This list includes 51 Medications that start with M, from “Mafenide” to “Mycophenolate mofetil”. These entries include antibiotics, immunosuppressants, pain relievers, cardiovascular agents and psychiatric medicines used widely in clinical practice.
Medications that start with M are common generic drugs whose names begin with M and treat many conditions. In cultural terms, morphine—an M drug—has shaped modern pain management and medical history.
Below you’ll find the table with Generic name, Drug class, Common uses, and Common side effects.
Generic name: Shows the medication’s standard, nonproprietary name so you can match prescriptions and look up further details easily.
Drug class: Lists the therapeutic class to help you understand how the drug works and how it’s related to others.
Common uses: Summarizes typical conditions treated so you can quickly see whether the medication applies to a specific health issue.
Common side effects: Highlights routine adverse effects to set expectations and prompt you to discuss concerns with a clinician or pharmacist.
Medications that start with M
| Medication | Brand names | Drug class | Common forms/doses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metformin | Glucophage | Biguanide, oral antidiabetic | Tablet 500–2,000 mg daily |
| Metoprolol | Lopressor, Toprol-XL | Beta-blocker (cardioselective) | Tablet 25–200 mg daily; IV injection |
| Montelukast | Singulair | Leukotriene receptor antagonist | Tablet 10 mg; chewable 4–5 mg |
| Meloxicam | Mobic | NSAID (cox-2 preferential) | Tablet 7.5–15 mg daily |
| Methotrexate | Methotrexate | Antimetabolite, antirheumatic | Tablet 2.5–25 mg weekly |
| Methylphenidate | Ritalin, Concerta | Stimulant for ADHD | Tablet/capsule 5–60 mg daily |
| Mirtazapine | Remeron | Antidepressant (NaSSA) | Tablet 15–45 mg nightly |
| Metronidazole | Flagyl | Nitroimidazole antibiotic | Tablet 250–500 mg; IV 500 mg |
| Morphine | MS Contin, Kadian | Opioid analgesic | Tablet, injection 10–200 mg equivalent |
| Midazolam | Versed | Short-acting benzodiazepine | Injection, oral 1–10 mg |
| Metoclopramide | Reglan | Antiemetic, prokinetic | Tablet 5–10 mg; injection 10 mg |
| Minocycline | Minocin | Tetracycline antibiotic | Capsule 50–200 mg daily |
| Minoxidil | Rogaine (topical) | Vasodilator (topical hair growth) | Topical solution/foam 2%–5%; oral 2.5–40 mg |
| Methadone | Dolophine | Opioid agonist (pain, OUD) | Tablet, liquid 5–40 mg daily |
| Mupirocin | Bactroban | Topical antibiotic | Ointment/cream 2% |
| Mycophenolate mofetil | CellCept | Immunosuppressant (antiproliferative) | Tablet 500–1,000 mg twice daily |
| Moxifloxacin | Avelox | Fluoroquinolone antibiotic | Tablet 400 mg once daily; IV |
| Meropenem | Merrem | Carbapenem antibiotic | IV injection 500–1,000 mg |
| Molnupiravir | Lagevrio | Oral antiviral (RdRp inhibitor) | Capsule 800 mg twice daily (short course) |
| Meclizine | Antivert, Dramamine Less Drowsy | Antihistamine for vertigo | Tablet 12.5–25 mg as needed |
| Mannitol | Osmitrol | Osmotic diuretic | IV 20% solution; dose varies |
| Metolazone | Zaroxolyn | Thiazide-like diuretic | Tablet 2.5–20 mg daily |
| Meperidine | Demerol | Opioid analgesic | Tablet, injection 50–150 mg as needed |
| Mesalamine | Asacol, Pentasa | 5-ASA anti-inflammatory (IBD) | Tablet, suppository 500–1,200 mg |
| Metamizole | Dipyrone, Novalgin | Analgesic/antipyretic | Tablet 500–1,000 mg; injection |
