Acetylcysteine has become an important drug because so many people with airway diseases wish to use a drug that dissolves mucus. Similarly to other mucolytic agents, acetylcysteine does not demonstrat [..]

Acyclovir, the first antiviral drug of practical importance, yields great benefits for immunocompromised subjects. It is surprisingly well tolerated. In immunocompetent subjects its effect is also dem [..]

If subjects with mild hyperuricemia and infrequent gout seizures are not treated (which is absolutely justifiable), there remain very few people in the general practice that have to be prescribed allo [..]

For the treatment of peptic ulcer disease the comparatively inexpensive antacids now play a secondary role. For 'dyspepsia' and 'gastritis', the benefit of antacids has [..]

Amiodarone is a dangerous substance. High doses administered over a long period of time can cause severe side-effects. On the other hand, amiodarone offers a realistic chance when other treatments hav [..]

Despite its hazards, amitriptyline can still be considered as one of the most important pillars of antidepressant treatment. For no other tri- or tetracyclic antidepressant agent (including lofepramin [..]

Amoxycillin is still a versatile and relatively well tolerated antibiotic. Compared to penicillin it is advantageous because of its broader range. When used alone, amoxycillin is better tolerated than [..]

Nowadays one could do without aspirin as an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory since good alternatives are available. However, one can rarely oppose the occasional use of this inexpensive analgesic. T [..]

Atenolol is normally my choice of beta-blocker. Atenolol is well tolerated, not very expensive, and it has a remarkable record: its long-term use is documented convincingly for coronary heart diseases [..]

Inhaled corticosteroids represent a key element in the treatment of asthma. They are much more expensive than orally administered steroids but they achieve their effect with considerably fewer side-ef [..]