihistamine | Allergies; Hives |
| Levodopa/Carbidopa | Sinemet; Rytary; Duopa | Dopamine replacement agent | Parkinson’s disease |
| Levofloxacin | Levaquin | Fluoroquinolone antibiotic | Bacterial infections |
| Levonorgestrel | Plan B; Mirena; Kyleena | Progestin hormone | Contraception; Emergency contraception |
| Levothyroxine | Synthroid; Levoxyl | Thyroid hormone | Hypothyroidism |
| Lidocaine | Lidoderm; Xylocaine | Local anesthetic; Antiarrhythmic | Numbing; Nerve pain; Arrhythmias |
| Linaclotide | Linzess | Guanylate cyclase-C agonist | IBS-C; Chronic constipation |
| Linagliptin | Tradjenta | DPP-4 inhibitor | Type 2 diabetes |
| Linezolid | Zyvox | Oxazolidinone antibiotic | Serious bacterial infections (MRSA) |
| Liothyronine | Cytomel | Thyroid hormone (T3) | Hypothyroidism |
| Liraglutide | Victoza; Saxenda | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Type 2 diabetes; Weight management |
| Lisdexamfetamine | Vyvanse | CNS stimulant | ADHD; Binge eating disorder |
| Lisinopril | Zestril; Prinivil | ACE inhibitor | High blood pressure; Heart failure |
| Lithium | Lithobid | Mood stabilizer | Bipolar disorder |
| Loperamide | Imodium | Antidiarrheal | Diarrhea |
| Lopinavir/Ritonavir | Kaletra | Protease inhibitor (antiretroviral) | HIV infection |
| Lorazepam | Ativan | Benzodiazepine | Anxiety; Insomnia; Seizures |
| Loratadine | Claritin; Alavert | Antihistamine | Allergies |
| Lornoxicam | Xefo | NSAID | Pain and inflammation |
| Losartan | Cozaar | Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) | High blood pressure; Kidney disease |
| Loteprednol | Lotemax; Alrex | Corticosteroid (ophthalmic) | Eye inflammation |
| Lovastatin | Mevacor; Altoprev | Statin | High cholesterol |
| Loxapine | Adasuve | Antipsychotic | Schizophrenia; Agitation |
| Lubiprostone | Amitiza | Chloride channel activator | Chronic constipation; IBS-C |
| Luliconazole | Luzu | Topical antifungal | Fungal skin infections |
| Lumateperone | Caplyta | Atypical antipsychotic | Schizophrenia; Bipolar depression |
| Lurasidone | Latuda | Atypical antipsychotic | Schizophrenia; Bipolar depression |
| Lymecycline | Tetralysal | Tetracycline antibiotic | Acne; Bacterial infections |
Descriptions
Labetalol
An oral or injected medication that lowers blood pressure and heart rate. It can cause dizziness, especially when standing up. Do not stop taking it suddenly.
Lacosamide
An oral or injected medication used to control partial-onset seizures. It works by calming abnormal electrical activity in the brain. May cause dizziness or blurred vision.
Lactulose
A syrupy oral liquid that works as a laxative by drawing water into the bowel. It also helps remove ammonia from the blood in liver disease.
Lamivudine
An oral medication that is part of combination therapy to treat HIV and Hepatitis B infections. It stops the virus from multiplying. Requires consistent daily dosing.
Lamotrigine
An oral medication used for seizures and to prevent mood episodes in bipolar disorder. The dose must be increased slowly to avoid a risk of serious skin rash.
Lansoprazole
An oral capsule that reduces stomach acid production. It’s used for heartburn and to heal ulcers. Best taken 30 minutes before a meal for maximum effect.
Lanthanum carbonate
A chewable tablet taken with meals by patients on dialysis. It binds to phosphate from food, preventing it from being absorbed. Must be chewed thoroughly.
Lapatinib
An oral targeted therapy for certain types of breast cancer. It blocks proteins that cause cancer cells to grow. Can cause diarrhea and requires liver monitoring.
Latanoprost
An eye drop used once daily to lower pressure inside the eye. It helps prevent vision loss from glaucoma. May cause permanent darkening of the iris color.
Leflunomide
An oral medication that suppresses the immune system to reduce joint inflammation and damage. It can affect the liver and is not safe for use during pregnancy.
Lenalidomide
An oral capsule used to treat certain blood cancers. It alters the immune system’s response to cancer. Carries a high risk of birth defects and blood clots.
Lenvatinib
An oral targeted therapy that slows the growth and spread of cancer cells. Common side effects include high blood pressure, fatigue, and diarrhea. Requires regular monitoring.
Letrozole
An oral medication for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It works by lowering estrogen levels. May cause hot flashes and joint pain.
Leucovorin
An oral or injected medication often called a “rescue drug.” It protects healthy cells from the effects of methotrexate chemotherapy and treats certain types of anemia.
