Medications

Antidepressants

SertralineAlso known as: Zoloft (USA/Europe), Lustral (UK), Serta, Sertagen, Setralin, Zosert, Sertralin, FridepOne of the most widely prescribed antidepressants in Kenya and globally, used to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD.7 min read →FluoxetineAlso known as: Prozac (USA/Europe), Sarafem, Fluox, Floxet, Deprex, Flunil, Fludep, OxedepThe first SSRI antidepressant, introduced in the 1980s and still widely used for depression, OCD, and bulimia nervosa.6 min read →EscitalopramAlso known as: Lexapro (USA), Cipralex (Europe), Escital, Ectasule, Esertia, Nexito, S-CitadepConsistently ranked among the most effective and best-tolerated antidepressants for depression and anxiety in large international studies.6 min read →AmitriptylineAlso known as: Elavil (USA), Tryptanol, Saroten, Endep, Amitril, Tryptizol, LaroxylA long-established medicine for depression, nerve pain, and migraine prevention, accessible from health centre level across Kenya.6 min read →ClomipramineAlso known as: Anafranil (global), Clopram, Clofranil, Clomip, Clomipramine HClThe most studied pharmacological treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder, and also effective for depression and panic disorder.6 min read →

Antipsychotics

HaloperidolAlso known as: Haldol (global), Serenace, Haloper, Halopidol, Peridol, Dozic, FortunanOne of the most widely used antipsychotic medicines in Kenya, available from health centre level for the treatment of psychosis, schizophrenia, and severe agitation.6 min read →ChlorpromazineAlso known as: Largactil (global), Thorazine (USA), CPZ, Hibernal, Chloractil, PromactilThe world's first antipsychotic medicine, introduced in 1952, and still an essential treatment for psychosis and severe agitation across Kenya.6 min read →TrifluoperazineAlso known as: Stelazine, Eskazine, TriflurinA first-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and, at low doses, for short-term anxiety, one of the older phenothiazines still in use across Kenya.4 min read →RisperidoneAlso known as: Risperdal (global), Risnia, Sizodon, Risperon, Risdone, Ripedon, RispoleptThe most widely prescribed second-generation antipsychotic in Kenya, with fewer movement side effects than older antipsychotics.6 min read →OlanzapineAlso known as: Zyprexa (global), Olanza, Oleanz, Olandus, Olansek, ZalastaA highly effective second-generation antipsychotic for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with important metabolic monitoring requirements.6 min read →ClozapineAlso known as: Clozaril (global), Clopine, Fazaclo, Denzapine, Zaponex, SyclopThe most effective medicine for schizophrenia that has not responded to other treatments, with a strict blood monitoring requirement that is a condition of…7 min read →QuetiapineAlso known as: Seroquel (global), Quetilet, Qutipin, Quetapel, Ketipinor, KventiaxA versatile second-generation antipsychotic uniquely effective across all phases of bipolar disorder, including bipolar depression.5 min read →FluphenazineAlso known as: Modecate (global), Prolixin (USA), Anatensol, Lyogen, FlunazineA long-acting injectable antipsychotic that replaces daily oral tablets with a scheduled injection every two to four weeks.5 min read →AripiprazoleAlso known as: Abilify (global), Arip, Arize, Arlet, Arpizol, AripiA newer-generation antipsychotic with the least effect on weight and metabolism of any second or third-generation medicine, added to the WHO Essential Medicines List…5 min read →

Mood Stabilisers

Lithium CarbonateAlso known as: Priadel, Camcolit, LitarexThe gold-standard mood stabiliser for bipolar disorder with over 70 years of evidence, the strongest data for reducing suicide risk of any psychiatric medicine,…6 min read →Sodium ValproateAlso known as: Epilim, Depakine, ValparinA widely used mood stabiliser and anticonvulsant, effective for bipolar disorder and epilepsy, with a critical warning about pregnancy that every person taking it…6 min read →CarbamazepineAlso known as: Tegretol, Carbatrol, CarbalexA widely available anticonvulsant and mood stabiliser, essential in Kenya for epilepsy and bipolar disorder, with important warnings about interactions with other medicines.6 min read →LamotrigineAlso known as: Lamictal, Epitec, LamdraThe preferred mood stabiliser for preventing bipolar depression, no weight gain, well tolerated long-term, and uniquely important for the depressive phase of bipolar disorder.6 min read →

Anticonvulsants & Hypnotics

Phenobarbitone (Phenobarbital)Also known as: Luminal, Phenobarb, GardenalOne of the oldest and most accessible anticonvulsants in the world, available from dispensary level in Kenya, and the most affordable epilepsy medicine in…6 min read →NitrazepamAlso known as: Mogadon, Alodorm, NitravetA benzodiazepine hypnotic used for severe short-term insomnia and certain childhood epilepsy syndromes, intended only for the shortest possible duration.4 min read →

Benzodiazepines & Anxiolytics

DiazepamAlso known as: Valium, DiazepA controlled medicine used short-term for anxiety, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, and muscle spasm, effective when used appropriately, with a well-established risk of dependence with…5 min read →LorazepamAlso known as: Ativan, Loraz, TemestaA short-acting controlled medicine used mainly in acute psychiatric and emergency settings, preferred over diazepam by injection because of more predictable absorption.4 min read →ClonazepamAlso known as: Rivotril, Klonopin, ClonotrilA long-acting benzodiazepine used for epilepsy and panic disorder. It is effective and widely available, with the same dependence risks as all medicines in…5 min read →

Adjunct Medicines

BiperidenAlso known as: AkinetonRoutinely co-prescribed with haloperidol and chlorpromazine across Kenya. The standard treatment for movement side effects caused by antipsychotic medicines.5 min read →ProcyclidineAlso known as: Kemadrin, ArpicolinAn anticholinergic medicine used alongside antipsychotics to relieve drug-induced movement side effects, an alternative to biperiden where it is the available option.4 min read →

Substance Use Disorder Medicines

MethadoneAlso known as: Physeptone, DolophineA medically supervised treatment for opioid use disorder, one of the most evidence-backed interventions available, reducing overdose deaths, HIV transmission, and supporting recovery.5 min read →Buprenorphine / Buprenorphine-NaloxoneAlso known as: Suboxone, SubutexA safer alternative to methadone for opioid use disorder, with a built-in safety mechanism that makes overdose from the medicine itself far less likely.5 min read →NaltrexoneAlso known as: Revia, AntaxoneA medicine for preventing relapse in people who have completed detoxification from opioids or alcohol, not a detox medicine itself, but a support for…5 min read →DisulfiramAlso known as: Antabuse, Antabus, EsperalA medicine that makes drinking alcohol severely unpleasant, used as a deterrent in alcohol use disorder for people who are fully committed to abstinence.5 min read →

ADHD & Neurodevelopmental

MethylphenidateA stimulant medication used mainly for ADHD and narcolepsy. How it works, its risks, and why street sources are dangerous.5 min read →

Dementia Medicines

DonepezilAlso known as: Aricept, Donecept, MemacThe most widely used medicine for Alzheimer's disease. It does not reverse or stop dementia, but can slow the decline and improve day-to-day functioning…5 min read →