PharmTech - Top 200 Drugs: Central Nervous System

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Indications:

major depressive disorder (depression)

Side effects: weight changes

sex drive changes

Hint:

end in "pram" or "ine"

Celexa

Citalopram

SSRI

Lexapro

Escitalopram

SSRI

Prozac

Fluoxetine

SSRI

Paxil

Paroxetine

SSRI

Zoloft

Sertraline

SSRI

Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

Indications:

major depressive disorder

Hints:

"ine"

two contain "venlafaxine"

Cymbalta

Duloxetine

SNRI

Effexor

Venlafaxine

SNRI

Pristiq

Desvenlafaxine

SNRI

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Indications:

major depressive disorder

Side effects:

overdose risk

Hints:

"triptyline"

Elavil

Amitriptyline

TCA

Pamelor

Nortriptyline

TCA

Other Antidepressants

Indications:

major depressive disorder

Hints:

may be more efficient to memorize all antidepressants in general than by class

Wellbutrin

Bupropion

Other antidepressants

Remeron

Mirtazapine

Other antidepressants

Desyrel

Trazodone

Other antidepressants

Antipsychotics

Indications:

schizophrenia- misperception of reality

Side effects:

extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)- drug-induced movement disorders

"metabolic" side effects - (weight gain, blood glucose regulation, etc.)

Hints:

most end in "pine" or "done"

Abilify

Aripiprazole

Antipsychotic

Haldol

Haloperidol

Antipsychotic

Zyprexa

Olanzapine

Antipsychotic

Seroquel

Quetiapine

Antipsychotic

Risperdal

Risperidone

Antipsychotic

Geodon

Ziprasidone

Antipsychotic

Mood Stabilizers

Indications:

bipolar disorder

Side Effects:

narrow therapeutic index drug (drug concentration monitoring required)

Lithobid

Lithium

Mood stabilizer

Antiepileptic

Indications:

epilepsy- seizure disorder

can often have other uses (mood disorders, neuropathy, migraine, etc.)

Side effects:

vary by drug, many require serum concentration monitoring

Tegretol

Carbamazepine

Antiepileptic

Neurotin

Gabapentin

Antiepileptic

Lamictal

Lamotrigine

Antiepileptic

Keppra

Levetiracetam

Antiepileptic

Trileptal

Oxcarbazepine

Antiepileptic

Lyrica

Pregabalin

Antiepileptic

Topamax

Topiramate

Antiepileptic

Opioid Analgesics (opiates)

Indications:

pain (chronic)

Side effects:

respiratory depression- slow, shallow breathing rate

somnolence- excessive sleepiness

constipation

Hints:

all are controlled substances and can be highly addictive

Lortab

Acetaminophen/Hydrocodone

Opiate

Zohydro

Hydrocodone

Opiate

MS Contin

Morphine

Opiate

Oxycontin

Oxycodone

Opiate

Opana ER

Oxymorphone

Opiate

Ultram

Tramadol

Opiate

Suboxone

Buprenorphine/Naloxone

Opiate

Non-opioid Analgesics

Indications:

pain or headache

Side effects:

liver toxicity (hepatotoxicity)

Tylenol

Acetaminophen

Non-opioid analgesic

Fioricet

Acetaminophen/Butalbitat/Caffeine

Non-opioid analgesic

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Indications:

pain

inflammation

fever

Side effects:

cardiovascular events

bleeding

stomach ulcers

kidney failure

Celebrex

Celecoxib

NSAID

Voltaren

Diclofenac

NSAID

Motrin

Ibuprofen

NSAID

Mobic

Meloxicam

NSAID

Aleve

Naproxen

NSAID

Muscle Relaxants

Indications:

pain related to muscle cramps

Side effects:

somnolence (more pronounced when combined with other pain medications)

Lioresal

Baclofen

Muscle Relaxant

Flexeril

Cyclobenzaprine

Muscle relaxant

Robaxin

Methocarbamol

Muscle Relaxant

Zanaflex

Tizanidine

Muscle Relaxant

Lidoderm

Lidocaine

Miscellaneous topical pain medication

5-HT Agonists (triptans)

Indications:

migraine headache

Side effects:

dizziness

cardiovascular events

Hints:

end in "triptan"

Relpax

Eletriptan

5-HT agonist

Maxalt

Rizatriptan

5-HT agonist

Imitrex

Sumatriptan

5-HT agonist

Antitussives

Indications:

suppress cough

Side effects:

drowsiness

Tessalon

Benzonatate

Antitussive (cough)

Delsym

Dextromethorphan

Antitussive

Benzodiazepines

Indications:

anxiety

Side effects:

sedation (particularly dangerous when combined with other CNS drugs or alcohol)

Hints:

most end in "zepam"

Xanax

Alprazolam

Benzodiazepine

Klonopin

Clonazepam

Benzodiazepine

Valium

Diazepam

Benzodiazepine

Ativan

Lorazepam

Benzodiazepine

Restoril

Temazepam

Benzodiazepine

Non-benzodiazepine Hypnotics

Indications:

sleep

anxiety (buspirone)

Side effects:

sleepwalking

Hints:

think Z for zzzz

Lunesta

Eszopiclone

Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics

Sonata

Zaleplon

Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics

Ambien

Zolpidem

Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics

Buspar

Buspirone

Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics

*(used to treat anxiety)

Stimulants

Indications:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

narcolepsy (modafinil)- affects the brain's ability to control sleep-wake cycles

Side effects:

tics

Hints:

"amphetamine" or "phenidate"

Focalin

Dexmethylphenidate

Stimulant

Dexedrine

Dextroamphetamine

Stimulant

Vyvanse

Lisdexamfetamine

Stimulant

Ritalin

Methylphenidate

Stimulant

Provigil

Modafinil

Stimulant

*(used to treat Narcolepsy)

Non-stimulant drugs for ADHD

Indications:

ADHD

Strattera

Atomoxetine

Non-stimulant drug for ADHD

Intuniv

Guanfacine

Non-stimulant drug for ADHD

Dopaminergics and Dopamine Agonists

Indications:

Parkinson's disease

Side effects:

dyskinesia- slowing and involuntary, uncontrollable movements

Sinemet

Levodopa/Carbidopa

Dopaminergics and Dopamine Agonists

Mirapex

Pramipexole

Dopaminergics and Dopamine Agonists

(Parkinson’s Disease)

Requip

Ropinirole

Dopaminergics and Dopamine Agonists

*(used to treat Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome)

Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

Indications:

Alzheimer's disease

Aricept

Donepezil

Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

Exelon

Rivastigmine

Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

(Alzheimer’s Disease)

Namenda

Memantine

Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists