This list includes 49 Pills that start with S, from “Sanctura” to “Synthroid”. It focuses on oral tablets and capsules, showing common uses and typical side effects you should know.
Pills that start with S are a diverse group of brand and generic oral medicines used across many conditions. Some, like Synthroid, are household names worldwide and show how single letters can link very different therapies.
Below you’ll find the table with Pill name, Generic/Brand, Primary use, Therapeutic class, Common side effects, and Sources.
Pill name: This gives the marketed or commonly known name so you can quickly identify the tablet or capsule you encounter.
Generic/Brand: Shows whether the entry is a generic substance or a brand, helping you match prescriptions and labels you read.
Primary use: Summarizes the main medical purpose so you know at a glance what condition the pill most often treats.
Therapeutic class: Names the drug class so you understand how the medicine works and compare it to similar treatments.
Common side effects: Lists typical adverse effects so you can look for common symptoms and discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Sources: Points to original references and product information so you can verify details or read full prescribing information.
Pills that start with S
| Name | Generic/Brand | Primary use | Therapeutic class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sertraline | sertraline (Zoloft) | Depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD. | Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) |
| Simvastatin | simvastatin (Zocor) | Lowers high cholesterol levels. | HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin) |
| Synthroid | levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl) | Treats hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). | Thyroid Hormone Replacement |
| Spironolactone | spironolactone (Aldactone) | Heart failure, high blood pressure, fluid retention. | Potassium-Sparing Diuretic |
| Seroquel | quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR) | Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression. | Atypical Antipsychotic |
| Singulair | montelukast (Singulair) | Prevents asthma attacks and treats allergy symptoms. | Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist |
| Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim | sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra) | Treats bacterial infections, especially UTIs. | Sulfonamide Antibiotic Combination |
| Sumatriptan | sumatriptan (Imitrex) | Acute treatment of migraine headaches. | Serotonin (5-HT1) Receptor Agonist (Triptan) |
| Sildenafil | sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio) | Erectile dysfunction (ED) and pulmonary hypertension. | Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) Inhibitor |
| Sotalol | sotalol (Betapace) | Treats irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). | Beta-Blocker with Antiarrhythmic properties |
| Sucralfate | sucralfate (Carafate) | Treats and prevents stomach and intestinal ulcers. | Ulcer Adherent / Protectant |
| Sudafed | pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) | Relieves nasal and sinus congestion. | Decongestant |
| Sitagliptin | sitagliptin (Januvia) | Manages type 2 diabetes. | DPP-4 Inhibitor |
| Strattera | atomoxetine (Strattera) | Treats attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). | Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) |
| Soma | carisoprodol (Soma) | Short-term relief of muscle pain and discomfort. | Skeletal Muscle Relaxant |
| Suboxone | buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) | Treatment of opioid use disorder. | Opioid Partial Agonist/Antagonist |
| Sulfasalazine | sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) | Ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. | Aminosalicylate / DMARD |
| Sinemet | carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet) | Treats symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. | Dopamine Precursor / Decarboxylase Inhibitor |
| Sprintec | norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol (Sprintec) | Prevention of pregnancy. | Combination Oral Contraceptive |
| Solifenacin | solifenacin (Vesicare) | Treats overactive bladder (OAB). | Anticholinergic / Antimuscarinic |
| Senokot | sennosides (Senokot) | Relief of occasional constipation. | Stimulant Laxative |
| Stalevo | carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone (Stalevo) | Treats symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. | Dopaminergic Agent Combination |
| Savella | milnacipran (Savella) | Management of fibromyalgia. | Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) |
| Selegiline | selegiline (Eldepryl, Zelapar) | Parkinson’s disease, sometimes depression. | MAO-B Inhibitor |
| Sprycel | dasatinib (Sprycel) | Treats certain types of leukemia (CML, ALL). | Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) |
| Stribild | elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir DF (Stribild) | Treatment of HIV-1 infection. | Antiretroviral Combination |
| Symbyax | olanzapine/fluoxetine (Symbyax) | Bipolar depression, treatment-resistant depression. | Antipsychotic/SSRI Combination |
| Synjardy | empagliflozin/metformin (Synjardy) | Manages type 2 diabetes. | SGLT2 Inhibitor / Biguanide Combination |
| Sutent | sunitinib (Sutent) | Kidney cancer, GIST, pancreatic cancer. | Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) |
