Top Drugs 2026 Lecture Review

Practice flashcards covering top drugs, indications, side effects, mechanisms of action, and drug-drug interactions based on the Top Drugs 2026 lecture notes.

What is the brand name for Beclomethasone?

Qvar, Qnasl

What is the brand name for Budesonide?

Pulmicort

What is the brand name for Fluticasone?

Flovent, Flonase

What is the brand name for Mometasone?

Asmanex

What are the brand names for the combination of Fluticasone and salmeterol?

Advair, Wixela

Which drug is a LABA indicated for monotherapy in exercise-induced bronchospasm ($EIB$)?

Salmeterol ($Serevent$)

What is the brand name for the combination of Fluticasone and vilanterol?

Breo Ellipta

What is the brand name for the combination of Budesonide and formoterol?

Symbicort, Breyna

What is the brand name for Mometasone/formoterol?

Dulera

What is the combination of Budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol called?

Breztri Aerosphere

What is the brand name for Fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol?

Trelegy Ellipta

What are the components of Anoro Ellipta?

Vilanterol and umeclidinium

What is the brand name for Formoterol and glycopyrrolate?

Bevespi Aerosphere

What is the brand name for Formoterol and aclidinium?

Duaklir Pressair

What is the brand name for the combination of Olodaterol and tiotropium?

Stiolto Respimat

What is the brand name for Ipratropium?

Atrovent

What are common side effects of Ipratropium ($Atrovent$)?

Dry Mouth, Bitter Taste, Anticholinergic Effects, and Bronchitis

What is the major drug-drug interaction group for Ipratropium?

Anticholinergic agents

What is the brand name for Tiotropium?

Spiriva

Which formulation of Spiriva is indicated for Asthma?

Respimat only

What serious side effect is associated with Tiotropium ($Spiriva$)?

Closed angle glaucoma

What does the Spiriva HandiHaler contain?

A capsule for inhalation

What are the brand names for Albuterol?

ProAir, Ventolin, Proventil

What is an off-label use for Albuterol?

Hyperkalemia

What are common side effects of Albuterol?

Tachycardia, Tremor, Nausea, Pharyngitis, Cough, Hypokalemia, and Feeling Nervous

Which drug is the R-isomer of albuterol?

Levalbuterol ($Xopenex$)

What are the brand names for the combination of Albuterol and Ipratropium?

Combivent, DuoNeb

What is the brand name for Budesonide/albuterol?

Airsupra

What is the brand name for Montelukast?

Singulair

What is the Boxed Warning for Montelukast ($Singulair$)?

Increased risk for neuropsychiatric events

When should Montelukast ($Singulair$) be taken?

Take in evening

What is the MOA of Montelukast?

Inhibits leukotriene receptors, which inhibits airway edema and facilitates bronchodilation

What is the MOA of Zileuton?

Decreases the formation of leukotrienes, which causes bronchodilation

How do combination ICS/LABA products improve pulmonary function?

They provide control over using the products alone

What are the three general actions of inhaled corticosteroids ($ICS$)?

Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and antiproliferative actions

How do LABAs relax bronchial smooth muscle?

By action on beta-$2$ receptors

What is the Boxed Warning for LABAs used as monotherapy?

Can increase the risk of asthma-related deaths and hospitalizations, especially in pediatric and adolescent patients

What is a specific common side effect of inhaled steroids?

Thrush (Oral Candidiasis)

What instruction should patients follow after using an inhaled steroid?

Rinse mouth and throat after use

Which inhaled steroid requires avoiding grapefruit juice?

Fluticasone

What is a contraindication for Trelegy Ellipta?

Severe hypersensitivity to milk proteins

Define the MOA for Short Acting Muscarinic Antagonists ($SAMA$).

Anticholinergic agent that works on $M3$ receptors that leads to a decrease in secretions and bronchodilation

Define the MOA for Long Acting Muscarinic Antagonists ($LAMA$).

Induction of bronchodilation via inhibition of the $M3$ receptor on airway smooth muscle

Define the MOA for Short Acting Beta Agonists ($SABA$).

Activation of Beta-$2$ Receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle results in relaxation and inhibition of mediator release from mast cells

What is the brand name for Roflumilast?

Daliresp

What is the MOA of Roflumilast ($Daliresp$)?

$PDE4$ Inhibitor that increases $cAMP$ levels, leading to a reduction in lung inflammation

What are the contraindications for Roflumilast ($Daliresp$)?

Moderate-severe liver impairment ($Child-Pugh\,B$ or $C$)

What are the brand names for Dexamethasone?

DexPak, Decadron

What are the brand names for Hydrocortisone?

Cortef, Solucortef

What are the brand names for Methylprednisolone?

