Disease and medicine as their first line of treatment provide entire list
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diseases and their first line treatment medications complete list
Here is a broad, organized reference list of major diseases and their standard first-line treatments. This covers the most clinically important conditions across medicine.
Diseases & First-Line Treatments - Master Reference
CARDIOVASCULAR
| Disease | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| Hypertension (uncomplicated) | ACE inhibitor (e.g., lisinopril) or thiazide diuretic (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide) or CCB (amlodipine) |
| Hypertension (in diabetes) | ACE inhibitor or ARB |
| Hypertension (in heart failure) | ACE inhibitor + beta-blocker + diuretic |
| Hypertension (in pregnancy) | Labetalol, nifedipine, or methyldopa |
| Heart failure with reduced EF (HFrEF) | ACE inhibitor (or ARB/sacubitril-valsartan) + beta-blocker + loop diuretic + MRA |
| Stable angina | Beta-blocker; sublingual nitrates for acute episodes |
| Acute STEMI | Primary PCI + aspirin + heparin + P2Y12 inhibitor (ticagrelor/clopidogrel) |
| Atrial fibrillation (rate control) | Beta-blocker (metoprolol) or non-DHP CCB (diltiazem/verapamil) |
| Atrial fibrillation (rhythm control) | Flecainide, amiodarone, or cardioversion |
| Atrial fibrillation (anticoagulation) | DOAC (apixaban, rivaroxaban) - preferred over warfarin |
| Hyperlipidemia | Statin (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin) |
| DVT / Pulmonary embolism | DOAC (rivaroxaban or apixaban) |
| Peripheral artery disease | Antiplatelet (aspirin or clopidogrel) + statin |
RESPIRATORY
| Disease | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| Asthma (mild intermittent) | SABA (salbutamol/albuterol) PRN |
| Asthma (mild persistent) | Low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS, e.g., budesonide) |
| Asthma (moderate persistent) | ICS + LABA (e.g., budesonide-formoterol) |
| COPD (stable, mild) | SABA or SAMA (ipratropium) PRN |
| COPD (stable, moderate-severe) | LAMA (tiotropium) ± LABA |
| COPD exacerbation | Short-acting bronchodilators + systemic corticosteroids + antibiotics (azithromycin/doxycycline if infection) |
| Community-acquired pneumonia (outpatient, healthy) | Amoxicillin OR doxycycline |
| Community-acquired pneumonia (outpatient, comorbidities) | Amoxicillin-clavulanate + macrolide OR respiratory fluoroquinolone |
| Community-acquired pneumonia (inpatient) | Beta-lactam + macrolide OR fluoroquinolone |
| Tuberculosis (active, drug-susceptible) | RHEZ: Rifampicin + Isoniazid + Ethambutol + Pyrazinamide (2 months), then RH (4 months) |
| Influenza | Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) within 48 hours |
| COVID-19 (high-risk, mild-moderate) | Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) |
| Pulmonary arterial hypertension | Ambrisentan/macitentan (ERA) or sildenafil/tadalafil (PDE5i) |
ENDOCRINE / METABOLIC
| Disease | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| Type 2 Diabetes | Metformin (+ lifestyle modification) |
| Type 2 Diabetes (with CVD or high CV risk) | Metformin + GLP-1 RA (semaglutide/liraglutide) or SGLT-2 inhibitor (empagliflozin/dapagliflozin) |
| Type 1 Diabetes | Insulin (basal-bolus regimen) |
| Hypothyroidism | Levothyroxine (T4) |
| Hyperthyroidism (Graves') | Antithyroid drugs (methimazole, carbimazole) OR radioiodine OR thyroidectomy |
| Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency) | Hydrocortisone + fludrocortisone |
| Cushing's syndrome | Surgical resection of cause (e.g., transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma) |
| Gout (acute attack) | NSAIDs (naproxen/indomethacin) OR colchicine OR corticosteroids |
