Mechanism of Action

Flagyl, Flagyl ER / Metronidazole

Forms reactive metabolites that damage microbial DNA and inhibit nucleic acid synthesis

Diflucan / Fluconazole

Inhibits fungal 14α-demethylase → ↓ ergosterol synthesis

Nizoral / Ketoconazole

Inhibits fungal 14α-demethylase → ↓ ergosterol synthesis

Mycostatin, Nystop / Nystatin

Binds ergosterol → forms pores in fungal cell membranes

Lamisil / Terbinafine

Inhibits squalene epoxidase → ↓ ergosterol synthesis

Zovirax / Acyclovir

Guanosine analog activated by viral thymidine kinase → inhibits viral DNA polymerase

Valtrex / Valacyclovir

Prodrug of acyclovir → inhibits viral DNA polymerase

Keflex / Cephalexin

Binds PBPs → inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis

Ceftin / Cefuroxime axetil

Binds PBPs → inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis

Omnicef / Cefdinir

Binds PBPs → inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis

Cipro (XR) / Ciprofloxacin

Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV

Levaquin / Levofloxacin

Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV

Avelox / Moxifloxacin

Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV

Zithromax, Zmax, Azasite / Azithromycin

Binds 50S ribosomal subunit → inhibits bacterial protein synthesis

Biaxin (XL) / Clarithromycin

Binds 50S ribosomal subunit → inhibits bacterial protein synthesis

Cleocin, Cleocin T, Evoclin, Clindagel / Clindamycin

Binds 50S ribosomal subunit → inhibits bacterial protein synthesis

Macrobid, Macrodantin, Furadantin / Nitrofurantoin

Reactive metabolites damage bacterial DNA and other macromolecules

Amoxil / Amoxicillin

Binds PBPs → inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis

Augmentin, Augmentin XR / Amoxicillin + Clavulanate

Inhibits cell-wall synthesis + clavulanate inhibits β-lactamase

Veetids, Pen-Vee K / Penicillin V Potassium

Binds PBPs → inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis

Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS / Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim

Sequentially inhibits bacterial folate synthesis

Vibramycin, Doryx, Adoxa, Monodox, Oracea, Periostat / Doxycycline

Binds 30S ribosomal subunit → blocks aminoacyl-tRNA attachment

Metrogel, Metrogel-Vaginal, Metrocream, Metrolotion / Metronidazole

Reactive metabolites damage microbial DNA

Bactroban / Mupirocin

Inhibits bacterial isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase → inhibits protein synthesis

Tamiflu / Oseltamivir

Inhibits influenza neuraminidase → prevents release of new virions

Mycolog II / Nystatin + Triamcinolone

Binds fungal ergosterol + activates glucocorticoid receptors

Peridex, PerioGard / Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Disrupts microbial cell membranes

Atripla / Efavirenz + Tenofovir + Emtricitabine

Inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase

Complera / Rilpivirine + Tenofovir + Emtricitabine

Inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase

Stribild / Elvitegravir + Cobicistat + Tenofovir + Emtricitabine

Inhibits HIV integrase + reverse transcriptase; cobicistat inhibits CYP3A

Vasotec / Enalapril

Inhibits ACE → ↓ angiotensin II and aldosterone, ↑ bradykinin

Altace / Ramipril

Inhibits ACE → ↓ angiotensin II and aldosterone, ↑ bradykinin

Accupril, Accuretic / Quinapril, Quinapril/HCTZ

ACE inhibition ± inhibits NaCl reabsorption in distal tubule

Lotensin, Lotensin HCT / Benazepril, Benazepril/HCTZ

ACE inhibition ± inhibits NaCl reabsorption in distal tubule

Zestril or Prinivil, Zestoretic / Lisinopril, Lisinopril/HCTZ

ACE inhibition ± inhibits NaCl reabsorption in distal tubule

Cardura, Cardura XL / Doxazosin Mesylate

Blocks α1 receptors → vasodilation and relaxation of prostate/bladder-neck smooth muscle

Hytrin / Terazosin

Blocks α1 receptors → vasodilation and relaxation of prostate/bladder-neck smooth muscle

Catapres, Catapres TTS, Nexiclon XR, Kapvay ER / Clonidine

Central α2 agonist → ↓ sympathetic outflow

Cordarone / Amiodarone

Primarily blocks cardiac K+ channels → prolongs repolarization and action potential

Coumadin, Jantoven / Warfarin Sodium

Inhibits vitamin K epoxide reductase → ↓ synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors

Tricor, Trilipix / Fenofibrate

Activates PPAR-α → ↑ lipoprotein lipase and ↓ triglycerides

Lopid / Gemfibrozil

Activates PPAR-α → ↑ lipoprotein lipase and ↓ triglycerides

Niaspan ER / Niacin

Decreases hepatic VLDL synthesis and adipose lipolysis

Lipitor / Atorvastatin

Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase → ↓ cholesterol synthesis and ↑ LDL receptors

Mevacor, Altoprev ER / Lovastatin

Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase → ↓ cholesterol synthesis and ↑ LDL receptors

Pravachol / Pravastatin

Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase → ↓ cholesterol synthesis and ↑ LDL receptors

Crestor / Rosuvastatin

Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase → ↓ cholesterol synthesis and ↑ LDL receptors

Vytorin / Simvastatin/Ezetimibe

Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase + blocks intestinal NPC1L1 cholesterol transporter

Zocor / Simvastatin

Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase → ↓ cholesterol synthesis and ↑ LDL receptors

