Mechanism of Action

Acetylcysteine

Hepatoprotective by restoring hepatic glutathione and enhancing the nontoxic sulfate conjugation of acetaminophen

Acyclovir

Inhibits DNA synthesis and viral replication by competing with deoxyguanosine triphosphate for viral DNA polymerase and being incorporated into viral DNA

Albuterol sulfate

Short acting beta 2 adrenergic agonist that relaxes bronchial smooth muscle

Alendronate

Adheres to sites of bone reabsorption, inhibiting osteoclast activity. Normal bone is formed on top of alendronate, which is then incorporated into the bone matrix

Allopurinol

Competitive inhibition of xanthine oxidase which prevents the conversion of hypoxanthine to xanthine to uric acid

Alprazolam

Binds to the GABA(A) receptor in the central nervous system and facilitates the action of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter

Alteplase

Initiates local fibrinolysis by binding to fibrin in the thrombus and converts entrapped plasminogen to plasmin

Amiodarone

Class III antiarrhythmic that lengthens cardiac action potential by prolonging intranodal conduction and refractoriness of the AV node

Amitriptyline

Prevents reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin at the presynaptic nerve terminal which increases activity at post synaptic terminals

Amlodipine

Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. Inhibits calcium influx in vascular smooth muscle (more than cardiac muscle)

Amoxicillin

Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis via acylation transpeptidase enzyme

Amoxicillin/Clavulanate

Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis via acylation transpeptidase enzyme and inhibition of beta-lactamase

Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine salts

Releases norepinephrine and dopamine from storage sites causing stimulation on adrenergic receptors

Ampicillin/Sulbactam

Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis via acylation transpeptidase enzyme and inhibition of beta-lactamase

Anastrozole

Selective non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor which prevents the conversion of androstenedione to estrone and testosterone to estradiol. This decreases tumor mass or delays tumor progression

Apixaban

Selectively inhibits Factor Xa which reduces thrombin formation

Aripiprazole

Action MAY be combination of partial agonist activity at dopamine type 2 receptor and serotonin (5-HT1A and antagonism effects at 5-HT2 receptors

Atenolol

Cardioselective beta 1 adrenergic blocker

Atomoxetine

MAY work by selective inhibition of the pre-synaptic norepinephrine transporter

Atorvastatin

Selective competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase

Azelastine

Histamine H1 receptor antagonist in peripheral tissues

Azithromycin

Suppresses protein synthesis by binding to the 50 S ribosomal subunit

Baclofen

MAY work through hyperpolarization of afferent terminals resulting in inhibition of monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes

Benzonatate

Topical anesthetic activity in respiratory stretch receptors

Bimatoprost (ophthalmic)

Synthetic prostaglandin analog which reduces intraocular pressure by increasing the outflow of the aqueous humor

Brimonidine Tartrate (ophthalmic)

Alpha 2 adrenergic agonist which reduced production of aqueous humor and increased outflow

Budesonide

Stimulates synthesis of anti-inflammatory proteins and enzymes

Budesonide/Formoterol

Stimulates synthesis of anti-inflammatory proteins and enzymes and long-acting beta 2 adrenergic receptor agonist

Bupropion

Blocks neuronal uptake of norepinephrine and dopamine in the central nervous system

Buspirone

MAY alter brain chemistry by increasing metabolism of norepinephrine, moderate presynaptic dopamine agonist, serotonin agonist

Butalbital, Acetaminophen and Caffeine

Butalbital - CNS depressant by activating inhibitory GABA receptors and inhibition of AMPA receptors. Acetaminophen - Inhibits CNS prostaglandin synthesis and block pain impulse generation. Caffeine - CNS stimulant by inhibition of phosphodiesterase increasing levels of c-AMP

Carbamazepine

Na+ channel antagonist; delays recovery of inactive Na+ channels

Carbidopa/Levodopa

Levodopa is a precursor to dopamine. Carbidopa is a DOPA-decarboxylase inhibitor and prevents the breakdown of levodopa before it crosses the blood brain barrier. Combined these increase the dopamine available to the central nervous system

Cariprazine

Partial agonist at D2 and 5-HT1A receptors, high affinity for dopamine, binds to histamine receptors

Carisoprodol

Central depressant resulting in musculoskeletal relaxation

Carvedilol

Non-selective beta- and alpha-1 adrenergic blocking activity

Cefazolin

Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis via acylation transpeptidase enzyme

Cefdinir

Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis via acylation transpeptidase enzyme

Cefepime

Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis via acylation transpeptidase enzyme

Ceftriaxone

Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis via acylation transpeptidase enzyme

Celecoxib

Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis through selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2

Cephalexin

Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis via acylation transpeptidase enzyme

Chlorhexidine

Disrupts the plasma membrane of the bacterial cell

Chlorthalidone

Inhibits reabsorption of sodium and chloride at the cortical diluting segment of the ascending loop of Henle

Ciprofloxacin

Prevents synthesis of bacterial DNA by interfering with the enzyme DNA gyrase

Cisatracurium

Competes with acetylcholine for cholinergic receptors inhibiting neuromuscular transmission

Citalopram

Blocks neuronal uptake of serotonin in the central nervous system

Clindamycin

Suppresses protein synthesis by binding to the 50 S ribosomal subunit

Clonazepam

Binds to the GABA(A) receptor in the central nervous system and facilitates the action of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter

Clonidine

Alpha 2 adrenergic receptor agonist resulting in reduced sympathetic outflow from the CNS

Clonidine ER

Alpha 2 adrenergic receptor agonist resulting in reduced sympathetic outflow from the CNS

Clopidogrel

Inhibits platelet aggregation by irreversibly modifying platelet receptors

Codeine phosphate with Guaifenesin

Guaifenesin thins bronchial mucus. Codeine suppresses the cough reflex in the medulla oblangata

Colestipol Hydrochloride

Binds bile acids which are then excreted in the feces

Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B-12)

Vitamin that is required for the synthesis of DNA and maintenance of normal erythropoiesis

Cyclobenzaprine

Acts in the brain stem to reduce tonic somatic motor activity

Cyclosporin Emulsion (ophthalmic)

Immunomodulator that may block the release of proinflammatory cytokines

Dapagliflozin

Inhibits sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) which increases urinary glucose excretion

Desvenlafaxine

Blocks neuronal uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system

Dexmedetomidine

Alpha 2 adrenergic receptor agonist

Diazepam

Binds to the GABA(A) receptor in the central nervous system and facilitates the action of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter

Diclofenac

Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis through non-specific inhibition of cyclooxygenase

Diclofenac (topical)

Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis through non-specific inhibition of cyclooxygenase

Dicyclomine

Inhibition of acetylcholine at postganglionic parasympathetic receptor sites in multiple tissues

Digoxin

Inhibits membrane bound Na+/K+ ATPase which increases intracellular Na+ concentration and a slightly decreased intracellular K+ concentration leading to increased extracellular Ca++ influx increased contraction force/velocity of heart

Diltiazem

Calcium channel blocker which inhibits calcium influx in vascular smooth muscle (more than in cardiac muscle)

Dipyridamole and Aspirin

Dipyridamole inhibits platelet aggregation. Aspirin inhibits prostaglandin and thromboxane A2 production

Divalproex sodium

MAY be related to voltage gated sodium channel blockade and increased brain levels of GABA

Dobutamine

Stimulates beta-2 and alpha-1 receptors to increase myocardial contractility and heart rate

Dofetilide

Class III antiarrhythmic. Blockade of cardiac ion channel carrying the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current

Donepezil

Reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor working centrally to increase acetylcholine available at cholinergic synapses

Dopamine

Agonist at dopaminergic, alpha-, and beta-adrenergic receptors; precursor for norepinephrine synthesis

Doxycycline

Prevents bacterial protein synthesis by competitively binding to the 30 S ribosomal subunit

Duloxetine

Blocks neuronal uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system

Empagliflozin

Inhibits sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) which increases urinary glucose excretion

Enoxaparin

Inhibits Factor Xa (and to a lesser extent IIa) which reduces thrombin formation

Ephedrine

Releases norepinephrine from tissue stores resulting in alpha- and beta-adrenergic stimulation

Epinephrine

Sympathomimetic catecholamine that acts on both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors causing vasoconstriction (alpha), cardiac stimulation (beta-1), and relaxation of bronchial smooth muscles (beta-2)

Epoprostenol

Directly stimulates vasodilation of all vascular beds. It activates intracellular adenylate cyclase which inhibits platelet aggregation.Also known as prostacyclin (PGI2).

Escitalopram

Blocks neuronal uptake of serotonin in the central nervous system

Esomeprazole

Inhibits H+/K+ ATPase enzyme system at the secretory surface of the gastric parietal cell

Estradiol

Replaces estrogen post menopause. Promotes growth and development of vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes, and enlargement of the breast

Eszopiclone

MOA unknown, thought to bind or interact with GABA receptor complexes

Evolocumab

Monoclonal antibody that binds PCSK9 to increase the number of LDL receptors available to clear LDL from the blood

Ezetimibe

Inhibits intestinal absorption of cholesterol and related phytosterols

Famotidine

Competitive inhibition of histamine at H2 receptors of the gastric parietal cells, which inhibits gastric acid secretion

Fenofibrate (nanocrystallized)

Activates peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-a resulting in increased lipolysis and elimination of triglycerides

Fentanyl Transdermal Patch

Opioid receptor agonist

Finasteride

Competitively inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha-reducatese, resulting in decreased metabolism of testosterone to DHT

Fluconazole

Inhibition of fungal ergosterol synthesis via inhibition of fungal C14 demethylase

Fluoxetine

Blocks neuronal uptake of serotonin in the central nervous system

Fluticasone furoate/Vilanterol

Stimulates synthesis of anti-inflammatory proteins and enzymes and long-acting beta 2 adrenergic receptor agonist

Fluticasone furoate/Umeclidinium bromide/ Vilanterol

Stimulates synthesis of anti-inflammatory proteins and enzymes, competitively inhibits action of M3 receptors in bronchial smooth muscle, and long-acting beta 2 adrenergic receptor agonist

Fluticasone propionate (nasal)

Stimulates synthesis of anti-inflammatory proteins and enzymes

Fluticasone/Salmeterol

Stimulates synthesis of anti-inflammatory proteins and enzymes and long-acting beta 2 adrenergic receptor agonist

Folic acid

Vitamin that is required for the synthesis of thymidylate, purine nucleotides, and maintenance of normal erythropoiesis

Fremanezumab-vfrm

Humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) ligand and blocks binding to the receptor

Furosemide

Loop diuretic which inhibits reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the proximal and distal tubules and in the loop of Henle

Gabapentin

Ca2+ channel antagonist; binds with alpha 2 subunit of Ca2+ channel

Glimepiride

Stimulates insulin synthesis and release from beta cells in the pancreatic islets