Top 200 Drugs

albuterol and levalbuterol ( (SABA) - asthma short acting beta agonists)

Brand Names: ProAir, Xopenex,Proventil,Ventolin

Function: short-acting inhaled bronchodilator, beta- 2 receptors that cause relaxation in the lungs

Rescue Inhaler : only treats acute attacks

Drug Interaction: beta blockers

• available as a tablet, syrup, MDI, or sterile solution for nebulizers

Montelukast ( Leukotriene Receptor Inhibitor)

brand name : Singular

Function: prevents and treats the symptoms of asthma and allergies decreasing inflammation in the airways ; used for long term control of moderate to severe asthma

Boxed Warning : neuropsychiatric symptoms ( suicidal thoughts, abnormal behavior , or depression)

SE: HA N/V, indigestion, diarrhea, back and generalized pain

• to be taken in the evening because symptoms worsen at night

Tiotropium

anticholinergics - neurotransmitter that stimulates smooth muscle in the lungs to constrict

Brand Name - Spiriva

Function: causes long- acting smooth muscle relaxation

Side Effects- sore throat , cough, dry mouth, HA

DI - other anticholinergics

*do NOT swallow capsules whole , they are to be used only in the handihaler

Corticosteroids: Prednisone, Fluticasone, Beclomethasone

Brand Name(s) - Deltasone, Flovent, QVAR

Function - acts as an inflammatory agent and produces smooth muscle relaxation by suppressing the immune response

Side Effects - osteoporosis, fluid retention, mood swings, upset stomach , increased blood pressure, increased blood sugar

*if inhaled - causes sore throat and an increased risk of oral and pharyngeal candidiasis

*TAKE WITH FOOD

*must rinse mouth after using to prevent fungal infections in the mouth.

Oral Steroids Dose Pack

Methylprednisolone ( Medrol DP)

Prednisone ( Sterapred)

should finish entire course of therapy

Combination Agent - Ipratropium and Albeuterol

Brand Name- Combivent

• a corticosteroids and a bronchodilator

• treats COPD only

Combination Agent ( Flucticasone and Salmeterol)

Brand Name- Advair Diskus

• two bronchodilators

• treats COPD and ASTHMA

Combination Agent ( Budesonide and Formoterol)

Brand Name - Symbicort

• two bronchodilators

• treats COPD and ASTHMA

Omalizumab

Brand Name - Xolair

Function - used to treat : severe persistent asthma inadequately controlled by inhaled corticosteroids and other asthma medications

biological drug that is designed to target and block parts of the immune system that trigger inflammation, immunoglobulin ( E) IgE

• administered by subcutaneous injection

  SE : rash, fever, joint pain, dizziness , bone fractures, injection site pain

  BW : anaphylaxis

Premetrexed

Brand Name - Alimta

used to treat non - small cell lung cancer and mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer associated with exposure to asbestos

• antineoplastic chemotherapy drug

• given as an infusion into the vein

  SE: fatigue, N/V, diarrhea,mloss of appetite, change in taste, hair loss

  DI: NSAIDS ( because of kidney damage) , and vaccines

Diphenhydramine

Brand Name - benadryl

treatment/intervention : seasonal rhinitis and ALLERGIC REACTIONS

1st Generation Antihistamine

Loratadine

Brand Name - Claritin

treatment/ intervention: seasonal rhinitis

SE: dry mouth, headache (HA), hoarseness, and possible drowsiness

2nd Generation Antihistamine

Fexofenadine

Brand Name - Allegra

treatment / intervention: seasonal rhinitis

SE: dry mouth, headache (HA), hoarseness, and possible drowsiness

2nd Generation Antihistamine

Cetirizine

Brand Name - Zyrtec

treatment/ intervention: seasonal rhinitis

SE: dry mouth, headache (HA), hoarseness, and possible drowsiness

2nd Generation Antihistamine

Pseudoephedrine ( Nasal Decongestant)