| Gout (prophylaxis / chronic) | Allopurinol (xanthine oxidase inhibitor) |
| Hyperuricemia | Allopurinol or febuxostat |
| Osteoporosis | Bisphosphonate (alendronate, risedronate) + Calcium + Vitamin D |
| Hypercalcemia (moderate-severe) | IV saline hydration + furosemide; IV bisphosphonates (pamidronate/zoledronic acid) |
| Obesity | Lifestyle + GLP-1 RA (semaglutide/tirzepatide) |
| Hypertriglyceridemia (severe) | Fibrates (fenofibrate); very severe: icosapentaenoic acid |
GASTROENTEROLOGY
| Disease | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| GERD | PPI (omeprazole, lansoprazole) |
| Peptic ulcer disease (H. pylori+) | Triple therapy: PPI + clarithromycin + amoxicillin (7-14 days) |
| Peptic ulcer disease (NSAID-induced) | Stop NSAID + PPI |
| H. pylori eradication | Bismuth quadruple therapy (preferred in areas of high clarithromycin resistance) OR PPI + clarithromycin + amoxicillin |
| Inflammatory bowel disease - Crohn's (mild-moderate) | Budesonide or 5-ASA (less effective); biologics (anti-TNF) for moderate-severe |
| Inflammatory bowel disease - UC (mild-moderate) | 5-ASA (mesalazine/sulfasalazine) oral ± rectal |
| Inflammatory bowel disease - UC (moderate-severe) | Corticosteroids; if refractory: biologic (infliximab, vedolizumab) |
| C. difficile (mild-moderate) | Fidaxomicin (preferred) or vancomycin (oral) |
| C. difficile (recurrent) | Fidaxomicin OR bezlotoxumab (to reduce recurrence) |
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Lifestyle + dietary modification (low FODMAP); antispasmodics (e.g., hyoscine); antidepressants for refractory cases |
| Constipation (chronic) | Osmotic laxatives (PEG/macrogol, lactulose) |
| Hepatitis B (chronic) | Tenofovir (TDF or TAF) or entecavir |
| Hepatitis C (chronic) | Direct-acting antivirals (sofosbuvir-based regimens, e.g., sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) |
| Hepatic encephalopathy | Lactulose + rifaximin |
| Ascites (cirrhotic) | Salt restriction + spironolactone ± furosemide |
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
| Disease | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| Streptococcal pharyngitis | Amoxicillin (or phenoxymethylpenicillin) |
| Otitis media (acute) | Amoxicillin |
| Urinary tract infection (uncomplicated) | Nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole |
| Pyelonephritis (mild) | Oral ciprofloxacin |
| Gonorrhea | Ceftriaxone IM (dual therapy with doxycycline for chlamydia co-infection) |
| Chlamydia | Doxycycline (7 days) OR single-dose azithromycin |
| Syphilis (primary/secondary) | Benzathine penicillin G IM (single dose) |
| Malaria (P. falciparum, uncomplicated) | Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), e.g., artemether-lumefantrine |
| Malaria (P. vivax) | Chloroquine + primaquine |
| HIV (all patients) | ART: typically TDF/FTC (or TAF/FTC) + DTG (dolutegravir) |
| Candidiasis (oral/esophageal) | Fluconazole |
| Candidiasis (vaginal) | Fluconazole (oral single dose) or topical azole |
| Aspergillosis (invasive) | Voriconazole |
| Herpes simplex (primary genital) | Acyclovir or valacyclovir |
| Herpes zoster (shingles) | Valacyclovir or acyclovir (within 72 hours) |
| Lyme disease (early localized) | Doxycycline |
| MRSA (skin/soft tissue) | Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or doxycycline (oral); vancomycin (IV for serious) |
| Sepsis | Broad-spectrum antibiotics within 1 hour (e.g., piperacillin-tazobactam or meropenem) + IV fluids |
| Cholera | Oral rehydration salts (ORS); azithromycin (antibiotic) |
| Typhoid fever | Ciprofloxacin or azithromycin (for uncomplicated) |
| Meningitis (bacterial) | Ceftriaxone IV + dexamethasone |
| Meningitis (TB) | RHEZ + dexamethasone |
NEUROLOGY
