Pharmacology Core Medications Review

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering drug classes, brand names, indications, dosing frequencies, adverse effects, black box warnings, and patient counseling instructions for top medications.

fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair, AirDuo)

Class: ICS / LABA. Indications: Asthma, COPD. Dosing: $1\text{ puff/inh BID}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: Oral thrush, tremors, tachycardia. Rinse mouth and spit after use.

budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort)

Class: ICS / LABA. Indications: Asthma, COPD. Dosing: $2\text{ puffs BID}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: Oral thrush, tremors, tachycardia. Rinse mouth and spit after use.

fluticasone/vilanterol (Breo Ellipta)

Class: ICS / LABA. Indications: Asthma, COPD. Dosing: $1\text{ inh D}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: Oral thrush, tremors, tachycardia. Rinse mouth and spit after use.

tiotropium (Spiriva)

Class: Long Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (LAMA). Indications: Asthma, COPD. Dosing: $1\text{ cap (2 inh) D}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: Dry mouth, cough. Do not swallow the capsule.

umeclidinium/vilanterol (Anoro Ellipta)

Class: LAMA / LABA. Indications: COPD. Dosing: $1\text{ inh D}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: Dry mouth, tremors, tachycardia.

montelukast (Singulair)

Class: Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist. Indications: Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis. Dosing: $10\,\text{mg D}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: BBW: Neuropsychiatric events. Take in the evening for asthma.

lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil)

Class: ACE Inhibitor. Indications: Hypertension, Heart Failure, CKD. Dosing: Once D. Adverse Effects and Notes: BBW: Fetal Toxicity. Dry cough, hyperkalemia, dizziness, angioedema.

losartan (Cozaar)

Class: Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB). Indications: Hypertension, Diabetic Nephropathy. Dosing: Once D. Adverse Effects and Notes: BBW: Fetal Toxicity. Hyperkalemia, dizziness, fatigue.

canagliflozin (Invokana)

Class: SGLT-2 Inhibitor. Indications: Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Failure, CKD. Dosing: Once D. Adverse Effects and Notes: Genital yeast infections, UTIs, polyuria, dehydration.

amlodipine (Norvasc)

Class: Calcium Channel Blocker (DHP). Indications: Hypertension, Angina. Dosing: Once D. Adverse Effects and Notes: Peripheral edema, headache, flushing, dizziness.

carvedilol (Coreg)

Class: Beta Blocker (Non-selective, Alpha-1 blocker). Indications: Heart Failure, Hypertension. Dosing: BID. Adverse Effects and Notes: Orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia. Take with food.

metoprolol succinate (Toprol XL)

Class: Beta Blocker (Cardioselective). Indications: Hypertension, Heart Failure. Dosing: Once D. Adverse Effects and Notes: Bradycardia, fatigue. XL formulation. Can mask hypoglycemia.

hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)

Class: Thiazide Diuretic. Indications: Hypertension, Edema. Dosing: Once D (AM). Adverse Effects and Notes: Hypokalemia, hyperuricemia, hypotension, photosensitivity.

rosuvastatin (Crestor)

Class: Statin. Indications: Hypercholesterolemia. Dosing: Once D. Adverse Effects and Notes: Myalgia, myopathy, elevated LFTs.

varenicline (Chantix)

Class: Nicotinic Receptor Partial Agonist. Indications: Smoking Cessation. Dosing: Titrated to $1\,\text{mg BID}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: Nausea, insomnia, vivid dreams. Take with food and water.

apixaban (Eliquis)

Class: Factor Xa Inhibitor (DOAC). Indications: AFib (nonvalvular), VTE. Dosing: $5\,\text{mg BID}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: BBW: Premature discontinuation increases thrombotic risk. Bleeding.

metformin (Glucophage)

Class: Biguanide. Indications: Type 2 Diabetes. Dosing: $500\text{--}1000\,\text{mg BID}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: BBW: Lactic acidosis. GI upset, diarrhea, B12 deficiency. Take with meals.

glipizide (Glucotrol)

Class: Sulfonylurea. Indications: Type 2 Diabetes. Dosing: $5\text{--}10\,\text{mg D or BID}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: Hypoglycemia, weight gain. Take 30 mins before a meal.

glargine 100u/ml (Lantus, Basaglar)

Class: Long-Acting Insulin. Indications: Diabetes Mellitus. Dosing: SubQ Once D. Adverse Effects and Notes: Hypoglycemia. Do not mix with other insulins in the same syringe.

glargine 300u/ml (Toujeo)

Class: Long-Acting Insulin. Indications: Diabetes Mellitus. Dosing: SubQ Once D. Adverse Effects and Notes: Hypoglycemia. Concentrated form.

albuterol (ProAir, Ventolin, Proventil)

Class: Short Acting Beta-2 Agonist (SABA). Indications: Asthma, COPD. Dosing: $1\text{--}2\text{ puffs q }4\text{--}6\text{ h prn}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: Tremors, nervousness, tachycardia, throat irritation. Clean mouthpiece regularly.

semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy)

Class: GLP-1 Agonist. Indications: Type 2 Diabetes, Weight Loss. Dosing: SubQ Once Weekly. Adverse Effects and Notes: BBW: Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin, Norco)

Class: Opioid Analgesic. Indications: Moderate to Severe Pain. Dosing: $1\text{--}2\text{ tabs q4--6h prn}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: BBW: Addiction, respiratory depression, hepatotoxicity. Constipation, drowsiness. Avoid alcohol.

oxycodone IR (Roxicodone)

Class: Opioid Analgesic. Indications: Moderate to Severe Pain. Dosing: $5\text{--}15\,\text{mg q4--6h prn}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: BBW: Addiction, respiratory depression. Constipation, drowsiness, nausea.

oxycodone ER (OxyContin)

Class: Opioid Analgesic. Indications: Severe Pain (chronic). Dosing: $10\text{--}40\,\text{mg q12h}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: BBW: Addiction, respiratory depression. Swallow whole; do not crush/chew.

tramadol (Ultram)

Class: Atypical Opioid Analgesic. Indications: Moderate Pain. Dosing: $50\text{--}100\,\text{mg q4--6h prn}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: BBW: Addiction, respiratory depression. Seizure risk. Nausea, dizziness.

cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)

Class: Skeletal Muscle Relaxant. Indications: Muscle Spasms. Dosing: $5\text{--}10\,\text{mg TID prn}$. Adverse Effects and Notes: Drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness. Avoid alcohol.