Brand Name - Sudafed ( BTC)

treatment/ intervention: nasal congestion

SE: nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, stimulation, agitation, tremor, and headaches

DI: antihypersensitives ( blood pressure medications)

PSE is often combined with antihistamines ( Claritin - D , Allegra - D, Zyrtec- D)

• Used to make methamphetamine

• Laws limit purchase amounts

  • 3.6 grams/day

  • 9 grams/month

• Kept behind pharmacy counter

Phenylephrine ( Nasal Decongestant)

Brand Name - Sudafed PE ( OTC)

treatment/ intervention: nasal congestion

SE: nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, stimulation, agitation, tremor, and headaches

DI: antihypersensitives ( blood pressure medications)

• Available OTC

• Not as effective

• Less side effects

• No purchase limits

Fluticasone ( Intranasal Decongestant)

Brand Name - Flonase

treatment/ intervention: allergies

*a intranasal steroid to prevent / control inflammation from seasonal allergies ( can relieve many symptoms and allergy eye symptoms )

SE : nasal dryness, irritation, and N/V

Mometasone ( Intranasal Decongestant)

Brand Name - Nasonex

treatment/ intervention: allergies

*a intranasal steroid to prevent / control inflammation from seasonal allergies ( can relieve many symptoms and allergy eye symptoms )

SE : nasal dryness, irritation, and N/V

Oxymetazoline ( Intranasal Decongestant)

Brand Name - Afrin

treatment/ intervention: nasal congestion

*should only be used for a max of 3 days due to the risk of rebound congestion

SE : nasal dryness, irritation, and N/V

Guaifenesin ( Expectorants)

Brand Name - Mucinex

treatment/ intervention: chest congestion

*drink plenty of fluids to aid in expectoration

SE: N/V, upset GI, drowsiness

Benzonatate ( Antussive)

Brand Name - Tessalon Perles

treatment/ intervention: cough

SE: sedation, HA, “ chilli” sensation in chest, dizziness, and drowsiness

*must swallow capsules whole- chewing or dissolving may result in temporary local anesthesia or choking

*drink lots of water

Hydrocodone w / Chlorpheniramine ( CS II ) ( Antussive)

Brand Name - Tussionex Suspension ( option / antihistamine )

treatment / intervention: cough and upper respiratory symptoms associated with allergy and cold

BW: do not use with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, or alcohol. This could result in respiratory depression, coma, or death

SE: drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach, nausea, constipation, dry mouth/nose/ throat, HA

DI: benzodiazepines, opioids, antihistamines, alcohol, antipsychotics, anti anxiety agents, or other CNS depressants

Guaifenesin w / Codeine ( CS V) ( Antussive)

treatment/ intervention: it suppresses the activity in the brain that controls coughing

may be purchased in some states with a prescription, dispensing must be done by a pharmacist

SE: nausea , constipation, drowsiness, lightheadedness

*take with food to decrease an upset GI

Dextromethorphan ( Antussive) ( OTC)

Brand Name : Robitussin DM Delsym

treatment/intervention: cough

*must be 18 years old to purchase

SE: dizziness, drowsiness, upset GI, nausea

Metoprolol Tartrate/ Succinate

Class: Beta Blocker

Brand Name : Lopressor, Tropol XL

Treats: HTN ( hypertension= high blood pressure) and angina.

**metoprolol tartrate–IR dosage form (Lopressor) and metoprolol succinate–ER dosage form  (Toprol XL, do not cut, crush or chew).  These are NOT interchangeable

