Medication name translator
Brand names differ wildly across countries. Look up the WHO INN (international non-proprietary name) for any medication on your post-op script, and find its equivalent at home. Always confirm with a pharmacist before substituting.
Reference only — not medical advice. See disclaimer.
amoxicillin
Antibiotic (penicillin)Post-op infection prevention; dental and surgical-site cover.
Brand names by country
- uk Amoxil
- usa Amoxil, Trimox
- thailand Amoxin, Polymox
- turkey Largopen, Demoksil
- mexico Amoxil, Hidramox
- india Mox, Novamox
- spain Clamoxyl
Penicillin allergy is common. If you've ever reacted to penicillin in any form, decline and ask for an alternative (often clarithromycin or doxycycline).
co-amoxiclav
Antibiotic (penicillin + beta-lactamase inhibitor)Broader-spectrum dental and surgical-site infection cover.
Brand names by country
- uk Augmentin
- usa Augmentin
- thailand Augmentin, Curam
- turkey Augmentin, Klamoks
- mexico Augmentin, Optamox
- india Augmentin, Clavam
- spain Augmentine
Penicillin allergy applies. Diarrhoea and clostridium difficile colitis are recognised complications; report severe diarrhoea after a course.
clindamycin
Antibiotic (lincosamide)Alternative for penicillin-allergic patients in dental and surgical prophylaxis.
Brand names by country
- uk Dalacin C
- usa Cleocin
- thailand Dalacin C
- turkey Klindan
- mexico Dalacin C
- india Dalcap, Clindac-A (topical)
- spain Dalacin
Higher rate of c. difficile colitis than other oral antibiotics; report severe diarrhoea immediately.
azithromycin
Antibiotic (macrolide)Respiratory and soft-tissue infection cover; sometimes used in dental work for penicillin-allergic patients.
Brand names by country
- uk Zithromax
- usa Zithromax, Z-pak
- thailand Zithromax
- turkey Zitromax
- mexico Zitromax
- india Azithral, Zithrox
- spain Zitromax
QT prolongation in susceptible individuals; review with prescriber if you have known cardiac conduction issues.
metronidazole
Antibiotic (anti-anaerobic)Dental abscess and anaerobic surgical-site infection.
Brand names by country
- uk Flagyl
- usa Flagyl
- thailand Flagyl, Metrolex
- turkey Flagyl, Nidazol
- mexico Flagyl
- india Flagyl, Metrogyl
- spain Flagyl
Avoid alcohol during and for 48 hours after course (severe disulfiram-like reaction).
ibuprofen
NSAID analgesicPost-op pain and inflammation.
Brand names by country
- uk Nurofen, Brufen
- usa Advil, Motrin
- thailand Brufen, Gofen
- turkey Brufen, Dolven
- mexico Advil, Motrin
- india Brufen, Combiflam (with paracetamol)
- spain Neobrufen, Espidifen
Avoid in stomach ulcer, asthma, kidney disease, and immediately after some procedures (e.g. tonsillectomy, certain plastic surgeries) where bleeding risk increases. Confirm with surgeon.
naproxen
NSAID analgesic (longer-acting)Post-op pain and inflammation; less frequent dosing than ibuprofen.
Brand names by country
- uk Naprosyn
- usa Aleve, Naprosyn
- thailand Naprosyn
- turkey Aprosyn
- mexico Flanax, Naxen
- india Naprosyn, Naprodom
- spain Antalgin, Momen
Same NSAID class precautions as ibuprofen; longer half-life so plasma levels persist longer.
diclofenac
NSAID analgesicPost-op pain; available oral, topical, and parenteral forms.
Brand names by country
- uk Voltarol
- usa Voltaren
- thailand Voltaren, Difelene
- turkey Voltaren, Cataflam
- mexico Voltaren, Cataflam
- india Voveran, Diclonac
- spain Voltaren
Higher cardiovascular risk than ibuprofen at high doses; standard NSAID precautions.
paracetamol
Analgesic / antipyreticPain and fever; usual first-line post-op analgesic.
Brand names by country
- uk Panadol, Calpol
- usa Tylenol (acetaminophen)
- thailand Sara, Tylenol
- turkey Parol, Tylol
- mexico Tempra, Tylenol
- india Crocin, Dolo, Calpol
- spain Gelocatil, Apiretal
Note that the US calls this acetaminophen — same drug. Maximum 4g/24h adult; many cold/flu products also contain it (additive overdose risk). Avoid alcohol.
tramadol
Opioid analgesicModerate-to-severe post-op pain when paracetamol+ibuprofen is insufficient.