| Disease | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| Epilepsy (focal) | Lamotrigine or levetiracetam |
| Epilepsy (generalized tonic-clonic) | Valproate (caution in women of childbearing age) or lamotrigine |
| Status epilepticus | IV lorazepam (or diazepam); then levetiracetam or valproate if seizure continues |
| Migraine (acute) | NSAIDs (ibuprofen) or triptans (sumatriptan) |
| Migraine (prophylaxis) | Propranolol, topiramate, amitriptyline, or CGRP antagonists (erenumab) |
| Parkinson's disease | Levodopa/carbidopa (gold standard); dopamine agonists (pramipexole) in younger patients |
| Multiple sclerosis (relapsing-remitting) | Disease-modifying therapy: interferon beta, glatiramer acetate, or natalizumab |
| Alzheimer's disease (mild-moderate) | Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (donepezil, rivastigmine) |
| Alzheimer's disease (moderate-severe) | Memantine (NMDA antagonist) ± donepezil |
| Ischemic stroke (acute, within 4.5h) | IV alteplase (tPA) + mechanical thrombectomy if large vessel occlusion |
| Ischemic stroke (secondary prevention) | Aspirin + statin + antihypertensive |
| Myasthenia gravis | Pyridostigmine (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) |
| Trigeminal neuralgia | Carbamazepine |
PSYCHIATRY
| Disease | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| Major depressive disorder | SSRI (e.g., sertraline, escitalopram) |
| Generalized anxiety disorder | SSRI or SNRI (venlafaxine) + CBT |
| Panic disorder | SSRI + CBT |
| OCD | SSRI (high dose) + CBT (ERP) |
| PTSD | SSRI (sertraline or paroxetine) + trauma-focused CBT |
| Bipolar disorder (mania) | Lithium OR valproate OR atypical antipsychotic (quetiapine) |
| Bipolar disorder (depression) | Quetiapine or lithium or lamotrigine (NOT standard antidepressants alone) |
| Schizophrenia | Second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic (risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine) |
| ADHD (children) | Methylphenidate (stimulant) |
| ADHD (adults) | Methylphenidate or amphetamine salts; atomoxetine (non-stimulant) |
| Insomnia | CBT-I (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia); melatonin; short-term: zolpidem |
| Alcohol withdrawal | Benzodiazepines (chlordiazepoxide, diazepam); thiamine supplementation |
| Opioid use disorder | Buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone) OR methadone (maintenance) |
| Nicotine dependence | Varenicline (Chantix) - most effective; or NRT (patches, gum) |
RHEUMATOLOGY / MUSCULOSKELETAL
| Disease | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| Rheumatoid arthritis | Methotrexate (DMARD) ± short-term low-dose corticosteroids |
| Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) | Hydroxychloroquine (for all); NSAIDs/steroids for flares |
| Ankylosing spondylitis | NSAIDs (naproxen, indomethacin); if refractory: TNF inhibitor or IL-17 inhibitor |
| Psoriatic arthritis | NSAIDs; if inadequate: methotrexate or biologic (anti-TNF) |
| Osteoarthritis | Paracetamol/acetaminophen or topical NSAIDs; oral NSAIDs if needed |
| Fibromyalgia | Duloxetine or pregabalin + exercise + CBT |
| Giant cell arteritis | High-dose prednisolone (60 mg/day) |
| Polymyalgia rheumatica | Low-dose prednisolone (15-20 mg/day) |
DERMATOLOGY
| Disease | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| Acne vulgaris (mild) | Topical retinoid (tretinoin) ± benzoyl peroxide |
| Acne vulgaris (moderate) | Topical antibiotic (clindamycin) + benzoyl peroxide ± retinoid |
| Acne vulgaris (severe/nodular) | Oral isotretinoin |
| Eczema/Atopic dermatitis | Emollients + topical corticosteroids; dupilumab for moderate-severe |
| Psoriasis (mild-moderate) | Topical corticosteroids ± vitamin D analogs (calcipotriol) |
| Psoriasis (moderate-severe) | Biologics (TNF inhibitors, IL-17, IL-23 inhibitors) |
