Anti-infective

Acyclovir

Zovirax | Antiviral | Viral DNA polymerase inhibitor | Hydrate and start ASAP for HSV/VZV | Nausea, headache

Albendazole

Albenza | Anthelmintic | Inhibits microtubule formation in parasites | Take as directed for parasitic infections | GI upset, elevated LFTs

Amoxicillin

Amoxil | Penicillin (Beta-lactam) | Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis | Finish full course | Diarrhea, rash

Amoxicillin/Clavulanate

Augmentin | Penicillin + Beta-lactamase inhibitor | Clavulanate protects amoxicillin from degradation | Take with food | Diarrhea, candidiasis

Atazanavir

Reyataz | HIV Protease Inhibitor | Prevents maturation of HIV virions | Take with food; avoid PPIs | Hyperbilirubinemia, rash

Azithromycin

Zithromax (Z-Pak) | Macrolide | Binds 50S ribosomal subunit | Complete therapy | GI upset, QT prolongation

Baricitinib

Olumiant | JAK Inhibitor | Suppresses immune signaling pathways | Monitor for infections | DVT, PE, elevated LFTs

Cefdinir

Omnicef | 3rd Generation Cephalosporin | Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis | Separate from iron by 2 hr | Diarrhea, yeast infection

Cefuroxime

Ceftin | 2nd Generation Cephalosporin | Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis | Complete therapy | Diarrhea, rash

Cephalexin

Keflex | 1st Generation Cephalosporin | Binds PBPs inhibiting cell wall synthesis | Complete therapy | Nausea, rash

Chlorhexidine

Peridex/Hibiclens | Antiseptic | Disrupts bacterial membranes | Do not swallow mouth rinse | Tooth staining

Ciprofloxacin

Cipro | Fluoroquinolone | Inhibits DNA gyrase/topoisomerase | Avoid antacids, calcium, iron | Tendon rupture, photosensitivity

Clarithromycin

Biaxin | Macrolide | Binds 50S ribosomal subunit | Take ER with food | Metallic taste, GI upset

Clindamycin

Cleocin | Lincosamide | Binds 50S ribosomal subunit | Take with full glass of water | C. difficile diarrhea

COVID Vaccine

Comirnaty/Spikevax | mRNA Vaccine | Produces spike protein immunity | Complete vaccine series | Fever, injection site reactions

Doxycycline

Vibramycin | Tetracycline | Binds 30S ribosomal subunit | Avoid dairy; wear sunscreen | Photosensitivity, tooth discoloration

Efavirenz

Sustiva | NNRTI | Inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase | Take at bedtime | Vivid dreams, depression

Elbasvir/Grazoprevir

Zepatier | Hepatitis C Antiviral | NS5A + NS3/4A inhibition | Monitor LFTs | Fatigue, headache

Emtricitabine/Tenofovir

Truvada | NRTI Combination | Inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase | Consider Ca/Vit D supplementation | Elevated LFTs

Entecavir

Baraclude | Hepatitis B Antiviral | Inhibits HBV polymerase | Take on empty stomach | Nausea, elevated LFTs

Erythromycin

Erythrocin | Macrolide | Binds 50S ribosomal subunit | Avoid grapefruit juice | GI upset

Fidaxomicin

Dificid | Macrolide-like Antibiotic | Inhibits C. difficile RNA synthesis | Used for C. difficile | GI upset

Fluconazole

Diflucan | Azole Antifungal | Inhibits ergosterol synthesis | Many drug interactions | Headache

Gatifloxacin

Zymaxid | Ophthalmic Fluoroquinolone | Inhibits DNA gyrase | Complete therapy | Eye irritation

Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir

Mavyret | Hepatitis C Antiviral | NS3/4A + NS5A inhibitor | Take with food | Fatigue, nausea

Haemophilus influenzae Vaccine

ActHIB | Inactivated Vaccine | Active immunity against H. influenzae type B | Complete vaccine series | Injection site reactions

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Havrix | Inactivated Vaccine | Active immunity against Hep A | Complete vaccine series | Injection site reactions

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Engerix-B | Inactivated Vaccine | Active immunity against Hep B | Complete vaccine series | Injection site reactions

HPV Vaccine

Gardasil 9 | Inactivated Vaccine | Prevents HPV infection | Complete vaccine series | Myalgia, injection site reactions

Hydroxychloroquine

Plaquenil | Antimalarial/DMARD | Immune modulation | Take with food | Retinal toxicity

Imiquimod

Zyclara | Immune Response Modifier | Stimulates local immune response | Apply at bedtime | Skin irritation

Influenza Vaccine

Fluzone/Fluad | Inactivated Vaccine | Active immunity against influenza | Annual vaccination | Fever, soreness

Ketoconazole

Nizoral | Azole Antifungal | Inhibits fungal ergosterol synthesis | Avoid eyes and mouth | Local irritation

Levofloxacin

Levaquin | Fluoroquinolone | Inhibits DNA gyrase | Avoid dairy and antacids | Tendon rupture, photosensitivity

Maraviroc

Selzentry | CCR5 Antagonist | Prevents HIV entry into cells | Avoid grapefruit | Rash, cough

Measles/Mumps/Rubella Vaccine

Priorix | Live Vaccine | Active immunity against MMR | Avoid pregnancy for 1 month | Mild rash, fever

Meningococcal Vaccine

Menveo/Bexsero | Inactivated Vaccine | Active immunity against meningococcal disease | College students often require boosters | Injection site reactions

Metronidazole

Flagyl | Nitroimidazole | Creates toxic metabolites in anaerobes | NO ALCOHOL | Metallic taste, GI upset

Minocycline

Minocin | Tetracycline | Binds 30S ribosomal subunit | Avoid dairy and sun exposure | Dizziness, tooth discoloration

Moxifloxacin

Avelox | Fluoroquinolone | Inhibits DNA gyrase | Avoid antacids | QT prolongation

Mupirocin

Bactroban | Topical Antibiotic | Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis | External use only | Local irritation

Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir

Paxlovid | COVID Antiviral | Protease inhibitor | Start within 5 days of symptoms | Drug interactions

Nitazoxanide

Alinia | Antiprotozoal | Inhibits anaerobic metabolism | Take with food | GI upset

Nitrofurantoin

Macrobid | Urinary Antibiotic | Damages bacterial DNA | May turn urine brown | Urine discoloration

Nystatin

Bio-Statin | Polyene Antifungal | Binds ergosterol causing fungal cell death | Swish and swallow for thrush | GI upset

Oseltamivir

Tamiflu | Neuraminidase Inhibitor | Prevents viral release | Start ASAP after symptoms | Nausea, vomiting

Penicillin VK

Penicillin | Beta-lactam Antibiotic | Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis | Take on empty stomach | Rash, diarrhea

Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim

Polytrim | Ophthalmic Antibiotic | Disrupts bacterial membranes | Remove contacts during treatment | Burning, stinging

Raltegravir

Isentress | Integrase Inhibitor | Prevents HIV DNA integration | May crush chewable tablets | Elevated LFTs

RSV Vaccine

Arexvy/Abrysvo | Vaccine | Active immunity against RSV | No prophylactic NSAIDs before vaccine | Injection site reactions

Sofosbuvir

Sovaldi | Hepatitis C Antiviral | RNA polymerase inhibitor | Pregnancy precautions | Anemia

TMP/SMX

Bactrim | Sulfonamide Antibiotic | Blocks folate synthesis | Wear sunscreen | Photosensitivity, rash

Valacyclovir

Valtrex | Antiviral | Viral DNA polymerase inhibitor | Maintain hydration | Malaise, neutropenia

Varicella Vaccine

Varivax | Live Vaccine | Active immunity against chickenpox | Avoid pregnancy 1-3 months | Fever, rash

Zoster Vaccine

Shingrix | Recombinant Vaccine | Prevents shingles | Not 100% effective | Flu-like symptoms