Chronodose

Medicine library

43 medicines and when they work best in your day.

Type of medicine

Best time of day

43 results

Simvastatin

Zocor

Evening

CholesterolStrong evidence

Pravastatin

Pravachol

Bedtime

CholesterolModerate evidence

Lovastatin

Mevacor, Altoprev

With the evening meal

CholesterolStrong evidence

Fluvastatin

Lescol, Lescol XL

Evening (capsules)

CholesterolModerate evidence

Atorvastatin

Lipitor

Any time — keep it consistent

CholesterolStrong evidence

Rosuvastatin

Crestor

Any time — keep it consistent

CholesterolStrong evidence

Amlodipine

Norvasc

Any time — keep it consistent

Heart & blood pressureMixed evidence

Ramipril

Altace, Tritace

Any time — consistency first

Heart & blood pressureMixed evidence

Doxazosin

Cardura

Bedtime

Heart & blood pressureModerate evidence

Furosemide

Lasix

Morning (second dose by early afternoon)

Heart & blood pressureStrong evidence

Hydrochlorothiazide

Microzide, HCTZ

Morning

Heart & blood pressureStrong evidence

Aspirin (low dose)

75–100 mg 'baby' aspirin

Evening / bedtime

Heart & blood pressureEmerging evidence

Warfarin

Coumadin, Jantoven

Evening

Heart & blood pressureModerate evidence

Isosorbide mononitrate

Imdur, Monoket

Morning & early afternoon (asymmetric)

Heart & blood pressureStrong evidence

Montelukast

Singulair

Evening

Asthma & allergyStrong evidence

Theophylline (once-daily)

Uniphyl, Theo-24

Early evening

Asthma & allergyModerate evidence

Inhaled corticosteroids

Budesonide, beclometasone, ciclesonide

Mid-afternoon (once-daily regimens)

Asthma & allergyModerate evidence

Cetirizine

Zyrtec

Evening

Asthma & allergyModerate evidence

Levothyroxine

Synthroid, Euthyrox

On waking, empty stomach — or bedtime

Hormones & diabetesStrong evidence

Prednisolone / prednisone

Deltasone, Pred Forte (oral forms)

Morning

Hormones & diabetesStrong evidence

Hydrocortisone (replacement)

Cortef, Plenadren

Largest dose on waking, smaller early afternoon

Hormones & diabetesStrong evidence

Metformin

Glucophage, Glucophage XR

With meals (XR with the evening meal)

Hormones & diabetesStrong evidence

Glimepiride

Amaryl

With breakfast

Hormones & diabetesStrong evidence

Insulin glargine

Lantus, Toujeo

Any time — same time daily

Hormones & diabetesStrong evidence

Omeprazole

Prilosec, Losec

30–60 min before breakfast

Stomach & gutStrong evidence

Famotidine

Pepcid

Bedtime

Stomach & gutStrong evidence

Melatonin

Circadin, supplements

1–2 h before bedtime

Brain, mood & sleepStrong evidence

Zolpidem

Ambien, Stilnox

Immediately before bed

Brain, mood & sleepStrong evidence

Fluoxetine

Prozac

Morning

Brain, mood & sleepModerate evidence

Mirtazapine

Remeron

Bedtime

Brain, mood & sleepStrong evidence

Methylphenidate

Ritalin, Concerta

Morning (immediate-release also at midday)

Brain, mood & sleepStrong evidence

Donepezil

Aricept

Bedtime (or morning if dreams disturb sleep)

Brain, mood & sleepModerate evidence

Lithium

Priadel, Lithobid

Evening (once daily)

Brain, mood & sleepModerate evidence

5-Fluorouracil (chronomodulated)

5-FU infusion

Overnight infusion, peak ~04:00

Cancer therapyEmerging evidence

Oxaliplatin (chronomodulated)

Eloxatin

Daytime infusion, peak ~16:00

Cancer therapyEmerging evidence

Mercaptopurine

Purixan, 6-MP

Evening, same time daily

Cancer therapyMixed evidence

Immune checkpoint inhibitors

Pembrolizumab, nivolumab

Morning infusions

Cancer therapyEmerging evidence

Prednisone (delayed-release)

Lodotra, Rayos

Around 22:00

Pain & inflammationStrong evidence

Naproxen & other NSAIDs

Aleve, ibuprofen, indomethacin

Depends on the condition

Pain & inflammationModerate evidence

Alendronate

Fosamax

On waking, empty stomach

Bone, kidney & bladderStrong evidence

Tamsulosin

Flomax

30 min after the same meal each day

Bone, kidney & bladderStrong evidence

Desmopressin

DDAVP, Noctiva

Bedtime

Bone, kidney & bladderStrong evidence

Influenza vaccine

Seasonal flu shot

Morning appointment

Vaccines & immunityEmerging evidence