Most important NCLEX meds and their purpose

Insulin glargine

long-acting insulin

• no peak

NPH

intermediate-acting insulin

• onset 2-4 hrs

• peak in 4-12 hrs

Insulin lispro/aspart

Rapid acting

• peak 30 mins

Metformin

Treats T2 diabetes to help control blood sugar

Levothroxine

Hypothyroid tx by thyroid hormone replacement

Methimazole

Hyperthyroidism tx by blocking excess production of thyroid hormones

Lisinopril

ACE inhibitor used to treat:

• High BP

• Manage HF

• Improve survival post-MI

Hydromorphone

Potent prescription opioid used to treat moderate to severe pain

Methylergonovine (Methargine)

Used to prevent and control bleeding from the uterus after childbirth

Methotrexate

immune-system suppressant to treat:

• rheumatoid arthritis

• severe psoriasis

• certain types of cancer

Gabapentin

Calms overactive nerves and helps control certain types of seizures, nerve pain, and restless leg syndrome

Nitroglycerin

Vasodilator med used to treat angina

Oxytocin

natural hormone (or synthetic, AKA pitocin) that is used to accelerate/induce labor and control postpartum bleeding

Pantoprazole

PPI that lower stomach acid to treat acid reflux, heartburn, or damage to esophagus

Rispiridone

Atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar by acting on serotonin and dopamine receptors

Methylprednisolone

corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and suppress an overactive immune system in conditions like severe allergies, asthma, arthritis, and lupus

Haloperidol (Haldol)

1st gen antipsychotic

Budesonide/formoterol

long-term control of asthma/COPD

Vancomycin

Powerful antibiotic used to treat severe infections

• “Red man” syndrome

Piperacillin/tazobactam

broad-spectrum antibiotic

Clopidogrel

antiplatelet medication used to prevent dangerous blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes

Lithium

Electrolyte used to treat bipolar

Lithium safe range

0.4-1.2 meq/dL

>2 = very toxic

Zolpidem

prescription sedative-hypnotic medication used for the short-term treatment of insomnia

Esomeprazole

proton pump inhibitor used to decrease stomach acid and treat GERD, stomach ulcers, and erosive esophagitis

Amiodarone

Treat ventricular dysrhythmias

• Ventricular fib.

• V-Tach

• Pulseless V-Tach

Aripiprazole

atypical antipsychotic

Epoetin

Synthetic EPO to treat anemia

Risedronate

biphosphonate med used to prevent and treat bone loss

Pregabalin (Lyrica)

prescription medication used to treat nerve pain, fibromyalgia, and partial-onset seizures

Diltiazem (cardizem)

Treat high BP, angina, and atrial fib.

• CCB

Varenicline

smoking cessation aid

Furosemide

Loop diuretic used to treat high BP and fluid retention

• K+ wasting

Levofloxacin

fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections

Atorvastatin

statin medication to lower LDL and raise HDL to prevent MI’s and strokes

Sildenafil

treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial HTN

Sertraline

SSRI antidepressant

Fentanyl

Synthetic opioid

• 50-100x stronger than morphine

Fluticasone

corticosteroid medication used to reduce inflammation and reduce sx of allergies, asthma, and chronic nasal issues

Propranolol

beta-blocker that slows HR and decreases BP

Donepezil

Treat confusion and memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s

Rifampin

Antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis

Enoxaparin

Blood thinner used to treat and prevent DVTs

Adenosine

Treat supraventricular tachycardia

• temporarily causes asystole

Dutasteride

Treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Warfarin

anticoagulant used to treat and prevent clots

Phenytoin

Prevent seizures

Phenytoin safe levels

10-20 mg/L

Metronidazole

prescription antibiotic and anti-protozoal medication used to treat specific bacterial infections and parasite-driven conditions

Gentamicin

a powerful aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat severe, life-threatening bacterial infections

Digoxin

• Treat heart failure by strengthening heart

• Control HR in chronic a-fib by reducing electrical conduction speed through AV node

Digoxin safe levels

0.5-2 mg/dL

Memantine

treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

Oxycodone

strong prescription opioid medication used to relieve severe moderate-to-severe pain

Montelukast

prevent asthma attacks, manage seasonal or year-round allergies, and stop exercise-induced asthma

Atropine

Treat symptomatic bradycardia (e.g., low BP, fatigue, SOB/low O2, dizziness)

Lorazapam (Ativan)

Benzodiazepine used to slow down CNS to treat anxiety, severe agitation, and active seizures (status epilepticus)

Aminophylline

bronchodilator med used to treat asthma/COPD

Aminophylline safe levels

10-20 mg/dL

Aripiprazole

atypical antipsychotic

Varenicline

smoking cessation aid