Comprehensive Overview of Medications and Their Uses

Anticoagulants

These prevent or treat blood clots (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation).

Apixaban

Class: Direct Factor Xa Inhibitor (NOAC); Action: Prevents clot formation by inhibiting Factor Xa.

Enoxaparin

Class: Low Molecular Weight Heparin; Action: Inhibits clotting factors to reduce clot formation; often used after surgery.

Heparin

Class: Unfractionated Heparin; Action: Blocks thrombin and Factor Xa to prevent clots; used for immediate anticoagulation.

Warfarin

Class: Vitamin K Antagonist; Action: Prevents clotting by interfering with vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.

Aspirin (ASA)

Class: Antiplatelet; Action: Inhibits platelet aggregation; prevents arterial clots (e.g., heart attack, stroke).

Bisphosphonates

Used to treat or prevent osteoporosis by slowing bone loss.

Alendronate

Class: Bisphosphonate; Action: Inhibits bone resorption by osteoclasts, strengthening bones.

Risedronate

Class: Bisphosphonate; Action: Similar to alendronate; slows bone loss and increases bone density.

Ibandronate

Class: Bisphosphonate; Action: Reduces bone breakdown, used for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Corticosteroids

These reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response.

Hydrocortisone

Class: Glucocorticoid; Action: Treats inflammation and adrenal insufficiency.

Prednisone

Class: Glucocorticoid; Action: Treats a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

Methylprednisolone

Class: Glucocorticoid; Action: Stronger steroid than prednisone; used for severe inflammation.

Parathyroid Hormone Analog

Used to stimulate bone formation in severe osteoporosis.

Teriparatide

Class: Recombinant Human Parathyroid Hormone (PTH 1-34); Action: Stimulates new bone growth; used in high-risk osteoporosis cases.

Hormone Replacement / Modulators

Conjugated Estrogen.

Conjugated Estrogen

Class: Estrogen Hormone Replacement; Action: Treats menopausal symptoms (e.g., hot flashes, vaginal dryness), and prevents osteoporosis by replacing estrogen.

Raloxifene

Class: Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM); Action: Mimics estrogen in bones to prevent/treat osteoporosis; reduces risk of breast cancer.

NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

Reduce pain, inflammation, and fever.

Celecoxib

Class: COX-2 Inhibitor (NSAID); Action: Treats pain and inflammation with lower risk of GI bleeding.

Naproxen

Class: NSAID; Action: Reduces inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and pain (e.g., arthritis, menstrual cramps).

Ibuprofen

Class: NSAID; Action: Treats pain, fever, and inflammation.

Diclofenac (topical)

Class: NSAID; Action: Used topically to reduce joint pain and inflammation (e.g., arthritis).

Ketorolac

Class: NSAID; Action: Short-term treatment of moderate-to-severe pain; not for chronic use due to GI/renal risk.

Analgesics / Pain Relievers

Acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Class: Non-opioid analgesic, antipyretic; Action: Relieves mild-to-moderate pain and reduces fever; no anti-inflammatory effect.

Gabapentin

Class: Anticonvulsant / Neuropathic Pain Agent; Action: Treats nerve pain (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, shingles) and seizures.

Topical Pain Relievers

Capsaicin (topical).

Capsaicin (topical)

Class: Counterirritant; Action: Depletes substance P in nerves to relieve localized pain (e.g., arthritis, neuralgia).

Trolamine (topical)

Class: Topical analgesic; Action: Provides temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles/joints.

Opioid Analgesics

Used for moderate to severe pain, often post-surgery or in chronic pain management.

Fentanyl

Class: Opioid Analgesic; Action: Very strong pain reliever, often used in patch form for chronic pain.

Hydromorphone

Class: Opioid Analgesic; Action: Strong opioid used for severe pain.

Morphine

Class: Opioid Analgesic; Action: Gold standard for managing moderate to severe pain.

Hydrocodone

Class: Opioid Analgesic; Action: Commonly combined with acetaminophen; treats moderate to severe pain.

Oxycodone

Class: Opioid Analgesic; Action: Potent pain reliever, often combined with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Codeine

Class: Opioid Analgesic; Action: Mild to moderate pain relief; also used as a cough suppressant.

Tramadol

Used for moderate pain; has dual action on opioid receptors and serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake.

Glucosamine with or without Chondroitin

May help with joint health and osteoarthritis symptoms.

Calcium with Vitamin D

Supports bone health; essential for osteoporosis prevention.

Glucocorticoids with Hyaluronic Acid (injection)

Reduces inflammation and lubricates joints for osteoarthritis relief.

Acetaminophen

Relieves mild-to-moderate pain and reduces fever (no anti-inflammatory effect).

Cyclobenzaprine

Short-term relief of muscle spasms from acute musculoskeletal conditions.

Methocarbamol

Treats muscle pain/spasms; often used with rest and physical therapy.