Carvedilol

Class: Beta Blocker

Brand Name: Coreg

Treats : Hypertension

Atenolol

Class: Beta Blocker

Brand Name: Tenormin

Treats : HTN and Angina

Propanolol

Class: Beta Blocker

Brand Name: Inderal

Treats : HTN and Angina

Nebivolol

Class: Beta Blocker

Brand Name: Bystolic

Treats : HTN

Amlodipine

Class: Calcium Channel Blockers

Brand Name: Norvasc

Treats: HTN, angina, dysrhythmias

Diltiazem

Class: Calcium Channel Blockers

Brand Name: Cardizem

Treats: HTN, angina, dysrhythmias

Nifedipine

Class: Calcium Channel Blockers

Brand Name: Procardia

Treats: HTN, angina, dysrhythmias

Do NOT drink with grapefruit juice if taking CCB- it will increase the levels of the CCB in the blood

Verapamil

Class: Calcium Channel Blockers

Brand Name: Calan, Verelan

Treats: HTN, angina, dysrhythmias

Lisinopril

Class: ACE Inhibitors

Brand Name: Prinivil, Zestril

Treats: HTN and Heart Failure

Benazepril

Class: ACE Inhibitors

Brand Name: Lotensin

Treats: HTN and Heart Failure

Enalapril

Class: ACE Inhibitors

Brand Name: Epaned, Vasotec

Treats: HTN and Heart Failure

Ramipril

Class: ACE Inhibitors

Brand Name: Altace

Treats: HTN and Heart Failure

Irbesartan

Class: Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers ( A2RBS)

Brand Name: Avapro

Treats: HTN and Heart Failure

Losartan

Class: Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers ( A2RBS)

Brand Name: Cozaar

Treats: HTN and Heart Failure

Olmesartan

Class: Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers ( A2RBS)

Brand Name: Benicar

Treats: HTN and Heart Failure

Valsartan

Class: Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers ( A2RBS)

Brand Name: Diovan

Treats: HTN and Heart Failure

Doxazosin

Class: Alpha Adrenergic Blocker

Brand Name: Cardura

Treats: HTN

Terazosin

Class: Alpha Adrenergic Blocker

Brand Name: Hytrin

Treats: HTN

Furosemide

Type of Diuretic: Loop Diuretic

Brand Name: Lasix

Treats: HTN and Heart Failure

Hydrochlorothiazide ( HCTZ)

Type of Diuretic: Thiazide Diuretic

Brand Name: Microzide or Hydrodiuril

Treats: HTN and Heart Failure

Spironolactone

Type of Diuretic: Potassium- Sparing Diuretic

Brand Name: Aldactone

Treats: HTN and Heart Failure

Triameterene

Type of Diuretic: Potassium- Sparing Diuretic

Brand Name: Dyrenium

Treats: HTN and Heart Failure

Irbesartan with HCTZ

Brand Name: Avalide

Triameterene with HCTZ

Brand Name: Dyazide

Losartan with HCTZ

Brand Name: Hyzaar

Lisinopril with HCTZ

Brand Name: Zestoretic or Prinizide

Amlodipine/ Benazepril

Brand Name: Lotrel

Potassium Chloride ER

Class: Miscellaneous Cardiovascular Drug

Brand Name : Slow-K or Micro- K

Treats: Hypokalemia

Give with or after meals and take with a full glass of water to decrease GI upset. If possible do not lie down immediately after taking.

Atorvastatin

Class: Antihyperlipidemics : Statins ( HMG-COA Reductase Inhibitors)

Brand Name: Lipitor

Treats: High Cholesterol

Simvastatin

Class: Antihyperlipidemics : Statins ( HMG-COA Reductase Inhibitors)

Brand Name: Zocor

Treats: High Cholesterol

Pravastatin

Class: Antihyperlipidemics : Statins ( HMG-COA Reductase Inhibitors)

Brand Name: Pravachol

Treats: High Cholesterol

Rosuvastatin

Class: Antihyperlipidemics : Statins ( HMG-COA Reductase Inhibitors)

Brand Name: Crestor

Treats: High Cholesterol

Lovastatin

Class: Antihyperlipidemics : Statins ( HMG-COA Reductase Inhibitors)

Brand Name: Mevacor

Treats: High Cholesterol

Ezetimibe

Class: Antihyperlipidemics: Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor

Brand Name: Zetia

Treats: High Cholesterol

Used to prevent the small intestine from absorbing cholesterol, lowering LDL and triglycerides. 