| Tinea (dermatophytosis) | Topical terbinafine or azole |
| Tinea unguium (nail fungus) | Oral terbinafine |
| Scabies | Topical permethrin 5% |
| Urticaria (acute) | Oral antihistamine (cetirizine, loratadine); chronic: add H2 blocker or omalizumab |
HEMATOLOGY / ONCOLOGY
| Disease | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| Iron deficiency anemia | Oral ferrous sulfate |
| Megaloblastic anemia (B12 deficiency) | IM hydroxocobalamin or oral cyanocobalamin |
| Megaloblastic anemia (folate deficiency) | Oral folic acid |
| Anemia of chronic disease | Treat underlying condition; EPO agents if indicated |
| Sickle cell disease (pain crisis) | IV fluids + analgesia (opioids); hydroxyurea for prevention |
| ITP (immune thrombocytopenia) | Oral corticosteroids (prednisolone) |
| Hodgkin lymphoma | ABVD chemotherapy (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) |
| CML (chronic myeloid leukemia) | Imatinib (TKI) or dasatinib/nilotinib |
| ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) | Multi-agent chemotherapy induction (vincristine + prednisolone + asparaginase ± anthracycline) |
NEPHROLOGY / UROLOGY
| Disease | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| CKD (to slow progression) | ACE inhibitor or ARB + SGLT-2 inhibitor (e.g., dapagliflozin) |
| Nephrotic syndrome (minimal change) | Oral prednisolone |
| Hyperkalemia (moderate) | Calcium gluconate (cardiac membrane stabilization) + insulin/dextrose; patiromer (chronic) |
| Benign prostatic hyperplasia | Alpha-blocker (tamsulosin) ± 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (finasteride) |
| Erectile dysfunction | PDE-5 inhibitor (sildenafil/tadalafil) |
| Overactive bladder | Bladder training + antimuscarinic (oxybutynin, tolterodine) or mirabegron |
OPHTHALMOLOGY
| Disease | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| Open-angle glaucoma | Prostaglandin analog eye drops (latanoprost) |
| Bacterial conjunctivitis | Chloramphenicol or fusidic acid eye drops |
| Age-related macular degeneration (wet) | Anti-VEGF intravitreal injection (ranibizumab, bevacizumab, aflibercept) |
OBSTETRICS / GYNECOLOGY
| Disease | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| Preeclampsia (severe) | IV labetalol or hydralazine; MgSO4 for seizure prophylaxis; deliver at 37 weeks |
| Eclampsia | IV MgSO4 (treatment + prevention of further seizures) |
| Gestational diabetes | Lifestyle + diet; metformin or insulin if targets not met |
| Endometriosis | NSAIDs + combined oral contraceptive pill |
| PCOS (symptom management) | COCP for cycles/hirsutism; metformin for insulin resistance; clomiphene for ovulation induction |
| Postpartum hemorrhage | Oxytocin (10 IU IM/IV) |
Disclaimer: This list is a clinical reference guide. First-line choices can vary based on local resistance patterns, patient comorbidities, allergies, pregnancy status, drug interactions, and current national/international guidelines (e.g., WHO, AHA, NICE, ADA, IDSA). Always consult current clinical guidelines and adjust treatment to the individual patient.
Is this drugs also used by indian doctor
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India standard treatment guidelines first line drugs MOHFW 2025
Yes, absolutely. Indian doctors follow the same internationally recognized first-line drugs. Here is a detailed breakdown of how India aligns - and where it differs:
Do Indian Doctors Use the Same First-Line Drugs?
SHORT ANSWER: YES - With Some Important India-Specific Points
India follows WHO guidelines, ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) protocols, and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs). The vast majority of first-line drugs from the previous list are used in India.
