This list includes 43 Medications that start with N, from “nabilone” to “nystatin”. They include prescription and over-the-counter generics widely used for pain, infection, nausea, mood, and chronic conditions.
Medications that start with N are drugs whose generic names begin with the letter N, covering many therapeutic classes. Notable examples include nabilone and nystatin, the latter helping establish modern antifungal treatments in the mid 20th century.
Below you’ll find the table with Generic name, Brand names, Drug class, Common uses, and Common side effects.
Generic name: You get the universally recognized drug name used in prescriptions and research, helping you identify the medication precisely.
Brand names: Brand names show common trade names you may encounter on labels or packaging, useful for recognizing marketed versions.
Drug class: Drug class indicates the therapeutic group, so you understand general action and related medications at a glance.
Common uses: Common uses list typical conditions the medication treats, helping you match drugs to common symptoms or diagnoses.
Common side effects: Common side effects summarize frequent, generally non-serious reactions you may expect, useful for everyday safety awareness.
Last updated: September 28, 2025.
This page provides informational summaries and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.
Medications that start with N
| Generic name | Drug class | Common uses (≤15 words) | Common side effects (≤15 words) | Description (max 50 words) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nabilone | Cannabinoid | Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. | Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, euphoria, confusion. | A synthetic cannabinoid used to treat severe nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy when other treatments have failed. It mimics the effects of substances found in cannabis. |
| nabumetone | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) | Pain and inflammation from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. | Stomach upset, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, headache. | An NSAID that reduces pain, swelling, and stiffness by blocking substances in the body that cause inflammation. It is converted to its active form after being taken. |
| nadolol | Beta-blocker (non-selective) | High blood pressure (hypertension), angina, migraine prevention. | Dizziness, fatigue, slow heart rate, lightheadedness. | A beta-blocker that affects the heart and circulation. It helps lower blood pressure, ease chest pain (angina), and can also be used to prevent migraine headaches. |
| nafcillin | Penicillin antibiotic | Treatment of infections caused by staphylococcal bacteria. | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, injection site reaction. | An injectable antibiotic in the penicillin family, effective against certain types of bacteria, particularly Staphylococci that are resistant to other penicillins. |
| naftifine | Antifungal agent | Topical treatment of fungal infections like athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. | Burning, stinging, itching, dryness, or irritation at application site. | An antifungal medication applied to the skin as a cream or gel to treat common fungal infections. It works by killing the fungus or preventing its growth. |
| nalbuphine | Opioid agonist-antagonist | Moderate to severe pain relief. | Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, dry mouth. | A strong pain reliever that is used for short-term pain management, often before or after surgery. It has a lower risk of misuse compared to other opioids. |
| naldemedine | Peripherally-acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist (PAMORA) | Treatment of opioid-induced constipation in adults with chronic non-cancer pain. | Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. | A medication specifically designed to treat constipation caused by opioid pain medicines without reducing their pain-relieving effects on the brain. |
| naloxone | Opioid antagonist | Rapid reversal of opioid overdose. | Opioid withdrawal symptoms (in dependent individuals), agitation. | A life-saving emergency medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain and is available as an injection or nasal spray. |
| naltrexone | Opioid antagonist | Treatment of alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. | Nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia. | A medication that helps prevent relapse in people who have stopped drinking alcohol or using opioid drugs. It works by blocking the euphoric effects of these substances. |
| naphazoline | Decongestant; vasoconstrictor | Relief of eye redness and minor nasal congestion. | Temporary stinging (eyes), sneezing (nasal), headache, rebound congestion. | A decongestant found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. It works by narrowing blood vessels to reduce redness, swelling, and mucus production. |
| naproxen | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) | Pain, inflammation, fever, menstrual cramps, arthritis. | Stomach pain, heartburn, constipation, headache, dizziness. | A common over-the-counter and prescription NSAID used to relieve pain, fever, and inflammation from conditions like arthritis, muscle aches, and menstrual pain. |
| naratriptan | Triptan (5-HT1 receptor agonist) | Acute treatment of migraine headaches with or without aura. | Drowsiness, dizziness, flushing, tingling, chest pressure. | Part of the triptan class of drugs, it is used to treat active migraine attacks. It works by narrowing blood vessels in the brain, relieving swelling and pain. |