SE:  abdominal cramps, diarrhea, HA, back pain, muscle/joint pain

DI: blood thinners (warfarin), fibrates

May use with statins

Fenofibrate

Class: Antihyperlipidemics: Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor

Brand Name: TriCor

Treats: High Cholesterol

Used to prevent the small intestine from absorbing cholesterol, lowering LDL and triglycerides. 

SE:  abdominal cramps, diarrhea, HA, back pain, muscle/joint pain

DI: blood thinners (warfarin), fibrates

May use with statins

Gemfibrozil

Class: Antihyperlipidemics : Fibrates

Brand Name: Lopid

Treats: High Cholesterol

They work by decreasing your triglycerides (a type of fat transported

in the blood, mostly after a meal and then stored in the fat cells) .  They can also increase HDL.

SE: abdominal pain, diarrhea, HA, leg cramps, nausea

DI: anticoagulants (warfarin), other drugs that lower cholesterol

Do NOT use in patients with liver, kidney or gallbladder disease.

Omega-3-acid ethyl esters

Class: Antihyperlipidemics: Omega 3

Brand Name: Lovaza

Treats: High Cholesterol

Helps to decrease the amount of triglycerides the body makes and increase HDL levels. 

Used to help lower levels of certain triglycerides.  Thought to decrease the amount of triglyceride the body makes and increase HDL levels.

It is a type of fat found in fish oil (salmon)

Take with food, swallow capsules whole. Do not crush, chew, or dissolve the capsules.  Do not take if allergic to  fish or shellfish

SE: upset stomach, burping, strange taste in mouth may occur

Niacin

Class: Antihyperlipidemics: Niacin ( water - soluble B vitamin)

Brand Name: Niaspan

Treats: High Cholesterol and trigylceride levels as well as niacin deficiency. not used as frequently now.

SE: flushing, stomach upset

Heparin

Class: Anticoagulant Agent; Thrombin Inhibitor

Enoxaparin

Class: Low- molecular weight heparin

Brand Name: Lovenox

Dabigatran

Class: Direct oral anticoagulant

Brand Name: Pradaxa

Dalteparin

Class: low - molecular weight heparin

Brand Name: Fragmin

Warfarin

Class: Oral Anticoagulant ( Vitamin K Antagonist)

Brand Name: Coumadin

Clopidogrel

Class: Antiplatelet

Brand Name: Plavix

Aspirin

Class: Antiplatelet

Brand Name: Bayer

Rivaroxaban

Class: Direct Oral Anticoagulant

Brand Name: Xarelto

Apixaban

Class: Direct Oral Anticoagulant

Brand Name: Eliquis

Nitroglycerin

Class: Vasodilator

Brand Name: Nitrostat ( SL)

Treats: Angina

Isosorbide Mononitrate

Class: Vasodilator

Brand Name: Ismo or Imdur

Treats: Angina and Heart Failure

Isosorbide Dinitrate

Class: Vasodilator

Brand Name: Isordil

Treats: Angina and Heart Failure

Hydralazine

Class: Vasodilator

Brand Name: Apresoline

Treats: Angina and Heart Failure

Amiodarone

Class: Antiarrhythmic

Brand Name: Cordarone

Therapeutic Effect: manage electrical problems in your heartbeat that cause irregular heart rhythms by blocking the sodium, potassium, and calcium channels or the adrenergic receptors in the heart’s muscle.

Treats: Arrhythmia and heart failure

SE: N/V, diarrhea, dizziness, and HA

Digoxin

Class: Antiarryhtmic

Brand Name: Lanoxin

Therapeutic Effect: manage electrical problems in your heartbeat that cause irregular heart rhythms by blocking the sodium, potassium, and calcium channels or the adrenergic receptors in the heart’s muscle.