Medrol, Solumedrol

What is the brand name for Prednisone?

Deltasone

What is the brand name for Prednisolone?

Millipred

What are common acute side effects of systemic glucocorticoids?

Increased appetite, weight gain, $Na/H_2O$ retention, hypokalemia, and hyperglycemia

What are features of chronic Cushing syndrome caused by steroids?

Moon face, buffalo hump, somatic muscle wasting, and dermal thinning

What is the relative potency of Dexamethasone?

$$0.75\,mg$$

What is the relative potency of Methylprednisolone?

$$4\,mg$$

What is the relative potency of Prednisone and Prednisolone?

$$5\,mg$$

What is the relative potency of Hydrocortisone?

$$20\,mg$$

When must systemic glucocorticoids be tapered slowly?

If receiving over $10\text{-}14$ days of therapy

What is the brand name for Theophylline?

Theo-24

What is the MOA of Theophylline?

Xanthine Derivative: Blocks $PDE$ causing increased $cAMP$, which promotes epinephrine release, resulting in bronchodilation

What is the therapeutic range for Theophylline?

$$5\text{-}15\,mcg/mL$$

On what weight measurement is Theophylline dosing based?

Ideal body weight

What is the brand name for Levothyroxine?

Synthroid

What is the instruction for taking Levothyroxine?

Take $30\,minutes\text{-}1\,hour$ before breakfast

How much time should be separated between Levothyroxine and antacids, iron, or calcium?

$$4\,hours$$

What is the brand name for Liothyronine?

Cytomel

What does Armour Thyroid (desiccated thyroid) contain?

A combination of $T_3$ and $T_4$

What are the contraindications for thyroid hormones?

Untreated thyrotoxicosis and untreated adrenal insufficiency

What is the brand name for Methimazole?

Tapazole

When should a patient change to Methimazole during pregnancy?

In the $2nd$ and $3rd$ trimesters

What is the Boxed Warning for Propylthiouracil ($PTU$)?

Hepatotoxicity

Which antithyroid agent is preferred in the first trimester of pregnancy and thyroid storm?

Propylthiouracil

What is the brand name for Granisetron?

Granisol, Sancuso (patch)

What is the brand name for Ondansetron?

Zofran

What drug is Ondansetron contraindicated with?

Apomorphine

What are the brand names for Palonosetron?

Aloxi, Posfrea

What is the brand name for the combination of Netupitant and Palonosetron?

Akynzeo

What is the MOA of $5\text{-}HT_3$ Antagonists?

Antagonize $5\text{-}HT_3$ receptors peripherally and centrally to block the vomiting signal in the chemoreceptor trigger center

What is the brand name for Meclizine?

Antivert

What is the MOA of Meclizine?

$H_1$ antagonist: suppresses the vasodepressor response to histamine while slightly inhibiting acetylcholine

What is the brand name for Cetirizine?

Zyrtec

What is the brand name for Diphenhydramine?

Benadryl

What are the contraindications for Diphenhydramine ($Benadryl$)?

Newborns, premature infants, or nursing mothers

What is the brand name for Levocetirizine?

Xyzal

What is a specific contraindication for Levocetirizine ($Xyzal$)?

$$ESRD$$

What is the brand name for Loratadine?

Claritin

What are the brand names for Hydroxyzine?

Vistaril ($HCl$), Atarax ($Pamoate$)

What is the brand name for Promethazine?

Phenergan

What is the Boxed Warning for Promethazine ($Phenergan$)?

Do not use in children $< 2\,yo$. Do not give intra-arterial or $SC$. $IV$ route can cause serious tissue injury if extravasation occurs

What is the MOA of Promethazine?

Dopamine receptor antagonist: block dopamine receptors in the $CNS$ including the chemoreceptor trigger zone

What is the brand name for Aprepitant?

Emend

What are the brand names for the $IV$ options of Aprepitant?

Aponvie, Cinvanti, or Fosaprepitant (prodrug)

What is the MOA of Aprepitant?

Substance $P/NK\text{-}1$ Receptor Antagonist with high selectivity and affinity in the $CTZ$ and vomiting center

What is the brand name for Dicyclomine?

Bentyl

What is the indication for Dicyclomine ($Bentyl$)?

Functional bowel / $IBS$

What is the MOA of Dicyclomine ($Bentyl$)?

Antispasmodic: Block the action of acetylcholine at parasympathetic sites in smooth muscle and secretory glands

What is the brand name for Scopolamine?

Transderm Scop

What is a specific contraindication for Scopolamine ($Transderm\,Scop$)?

Narrow-angle (angle-closure) glaucoma

When should a Scopolamine patch be applied?

At least $4\,hours$ before the effect is needed