🧠 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