🧠 Antipsychotics
💡 First-Generation (Typical) Antipsychotics
Medication (Brand) |
Indications |
Key Side Effects / Special Notes |
BNF Link |
Haloperidol (Haldol) |
Schizophrenia, acute agitation |
High potency; high risk of extrapyramidal side effects |
BNF: Haloperidol |
Chlorpromazine |
Schizophrenia, severe mania |
Sedating; anticholinergic effects |
BNF: Chlorpromazine |
⚡ Second-Generation (Atypical) Antipsychotics
Medication (Brand) |
Indications |
Key Side Effects / Special Notes |
BNF Link |
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) |
Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder |
Risk of weight gain and metabolic syndrome |
BNF: Olanzapine |
Risperidone |
Psychosis, aggression |
Increased prolactin levels |
BNF: Risperidone |
Quetiapine (Seroquel) |
Bipolar depression, schizophrenia |
Sedating; some potential for misuse in certain settings |
BNF: Quetiapine |
Clozapine (Clozaril) |
Treatment-resistant schizophrenia |
Requires regular blood monitoring due to agranulocytosis risk |
BNF: Clozapine |
Aripiprazole (Abilify) |
Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder |
Less sedating; lower metabolic side effects |
BNF: Aripiprazole |
😊 Antidepressants
🌟 Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Medication (Brand) |
Indications |
Key Side Effects / Special Notes |
BNF Link |
Sertraline (Zoloft) |
Depression, anxiety disorders |
First-line therapy; generally well tolerated |
BNF: Sertraline |
Fluoxetine (Prozac) |
Depression, bulimia |
Energising; may cause agitation in some patients |
BNF: Fluoxetine |
Citalopram (Celexa) |
Depression, anxiety |
Generally well tolerated; caution in patients with cardiac issues |
BNF: Citalopram |
Escitalopram (Lexapro) |
Depression, anxiety |
Lower side effect profile than some other SSRIs |
BNF: Escitalopram |
🚀 Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Medication (Brand) |
Indications |
Key Side Effects / Special Notes |
BNF Link |
Venlafaxine (Effexor) |
Treatment-resistant depression, anxiety |
May increase blood pressure at higher doses |
BNF: Venlafaxine |
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) |
Depression, anxiety, neuropathic pain |
Also used for pain management |
BNF: Duloxetine |
🎯 Atypical Antidepressants
Medication (Brand) |
Indications |
Key Side Effects / Special Notes |
BNF Link |
Mirtazapine (Remeron) |
Depression with insomnia, poor appetite |
Sedating; may be preferred for patients with sleep issues |
BNF: Mirtazapine |
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) |
Depression, smoking cessation |
Energising; lower sexual side effects; caution in seizure-prone individuals |
BNF: Bupropion |
🌈 Mood Stabilisers
Medication |
Indications |
Key Side Effects / Special Notes |
BNF Link |
Lithium |
Bipolar disorder |
Gold standard; requires regular blood monitoring (toxicity risk) |
BNF: Lithium |
Valproate (Depakote) |
Mania in bipolar disorder |
Requires liver monitoring; potential weight gain |
BNF: Valproate |
Carbamazepine |
Bipolar disorder, epilepsy |
Risk of drug interactions; potential blood dyscrasias |
BNF: Carbamazepine |
Lamotrigine |
Bipolar depression |
More effective for the depressive phase; requires slow titration |
BNF: Lamotrigine |
😌 Anxiolytics & Sedatives
🛡️ Benzodiazepines
Medication (Brand) |
Indications |
Key Side Effects / Special Notes |
BNF Link |
Lorazepam (Ativan) |
Acute agitation, withdrawal management |
Risk of dependence; sedation is common |
BNF: Lorazepam |
Diazepam (Valium) |
Anxiety, muscle relaxation, seizure control |
Longer half-life; risk of sedation and dependence |
BNF: Diazepam |
Clonazepam |
Panic disorder, epilepsy |
Risk of sedation and dependence |
BNF: Clonazepam |
🌙 Non-Benzodiazepine Sedatives
Medication |
Indications |
Key Side Effects / Special Notes |
BNF Link |
Zopiclone (Zimovane) |
Short-term insomnia treatment |
Used for short-term management; caution with dependence |
BNF: Zopiclone |
Promethazine |
Sedation, allergy symptoms |
Antihistamine with sedating properties |
BNF: Promethazine |
Trazodone |
Insomnia, depression |
Sedating antidepressant; used off-label for sleep |
BNF: Trazodone |
⚡ Stimulants & ADHD Medications
Medication (Brand) |
Indications |
Key Side Effects / Special Notes |
BNF Link |
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) |
ADHD |
Stimulant properties with potential for misuse/abuse |
BNF: Methylphenidate |
Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) |
ADHD |
Longer duration; lower abuse potential compared to other stimulants |
BNF: Lisdexamfetamine |
Atomoxetine (Strattera) |
ADHD (with comorbid anxiety) |
Non-stimulant; lower abuse potential |
BNF: Atomoxetine |
🔍 Other Commonly Encountered Medications
Medication |
Indications |
Key Side Effects / Special Notes |
BNF Link |
Propranolol |
Performance anxiety, PTSD, akathisia |
Beta-blocker; non-sedating alternative for anxiety symptoms |
BNF: Propranolol |
Buspirone |
Generalized anxiety disorder |
Non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic; slow onset of action |
BNF: Buspirone |
Gabapentin / Pregabalin |
Anxiety, neuropathic pain |
Also used for neuropathic pain; generally low abuse potential |
BNF: Gabapentin
BNF: Pregabalin |
Buscopan (Hyoscine Butylbromide) |
Abdominal cramps, IBS |
Anticholinergic effects; may cause dry mouth, dizziness |
BNF: Buscopan |
Gaviscon / Rennie |
Acid reflux, indigestion |
Generally well tolerated; avoid in severe kidney disease |
N/A (OTC) |
⚡ Pain Management
Medication |
Indications |
Key Side Effects / Special Notes |
BNF Link |
Paracetamol |
First-line for mild to moderate pain |
Generally well tolerated, avoid in severe liver disease |
BNF: Paracetamol |
Ibuprofen / Naproxen |
NSAIDs for inflammatory pain |
Risk of gastrointestinal side effects, avoid in kidney disease |
BNF: Ibuprofen
BNF: Naproxen |
Nefopam |
Non-opioid analgesic for moderate pain |
Risk of nausea, tachycardia; avoid in epilepsy |
BNF: Nefopam |