| Stilnox | zolpidem (Stilnox, Ambien) | Short-term treatment of insomnia (trouble sleeping). | Sedative-Hypnotic (Z-drug) |
| Stemetil | prochlorperazine (Stemetil, Compazine) | Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vertigo, migraines. | Antiemetic / Typical Antipsychotic |
| Sevelamer | sevelamer (Renvela, Renagel) | Lowers high blood phosphorus in dialysis patients. | Phosphate Binder |
| Saphris | asenapine (Saphris) | Schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. | Atypical Antipsychotic |
| Subutex | buprenorphine (Subutex) | Treatment of opioid use disorder. | Opioid Partial Agonist |
| Sorafenib | sorafenib (Nexavar) | Treats liver, kidney, and thyroid cancer. | Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) |
| Stivarga | regorafenib (Stivarga) | Treats colorectal, liver, and GIST cancers. | Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) |
| Soriatane | acitretin (Soriatane) | Treats severe psoriasis. | Retinoid |
| Saxagliptin | saxagliptin (Onglyza) | Manages type 2 diabetes. | DPP-4 Inhibitor |
| Suprax | cefixime (Suprax) | Treats bacterial infections. | Cephalosporin Antibiotic |
| Sular | nisoldipine (Sular) | Treats high blood pressure (hypertension). | Calcium Channel Blocker |
| Silenor | doxepin (Silenor) | Treatment of insomnia. | Tricyclic Antidepressant (low dose) |
| Sonata | zaleplon (Sonata) | Short-term treatment of insomnia. | Sedative-Hypnotic (Z-drug) |
| Starlix | nateglinide (Starlix) | Manages type 2 diabetes. | Meglitinide |
| Sodium Bicarbonate | sodium bicarbonate | Heartburn, acid indigestion, upset stomach. | Antacid |
| Serophene | clomiphene (Serophene, Clomid) | Induces ovulation for infertility treatment. | Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM) |
| Sanctura | trospium (Sanctura) | Treats overactive bladder (OAB). | Anticholinergic / Antimuscarinic |
| Steglatro | ertugliflozin (Steglatro) | Manages type 2 diabetes. | SGLT2 Inhibitor |
| Sulfadiazine | sulfadiazine | Treats various bacterial infections. | Sulfonamide Antibiotic |
| Saquinavir | saquinavir (Invirase) | Treatment of HIV-1 infection. | Protease Inhibitor (Antiretroviral) |
Descriptions
Sertraline
An antidepressant tablet. Common side effects include nausea, headache, diarrhea, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. Can increase suicidal thoughts in young adults.
Simvastatin
A widely used tablet to reduce cholesterol and cardiovascular risk. Common side effects: headache, muscle pain, nausea, constipation. Avoid grapefruit juice.
Synthroid
A daily tablet that replaces a hormone normally produced by your thyroid gland. Take on an empty stomach. Side effects can include hair loss, sweating, and feeling nervous.
Spironolactone
A diuretic (water pill) tablet that removes excess fluid without losing potassium. Used for BP, heart failure, and acne. Side effects: dizziness, high potassium, breast tenderness.
Seroquel
A tablet used to treat various mental health conditions by balancing brain chemicals. Common side effects: drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, weight gain, constipation.
Singulair
A once-daily tablet for long-term control of asthma and seasonal allergies. Side effects: headache, stomach pain, cough. Can cause mood changes.
Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim
A combination antibiotic tablet effective against many types of bacteria. Drink plenty of water. Side effects: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, skin rash.
Sumatriptan
A tablet that narrows blood vessels around the brain to relieve migraine pain. Not for prevention. Side effects: tingling, flushing, dizziness, chest tightness.
Sildenafil
A tablet used to treat ED (Viagra) or high blood pressure in the lungs (Revatio). Side effects: flushing, headache, upset stomach, vision changes.
Sotalol
A tablet that helps maintain a normal heart rhythm. Requires monitoring when starting. Side effects: fatigue, dizziness, slow heartbeat, shortness of breath.
Sucralfate
A tablet that forms a protective coating over ulcers to help them heal. Take on an empty stomach. The main side effect is constipation.
Sudafed
An over-the-counter tablet that shrinks swollen nasal passages. Often kept behind the pharmacy counter. Side effects: nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, increased blood pressure.
Sitagliptin
A daily tablet that helps control blood sugar levels by increasing insulin release. Side effects: stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, upper respiratory infection.
Strattera
A non-stimulant capsule used to manage ADHD symptoms in children and adults. Side effects: upset stomach, nausea, decreased appetite, dizziness, fatigue.
Soma
A tablet prescribed for muscle spasms, typically for 2–3 weeks. Has potential for abuse and dependence. Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and headache.
Suboxone
A sublingual tablet or film placed under the tongue to reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal. Side effects: headache, nausea, constipation, sweating, insomnia.
Sulfasalazine
An anti-inflammatory tablet that reduces swelling in the colon and joints. Can cause upset stomach, headache, rash, and may turn urine/skin orange-yellow.
Sinemet
A combination tablet that increases dopamine levels in the brain to improve motor symptoms. Side effects: nausea, dizziness, involuntary movements, headache.