Leuprolide
An injection that lowers hormone levels (testosterone or estrogen). It is used to treat hormone-sensitive cancers and other conditions. Can cause hot flashes.
Levalbuterol
A rescue inhaler used for quick relief of wheezing and shortness of breath. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways. May cause jitteriness or a fast heartbeat.
Levetiracetam
A very common oral or injected medication used to prevent various types of seizures. It is generally well-tolerated but can sometimes cause mood changes or drowsiness.
Levobunolol
An eye drop that decreases the production of fluid in the eye to lower intraocular pressure. It helps prevent damage to the optic nerve from glaucoma.
Levocarnitine
An oral or injected supplement for people who cannot produce enough carnitine. It’s essential for converting fat into energy and for muscle function.
Levocetirizine
An oral tablet or liquid that provides 24-hour relief from allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. It is designed to be less drowsy than older antihistamines.
Levodopa/Carbidopa
The most effective oral treatment for the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, like tremors and stiffness. Carbidopa is added to reduce side effects like nausea.
Levofloxacin
A powerful oral or injected antibiotic used for serious infections like pneumonia and UTIs. It has a risk of serious side effects, including tendon rupture.
Levonorgestrel
A hormone used in birth control pills, IUDs, and emergency contraception. It works by preventing ovulation or fertilization. It is a highly effective method of pregnancy prevention.
Levothyroxine
An oral medication that replaces the thyroid hormone in people with an underactive thyroid. It must be taken daily on an empty stomach, usually in the morning.
Lidocaine
A versatile drug used topically as a cream or patch to numb skin and relieve pain. It can also be injected as a local anesthetic or to treat life-threatening heart rhythm problems.
Linaclotide
An oral capsule taken once daily on an empty stomach. It works by increasing fluid secretion in the intestines, which helps ease bowel movements and relieve belly pain.
Linagliptin
An oral medication that helps control blood sugar levels by increasing the amount of insulin released after a meal. It has a lower risk of causing low blood sugar.
Linezolid
A potent oral or injected antibiotic used for difficult-to-treat infections, including MRSA. It can interact with certain antidepressants and aged foods like cheese and wine.
Liothyronine
An oral medication that provides the active T3 thyroid hormone. It’s sometimes used for hypothyroidism, often in combination with levothyroxine (T4), and works more quickly.
Liraglutide
A once-daily injection that helps lower blood sugar and can lead to weight loss. It also has proven benefits for reducing heart disease risk in people with diabetes.
Lisdexamfetamine
A once-daily oral capsule used to improve focus and reduce impulsivity in ADHD. It is a controlled substance with potential for misuse.
Lisinopril
A very common oral medication that relaxes blood vessels to lower blood pressure. It also protects the heart and kidneys. A persistent dry cough is a common side effect.
Lithium
A highly effective oral medication for treating and preventing manic and depressive episodes. Requires regular blood tests to ensure the level is safe and effective.
Loperamide
An over-the-counter oral medication that slows down the movement of the gut. It is effective for short-term relief of diarrhea but should not be used for certain infections.
Lopinavir/Ritonavir
An oral combination medication used to treat HIV. Lopinavir is the active drug that stops the virus from maturing, while ritonavir “boosts” its levels in the body.
Lorazepam
A fast-acting oral or injected medication used for short-term management of anxiety, to stop seizures, or as a sedative. It is a controlled substance and can be habit-forming.
Loratadine
A popular over-the-counter oral medication for allergy symptoms like sneezing and itching. It is known for being non-drowsy, making it a good daytime option.
Lornoxicam
An oral or injected non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for short-term pain relief. It is not approved for use in the United States but is available in other countries.
Losartan
An oral medication that lowers blood pressure by blocking a substance that tightens blood vessels. It’s an alternative for those who can’t tolerate ACE inhibitors due to cough.
Loteprednol
A steroid eye drop, gel, or ointment used to treat swelling and pain after eye surgery or from allergies. Long-term use requires monitoring for eye pressure.
Lovastatin
An oral medication that lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. It should be taken with the evening meal for best results.
Loxapine
An oral or inhaled medication used to treat schizophrenia. The inhaled form works very rapidly to control acute agitation in a hospital setting.
Lubiprostone
An oral capsule taken with food and water to treat constipation. It works by increasing fluid in the intestines, which softens stool and makes it easier to pass.
Luliconazole
A prescription cream applied once daily to the skin to treat athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. It works by killing the fungus causing the infection.
Lumateperone
A once-daily oral medication for serious mental health conditions. It is a newer agent designed to have a lower risk of metabolic side effects like weight gain.
Lurasidone
An oral medication used to manage symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar depression. It must be taken with a meal of at least 350 calories to be absorbed properly.
Lymecycline
An oral antibiotic commonly prescribed in Europe for moderate to severe acne. It works by reducing bacteria and inflammation. It can make skin more sensitive to the sun.