Pharmacology Drug Classes and Indications: Rheumatology, Respiratory, Allergy, Antibiotics

ibuprofen

Advil; Motrin

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); analgesic, nonopioid

osteoarthritis; rheumatoid arthritis

naproxen

Aleve

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); analgesic, nonopioid

osteoarthritis; rheumatoid arthritis

diclofenac

Voltaren

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); analgesic, nonopioid

osteoarthritis; rheumatoid arthritis

meloxicam

Mobic

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); analgesic, nonopioid

osteoarthritis; rheumatoid arthritis

celecoxib

Celebrex

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, COX-2 selective (NSAID, COX-2 selective); analgesic, nonopioid

osteoarthritis; rheumatoid arthritis

aspirin

N/A

antiplatelet agent, salicylate; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); analgesic, nonopioid

secondary prevention of cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events; pain; feve

acetaminophen

Tylenol

analgesic, nonopioid

pain, fever

methylprednisolone

Medrol; Depo-Medrol; Solu-Medrol

corticosteroid, systemic

rheumatoid arthritis

prednisone

Prednisone Intensol

corticosteroid, systemic

rheumatoid arthritis

methotrexate

N/A

antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD); antineoplastic agent, antimetabolite (antifolate)

rheumatoid arthritis

hydroxychloroquine

Plaquenil

antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD); aminoquinoline (antimalarial)

rheumatoid arthritis

sulfasalazine

Azulfidine EN-tabs

antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD); 5-aminosalicylic acid derivative

rheumatoid arthritis

tofacitinib

Xeljanz

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor; antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD)

rheumatoid arthritis

baricitinib

Olumiant

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor; antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD)

rheumatoid arthritis

upadacitinib

Rinvoq

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor; antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD)

rheumatoid arthritis

ipratropium bromide

Atrovent

anticholinergic agent

COPD, maintenance

glycopyrrolate

Lonhala Magnair; Seebri Neohaler

anticholinergic agent, long-acting

COPD, maintenance

tiotropium

Spiriva Respimat; Spiriva HandiHaler

anticholinergic agent, long-acting

COPD, maintenance

albuterol

Ventolin HFA; ProAir HFA; ProAir RespiClick; Proventil HFA

beta2-adrenergic agonist

asthma, bronchospasm; exercise-induced bronchospasm

terbutaline

N/A

beta2-adrenergic agonist

asthma, bronchospasm

formoterol

Perforomist

beta2-adrenergic agonist, long-acting (LABA)

COPD, maintenance

salmeterol

Serevent

beta2-adrenergic agonist, long-acting (LABA)

asthma, maintenance; COPD, maintenance

budesonide

Pulmicort; Pulmicort Flexhaler

corticosteroid, inhaled (ICS)

asthma, maintenance

fluticasone

Flovent Diskus; Flovent HFA

corticosteroid, inhaled (ICS)

asthma, maintenance

mometasone

Asmanex HFA

corticosteroid, inhaled (ICS)

asthma, maintenance

ipratropium + albuterol

Combivent

formoterol + glycopyrronium

Bevespi Aerosphere

formoterol + mometasone

Dulera

salmeterol + fluticasone

Advair; Wixela

adalimumab

Humira

tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agent; antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD)

rheumatoid arthritis

infliximab

Remicade

tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agent; antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD)

rheumatoid arthritis

etanercept

Enbrel

tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agent; antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD)

rheumatoid arthritis

anakinra

Kineret

interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist; antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD)

rheumatoid arthritis

tocilizumab

Actemra

interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist; antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD)

rheumatoid arthritis

chlorpheniramine

Chlor-Trimeton

histamine H1 antagonist, first generation; alkylamine derivative

allergic rhinitis; upper-respiratory allergy symptoms

diphenhydramine

Benadryl

histamine H1 antagonist, first generation; ethanolamine derivative

allergic rhinitis; upper-respiratory allergy symptoms

cetirizine

Zyrtec

histamine H1 antagonist, second generation; piperazine derivative

allergic rhinitis; upper-respiratory allergy symptoms

fexofenadine

Allegra

histamine H1 antagonist, second generation; piperidine derivative

allergic rhinitis; upper-respiratory allergy symptoms

montelukast

Singulair

leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA)

allergic rhinitis; asthma, maintenance

amoxicillin

Moxatag; Amoxil

antibiotic, penicillin

lower respiratory tract infections (including pneumonia)

ceftaroline

Teflaro

antibiotic, cephalosporin (fifth generation)

community-acquired pneumonia

meropenem

N/A

antibiotic, carbapenem

serious bacterial infections

vancomycin

Vancocin

antibiotic, glycopeptide

serious staphylococcal infections (including lower respiratory tract infections)

levofloxacin

Levaquin

antibiotic, respiratory fluoroquinolone; antibiotic, fluoroquinolone

community-acquired pneumonia

azithromycin

Zithromax

antibiotic, macrolide

community-acquired pneumonia

doxycycline

Vibramycin

antibiotic, tetracycline derivative

respiratory tract infections

gentamicin

Gentak; Garamycin

antibiotic, aminoglycoside

serious bacterial infections (including respiratory tract infections)

linezolid

Zyvox

antibiotic, oxazolidinone

pneumonia

amoxicillin + clavulanate

Augmentin

Drug Class: N/A

FDA Approved Indications: N/A

piperacillin + tazobactam

Zosyn

imipenem + cilastatin

Primaxin I.V.