| natalizumab | Monoclonal antibody; integrin receptor antagonist | Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and Crohn’s disease. | Headache, fatigue, joint pain, infusion reactions, infection risk. | A biologic medication for multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease that stops immune cells from entering the brain or gut, reducing inflammation. It carries a risk of a serious brain infection. |
| nateglinide | Meglitinide antidiabetic agent | Lowering blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. | Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), dizziness, back pain, flu-like symptoms. | An oral medication for type 2 diabetes that helps the pancreas release insulin quickly in response to a meal, thereby lowering post-meal blood sugar levels. |
| nebivolol | Beta-blocker (beta-1 selective) | High blood pressure (hypertension). | Headache, dizziness, fatigue, slow heart rate, nausea. | A beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure. It is unique in its class because it also helps relax blood vessels by promoting the release of nitric oxide. |
| nedocromil | Mast cell stabilizer | Prevention of asthma symptoms and allergic eye symptoms. | Unpleasant taste, headache, cough, eye irritation. | An anti-inflammatory medication used to prevent asthma attacks when inhaled or to treat allergic conjunctivitis as an eye drop. It works by preventing the release of natural substances that cause inflammation. |
| nefazodone | Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI) | Treatment of depression. | Drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion. | An antidepressant used for major depressive disorder. Its use is limited due to a rare but serious risk of liver failure, reserved for patients who do not respond to other treatments. |
| neomycin | Aminoglycoside antibiotic | Topical skin infections, pre-surgery bowel cleansing. | Skin irritation (topical); nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (oral). | An antibiotic used topically in creams and ointments to prevent or treat skin infections. It is also taken orally to reduce bacteria in the intestines before surgery. |
| neostigmine | Cholinesterase inhibitor | Myasthenia gravis, reversal of anesthesia effects. | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased salivation, muscle cramps. | A medication that improves muscle strength in patients with myasthenia gravis. It is also used in hospitals to reverse the effects of certain muscle relaxants after surgery. |
| nepafenac | Ophthalmic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) | Eye pain and inflammation after cataract surgery. | Eye pain, foreign body sensation, blurred vision, eye redness. | An NSAID in the form of eye drops. It is used to reduce pain and inflammation in the eye, typically following cataract surgery. |
| netarsudil | Rho kinase inhibitor | Lowering elevated intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. | Eye redness, corneal deposits, eye pain, blurred vision. | An eye drop used to treat glaucoma by increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye, which lowers internal eye pressure and helps prevent vision loss. |
| nevirapine | Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) | Treatment of HIV-1 infection. | Rash, fever, nausea, headache, fatigue. | An antiretroviral drug used in combination with other medications to treat HIV. It works by preventing the virus from multiplying in the body. |
| niacin | Vitamin B3; lipid-lowering agent | High cholesterol, pellagra (niacin deficiency). | Flushing (redness, warmth, itching), upset stomach, headache. | Also known as vitamin B3, it is used in high, prescription doses to improve cholesterol levels. It can also treat niacin deficiency, known as pellagra. |
| nicardipine | Calcium channel blocker | High blood pressure (hypertension), angina (chest pain). | Headache, dizziness, flushing, swelling in ankles or feet. | A calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood. It is used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina). |
| nicotine | Smoking cessation aid | To aid in quitting smoking. | Dizziness, headache, nausea, application site irritation (patch/gum). | The addictive substance in tobacco, used medicinally in controlled doses (gum, patch, lozenge) to help people quit smoking by reducing withdrawal symptoms. |
| nifedipine | Calcium channel blocker | High blood pressure, angina, Raynaud’s phenomenon. | Headache, flushing, dizziness, swelling of ankles/feet, heartburn. | A calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels to lower blood pressure and reduce the heart’s workload. It is also used for chest pain and poor circulation in the extremities. |
| nilutamide | Antiandrogen | Treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. | Hot flashes, decreased libido, nausea, constipation, impaired vision. | An antiandrogen medication used with surgical castration to treat advanced prostate cancer. It works by blocking the effects of testosterone, which can fuel cancer growth. |
| nilotinib | Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) | Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). | Nausea, rash, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, muscle pain. | A targeted cancer therapy drug used to treat a type of blood cancer called chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). It works by blocking a protein that promotes cancer cell growth. |
