This review discusses recent advances in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for degrading pharmaceuticals in wastewater. Pharmaceuticals, which are considered emerging contaminants, are widely present in wastewater and natural water systems due to their uncontrolled discharge, non-metabolization in humans and animals, and expiry. These compounds, including antibiotics, analgesics, antidepressants, and others, are resistant to conventional treatment methods and can cause ecological and health risks. AOPs, such as UV/H₂O₂, Fenton, photo-Fenton, ozone-based processes, photocatalysis, and physical processes like sonolysis, are effective in degrading these compounds. Photocatalysis, particularly using anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles, is highlighted as a promising method due to its high efficiency, reusability, and environmental benefits. The review also discusses the mechanisms of degradation, the advantages and disadvantages of each AOP, and the challenges in their application. It emphasizes the importance of combining AOPs with other techniques to enhance degradation efficiency and addresses the need for further research to improve the practical application of these methods in wastewater treatment. The review concludes that AOPs offer a viable solution for the removal of pharmaceuticals from water systems, with photocatalysis being a particularly effective and sustainable approach.This review discusses recent advances in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for degrading pharmaceuticals in wastewater. Pharmaceuticals, which are considered emerging contaminants, are widely present in wastewater and natural water systems due to their uncontrolled discharge, non-metabolization in humans and animals, and expiry. These compounds, including antibiotics, analgesics, antidepressants, and others, are resistant to conventional treatment methods and can cause ecological and health risks. AOPs, such as UV/H₂O₂, Fenton, photo-Fenton, ozone-based processes, photocatalysis, and physical processes like sonolysis, are effective in degrading these compounds. Photocatalysis, particularly using anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles, is highlighted as a promising method due to its high efficiency, reusability, and environmental benefits. The review also discusses the mechanisms of degradation, the advantages and disadvantages of each AOP, and the challenges in their application. It emphasizes the importance of combining AOPs with other techniques to enhance degradation efficiency and addresses the need for further research to improve the practical application of these methods in wastewater treatment. The review concludes that AOPs offer a viable solution for the removal of pharmaceuticals from water systems, with photocatalysis being a particularly effective and sustainable approach.