famotidine

Pepcid

histamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA)

GERD; PUD

lansoprazole

Prevacid

proton pump inhibitor (PPI)

GERD; PUD

omeprazole

Prilosec

proton pump inhibitor (PPI)

GERD; PUD

formoterol + budesonide

Symbicort; Breyna

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); analgesic, nonopioid

Generics: ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, meloxicam

Target: cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2)

Mechanism: RA and OA can converge on increased COX-2-associated prostanoid production, nociceptor sensitization, and inflammatory pain.

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, COX-2 selective (NSAID, COX-2 selective); analgesic, nonopioid

Generics: celecoxib

Target: cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme

Mechanism: RA and OA can converge on increased COX-2-associated prostanoid production, nociceptor sensitization, and inflammatory pain.

antiplatelet agent, salicylate; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); analgesic, nonopioid

Generics: aspirin

Target: cyclooxygenase-1 enzyme (COX-1)

Mechanism: Platelet COX-1-derived TxA2 promotes platelet activation and aggregation that contribute to arterial thrombosis.

analgesic, nonopioid

Generics: acetaminophen

Target: N/A

Mechanism: N/A

Corticosteroid, systemic

Generics: methylprednisolone, prednisone

Target: glucocorticoid receptor (GR)

Mechanism: In RA and other inflammatory disorders, persistent or excessive immune activation and inflammatory signaling contribute to pain, swelling, and tissue injury.

antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD); antineoplastic agent, antimetabolite (antifolate)

Generics: methotrexate

Target: N/A

Mechanism: N/A

antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD); aminoquinoline (antimalarial)

Generics: hydroxychloroquine

Target: N/A

Mechanism: N/A

antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD); 5-aminosalicylic acid derivative

Generics: sulfasalazine

Target: N/A

Mechanism: N/A

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor; antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD)

Generics: tofacitinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib

Target: Janus kinase (JAK) family enzymes

Mechanism: In RA, persistent signaling by multiple cytokines through JAK-STAT pathways contributes to immune-cell activation, synovial inflammation, and tissue injury.

anticholinergic agent

Generics: ipratropium bromide

Target: muscarinic M3 acetylcholine receptor (M3 receptor)

Mechanism: Cholinergic activation of bronchiolar smooth muscle contributes to bronchoconstriction and airflow limitation in COPD.

anticholinergic agent, long-acting

Generics: glycopyrrolate, tiotropium

Target: muscarinic M3 acetylcholine receptor (M3 receptor)

Mechanism: Cholinergic activation of bronchiolar smooth muscle contributes to bronchoconstriction and airflow limitation in COPD.

beta2-adrenergic agonist

Generics: albuterol, terbutaline

Target: beta-2 adrenergic receptor (beta-2 AR)

Mechanism: Acute bronchiolar smooth muscle contraction contributes to bronchoconstriction and airflow limitation in asthma and other reversible obstructive airway disease.

beta2-adrenergic agonist, long-acting (LABA)

Generics: formoterol, salmeterol

Target: beta-2 adrenergic receptor (beta-2 AR)

Mechanism: Bronchiolar smooth muscle contraction contributes to bronchoconstriction and airflow limitation in asthma and COPD.

Corticosteroid, inhaled (ICS)

Generics: budesonide, fluticasone, mometasone

Target: glucocorticoid receptor (GR)

Mechanism: Chronic airway inflammation and inflammatory mediator production contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness, recurrent symptoms, and asthma exacerbations.

Combination Products

Generics: ipratropium + albuterol, formoterol + glycopyrronium, formoterol + budesonide, formoterol + mometasone, salmeterol + fluticasone, amoxicillin + clavulanate, piperacillin + tazobactam, imipenem + cilastatin

Target: N/A

Mechanism: N/A

tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agent; antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD)

Generics: adalimumab, infliximab, etanercept

Target: tumor necrosis factor (TNF)

Mechanism: Excess or persistent TNF signaling contributes to synovial inflammation and tissue injury in RA and other immune-mediated disorders.

interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist; antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD)

Generics: anakinra

Target: interleukin-1 type I receptor (IL-1RI)

Mechanism: Excess or persistent IL-1 signaling contributes to synovial inflammation, cartilage/bone injury, and systemic inflammation.

interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist; antirheumatic, disease modifying (DMARD)

Generics: tocilizumab

Target: interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R)

Mechanism: Excess or persistent IL-6 signaling contributes to synovial inflammation, acute-phase responses, and systemic immune activation.

histamine H1 antagonist, first generation; alkylamine derivative

Generics: chlorpheniramine | Target: histamine H1 receptor (H1R) | Mechanism: Excess local HA release during allergic reactions activates H1Rs, producing vascular leak and edema, sensory-nerve activation, and symptoms of allergic rhinitis and cutaneous allergy.

histamine H1 antagonist, first generation; ethanolamine derivative

Generics: diphenhydramine

Target: histamine H1 receptor (H1R)

Mechanism: Excess local HA release during allergic reactions activates H1Rs, producing vascular leak and edema, sensory-nerve activation, and symptoms of allergic rhinitis and cutaneous allergy.

histamine H1 antagonist, second generation; piperazine derivative

Generics: cetirizine

Target: histamine H1 receptor (H1R)

Mechanism: Excess local HA release during allergic reactions activates H1Rs, producing vascular leak and edema, sensory-nerve activation, and symptoms of allergic rhinitis and cutaneous allergy.

histamine H1 antagonist, second generation; piperidine derivative

Generics: fexofenadine

Target: histamine H1 receptor (H1R)

Mechanism: Excess local HA release during allergic reactions activates H1Rs, producing vascular leak and edema, sensory-nerve activation, and symptoms of allergic rhinitis and cutaneous allergy.

leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA)

Generics: montelukast

Target: cysteinyl leukotriene type 1 receptor (CysLT1R)

Mechanism: Cysteinyl leukotrienes released during allergic inflammation activate CysLT1Rs, contributing to bronchoconstriction, airway edema and mucus, and inflammatory responses in asthma and allergic rhinitis.

antibiotic, penicillin

Generics: amoxicillin

Target: transpeptidase (also known as penicillin-binding protein, or PBP)

Mechanism: Growth of susceptible bacteria in respiratory tissues depends on peptidoglycan cross-linking to maintain cell-wall integrity; bacterial proliferation drives infection and host inflammation.

antibiotic, cephalosporin (fifth generation)

Generics: ceftaroline

Target: transpeptidase (also known as penicillin-binding protein, or PBP)

Mechanism: Growth of susceptible bacteria in respiratory tissues depends on peptidoglycan cross-linking to maintain cell-wall integrity; bacterial proliferation drives infection and host inflammation.

antibiotic, carbapenem

Generics: meropenem

Target: transpeptidase (also known as penicillin-binding protein, or PBP)

Mechanism: Growth of susceptible bacteria in respiratory tissues depends on peptidoglycan cross-linking to maintain cell-wall integrity; bacterial proliferation drives infection and host inflammation.

antibiotic, glycopeptide

Generics: vancomycin

Target: D-Ala-D-Ala terminus of cell wall peptidoglycan precursors

Mechanism: Growth of susceptible Gram-positive bacteria depends on peptidoglycan assembly to maintain cell-wall integrity; bacterial proliferation drives infection and host inflammation.

antibiotic, respiratory fluoroquinolone; antibiotic, fluoroquinolone

Generics: levofloxacin

Target: DNA gyrase; topoisomerase IV

Mechanism: Growth of susceptible bacteria in respiratory tissues requires DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV to support DNA replication and chromosome segregation; bacterial proliferation drives infection and host inflammation.

antibiotic, macrolide

Generics: azithromycin

Target: 50S bacterial ribosomal subunit (LSU)

Mechanism: Growth of susceptible bacteria in respiratory tissues requires bacterial ribosomal protein synthesis; bacterial proliferation drives infection and host inflammation.

antibiotic, tetracycline derivative

Generics: doxycycline

Target: 30S bacterial ribosomal subunit (SSU)

Mechanism: Growth of susceptible bacteria in respiratory tissues requires bacterial ribosomal protein synthesis; bacterial proliferation drives infection and host inflammation.

antibiotic, aminoglycoside

Generics: gentamicin

Target: 30S bacterial ribosomal subunit (SSU)

Mechanism: Growth of susceptible bacteria in respiratory tissues requires bacterial ribosomal protein synthesis; bacterial proliferation drives infection and host inflammation.

antibiotic, oxazolidinone

Generics: linezolid

Target: 50S bacterial ribosomal subunit (LSU)

Mechanism: Growth of susceptible bacteria in respiratory tissues requires bacterial ribosomal protein synthesis; bacterial proliferation drives infection and host inflammation.

histamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA)

Generics: famotidine

Target: histamine H2 receptor (H2R)

Mechanism: Excess gastric acid exposure contributes to reflux symptoms and mucosal injury in GERD and peptic ulcer disease; histamine-mediated H2R signaling is an important stimulus for parietal-cell acid secretion.

proton pump inhibitor (PPI)

Generics: lansoprazole, omeprazole

Target: H+/K+ ATPase (proton pump; or HKA)

Mechanism: Excess gastric acid exposure contributes to reflux symptoms and mucosal injury in GERD and peptic ulcer disease; the gastric H+/K+ ATPase is the final common pathway for parietal-cell acid secretion.