Indications of Medications

Herbal supplement

A product derived from a plant that is used to treat an illness, condition, or disorder. They can be purchased as OTC formulas, and although they are regulated by the FDA, they are not monitored as closely as drugs.

Aloe Vera

Used topically for burns, cuts, scrapes, and psoriasis; taken orally for constipation and other gastrointestinal disorders

Coenzyme Q10

Hypertension, heart failure, and to reduce the muscle aches associated with statins

Echinacea

Respiratory infections

Evening primrose oil

Eczema/dermatitis

Fish oil

Hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, coronary artery disease, prevention of cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis

Garlic

Hypercholesterolemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease

Ginger

Nausea and vomiting

Ginkgo biloba

Enhancement of memory/cognition, dementia, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia

Ginseng

Improvement of immune function and mental performance

Glucosamine and chondroitin

Osteoarthritis

Green tea

Performance enhancement, prevention of cardiovascular disease, and prevention of cancer

Melatonin

Sleep disorders

Probiotics

Antibiotic-induced diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, and dermatitis

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Depression, anxiety

Vitamin

An organic molecule that is required for the normal growth and function of the human body.

Vitamin D (ergocalciferol, calcitriol, alfacalcidol)

Dietary deficiency, hypoparathyroidism, renal failure, prevention of osteoporosis, and topical treatment of psoriasis

Vitamin K (menadiol, phytomenadione)

Treatment of neonatal vitamin K deficiency, overtreatment with warfarin, dietary malabsorption, drug-induced malabsorption (e.g., cholestyramine), and hepatic cirrhosis induced clotting disorders

Vitamin B₁₂ (hydroxocobalamin, cyanocobalamin)

Treatment and prevention of deficiency, especially following gastric bypass surgery

Folic acid (vitamin B₉)

Prevention and treatment of folate deficiency, prevention of neural tube defects during pregnancy, and reduction of bone marrow toxicity in patients taking methotrexate

Minerals

Inorganic substances that are essential for normal body functions.

Calcium

Low calcium levels, high potassium levels (renal impairment), osteoporosis

Magnesium

Low magnesium levels, cardiac arrhythmias, severe asthma

Potassium

Low potassium levels (e.g., due to diuretic or corticosteroid use)

Iron

Treatment and prevention of deficiency, anemia

Indication

A condition, disease state, or reason for using a medication, device, or medical treatment.

Antihypertensive medications

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Antidepressant medications

Clinical depression

Thyroidectomy (surgical removal of the thyroid gland)

Hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer

Antacids

Heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux)

Antiemetic medications

Nausea/vomiting

Vasodilators/nitrate drugs

Angina (chest pain)

Anticoagulant medications

Blood clot, stroke, heart attack, prevention of blood clots following surgery

Diuretic medications

Edema (fluid buildup), hypertension

Inhaled corticosteroids

Asthma, COPD

Pseudoephedrine

Nasal/sinus congestion

Ibuprofen (Motrin)

Headache, joint pain, inflammation, swelling

Doxylamine (Unisom)

Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)

Anticonvulsant medications

Epilepsy/seizure disorders

Antipsychotic drugs

Psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder

Antibiotics

Bacterial infection

Insulin and Metformin

Diabetes mellitus

DMARDs

Rheumatoid arthritis

Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate)

Osteoporosis, fragile bones

Chemotherapy treatments

Cancer/malignancy

Dopamine agonists

Parkinson’s Disease

Nonprescription / OTC (Over the counter) drugs

Drugs that are pre-approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sale to patients without a prescription. The product packaging must contain complete product information and a drug facts panel that includes directions for use, warnings, active and inactive ingredients, and a telephone number to call with questions.

Spasmolytics

Also known as muscle relaxants. They are used to treat muscle spasms, muscle cramps, and muscle pains. This is done by reducing muscle tone and relaxing the muscles. They are also used to treat a variety of muscle conditions, including lower back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Short term usage is recommended since long term use can result in addiction, and some of them are C-IV medications

Carisoprodol

Soma
Muscle relaxant

Cyclobenzaprine

Amrix, Fexmid
Muscle relaxant

Methocarbamol

Robaxin
Muscle relaxant

Tizanidine

Zanaflex
Muscle relaxant

Baclofen

Lioresal
Muscle relaxant

Dantrolene

Dantrium
Muscle relaxant

Diazepam

Valium
Muscle relaxant