Medicines information

Accidental overdose of medicine can be very dangerous, but it is preventable. Learn how to avoid overdosing, and what medicines need special care.

There are different types of medicine that you can use to help you manage ADHD. Read more about the types, benefits and side effects.

You might take an ACE inhibitor or ARBs for hypertension or heart failure. They work by relaxing your blood vessels. You shouldn’t take both together.

Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Learn more about how antibiotics work, how to take them and antibiotic resistance.

Antidepressants are medicines that treat depression and other mental health conditions. Read about the types, side effects and how to take them safely.

Antihistamine medicines help reduce allergy symptoms. You can learn more about how they can treat or prevent conditions like hay fever and asthma.

Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) are used to relieve pain and fever or reduce inflammation (redness and swelling). Find out about NSAIDs here.

Antipsychotic medicines can help ease the symptoms of psychosis. Read about why you may need an antipsychotic medicine and possible side effects.

Antiretroviral medicines stop HIV from multiplying and protects your immune system from damage. Learn more about antiretroviral medicines here.

Antivirals for the flu and COVID-19 can help prevent and treat severe infections. Learn more about them and if you are eligible to receive them.

Asthma medicines include relievers and preventers. Most asthma medicines come as inhalers or ‘puffers’. Find out about combination inhalers.

Blood pressure medicines ('antihypertensives'), such as ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and diuretics help manage high blood pressure.

There can be advantages to buying medicines online, but there are some risks too. Find out more about buying medicines online safely.

Chemotherapy is medicine that aims to stop or slow down the growth of cancer cells. Find out how 'chemo' treatment works and its side effects.

Different medicines can help relieve your cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms. Learn how to safety take them and when to visit your doctor.

Some medicines can help relieve your child’s cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms. Learn what’s safe to give to your child.

Read about diabetes medicines including insulin and other medicines to control your blood sugar levels, how to take them and their side effects.

DMARDs are medicines used to types of arthritis caused by inflammation. Learn how these medicines work and about their side effects.

Find out what diuretic medicines ('fluid tablets') are used for, how they work, the most common diuretics, and how to manage side effects.

An eScript is a digital version of a prescription that your doctor can use to prescribe medicine. Your doctor will send it to you by SMS or email.

A general anaesthetic makes you unconscious so you do not feel pain, move or be aware during surgery. Risks include nausea, sore throat and tiredness.

It’s important to manage your medicines correctly. A free home medicines review (HMR) by a pharmacist can help make sure that your medicines are safe.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) comes in various forms and is used to treat the symptoms of menopause.

Ibuprofen treats fever and pain caused by inflammation. Learn more about how it works, how to take it and its possible side effects.

Immunisation side effects are unwanted effects that may happen after you get a vaccine. Learn how to treat mild adverse events after a vaccine.

Lithium is a mood-stabilising medicine used to treat some mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder. Learn about the risks and benefits of this mood-stabilising medication.

A local anaesthetic temporarily numbs a part of your body. Here's what you should know about 'having a local' and questions to ask your doctor.

Medicines may be recalled for a range of reasons. Learn who regulates medicine recalls, what to do if a medicine is recalled and where to return it.

You need to be careful if you drink alcohol when taking some medicines. This includes over-the-counter medicines and herbal remedies. Learn more here.

While most medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding, some can affect your baby. Learn out more about medicines and breastfeeding here.

Learn more about which medicines are safe to take during pregnancy, including over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements and vitamins.

Some medicines can affect the skills you need to drive safely. Read here to learn how to stay safe and lower your risks while driving.

Get practical tips on giving your baby or child medicine, measuring doses correctly and what to do if your child have side effects.

Older people are at increased risk of medicine-related problems. Learn how to take your medicines safely and what to ask your doctor.

Learn how over the counter and prescription medicines, along with professional quit services, can help you quit smoking and vaping.

Some pain medicines, such as opioids, need to be taken with care. Learn about the risks and benefits of opioids, side effects and pain-relief alternatives.

All medicines have an expiry date displayed on their packaging. Learn about why medicines expire, and how to dispose of old medicines safely.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are medicines you can buy without needing a prescription. OT medicines can cause side effects and drug interactions.

Pain-relief medicines include over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Learn about their side effects as well as when and when not to use them.

You can take paracetamol for mild to moderate pain. Find out when to take paracetamol, its side effects and what to do if you take too much.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) provides many prescription medicines for a reduced price. Learn how to get the most from the PBS.

It's important to learn about your medicines before you take them. Here are some questions you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about medicines.

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflets provide information about the medicine you are taking. Learn where to get CMI pages and how to use them.

You should tell your doctor or health professional about any problems with your medicine. It’s also helpful to report the problem to the TGA.

The scheduling of medicines is a national classification system that controls how medicines and poisons are made available to the public.

Side effects are any unwanted effects of a medicine. Learn more about different types of adverse reactions and what to do if you have them.

Statins are medicines used to lower cholesterol and are recommended for people at risk of cardiovascular disease. Here's how statins work.

Stimulants are a class of drugs that make you feel more alert or energetic. They include drugs such as caffeine, some medicines, ice and cocaine.

Learn how sunscreen protects your skin from sun damage, when and how to use it effectively reapplying every 2 hours and when to seek medical advice.

Generic medicines have the same active ingredient as brand-name medicines. Find out about generic medicines, active ingredients and how they work.

This glossary explains common medical terms in plain English, to help you better understand health information.