Brand names by country
- uk Zydol, Tramacet (with paracetamol)
- usa Ultram
- thailand Tramol, Tramal
- turkey Contramal
- mexico Tradol, Nobligan
- india Tramazac, Domadol
- spain Adolonta
Controlled drug in many countries — declare it at customs returning home. Drowsiness; do not drive. Interacts with antidepressants (serotonin syndrome).
codeine
Opioid analgesic (weak)Mild-to-moderate pain, often combined with paracetamol.
Brand names by country
- uk Co-codamol, Solpadeine
- usa Tylenol with codeine
- thailand Tylenol with codeine
- turkey Codetin
- mexico Tylenol con codeína
- india Codistar
- spain Codeisan
Controlled in many jurisdictions; declare returning home. Genetic variability means some patients are 'ultra-rapid metabolisers' and convert too much codeine to morphine — use cautiously.
morphine
Opioid analgesic (strong)Severe post-op pain; typically inpatient/short-course only.
Brand names by country
- uk Oramorph, MST
- usa MS Contin, Roxanol
- thailand MST, MS Contin
- turkey MST
- mexico MST
- india Morcontin, MST
- spain Sevredol, MST
Strong opioid with significant respiratory depression risk. Most jurisdictions restrict carriage across borders; verify before travel. Constipation universal — request stool softener prophylactically.
oxycodone
Opioid analgesic (strong)Severe post-op pain.
Brand names by country
- uk OxyNorm, OxyContin
- usa OxyContin, Roxicodone
- thailand OxyContin
- turkey OxyContin
- mexico OxyContin
- india OxyContin
- spain OxyContin
Tighter international controls than morphine; many countries require import permits. Strong dependence potential.
enoxaparin
Low molecular weight heparin (anticoagulant)VTE prophylaxis after major surgery, especially long-haul travellers.
Brand names by country
- uk Clexane
- usa Lovenox
- thailand Clexane
- turkey Clexane, Enoks
- mexico Clexane
- india Clexane, LMWX
- spain Clexane
Self-administered subcutaneous injection. Bruising at injection sites is normal. Stop and seek urgent care if heavy bleeding, blood in urine/stool, or new neurological symptoms.
rivaroxaban
Direct oral anticoagulant (Factor Xa inhibitor)VTE prophylaxis or treatment, particularly after orthopaedic surgery.
Brand names by country
- uk Xarelto
- usa Xarelto
- thailand Xarelto
- turkey Xarelto
- mexico Xarelto
- india Xarelto, Rivaro
- spain Xarelto
No INR monitoring needed but bleeding risk significant. Stop and seek care for unusual bleeding. Time-of-day consistency matters for once-daily dosing.
apixaban
Direct oral anticoagulant (Factor Xa inhibitor)VTE prophylaxis post-orthopaedic surgery; also longer-term anticoagulation.
Brand names by country
- uk Eliquis
- usa Eliquis
- thailand Eliquis
- turkey Eliquis
- mexico Eliquis
- india Eliquis
- spain Eliquis
Twice-daily dosing matters. Same bleeding precautions as other DOACs.
ondansetron
Antiemetic (5-HT3 antagonist)Post-op nausea and vomiting; chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Brand names by country
- uk Zofran
- usa Zofran
- thailand Zofran, Onsec
- turkey Zofer
- mexico Zofran
- india Emeset, Vomiof
- spain Zofran, Yatrox
QT prolongation; constipation is the dose-limiting side effect.
metoclopramide
Antiemetic (dopamine antagonist)Nausea, especially gastric-stasis-related.
Brand names by country
- uk Maxolon
- usa Reglan
- thailand Plasil
- turkey Metpamid
- mexico Plasil
- india Perinorm
- spain Primperan
Avoid in young patients (acute dystonia risk); EU restricts duration to 5 days.
omeprazole
Proton pump inhibitorGastric protection during NSAID or steroid use; reflux.
Brand names by country
- uk Losec
- usa Prilosec
- thailand Losec, Omezol
- turkey Losec, Omeprol
- mexico Losec
- india Omez, Prilosec
- spain Losec
Long-term use (>12 months) associated with increased risk of fractures and B12 deficiency.
pantoprazole
Proton pump inhibitorGastric protection; reflux.
