Section index
Medicine
This section covers branded medicines sold in South Africa: what each product is used for, what is actually in it, how it is usually taken, the side effects worth knowing about, and the warnings that decide whether it suits you. Brand names are what most people search for, but the active ingredient is what determines how a medicine behaves, so each page connects the two.
Independent and evidence-basedSouth Africa focused
Every page here is written to be read before a pharmacy visit or alongside the leaflet in the box, not to replace either.
What this section covers
A branded medicine is a specific product made by a specific company. Behind the brand sits one or more active ingredients, and often several brands contain exactly the same one. Knowing this matters for two practical reasons. It is how you avoid taking a double dose of the same ingredient from two different boxes, and it is how you find a cheaper generic that does the same job.
Pages in this section set out what a product treats, the form it comes in, how it is generally used, common and serious side effects, who should check before using it, and which related ingredient or category page to read next.
How to use this section
Search for the name printed on the box. If your product is not listed yet, look up its active ingredient in the Active Ingredients section, because the information there will apply to any brand containing it.
Read the label before the page. Formulations change, strengths differ between products in the same range, and a familiar brand may be sold in several versions that are not interchangeable. Where a page and your leaflet disagree, the leaflet wins.
Pay attention to the difference between products with similar names. A regular and a non drowsy version of the same brand often contain completely different ingredients and behave differently.
Where to start
The most read pages cluster around a few everyday needs.
- Allergy medicines. Allergex Tablets Uses, Allergex Non Drowsy Uses and Allergex Side Effects cover one of the most used ranges in South African pharmacies, including the drowsiness question that separates the two versions.
- Antibiotics. Purbac Double Strength Uses and Purbac Side Effects deal with a widely prescribed product and the warnings that come with it.
- Antiseptics and wound care. Betadine Ointment Uses, Betadine for Cuts, Betadine for Wounds and Betadine Side Effects cover the household standard, while Mercurochrome for Cuts answers a question many readers still ask about an older product.
When to check with a pharmacist or doctor
Ask before starting a new medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if it is for a young child, if you already take chronic medicine, if you have kidney or liver problems, or if you have ever reacted badly to a medicine in the same family. Bring the box or a photograph of the label so the ingredient and strength can be read directly.
Stop and get medical help if you develop a rash that spreads, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, severe stomach pain, unusual bruising or bleeding, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or symptoms that get worse instead of better. If you think too much has been taken, contact the Poisons Information Helpline on 0861 555 777 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Antibiotics carry one extra rule. Finish the course as prescribed unless a doctor tells you otherwise, and never keep leftovers to use for a future illness.
Finding the right page for your question
If you want the ingredient rather than the brand, use Active Ingredients. If you are browsing by symptom or product type rather than by name, Medicine Categories is the better route. Questions about side effects and warning signs are grouped in Safety, combinations are covered in Interactions, and whether a product needs a prescription is explained in Medicine Schedules.
Common questions
What can I find in the Medicine section?
Individual pages for branded medicines sold in South Africa, covering uses, active ingredients, general use, side effects and warnings, with links to the ingredient and category pages behind each brand.
How do I choose the right medicine page?
Start with the exact name on the box, including any version such as non drowsy, double strength or paediatric. If that page does not exist, move to the active ingredient page instead.
Should I ask a pharmacist before using a medicine?
Yes, whenever you are unsure it suits you. That includes pregnancy and breastfeeding, children, chronic conditions, existing medicines, and any past reaction to a similar product.
Are these pages a substitute for the leaflet?
No. The leaflet is specific to the exact product and strength you bought and is kept up to date with the approved information. Read it, and use these pages as plain language background.
When should I seek urgent help?
For breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, a severe or spreading rash, severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding, or a suspected overdose. Treat these as emergencies rather than waiting.
All Medicine pages
Every page in the Medicine section is listed below, in alphabetical order.
A
- Acc 200 Uses
- Allecet Tablets Uses
- Allergex Mepyramine Cream Uses
- Allergex Non Drowsy Side Effects
- Allergex Non Drowsy Uses
- Allergex Side Effects
- Allergex Tablets Uses
- Amoxiclav Uses
- Anthisan Cream Uses
- Augmentin Uses
B
- Bactroban Ointment Uses
- Benylin Dry Cough Uses
- Betadine for Burns
- Betadine for Cuts
- Betadine for Wounds
- Betadine Ointment Uses
- Betadine Side Effects
- Brufen Uses
- Burnshield Gel Uses
- Burnshield Uses
- Buscopan Side Effects
- Buscopan Syrup Uses
- Buscopan Tablets Uses
- Buscopan Uses
C
- Canesten Cream Uses
- Canesten Side Effects
- Canesten Vaginal Cream Uses
- Cipla Azithromycin 500 Uses
- Cipro Uses
- Corenza C Dosage
- Corenza C Ingredients
- Corenza C Side Effects
- Corenza C Uses
- Corenza Para C Uses
D
E
F
G
- Gaviscon Advance Uses
- Gaviscon Liquid Uses
- Gaviscon Uses
- Gen Payne Dosage
- Gen Payne Side Effects
- Gen Payne Tablets Uses
- Glucophage Uses
- Glucophage Xr Uses
I
L
M
- Maxolon Uses
- Med Lemon Side Effects
- Med Lemon Uses
- Mercurochrome for Cuts
- Mercurochrome for Wounds
- Mercurochrome Side Effects
- Mercurochrome Uses
- Mybulen Dosage
- Mybulen Ingredients
- Mybulen Side Effects
- Mybulen Tablets Uses
N
P
- Panado Dosage
- Panado Paediatric Syrup Uses
- Panado Plus Side Effects
- Panado Plus Uses
- Panado Side Effects
- Panado Uses
- Peploc 40mg Uses
- Peploc OTC Uses
- Persivate Ointment Uses
- Persivate Side Effects
- Purbac Double Strength Uses
- Purbac Side Effects
R
S
- Savlon Antiseptic Cream Uses
- Savlon Antiseptic Liquid Uses
- Savlon for Cuts
- Savlon for Wounds
- Sinutab Non Drowsy Uses
- Sinutab Side Effects
- Sinutab Sinus Pain Uses
- Sinutab Uses
T
V
Z
Information only and not a substitute for medical advice. Check the medicine leaflet and ask a pharmacist, doctor or qualified healthcare professional for guidance about your own situation.
Branded medicines
89 pages in this section.
Acc 200 UsesAllecet Tablets UsesAllergex Mepyramine Cream UsesAllergex Non Drowsy Side EffectsAllergex Non Drowsy UsesAllergex Side EffectsAllergex Tablets UsesAnthisan Cream UsesAugmentin UsesBactroban Ointment UsesBenylin Dry Cough UsesBetadine for BurnsBetadine for CutsBetadine for WoundsBetadine Ointment UsesBetadine Side EffectsBrufen UsesBurnshield Gel UsesBurnshield UsesBuscopan Side EffectsBuscopan UsesCanesten Cream UsesCanesten Side EffectsCanesten Vaginal Cream UsesCipro UsesCorenza C DosageCorenza C IngredientsCorenza C Side EffectsCorenza C UsesCorenza Para C UsesDeselex UsesDulcolax UsesEltroxin Side EffectsEltroxin UsesEno Antacid UsesFlustat UsesGaviscon UsesGen Payne DosageGen Payne Side EffectsGen Payne Tablets UsesGlucophage UsesGlucophage Xr UsesImodium Side EffectsImodium UsesLamisil Cream UsesLipitor UsesLosec UsesMaxolon UsesMed Lemon Side EffectsMed Lemon UsesMercurochrome for CutsMercurochrome for WoundsMercurochrome Side EffectsMercurochrome UsesMybulen DosageMybulen IngredientsMybulen Side EffectsMybulen Tablets UsesNexiam UsesNurofen UsesPanado DosagePanado Paediatric Syrup UsesPanado Plus Side EffectsPanado Plus UsesPanado Side EffectsPanado UsesPeploc 40mg UsesPeploc OTC UsesPersivate Ointment UsesPersivate Side EffectsPurbac Double Strength UsesPurbac Side EffectsRennie Antacid UsesSavlon Antiseptic Cream UsesSavlon Antiseptic Liquid UsesSavlon for CutsSavlon for WoundsSinutab Side EffectsSinutab UsesTelfast UsesTerbane Cream UsesTexa Tablets UsesTrepiline Side EffectsTrepiline UsesValoid UsesVicks Dry Cough Syrup UsesVoltaren Gel Side EffectsVoltaren Gel UsesZithromax UsesBrand and generic options
8 pages in this section.
- Evidence-based content
Written in plain language- South Africa focused