Ecotrin / Aspirin

Irreversibly inhibits platelet COX-1 → ↓ thromboxane A2

51–100

Exforge, Exforge HCT / Amlodipine + Valsartan, Amlodipine/Valsartan/HCTZ

Blocks L-type Ca²⁺ channels + AT1 receptors ± inhibits distal NaCl reabsorption

Diovan, Diovan HCT / Valsartan, Valsartan/HCTZ

Blocks angiotensin II AT1 receptors ± inhibits distal NaCl reabsorption

Avapro, Avalide / Irbesartan, Irbesartan/HCTZ

Blocks AT1 receptors ± inhibits distal NaCl reabsorption

Atacand, Atacand HCT / Candesartan, Candesartan/HCTZ

Blocks AT1 receptors ± inhibits distal NaCl reabsorption

Benicar, Benicar HCT / Olmesartan

Blocks angiotensin II AT1 receptors

Cozaar, Hyzaar / Losartan, Losartan/HCTZ

Blocks AT1 receptors ± inhibits distal NaCl reabsorption

Tenormin / Atenolol

Selectively blocks β1 receptors → ↓ HR, contractility, and renin

Toprol XL / Metoprolol Succinate

Selectively blocks β1 receptors

Lopressor / Metoprolol Tartrate

Selectively blocks β1 receptors

Zebeta, Ziac / Bisoprolol, Bisoprolol + HCTZ

Blocks β1 receptors ± inhibits distal NaCl reabsorption

Tenoretic / Atenolol/Chlorthalidone

β1 blockade + inhibition of distal NaCl reabsorption

Inderal, Inderal LA, Innopran, Innopran XL / Propranolol

Blocks β1 and β2 receptors

Coreg (CR) / Carvedilol

Blocks β1, β2, and α1 receptors

Normodyne, Trandate / Labetalol

Blocks β1, β2, and α1 receptors

Lanoxin, Lanoxicap / Digoxin

Inhibits Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase → ↑ intracellular Ca²⁺; increases vagal tone

Azor, Tribenzor / Amlodipine + Olmesartan, Amlodipine/Olmesartan/HCTZ

L-type Ca²⁺ channel blockade + AT1 blockade ± distal NaCl transporter inhibition

Norvasc / Amlodipine

Blocks vascular L-type Ca²⁺ channels → vasodilation

Procardia, Procardia XL, Adalat CC / Nifedipine

Blocks vascular L-type Ca²⁺ channels → vasodilation

Lotrel / Amlodipine + Benazepril

L-type Ca²⁺ channel blockade + ACE inhibition

Caduet / Amlodipine + Atorvastatin

L-type Ca²⁺ channel blockade + HMG-CoA reductase inhibition

Pradaxa / Dabigatran

Directly inhibits thrombin (factor IIa)

Klor-Con / Potassium Chloride

Replaces potassium

Xarelto / Rivaroxaban

Directly inhibits factor Xa

Eliquis / Apixaban

Directly inhibits factor Xa

Lasix / Furosemide

Inhibits Na⁺/K⁺/2Cl⁻ cotransporter in thick ascending loop of Henle

Lovenox / Enoxaparin

Activates antithrombin → preferential inhibition of factor Xa

Imdur, ISMO / Isosorbide Mononitrate

Releases NO → ↑ cGMP → vascular smooth-muscle relaxation

Nitrostat / Nitroglycerin SL

Releases NO → ↑ cGMP → vascular smooth-muscle relaxation

Nitro-Dur / Topical Nitroglycerin

Releases NO → ↑ cGMP → vascular smooth-muscle relaxation

Cardizem, Cardizem SR, Cardizem CD, Cardizem LA, Tiazac / Diltiazem

Blocks L-type Ca²⁺ channels in heart and vessels

Calan, Calan SR, Isoptin SR / Verapamil

Blocks L-type Ca²⁺ channels, especially in cardiac tissue

Plavix / Clopidogrel

Irreversibly blocks platelet P2Y12 ADP receptors

Dyazide, Maxzide / Triamterene + HCTZ

Blocks ENaC + inhibits NaCl cotransporter in distal tubule

Aldactone, Aldactazide / Spironolactone, Spironolactone/HCTZ

Blocks aldosterone receptors ± inhibits distal NaCl cotransporter

Lozol / Indapamide

Inhibits NaCl reabsorption in distal convoluted tubule

Thalidone, Hygroton / Chlorthalidone

Inhibits NaCl cotransporter in distal convoluted tubule

Oretic, Microzide / Hydrochlorothiazide

Inhibits NaCl cotransporter in distal convoluted tubule

Zaroxolyn / Metolazone

Inhibits NaCl cotransporter in distal convoluted tubule

Entresto / Sacubitril/Valsartan

Inhibits neprilysin + blocks angiotensin II AT1 receptors

Zofran, Zofran ODT / Ondansetron

Blocks 5-HT3 receptors

Aricept / Donepezil

Reversibly inhibits acetylcholinesterase → ↑ acetylcholine

Exelon, Exelon Patch / Rivastigmine

Inhibits acetylcholinesterase → ↑ acetylcholine

Fiorinal, Fiorinal with Codeine / Butalbital + Aspirin + Caffeine ± Codeine

CNS depression + COX inhibition + adenosine antagonism ± μ-opioid agonism

Fioricet, Fioricet with Codeine / Butalbital + Acetaminophen + Caffeine ± Codeine

CNS depression + central analgesia + adenosine antagonism ± μ-opioid agonism

Buspar / Buspirone

Partial agonist at 5-HT1A receptors

Transderm-Scop / Scopolamine

Blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Remeron / Mirtazapine

Blocks presynaptic α2 receptors → ↑ norepinephrine and serotonin

Desyrel / Trazodone

5-HT2 antagonist + serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Wellbutrin (SR) (XL) / Bupropion

Inhibits norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake