Top 300 Essential Medications: Uses, Side Effects, and Key Facts

Levothyroxine Sodium

Synthryoid, Ermeza, Levoxyl

Indicated for hypothyroidism; should be taken on an empty stomach > 30 min before food. Caution in patients with cardiac disease; dose may need to be lower.

Atorvastatin Calcium

Lipitor, Atorvaliq

Indicated for 1st and 2nd prevention of ASCVD, dyslipidemia, and 2nd prevention of CAD. May cause myopathy, nasopharyngitis, rhabdomyolysis, and increase A1c.

Furosemide

Lasix

Indicated for edema from heart failure; side effects include hyperuricemia, constipation, nephrotoxicity, and hypokalemia.

Amlodipine Besylate

Norvasc

Indicated for hypertension, chronic stable angina, and vasospastic angina; side effects include peripheral edema, rash, dizziness, and thrombocytopenia.

Lisinopril

Prinivil, Zestril, Qbrelis

Indicated for ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and hypertension; side effects include dizziness, hypotension, diarrhea, and angioedema.

Gabapentin

Neurontin, Gralise

Indicated for partial seizures and postherpetic neuralgia; side effects include ataxia, dizziness, blurred vision, weight gain, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).

Omeprazole

Prilosec

Indicated for GERD, peptic ulcer disease, H. pylori eradication, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome; side effects include abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, rash, cough, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and hepatotoxicity.

Potassium Chloride (oral)

K-Tab, Klor Con

Indicated for hypokalemia; side effects include nausea, indigestion, vomiting, ECG changes, and esophagitis.

Sertraline Hydrochloride

Zoloft

Indicated for depression, OCD, panic disorder, and premenstrual disorder; side effects include diarrhea, dry mouth, abdominal pain, constipation, and serotonin syndrome. BBW: suicidality.

Metformin Hydrochloride

Glucophage, Riomet

Indicated for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); side effects include gastrointestinal issues, hepatotoxicity, and hypersensitivity. BBW: lactic acidosis.

Metoprolol Tartrate

Lopressor

Indicated for angina, HFrEF, hypertension, and acute myocardial infarction (AMI); side effects include dizziness, bradyarrhythmia, bronchospasm, depression, and syncope.

Trazodone Hydrochloride

Desyrel

Indicated for major depressive disorder; side effects include gastrointestinal distress, rash, respiratory depression, and SJS. BBW: suicidality.

Hydrocodone Bitartrate with Acetaminophen

Lortab, Norco, Vicodin

Indicated for pain; side effects include gastrointestinal distress, dizziness, sedation, and respiratory depression.

Pantoprazole Sodium

Prontonix

Indicated for GERD and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome; side effects include headache, abdominal pain, edema, and SJS.

Carvedilol

Coreg

Indicated for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and hypertension; side effects include cold extremities, fatigue, hypotension, arthralgia, and hepatotoxicity.

Metoprolol Succinate

Toprol XL

Indicated for angina, HFrEF, hypertension, and AMI. Side effects include dizziness, bradyarrhythmia, bronchospasm, depression, and syncope.

Pravastatin Sodium

Pravachol

Indicated for hyperlipidemia and prevention of cerebrovascular accidents. Side effect include musculoskeletal pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and rhabdomyolysis.

Simvastatin

Zocor, FloLipid

Indicated for hyperlipidemia; side effects include abdominal pain, constipation, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, hepatotoxicity, and tendon rupture.

Lorazepam

Ativan

Indicated for anxiety; side effects include drowsiness, asthenia, dizziness, depression, and headaches.

Hydrochlorothiazide

HCTZ

Indicated for edema and hypertension; side effects include hypotension, constipation, hypokalemia, photosensitivity, and SJS.

Tamsulosin Hydrochloride

Flomax

Indicated for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); side effects include dizziness, headache, rhinitis, asthenia, edema, angioedema, and priapism.

Escitalopram Oxalate

Lexapro

Indicated for depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); side effects include diarrhea, headache, constipation, diaphoresis, rash, and serotonin syndrome. BBW: suicidality.

Citalopram Hydrobromide

Celexa

Indicated for depression; side effects include dizziness, sweating, agitation, anxiety, diarrhea, prolonged QT, and serotonin syndrome. BBW: suicidality.