Brand names by country
- uk Protium
- usa Protonix
- thailand Pantoloc
- turkey Pandev
- mexico Pantozol
- india Pantocid
- spain Pantecta, Anagastra
Same precautions as other PPIs.
dexamethasone
CorticosteroidAnti-inflammatory; antiemetic adjunct in chemotherapy; reduce post-op swelling.
Brand names by country
- uk Dexsol
- usa Decadron
- thailand Decadron
- turkey Dekort
- mexico Decadron
- india Decadron, Dexona
- spain Fortecortin
Glucose elevation in diabetics; avoid abrupt cessation after prolonged use.
ciprofloxacin
Antibiotic (fluoroquinolone)Urinary, respiratory, and post-op gram-negative coverage. Limited current first-line use due to side-effect profile.
Brand names by country
- uk Ciproxin
- usa Cipro
- thailand Ciproxin
- turkey Cipro, Roflox
- mexico Cipro
- india Cifran, Ciprobid
- spain Baycip
FDA/EMA black-box warnings on tendinitis, peripheral neuropathy, and aortic aneurysm. Many regulators recommend reserving for serious infections.
amlodipine
Calcium-channel blockerHypertension; chronic medication that may need to continue perioperatively.
Brand names by country
- uk Istin
- usa Norvasc
- thailand Norvasc
- turkey Norvasc, Vazkor
- mexico Norvasc
- india Amlokind, Stamlo
- spain Astudal, Norvas
Ankle swelling common; do not stop abruptly without prescriber advice.
lisinopril
ACE inhibitorHypertension and heart failure.
Brand names by country
- uk Zestril
- usa Prinivil, Zestril
- thailand Zestril
- turkey Acerbon
- mexico Zestril
- india Lipril, Listril
- spain Doneka, Zestril
Cough is the most common side effect; angioedema is rare but serious. Discuss with anaesthetist before surgery — many anaesthetists hold ACE inhibitors on the morning of surgery.
atorvastatin
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)Lipid lowering; cardiovascular risk reduction including post-CABG.
Brand names by country
- uk Lipitor
- usa Lipitor
- thailand Lipitor
- turkey Lipitor, Cholvast
- mexico Lipitor
- india Storvas, Atorlip
- spain Cardyl, Zarator
Muscle aches uncommon but report any new significant muscle pain; rare risk of rhabdomyolysis.
metformin
Biguanide (antidiabetic)Type 2 diabetes; chronic medication that requires perioperative review.
Brand names by country
- uk Glucophage
- usa Glucophage
- thailand Glucophage
- turkey Glucophage, Glufor
- mexico Glucophage
- india Glycomet, Obimet
- spain Dianben
Stop on the morning of any procedure with contrast or with prolonged starvation; restart after renal function confirmed normal post-op.
warfarin
Vitamin K antagonist (anticoagulant)Long-term anticoagulation; common pre-operative medication requiring management.
Brand names by country
- uk Warfarin
- usa Coumadin, Jantoven
- thailand Coumadin
- turkey Coumadin
- mexico Coumadin
- india Warf, Uniwarfin
- spain Aldocumar
Requires INR monitoring; many surgical procedures require pre-op bridging or stopping. Plan with anaesthetist well in advance.
aspirin
Antiplatelet / NSAIDCardiovascular secondary prevention; some surgeons stop, others continue perioperatively.
Brand names by country
- uk Disprin, Aspirin
- usa Bayer Aspirin, Ecotrin
- thailand Aspirin, Cardiprin
- turkey Aspirin Cardio, Coraspin
- mexico Aspirina
- india Ecosprin, Disprin
- spain Adiro, Aspirina
Bleeding risk amplifies with anticoagulants. Reye syndrome risk in children with viral illness.
lansoprazole
Proton pump inhibitorGastric protection; reflux.
Brand names by country
- uk Zoton
- usa Prevacid
- thailand Prevacid
- turkey Lansor
- mexico Lanton
- india Lanzol, Lan
- spain Opiren, Lanzol
Same PPI-class precautions as omeprazole; choose based on availability.
loratadine
Antihistamine (non-sedating)Allergic reactions; seasonal allergies; minor procedures.
Brand names by country
- uk Clarityn
- usa Claritin
- thailand Clarityne
- turkey Claritine
- mexico Clarityne
- india Lorfast
- spain Civeran, Clarityne
Generally well tolerated; minor drowsiness in some patients.