Top 300 Drugs

Acyclovir

Brand: Zovirax

Use: Herpes simplex (genital, cold sores), Herpes zoster (Shingles), and Varicella (Chickenpox)

MOA: inhibits DNA polymerase

ADR:

• Malaise (PLUS headache, nausea, neutropenia, nasopharyngitis)

• renal failiure, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Counseling points:

• Ensure hydration

• Start Tx asap (w/in 24h Sx)

Albuterol

Brand names: ProAir, Proventil, Ventolin

Use: Acute symptom relief in asthma and COPD, prevention of exercise-induced asthma

• considered RESCUE MED

MOA: Stimulates beta-2 receptors in the airways, causes bronchial smooth muscle relaxation

ADR:

• Tremor, nervousness/excitement, tachycardia, pharyngitis, rhinitis, upper respiratory infections

• Bronchospasm, pulmonary edema, arrhythmia

Same as Levalbuterol/Xopenex

Alendronate

Brand name: Fosamax, Binosto

Use: Osteoporosis prevention and treatment & steroid induced osteoporosis

MOA: Binds to bone hydroxyapatite and inhibits osteoclast activity

• effect: ↓ bone resorption, modulates bone metabolism, ↑ bone mineral density

Contraindications: hypocalcemia, esophageal abnormalities, inability to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes

ADRs:

• N/V, Dyspepsia, ↓ serum Ca2+

• Atypical femur fracture, osteonecrosis of the jaw, GI ulcer

Key counseling points

• Take first thing in the morning, ≥30 minutes before the first food, beverage (except plain water), or other medication(s) of the day

• Remain upright for ≥30 minutes after taking to reduce esophageal irritation

Allopurinol

Brand name: Zyloprim

MOA: Xanthine oxidase inhibitor

Use: Gout, hyperuricemia, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), kidney stones

ADRs: SJS/TENS, anemia, agranulocytosis, hepatotoxicity, renal failure

CI: HLA-B 5801 (+)

Counseling points:

• Take after meals to alleviate GI sx

• Drink plenty of water to prevent kidney stones

• Avoid alcohol and caffeine

Alprazolam

brand name: Xanax

MOA: enhances GABA transmission

Use: Anxiety, Panic disorder, sedation

BBW:

• concurrent use of BZDs with opioids

• abuse, Misuse, and addiction

• withdrawal

ADR: Sedation, weakness, dizziness, unsteadiness; rebound anxiety

Counseling points:

• anticipate use to be less than 4 weeks

• BEERs list

• requires slow titration and taper

Amiodarone

Brand name: Pacerone, Codarone

MOA: Class III antiarrhythmic agent

• inhibits adrenergic stimulation (alpha- and beta-blocking properties)

• prolongs the action potential and refractory period in myocardial tissue

• decreases AV conduction and sinus node function

Use: Atrial arrythmia, ventricular arrhythmia

BBW: Arrhythmias, hepatotoxicity, pulmonary toxicity

ADRs: Hepatotoxicity, Proarrhythmic effects, Pulmonary toxicity, Thyroid disease

Amitriptyline

Brand name: Elavil

MOA: TCA; NE and 5HT re-uptake blocked

Use: Depression in adults and childrenn 12-17 yo

ADR: urine discolaration, serotonin syndrome, seizures, mania, GI upset

BBW: suicide risk in those 24 years old and younger

Amlodopine

Brand Name: Norvasc

MOA: Inhibits calcium ions from entering slow channels of vascular smooth muscle during depolarization leading to vascular smooth muscle relaxation (vasodilation

Use: First-line antihypertensive, anti-anginal

ADRs: pulmonary & peripheral edema

Amoxicillin

Brand name: Amoxil

MOA: Beta lactam ABx

Covers: Gram-positive, Gram negative, and Anerobes

• Beta-hemolytic Strep (pyogenes, agalactiae

• Susceptible Enterococcus

• PSSA

ADRs: GI upset, allergic rx(check for cross reactivity)

Note: does not cover MSSA, Gram-Negative Anaerobes (B. fragilis), or Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid

Brand name; Augmentin

MOA: Beta lactam ABx

Covers: gram-positive, gram-negative coverage, and aerobes

Beta-hemolytic Strep (pyogenes, agalactiae)

Susceptible Enterococcus

MSSA

Gram-Negative Anaerobes (B. fragilis)

ADRs: GI upset, allergic rx(check for cross reactivity)

Note: Does not cover Pesudo

AMPHETAMINE/DEXTROAMPHETAMINE

Brand name: Adderall

MOA: block the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into the presynaptic neuron and increase the release of these monoamines into the extraneuronal space.

Use: ADHD, narcloepsy

ADR: Insomnia, HA, reduced appetite, GI upset, psychiatric effects(Psychosis/mania, Aggression/violent behavior, Severe anxiety/anxiety attack) growth retardation, CV events(MI, tachycardia, increased BP)

Clinical pearls:

• Additive adverse effects when used in combination with other psychostimulants (caffeine, modafanil,nicotine, etc.)

• MAOIs should not be used within 14 days of stimulants

ANASTROZOLE

Brand name: Arimidex

MOA: Aromatase Inhibitor

Use: Breast cancer(hormone receptor +)

CI: pregnancy

Apixaban

Brand name: Eliquis

MOA: Xa inhibitor

use: Atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis

BBW:

• Premature discontinuation increases risk of thrombotic events

• Increased risk of spinal hematoma with spinal puncture or neuraxial anesthesia

ADRs: bleeding

Counseling points:

• Severe bleeding can occur but is rare. It is common to bruise more easily or take a little longer for minor cuts to stop bleeding. You should call your doctor if you have dark tarry stools (sign of digested blood), you cough up blood, or have a bleeding cut that won’t stop.

• Avoid taking with NSAIDs

ATAZANAVIR

Brand name: Reyataz

MOA: Binds to HIV-1 protease activity and inhibits cleavage of Gag-Pol polyprotein precursors into functional proteins necessary for mature virions

Use: Combo only: HIV Tx with other antiretrovirals in Naïve or Previous virologic failure

ADRs: QTc prolongation, renal failure

DI: Antacid (separate dosing), Cyp 3a4, PR or QTc prolongers, oral contraceptives, PPI and H2 blockers

Tenormin

Brand name: atenolol

MOA: cardioselective β-adrenergic that decreases AV nodal conduction in supraventricular tachycardias and blockade of catecholamine-induced dysrhythmias.

Use: Heart failure, angina, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, hypertension

ADRs: Dizziness, fatigue, hypotension, bradycardia, or Heart failure(in those with fluid overload)

CI: sinus bradycardia, 2nd- or 3rd-degree AV block, overt heart failure or cardiogenic shock

Counseling points:

• This medication may cause dizziness. Often when starting beta-blockers patients may feel fatigued, though this generally goes away with time.

• Please avoid abruptly stopping this medication because it can cause rebound symptoms.

• If you have diabetes, this can mask the feeling of low blood glucose.

What are the classifications of Beta Blockers?