| Methylprednisolone | Solu-Medrol, Medrol | Systemic corticosteroid | Tablet 4–1,000 mg (pulse) or IV |
| Magnesium oxide | Mag-Ox, MgO | Mineral supplement, laxative | Tablet 250–800 mg |
| Magnesium sulfate | Epsom salt (medical) | Electrolyte, anticonvulsant in eclampsia | Injection 1–4 g IV |
| Milrinone | Primacor | PDE3 inhibitor, inotrope | IV infusion, dose individualized |
| Modafinil | Provigil | Wakefulness-promoting agent | Tablet 100–200 mg daily |
| Mirabegron | Myrbetriq | Beta-3 agonist (overactive bladder) | Tablet 25–50 mg daily |
| Mepolizumab | Nucala | Monoclonal antibody (anti‑IL‑5) | Injection 100 mg monthly |
| Mometasone | Nasonex, Elocon | Corticosteroid (nasal/topical) | Nasal spray 50 mcg; cream |
| Mefloquine | Lariam | Antimalarial | Tablet 250 mg weekly for prevention |
| Mebendazole | Vermox | Anthelmintic (anti‑worm) | Tablet 100 mg single or 100 mg twice daily |
| Methimazole | Tapazole | Antithyroid agent | Tablet 5–30 mg daily |
| Methocarbamol | Robaxin | Muscle relaxant | Tablet 500–1,500 mg as needed |
| Mesna | Mesnex | Cytoprotective agent (uroprotection) | Injection, oral dose with chemo |
| Mafenide | Sulfamylon | Topical sulfonamide for burns | Cream 5% topical |
| Meprobamate | Miltown | Anxiolytic (older sedative) | Tablet 200–600 mg total daily |
| Mepivacaine | Carbocaine | Local anesthetic | Injection 1–5% solution |
| Methylergometrine | Methergine | Uterotonic (postpartum bleeding) | Tablet 0.2 mg; IM/IV |
| Methoxsalen | Oxsoralen | Photosensitizer for PUVA therapy | Tablet or topical, dose varies |
| Miconazole | Monistat, Daktarin | Azole antifungal | Topical cream, suppository 2% |
| Methyldopa | Aldomet | Alpha-2 agonist antihypertensive | Tablet 250–500 mg two to three times daily |
| Midodrine | ProAmatine | Alpha-1 agonist for orthostatic hypotension | Tablet 2.5–10 mg three times daily |
| Mitomycin | Mutamycin | Antineoplastic antibiotic | Injection 10–20 mg per dose |
| Mitoxantrone | Novantrone | Antineoplastic, immunosuppressant | Injection dose varies by body surface area |
| Micafungin | Mycamine | Echinocandin antifungal (IV) | IV injection 50–150 mg daily |
| Mitotane | Lysodren | Adrenolytic agent (adrenal carcinoma) | Tablet 1–6 g daily |
| Mecasermin | Increlex | Recombinant IGF-1 (growth disorder) | Injection 0.04–0.12 mg/kg twice daily |
Descriptions
Metformin
First-line diabetes medicine that lowers blood sugar; may cause nausea, diarrhea, and occasional vitamin B12 deficiency.
Metoprolol
Used for high blood pressure, chest pain, heart failure; common effects: fatigue, slow heartbeat, dizziness.
Montelukast
For asthma and allergic rhinitis; side effects include headache and rare mood changes.
Meloxicam
Pain and arthritis relief; may cause stomach upset, increased bleeding risk, and kidney effects.
Methotrexate
Used for cancer and autoimmune diseases; side effects: nausea, mouth sores, and bone marrow suppression.
Methylphenidate
Improves focus in ADHD; may cause insomnia, decreased appetite, and increased heart rate.
Mirtazapine
Treats depression and insomnia; common: drowsiness and increased appetite/weight gain.
Metronidazole
Treats anaerobic infections and some parasites; side effects: metallic taste, nausea.
Morphine
Strong pain relief; common: constipation, drowsiness, risk of dependence.
Midazolam
Used for sedation and procedures; can cause drowsiness and respiratory depression.