Baclofen

Treats spasticity from conditions like MS or spinal cord injury.

Capsaicin

Treats localized nerve and joint pain by depleting substance P.

Naloxone

Reverses opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors.

Donepezil

Treats symptoms of Alzheimer's by increasing acetylcholine in the brain.

Galantamine

Improves memory and cognition in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's.

Rivastigmine

Treats mild-to-moderate dementia in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Memantine

Treats moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's by reducing glutamate overactivity in the brain.

Paroxetine

Treats depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD.

Sertraline

Treats depression, panic disorder, PTSD, and social anxiety disorder.

Risperidone

Manages schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability in autism.

Carbidopa/Levodopa

Levodopa converts to dopamine in the brain; carbidopa prevents peripheral breakdown.

Pramipexole

Stimulates dopamine receptors to relieve Parkinson's symptoms and restless leg syndrome.

Ropinirole

Same as pramipexole—used for Parkinson's and restless leg syndrome.

Entacapone

Extends the effect of levodopa by preventing its breakdown.

Rasagiline

Inhibits dopamine breakdown; used as monotherapy or adjunct in Parkinson's.

Selegiline

Same as rasagiline; also has mild antidepressant effects.

Amantadine

Helps with Parkinson's motor symptoms (tremor, rigidity); also used for flu A prevention.

Alteplase (tPA)

Dissolves blood clots in ischemic stroke, PE, or MI; must be given within a narrow time window.

Amitriptyline (Elavil)

Treats depression, nerve pain, and insomnia (at low doses).

Doxepin (Sinequan)

Used for depression, anxiety, and insomnia (especially in low doses for sleep).

Trazodone

Primarily used for insomnia at low doses; antidepressant at higher doses.

Flurazepam (Dalmane)

Long-acting sedative for insomnia.

Temazepam (Restoril)

Short-to-intermediate acting; used for short-term treatment of insomnia.

Lorazepam (Ativan)

Treats anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal.

Diazepam (Valium)

Treats anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures; long-acting.

Zolpidem (Ambien)

Treats insomnia; helps with sleep initiation (short-acting).

Zaleplon (Sonata)

Shortest acting; ideal for middle-of-the-night awakenings.

Eszopiclone (Lunesta)

Treats sleep onset and maintenance insomnia.

Diphenhydramine

Used for allergies, but often for insomnia due to sedating effects (e.g., Benadryl, found in OTC sleep aids).

Ramelteon

Mimics melatonin to help regulate sleep-wake cycle; used for insomnia (not habit-forming).

Mupirocin

Treats skin infections like impetigo; used intranasally for MRSA decolonization.

Cefazolin

Surgical prophylaxis and skin/soft tissue infections.

Cephalexin

Treats skin infections, UTIs, and respiratory tract infections.

Clindamycin

Treats anaerobic and Gram-positive infections; also used for acne and MRSA.

Methotrexate

Treats autoimmune diseases (RA, psoriasis); also used in cancer chemotherapy.

Infliximab

Treats autoimmune disorders like RA, Crohn's, and ulcerative colitis.

Adalimumab

Similar to infliximab; treats RA, psoriasis, Crohn's, etc. (brand: Humira).

Miconazole

Treats athlete's foot, yeast infections, ringworm.

Econazole

Used for superficial fungal skin infections.

Nystatin

Treats oral thrush and skin/mucosal Candida infections; not absorbed systemically.

Fluconazole

Treats systemic and mucosal fungal infections (e.g., vaginal yeast infections, thrush).

Piperonyl Butoxide

Enhances effectiveness of pyrethrins in OTC lice treatments.

Permethrin

First-line treatment for lice and scabies (topical cream or lotion).

Corticosteroid

Reduces inflammation in eye conditions, allergies, or autoimmune diseases.

Prednisolone

Class: Corticosteroid (ophthalmic/systemic)

NSAID

Reduces eye inflammation and pain after surgery or treats moderate pain (oral/IV).

Antibiotic

Treats bacterial infections, including eye infections (ophthalmic drops) and UTIs/systemic infections.

Ciprofloxacin

Class: Fluoroquinolone antibiotic

Pilocarpine

Lowers intraocular pressure in glaucoma by increasing aqueous humor outflow.

Timolol

Reduces intraocular pressure by decreasing aqueous humor production.

Latanoprost

Increases outflow of aqueous humor to lower eye pressure (used in open-angle glaucoma).

Brimonidine tartrate

Lowers intraocular pressure by decreasing aqueous production and increasing uveoscleral outflow.

Brinzolamide

Reduces intraocular pressure by inhibiting aqueous humor production.

Ranibizumab

Treats wet AMD and diabetic macular edema by inhibiting blood vessel growth in the retina.

Alfuzosin

Relaxes prostate and bladder neck muscles to improve urine flow in BPH.