Treats: Arrhythmia and heart failure

SE: N/V, diarrhea, dizziness, and HA

• digoxin will need monitoring as it has a very narrow therapeutic index ( medications where small differences in dose or blood concentration may lead to adverse reactions or therapeutic failures.)

• in a case of overdose, use the antidote Digibind ( stored in the refrigerator)

Bismuth Subsalicylate ( OTC Antacid)

Brand Name: Pepto Bismol and Kaopectate

Do not give if allergic to aspirin

Do not give if there are bleeding problems, ulcers, or blood in stools

Use caution when giving to children under 18

Using this medicine in a child or teenager with flu symptoms or chickenpox can cause a serious or fatal condition called Reye's syndrome.

Antidiarrheal: salicylate/absorbent

Calcium Carbonate ( OTC Antacid)

Brand Name: Tums

also used as a calcium supplement and can cause constipation

Aluminum, Magnesium, Simethicone ( gas)

Brand Name : Mylanta

Magnesium causes diarrhea and Aluminum causes constipation

Cimetidine ( H2 Receptor) ( OTC/RX)

Brand Name : Tagamet

Treats: GERD

taken at bedtime or twice daily

Famotidine ( H2 Receptor) ( OTC/RX)

Brand Name : Pepcid

Treats : GERD

taken at bedtime or twice daily

Omeprazole ( Proton Pump Inhibitor PPI)

Brand Name : Prilosec ( OTC/ RX)

Treats: GERD and Ulcers

Pantoprazole ( PPI)

Brand Name : Protonix ( RX)

Treats : GERD

Esomeprazole (PPI)

Brand Name : Nexium ( OTC/ RX)

Treats: GERD and ulcers

Rabeprazole (PPI

Brand Name : Aciphex ( RX)

Treats : GERD

Dexlansoprazole ( PPI)

Brand Name : Dexilant ( RX)

Treats : GERD and Ulcers

Lansoprazole ( PPI)

Brand Name : Prevacid ( OTC/ RX)

Treats: GERD and Ulcers

Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide

Brand Name: Maalox

OTC Antacids: neutralizes stomach acidity

Magneisum Hydroxide

Brand Name: Milk of Magnesia ( MOM)

OTC Antacids: neutralizes stomach acidity

Aluminum hydroxide and Magnesium carbonate

Brand Name: Gaviscon

OTC Antacids: neutralizes stomach acidity

Sodium Bicarbonate

Brand Name: Alka-seltzer

OTC Antacids: neutralizes stomach acidity

Nizatidine ( OTC/RX)

Brand Name: Axid

Treats: ulcers

taken at bedtime or twice daily

Omeprazole and Sodium Bicarbonate

Brand Name: Zegerid

Treats: GERD and Ulcers

Remicade

Brand Name:Infliximab

• Decreases irritation and inflammation in the intestines 

• anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) drug: targets a specific protein in the body that causes inflammation

• BW: serious infections (TB, fungal, bacteria), cancer risk

• SE: respiratory infections (sinus, throat), HA, coughing, joint pain, stomach pain

• Infusion SE: fever, chills, chest pain, increase or decrease in BP, SOB, rash, Itching

• IV Infusion

Stelera

Brand Name: Ustekinumab

• Monoclonal antibody: made from living organisms, mimic the effects of proteins produced by your immune system; binds to two small proteins (cytokines) that support the body’s immune response, therefore, decreases inflammation.

• SE: nasal congestion, upper respiratory infection, multiple infections, fever, HA, tiredness, itching, N/V

• Subcutaneous injection

• Refrigerated

Metoclopramide

Brand Name:Reglan

Treats: Gastroparesis

Dicyclomine

Anticholingeric/ Antispasmodic Agent

Brand Name: Bentyl

take 30- 60 minutes before a meal

Promethazine

Brand Name: Phenergan

•  causes drowsiness/disorientation

• do not take with alcohol or CNS depressants

• comes as a suppository

treats : N/V