Where India is IDENTICAL to International Practice
| Disease | First-Line Drug | Status in India |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | Amlodipine, ACE inhibitors, thiazides | Same - widely used |
| Type 2 Diabetes | Metformin | Same - extremely common |
| Heart failure | ACE inhibitor + beta-blocker + diuretic | Same |
| Asthma | Salbutamol (SABA), ICS (budesonide) | Same - salbutamol is called Asthalin in India |
| Epilepsy | Phenobarbitone (rural), levetiracetam, lamotrigine | Mostly same; phenobarbitone more common in rural India due to cost |
| Depression | SSRIs (escitalopram, sertraline) | Same |
| Schizophrenia | Risperidone, olanzapine | Same - widely available |
| Pneumonia | Amoxicillin, doxycycline | Same |
| UTI | Nitrofurantoin, co-trimoxazole | Same |
| Typhoid | Ciprofloxacin, azithromycin | Same - India has high burden |
| Malaria | Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) | Same - mandated by NVBDCP (National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme) |
| Tuberculosis | RHEZ (Rifampicin+INH+Ethambutol+Pyrazinamide) | Same - under NTEP (National TB Elimination Programme) - FREE in India |
| HIV | TDF + 3TC + DTG | Same - provided FREE under NACO (National AIDS Control Organisation) |
| Peptic ulcer / GERD | PPI (pantoprazole, omeprazole) | Same - pantoprazole is among the most-prescribed drugs in India |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | Methotrexate | Same |
| Hypothyroidism | Levothyroxine | Same |
| Gout (acute) | Colchicine (preferred in India over NSAIDs) | Slightly preferred over indomethacin |
Where India Has DIFFERENCES or Special Considerations
| Area | Difference |
|---|---|
| Drug names / brands | India uses brand names heavily. E.g., Calpol (paracetamol), Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate), Dolo 650, Asthalin, Pan (pantoprazole), Glycomet (metformin) |
| Generic drugs pushed | India's Jan Aushadhi Scheme promotes generic prescribing - same molecules, cheaper price |
| Antibiotic resistance | India has high antibiotic resistance; empirical choices for UTI and pneumonia may differ regionally (e.g., E. coli resistance to co-trimoxazole is >50% in some areas) |
| Cholera & enteric fever | More commonly treated in India; azithromycin preferred for typhoid due to fluoroquinolone resistance |
| TB | India has the world's highest TB burden - NTEP (formerly RNTCP) provides free DOTS therapy; bedaquiline used for MDR-TB |
| Malaria | India uses ACT as per NVBDCP; primaquine given for P. vivax radical cure (G6PD screening required) |
| HIV | NACO provides free ART at ART centres; first line = TDF + 3TC + DTG (dolutegravir replaced efavirenz in 2019) |
| Filariasis | DEC (Diethylcarbamazine) + albendazole - unique to India/tropics, not seen in western practice |
| Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis) | Liposomal amphotericin B OR miltefosine - first line in India (India is targeting elimination) |
| Snake bite | Polyvalent anti-snake venom (ASV) - not in western lists but important in India |
| Dengue | Supportive care (paracetamol, IV fluids) - no specific antiviral; India has very high dengue burden |
| Leptospirosis | Doxycycline or penicillin - more relevant in India |
| Vitamin D & B12 deficiency | Extremely common in India; supplementation widely prescribed |
| AYUSH / Traditional medicine | Some patients use Ayurveda, Unani, or homeopathy alongside or instead of allopathy - doctors are aware of this |
| Corticosteroids overuse | A known concern in India - steroids sometimes prescribed inappropriately in primary care |
| Pharmacovigilance | India has CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) - equivalent of FDA - that approves all drugs |
Key India-Specific National Drug Programs
| Program | Disease | Free Drug Provided |
|---|---|---|
| NTEP (National TB Elimination Programme) | Tuberculosis | RHEZ + bedaquiline for MDR-TB |
| NACO (National AIDS Control Organisation) | HIV/AIDS | ART (TDF+3TC+DTG) |
| NVBDCP | Malaria, dengue, filariasis | ACT, DEC |
| NHM Essential Drug List | All conditions | Free at govt hospitals |
| PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras | All conditions | Generic drugs at 50-90% lower cost |
| NPCDCS | Diabetes, hypertension, cancer | Free screening & medicines at govt PHCs |
Bottom Line
Indian doctors are trained in the same pharmacology as doctors worldwide. The drugs are the same - what changes is:
- Brand names (different trade names for same molecules)
- Cost and availability - generics dominate
- Disease priorities - TB, malaria, dengue, typhoid are far more common
- Resistance patterns - affect empirical antibiotic choices
- Free government programs for TB, HIV, malaria
- Tropical diseases unique to India not seen in western guidelines
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