Losartan Potassium

Cozaar

Indicated for hypertension, reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD), and diabetic nephropathy; side effects include headache, anorexia, back pain, hypotension, and angioedema.

Albuterol Sulfate (inhalation)

ProAir HFA, Ventolin, Proventil

Indicated for asthma and COPD; side effects include nausea, pharyngitis, rhinitis, angina, cough, and paradoxical bronchospasms.

Clopidogrel Bisulfate

Plavix

Indicated for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI) and thrombosis prevention in ASCVD; side effects include headache, arthralgia, hypertension, pruritus, agranulocytosis, and gastrointestinal ulcer. BBW: reduced CYP2C19 function.

Quetiapine Fumerate

Seroquel

Indicated for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; side effects include agitation, headache, hypertension, abdominal pain, neutropenia, and tardive dyskinesia.

Zaleplon

Sonata

Indicated for insomnia; side effects include abdominal pain, dizziness, and headache. BBW: sleepwalking.

Amoxicillin Trihydrate

Amoxil, Trimox, Moxatag

Indicated for acute otitis media, lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), and H. pylori; side effects include diarrhea, nausea, skin rash, hepatic failure, and hypersensitivity reactions.

Fluoxetine Hydrochloride

Prozac, Sarfem

Indicated for major depressive disorder, OCD, and bulimia nervosa; side effects include diarrhea, headache, nausea, anxiety, diaphoresis, and prolonged QT. BBW: suicidality.

Duloxetine Hydrochloride

Cymbalta

Indicated for anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy pain; side effects include abdominal discomfort, agitation, constipation, and hepatotoxicity. BBW: suicidality.

Meloxicam

Mobic

Indicated for osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA); side effects include gastrointestinal distress, edema, rash, ototoxicity, and congestive heart failure (CHF). BBW: GI bleeds.

Warfarin Sodium

Coumadin, Jantoven

Indicated for anticoagulation; side effects include anemia, rash, epistaxis, and hemorrhage. BBW: bleeding.

Zolpidem Tartrate

Ambien

Indicated for insomnia; side effects include abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, blurred vision, and tachycardia. BBW: sleepwalking.

Montelukast Sodium

Singulair

Indicated for asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis; side effects include dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and suicidal thoughts. BBW: behavioral issues.

Tramadol Hydrochloride

Ultram, ConZip

Indicated for pain; side effects include gastrointestinal distress, sedation, depression, and cardiac arrest.

Clonazepam

Klonopin

Indicated for seizures; side effects include ataxia, agitation, tachycardia, blurred vision, and anterograde amnesia.

Fluticasone Propionate (nasal)

Flonase

Indiacted for allergic and noallergic rhinitits. Side effects include headache, nasal pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, and hypersensitivity.

Apixaban

Eliquis

Indicated for atrial fibrillation, DVT/PE, and knee/hip replacement surgery; side effects include bleeding, nausea, and hypersensitivity. BBW: abrupt discontinuation increases risk of thrombotic events.

Azithromycin Dihydrate

Zithromax, Z-Pak

Indicated for bacterial sinusitis, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), STI, and acute infective COPD; side effects include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, SJS, and QT prolongation.

Divalproex Sodium

Depakote

Indicated for absence seizures, complex partial seizures, bipolar disorder, and migraine; side effects include abdominal pain, alopecia, headache, insomnia, blurred vision, and hepatitis.

Buspirone Hydrochloride

Buspar

Indicated for anxiety and depression; side effects include dizziness, confusion, diarrhea, and mania.

Donepezil Hydrochloride

Aricept, Adlarity

Indicated for alzheimer disease and dementia. Side effects include asthenia, diarrhea, muscle cramps, fatigue, and torsades de pointes.

Prednisone

Deltasone

Indicated for asthma, ulcerative colitis, hemolytic anemia, MS, RA, and SLE. Side effects include gastrointestinal upset, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and Cushing syndrome.

Mirtazapine

Remeron

Indicated for depression; side effects include constipation, weight gain, rash, neutropenia, and QT prolongation. BBW: suicidality.

Vitamin D, Ergocalciferol

Calciferol

Indicated for hypoparathyroidism and vitamin D deficiency; side effects include constipation, loss of appetite, nausea, and hypercalcemia.

Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine Salts

Adderall, Mydayis

Indicated for ADHD and narcolepsy; side effects include hypertension, insomnia, anxiety, tachycardia, myocardial infarction (MI), and seizures.

Bupropion Hydrochloride

Wellbutrin, Aplenzin, Forfivo XL

Indicated for depression and smoking cessation; side effects include anxiety, agitation, insomnia, nausea, confusion, hypertension, and seizures. BBW: suicidality.

Aripiprazole

Abilify

Indicated for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression; side effects include blurred vision, constipation, headache, and restlessness. BBW: risk of death in elderly patients with dementia

Alprazolam

Xanax

Indication: Anxiety and panic disorder; Side Effects: Constipation, fatigue, tachycardia, nausea, SJS.

Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide

Biktarvy; Indication: HIV; Side Effects: Exacerbation of hep B, dizziness, nausea, headache; Monitor renal function crcl < 30.

Sacubitril and valsartan

Entresto; Indication: Heart failure; Side Effects: Angioedema, may cause dizziness, hyperkalemia; wash out period 36 h after ACEI.

Semaglutide

Ozempic, wegovy, rybelsus; Indication: Diabetes and weight management; Side Effects: MTC, MEN2, gastroparesis, pancreatitis, GI upset.

Telmisartan

Micardis; Indication: Hypertension and cardiovascular risk reduction; Side Effects: Dizziness, cough, nephrotoxicity, hyperkalemia.

Arformoterol

Brovana; Indication: COPD; Side Effects: Chest pain, edema, diarrhea.

Vortioxetine

Trintellix; Indication: Major depressive disorder; Side Effects: GI upset, changes in sexual function. BBW: Serotonin Syndrome

Clonidine Hydrochloride

Catapres, kapvay; Indications: ADHD, hypertension; Side Effects: Erythema, anxiety, headache, constipation, rebound HTN.

Lamotrigine

Lamictal, Subventite; Indication: Bipolar disorder and partial seizure; Side Effects: Nausea, SJS, diplopia, vertigo, anxiety.

Allopurinol

Zyloprim; Indication: Gout; Side Effects: Rash, acute gout attacks, SJS/TENS.

Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

Effexor; Indications: Generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and social anxiety; Side Effects: Anorexia, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction.

Risperidone

Risperdal; Indications: Autistic disorder, schizophrenia; Side Effects: EPS, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, hyperprolactinemia.

Diltiazem HCl

Cardizem, cartia; Indications: Hypertension, angina; Side Effects: Edema, bradycardia, constipation, syncope.

Spironolactone

Aldactone, Carospir; Indications: Heart failure, hypertension, primary aldosteronism, ascites; Side Effects: Diarrhea, hyperkalemia, gastritis, arrhythmias.

Ondansetron Hydrochloride

Zofran; Indications: CINV, PONV, RINV, hyperemesis; Side Effects: Constipation, diarrhea, fatigue.

Amoxicillin with Clavulanate Potassium

Augmentin; Indications: AOM, CAP, UTI; Side Effects: NVD, skin rash, candidiasis, mycosis.

Baclofen

Lioresal, ozobax, fleqsuvy; Indication: Spasticity; Side Effects: NC, dizziness, fatigue, hypotension.

Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride

Flexeril; Indication: Muscle spasms; Side Effects: Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting.

Famotidine

Pepcid; Indication: GERD and heartburn; Side Effects: Constipation, dizziness, agitation.

Ipratropium Bromide with Albuterol Sulfate

Combivent Respimat; Indication: COPD; Side Effects: RTI, bronchitis, urinary retention, tachycardia, insomnia.

Oxycodone Hydrochloride

Oxycontin, Roxicodone; Indication: Pain; Side Effects: Constipation, GI upset, sedation, pruritus, sweating, hypotension.

Ibuprofen

Motrin, advil; Indications: Fever, pain, OA, RA; Side Effects: Edema, itching, rash, GI upset, ototoxicity.

Isosorbide Mononitrate

Imdur; Indication: Angina prophylaxis; Side Effects: Dizziness, headache, flushing, bradycardia, severe hypotension.

Topiramate

Topamax, Eprontia; Indications: Seizures, migraine prevention; Side Effects: Diplopia, dizziness, loss of appetite, fatigue, SJS.

