Vet Tech Prep Commonly Used Drugs Study Guide

Gentamicin - Aminoglycoside antibiotic; can damage kidneys (nephrotoxic)

Clindamycin - Lincosamide antibiotic; used for skin and dental infections

Amoxicillin - Aminopenicillin; common broad

spectrum antibiotic

Enrofloxacin - Fluoroquinolone antibiotic; can cause cartilage issues in young dogs and blindness in cats

Cephalexin - 1st generation cephalosporin (oral); used for skin infections

Cefpodoxime - 3rd generation cephalosporin (oral); long

acting, used for skin infections

Cefazolin - 1st generation cephalosporin (injectable); used during surgery

Cefovecin (Convenia) - 3rd generation cephalosporin (injectable); long

acting, lasts up to 14 days

Trimethoprim

Sulfa (TMS) - Sulfonamide antibiotic; may cause dry eye

Doxycycline - Tetracycline antibiotic; can cause esophageal damage in cats, don't give dry

Metronidazole - Antibiotic used for diarrhea and Giardia; high doses may cause nervous system signs

Prednisone - Steroid; reduces inflammation, converted to prednisolone in the liver

Prednisolone - Steroid; used in patients who can't convert prednisone

Triamcinolone - Steroid; 4-10 times stronger than hydrocortisone

Methylprednisolone - Steroid; used for inflammation and immune suppression

Fentanyl* - Strong pain reliever; given as injection or patch

Morphine* - Opioid pain medication; can cause vomiting

Hydromorphone* - Opioid; stronger than morphine, injectable

Buprenorphine* - Opioid; works well in cats, can be given in the mouth

Butorphanol* - Opioid; short

acting pain relief and cough suppressant

Tramadol* - Weak opioid; used for pain, works better in dogs than cats

Carprofen (Rimadyl) - COX

2 inhibitor; used after surgery and for arthritis, may cause liver issues

Meloxicam (Metacam) - COX

2 inhibitor; used for pain and inflammation, kidney caution

Ketoprofen - NSAID; used mostly for fever and mild pain

Firocoxib (Previcox) - COX

2 inhibitor; used for arthritis and pain

Deracoxib (Deramaxx) - COX

2 inhibitor; for dogs with orthopedic pain

Flunixin Meglumine (Banamine) - NSAID; mainly used in horses for pain and colic

Phenylbutazone ("Bute") - NSAID; used in horses for lameness and inflammation

Ketamine* - Dissociative anesthetic; causes muscle stiffness, used with diazepam

Tiletamine* - Dissociative anesthetic; part of Telazol combo

Valium (Diazepam)* - Benzodiazepine; relaxes muscles and causes sedation

Propofol - Short

acting anesthetic; given slowly IV, can cause apnea

Lidocaine - Local anesthetic; also used for abnormal heart rhythms

Bupivacaine - Long

acting local anesthetic; used in dental and surgical blocks

Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) - Sedative; reversed with atipamezole, avoid in heart disease

Xylazine - Sedative; used in large animals, reversed with yohimbine

Acepromazine - Tranquilizer; may lower seizure threshold (controversial)

Apomorphine - Emetic; makes dogs vomit, given in the eye or injection

Thiopental - Short

acting anesthetic; not safe for greyhounds

Isoflurane - Inhalant anesthetic; most commonly used, can lower blood pressure

Sevoflurane - Inhalant anesthetic; faster acting and recovery than isoflurane

Halothane - Older gas anesthetic; not used much due to heart side effects

Furosemide (Lasix) - Diuretic; removes fluid in congestive heart failure

Enalapril - ACE inhibitor; helps treat high blood pressure and heart failure

Benazapril - ACE inhibitor; same use as enalapril, sometimes used for kidney support

Pimobendan (Vetmedin) - Inodilator; helps the heart pump better in heart failure

Spironolactone - Diuretic that saves potassium; used in heart disease

Amlodipine - Blood pressure medicine; often used in cats

Atropine - Increases heart rate; used in emergencies or anesthesia

Fenbendazole (Panacur) - Dewormer; treats roundworms, hookworms, Giardia

Sulfadimethoxine (Albon) - Treats coccidia (protozoal parasite)

Pyrantel - Dewormer; treats roundworms and hookworms

Emodepside + Praziquantel (Profender) - Topical dewormer for cats

Drontal Plus - Combo dewormer; treats tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms

Selamectin (Revolution) - Topical parasite control; treats fleas, mites, heartworms, and more

Ivermectin - Prevents heartworms; also used for mange, caution in Collie breeds

Milbemycin (Interceptor) - Prevents heartworm and treats intestinal parasites

Famotidine (Pepcid AC) - Reduces stomach acid; H2 blocker

Carafate (Sucralfate) - Protects stomach lining; "GI band

aid"

Metoclopramide (Reglan) - Speeds up upper GI movement; anti

nausea

Maropitant (Cerenia) - Prevents vomiting; works well in dogs and cats

Cisapride - Increases movement in both upper and lower GI; used in cats with megacolon

Omeprazole (Prilosec) - Proton pump inhibitor; reduces stomach acid

Misoprostol - Protects stomach lining; used with NSAIDs

Methocarbamol (Robaxin) - Muscle relaxer; used for toxins that cause tremors

Fluconazole - Antifungal; may cause liver issues

Ketoconazole - Antifungal; may cause liver issues

Itraconazole - Antifungal; used for tough fungal infections

Trilostane (Vetoryl) - Treats Cushing's disease by blocking adrenal hormones

Levothyroxine - Thyroid hormone replacement; treats hypothyroidism

Methimazole (Tapazole) - Blocks thyroid hormone; treats hyperthyroidism

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - Antihistamine; used for allergic reactions

Epinephrine - Used in emergencies for allergic reactions or cardiac arrest

Guafenisen - Muscle relaxant; used in large animal anesthesia

Pentobarbital* - Barbiturate used for euthanasia

Phenobarbital* - Barbiturate used to control seizures

Mirtazapine - Appetite stimulant; works in dogs and cats