| nimodipine | Calcium channel blocker | Preventing brain damage from subarachnoid hemorrhage. | Low blood pressure, headache, nausea, slow heart rate. | A special type of calcium channel blocker used to improve outcomes after a subarachnoid hemorrhage (a type of brain bleed) by preventing blood vessel spasms in the brain. |
| nintedanib | Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) | Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), certain lung cancers. | Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased appetite. | A medication used to treat lung scarring (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) and certain types of lung cancer. It works by blocking pathways that are involved in scarring and cell growth. |
| niraparib | PARP inhibitor | Maintenance treatment for ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer. | Nausea, fatigue, anemia, constipation, low platelet count. | A targeted therapy drug used to treat certain types of cancer, particularly ovarian cancer. It works by blocking an enzyme called PARP, preventing cancer cells from repairing their DNA. |
| nisoldipine | Calcium channel blocker | High blood pressure (hypertension). | Headache, dizziness, flushing, swelling in ankles or feet. | A calcium channel blocker that lowers blood pressure by relaxing and widening the blood vessels, which makes it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. |
| nitazoxanide | Antiprotozoal agent | Treatment of diarrhea caused by Giardia lamblia or Cryptosporidium parvum. | Abdominal pain, headache, nausea, discolored urine. | An antimicrobial medication used to treat diarrhea caused by certain intestinal parasites. It works by stopping the growth of the protozoa that cause the infection. |
| nitisinone | Herbicide-derived drug | Hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT-1). | Low platelet/white blood cell counts, eye pain/redness. | A medication used to treat a rare genetic metabolic disorder called hereditary tyrosinemia type 1. It blocks the breakdown of an amino acid, preventing toxic buildup. |
| nitrofurantoin | Nitrofuran antibiotic | Treating and preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs). | Nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite, brown urine. | An antibiotic specifically used for urinary tract infections. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract. It can turn urine a harmless brown color. |
| nitroglycerin | Nitrate; vasodilator | Angina (chest pain) treatment and prevention. | Headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, flushing, low blood pressure. | A medication that relaxes and widens blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart. It is used to quickly relieve chest pain (angina) and comes in many forms. |
| nivolumab | Monoclonal antibody; PD-1 inhibitor | Various cancers (melanoma, lung, kidney, bladder, etc.). | Fatigue, rash, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea. | An immunotherapy drug used to treat many types of cancer. It works by helping the body’s own immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. |
| nizatidine | H2 receptor antagonist | Stomach/duodenal ulcers, heartburn, GERD. | Headache, dizziness, diarrhea, constipation. | A medication that reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is used to treat and prevent ulcers and to relieve symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn. |
| norepinephrine | Vasopressor; catecholamine | Critically low blood pressure (shock). | High blood pressure, slow heart rate, anxiety, headache. | A powerful medication used in intensive care units to raise and maintain blood pressure in life-threatening situations like septic shock. It works by constricting blood vessels. |
| norethindrone | Progestin hormone | Contraception, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis. | Irregular bleeding, headache, nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes. | A synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. It is used for birth control, and to treat menstrual disorders, endometriosis, and other hormone-related conditions. |
| norfloxacin | Fluoroquinolone antibiotic | Urinary tract infections (UTIs), prostatitis. | Nausea, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain. | A fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, particularly those affecting the urinary tract and prostate. Its use may be limited due to potential serious side effects. |
| nortriptyline | Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) | Depression, nerve pain (neuropathy), smoking cessation. | Dry mouth, constipation, drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness. | An older type of antidepressant also used for chronic pain, especially nerve pain. It works by increasing levels of certain natural chemicals in the brain. |
| nystatin | Antifungal agent | Fungal infections of the skin, mouth (thrush), and intestines. | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (oral); skin irritation (topical). | An antifungal medication used to treat infections caused by Candida yeast. It comes in various forms, including oral suspension for thrush and creams for skin infections. Last updated: 2024-05-24. Disclaimer: informational only. |
Descriptions
nabilone
nabumetone
nadolol
nafcillin
naftifine
nalbuphine
naldemedine
naloxone
naltrexone
naphazoline
naproxen
naratriptan
natalizumab
nateglinide
nebivolol
nedocromil
nefazodone
neomycin
neostigmine
nepafenac
netarsudil
nevirapine
niacin
nicardipine
nicotine
nifedipine
nilutamide
nilotinib
nimodipine
nintedanib
niraparib
nisoldipine
nitazoxanide
nitisinone
nitrofurantoin
nitroglycerin
nivolumab
nizatidine
norepinephrine
norethindrone
norfloxacin
nortriptyline
nystatin