Sprintec
A daily birth control tablet containing two hormones to prevent ovulation. Side effects can include nausea, breast tenderness, headache, and mood changes.
Solifenacin
A tablet that relaxes the bladder muscle to reduce urinary urgency, frequency, and leakage. Common side effects: dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, dizziness.
Senokot
An over-the-counter tablet derived from the senna plant to stimulate bowel movements. Side effects: stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea. Generally used for short-term relief.
Stalevo
A combination tablet for Parkinson’s that helps levodopa work longer in the brain. Side effects: involuntary movements, nausea, dizziness, brown/orange urine.
Savella
A capsule used to manage chronic pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. Side effects: nausea, headache, constipation, dizziness, hot flushes.
Selegiline
A capsule or tablet used with other medications for Parkinson’s disease. It helps prevent the breakdown of dopamine. Side effects: dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, insomnia.
Sprycel
A targeted chemotherapy tablet that interferes with cancer cell growth. Side effects: fluid retention, diarrhea, headache, skin rash, fatigue, nausea.
Stribild
A once-daily complete regimen tablet for treating HIV. Must be taken with food. Side effects: nausea, diarrhea, abnormal dreams, headache, fatigue.
Symbyax
A capsule combining two medications to treat mood disorders. Side effects: drowsiness, weight gain, increased appetite, fatigue, dry mouth, swelling.
Synjardy
A combination tablet that helps control blood sugar by removing sugar in urine and reducing liver sugar production. Side effects: urinary tract infections, yeast infections, diarrhea.
Sutent
An oral chemotherapy capsule that blocks signals for cancer cells to grow and divide. Side effects: fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, high blood pressure, hand-foot syndrome.
Stilnox
A fast-acting tablet that helps you fall asleep. Known as Ambien in the US. Side effects: dizziness, headache, drowsiness, complex sleep behaviors (e.g., sleep-driving).
Stemetil
A versatile tablet used to control severe nausea and vomiting, as well as balance disorders. Side effects: drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth.
Sevelamer
A tablet that binds to phosphate from food in your gut to prevent it from being absorbed. Must be taken with meals. Side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation.
Saphris
A sublingual (under the tongue) tablet that dissolves to treat mental health conditions. Do not eat or drink for 10 minutes after. Side effects: drowsiness, dizziness, mouth numbness.
Subutex
A sublingual tablet placed under the tongue, used mainly during the initial phase of opioid addiction treatment. Side effects: headache, constipation, nausea, sweating.
Sorafenib
An oral chemotherapy tablet that slows the growth and spread of cancer cells. Common side effects include rash, diarrhea, fatigue, and high blood pressure.
Stivarga
A chemotherapy tablet used for certain advanced cancers after other treatments have failed. Side effects: hand-foot skin reaction, fatigue, diarrhea, high blood pressure.
Soriatane
A capsule for severe psoriasis that is related to vitamin A. Causes severe birth defects; women must avoid pregnancy for 3 years after stopping. Side effects: dry skin, chapped lips, hair loss.
Saxagliptin
A daily tablet that helps control blood sugar by increasing substances that stimulate insulin release. Side effects: headache, urinary tract infection, upper respiratory infection.
Suprax
An antibiotic tablet or capsule used for infections like bronchitis, gonorrhea, and ear infections. Side effects: diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, headache.
Sular
An extended-release tablet that relaxes blood vessels to lower blood pressure. Swallow whole; do not crush. Side effects: swelling in ankles/feet, headache, dizziness, flushing.
Silenor
A low-dose tablet form of an antidepressant used specifically for sleep maintenance. Side effects include drowsiness, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infection.
Sonata
A capsule used to help you fall asleep. It has a very short duration of action. Side effects: dizziness, drowsiness, headache, coordination difficulties.
Starlix
A fast-acting tablet taken before meals to help the pancreas release insulin and lower blood sugar spikes. Side effects: low blood sugar, dizziness, back pain.
Sodium Bicarbonate
An over-the-counter tablet that neutralizes stomach acid. Also used for metabolic acidosis. Side effects: gas, bloating, stomach cramps. High in sodium.
Serophene
A tablet used to stimulate the release of eggs from the ovary in women who are not ovulating. Side effects: hot flashes, bloating, mood swings, blurred vision.
Sanctura
A tablet that helps relax the bladder muscle to reduce symptoms of OAB. Take on an empty stomach. Side effects: dry mouth, constipation, headache, upset stomach.
Steglatro
A daily tablet that helps lower blood sugar by causing the kidneys to remove more sugar from the body through urine. Side effects: yeast infections, urinary tract infections.
Sulfadiazine
A tablet used to treat infections, often in combination with other drugs for conditions like toxoplasmosis. Side effects: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache.
Saquinavir
A capsule taken with other HIV medications to reduce the amount of virus in the blood. Side effects: diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, fatigue.