Metoclopramide
Treats nausea and slow stomach emptying; may cause drowsiness and movement disorders long-term.
Minocycline
For acne and infections; side effects: dizziness, photosensitivity, tooth staining in children.
Minoxidil
Topical treats hair loss; oral used for severe hypertension. Side effects: scalp irritation, unwanted hair growth.
Methadone
Used for pain and opioid use disorder; side effects: constipation, sedation, risk of QT prolongation.
Mupirocin
Treats skin infections like impetigo; may cause local irritation or burning.
Mycophenolate mofetil
Prevents transplant rejection and treats autoimmune disease; side effects: diarrhea, infection risk.
Moxifloxacin
Treats respiratory and other infections; side effects: nausea, possible tendon or heart rhythm problems.
Meropenem
Broad-spectrum IV antibiotic for serious infections; side effects: diarrhea, allergic reactions.
Molnupiravir
Antiviral for early COVID-19; may cause nausea and diarrhea.
Meclizine
Treats motion sickness and dizziness; common: drowsiness and dry mouth.
Mannitol
Used to lower brain pressure or flush kidneys; can cause diuresis and electrolyte changes.
Metolazone
Used for fluid retention and blood pressure; may cause low potassium and dizziness.
Meperidine
Older pain medicine; side effects: drowsiness, risk of seizures with buildup.
Mesalamine
Treats ulcerative colitis; may cause stomach upset and headache.
Metamizole
Pain and fever relief in many countries; can rarely cause serious blood disorders.
Methylprednisolone
Treats inflammation and many conditions; side effects: insomnia, increased appetite, mood changes.
Magnesium oxide
Used for low magnesium and constipation; can cause diarrhea and stomach upset.
Magnesium sulfate
Used in preeclampsia seizures, arrhythmia; side effects: flushing, low blood pressure at high doses.
Milrinone
Used short-term for severe heart failure; side effects: low blood pressure, arrhythmia.
Modafinil
Treats narcolepsy and sleep disorders; may cause headache and insomnia.
Mirabegron
Helps bladder control; can raise blood pressure and cause urinary tract infection.
Mepolizumab
For severe eosinophilic asthma; side effects: injection-site reaction, headache.
Mometasone
Treats allergies and skin inflammation; can cause local irritation or nosebleeds.
Mefloquine
Used for malaria prevention/treatment; side effects: vivid dreams, dizziness, mood changes.
Mebendazole
Treats intestinal worms; side effects: stomach pain, diarrhea.
Methimazole
Treats hyperthyroidism; may cause rash, rarely serious blood problems.
Methocarbamol
Relieves muscle spasm; side effects: drowsiness, dizziness.
Mesna
Protects bladder during certain chemotherapy; may cause nausea or flushing.
Mafenide
Used on burn wounds to prevent infection; side effects: burning, rash.
Meprobamate
Used for short-term anxiety; side effects: drowsiness, dependence risk.
Mepivacaine
Used for local numbing in procedures; side effects: numbness, injection pain.
Methylergometrine
Used after childbirth to prevent bleeding; side effects: cramping, high blood pressure.
Methoxsalen
Used with UVA light to treat psoriasis; may cause sun sensitivity and nausea.
Miconazole
Treats yeast infections and athlete’s foot; side effects: local burning, irritation.
Methyldopa
Used for hypertension, especially in pregnancy; side effects: drowsiness, dry mouth.
Midodrine
Raises standing blood pressure; may cause goosebumps, high BP when lying down.
Mitomycin
Chemotherapy for certain cancers; side effects: low blood counts, nausea.
Mitoxantrone
Used for some cancers and multiple sclerosis; may cause hair loss, low blood counts.
Micafungin
Treats serious fungal infections; side effects: liver enzyme changes, infusion reactions.
Mitotane
Used for adrenal cancer; side effects: nausea, fatigue, hormonal changes.
Mecasermin
Treats growth failure from IGF-1 deficiency; side effects: low blood sugar, injection reactions.