Morphine Sulfate ER

MS contin, avinza, kadian; Indication: Chronic pain; Side Effects: Constipation, nausea, hypotension, dizziness, dry mouth.

Glipizide

Glucotrol; Indication: Diabetes; Side Effects: Weight gain, hyperglycemia, weakness, tremors.

Lisinopril with Hydrochlorothiazide

Zestoretic, prinzide; Indication: HTN; Side Effects: Angioedema, cough, fatigue.

Paroxetine Hydrochloride

Paxil; Indication: Depression; Side Effects: Weakness, abnormal ejaculation, constipation, insomnia, dry mouth.

Atenolol

Tenormin; Indications: Angina pectoris, HTN, AMI; Side Effects: Depression, bradyarrhythmia, cold extremities, bronchospasm.

Folic Acid

FA-8, True Folic Acid; Indication: Anemia; Side Effects: Loss of appetite, confusion, anaphylaxis.

Oxybutynin Chloride (oral)

Ditropan; Indication: Overactive bladder; Side Effects: Constipation, blurred vision, hyperglycemia, QT prolongation.

Rosuvastatin Calcium

Crestor; Indication: Dyslipidemia; Side Effects: Arthralgia, weakness, abdominal pain, rhabdo.

Rivaroxaban

Xarelto; Indication: DVT prophylaxis; Side Effects: Increased bleeding, cough, peripheral edema, syncope.

Insulin Detemir

Levemir; Indication: Diabetes; Side Effects: Hypoglycemia, injection site pain, pharyngitis.

Cephalexin Monohydrate

Keflex; Indications: Osteomyelitis, OM, antibacterial tx; Side Effects: NV, SJS, renal failure, hypersensitivity.

Insulin Aspart (rDNA origin)

Novolog, fiasp; Indication: Diabetes; Side Effects: Injection site pain, hypoglycemia, weight gain.

Pregabalin

Lyrica; Indications: Seizures and pain; Side Effects: Dizziness, peripheral edema, blurred vision, constipation.

Tizanidine Hydrochloride

Zanaflex; Indication: Muscle spasticity; Side Effects: Hypotension, dry mouth, muscle weakness, constipation.

Insulin Glargine (rDNA origin)

Lantus, basaglar; Indication: Diabetes; Side Effects: Hypoglycemia, injection site pain, edema.

Oxycodone HCl with Acetaminophen

Percocet, tylox; Indication: Pain; Side Effects: (BBW: Addiction) constipation, NV, dizziness, sedation.

Esomeprazole Magnesium

Nexium; Indications: GERD, H.Pylori; Side Effects: Headache, abdominal pain, TEN, rhabdo.

Levetiracetam

Keppra, Roweepra, spritam; Indication: Seizures; Side Effects: Weakness, abnormal behavior, fatigue, depression.

Losartan Potassium with Hydrochlorothiazide

Hyzaar; Indication: HTN; Side Effects: Cough, URI, backache, dizziness.

Memantine Hydrochloride

Namenda; Indication: Alzheimer; Side Effects: HTN, constipation, syncope, weight gain.

Latanoprost

Xalatan, Xelpros, lyuzeh; Indication: Ocular HTN (Glaucoma); Side Effects: Blurred vision, itching, eye discoloration, photophobia.

Alendronate Sodium

Fosamax; Indication: Osteoporosis; Side Effects: Fever, esophageal ulcer, GI upset.

Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride

Cipro; Indications: Anthrax, UTI; Side Effects: Tooth discoloration, musculoskeletal issues.

Sulfamethoxazole with Trimethoprim

Bactrim, Septra; Indications: UTI, PCP/PJP, E.coli; Side Effects: Rash, NVD, rhabdo.

Dapagliflozin

Farxiga; Indications: Diabetes, HF, CKD; Side Effects: UTI, necrotizing fasciitis, bone fracture.

Doxycycline Hyclate

Vibramycin; Indication: Antibiotic tx: CAP, STI prevention/tx; Side Effects: Photosensitivity, esophageal discomfort, NVD, tooth discoloration.

Diclofenac Sodium (topical)

Voltaren, Cambia, Zipsor, Zorvolex; Indication: Pain, OA; Side Effects: GI distress, peripheral sweating, constipation, dizziness.