N5375 Pharmacology – Exam 3 Drug List

Vocabulary flashcards covering major immune-modulating agents, antihistamines, analgesics/NSAIDs, GI medications, laxatives, antiemetics, antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals from the Exam 3 drug list.

Cyclosporine

Calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressant used to prevent organ-transplant rejection and treat autoimmune disorders

Tacrolimus

More potent calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressant; first-line for preventing solid-organ transplant rejection

Epinephrine

Endogenous α/β-adrenergic agonist; first-line drug for anaphylaxis, severe asthma, and cardiac arrest

Methotrexate

Folate-antagonist antimetabolite; disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) and anticancer agent

Diphenhydramine

First-generation H1 antihistamine with strong sedative and anticholinergic effects

Hydroxyzine

First-generation H1 blocker used for pruritus, anxiety, and pre-op sedation

Loratadine

Second-generation (non-sedating) H1 antihistamine for allergic rhinitis and urticaria

Fexofenadine

Long-acting, non-sedating second-generation H1 antihistamine

Cetirizine

Second-generation H1 blocker; low sedation; used for seasonal allergies

Naproxen / Naproxen sodium

Nonselective NSAID; reversible COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor for pain, fever, inflammation

Ibuprofen

Prototype nonselective NSAID for mild-to-moderate pain, fever, and inflammation

Celecoxib

Selective COX-2 inhibitor NSAID with lower GI toxicity but ↑ risk of thrombosis

Acetaminophen

Central COX inhibitor; analgesic/antipyretic with minimal anti-inflammatory effect

Aspirin

Irreversible COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor; antiplatelet at low doses, analgesic/antipyretic at higher doses

Acetylcysteine

Glutathione precursor used as antidote for acetaminophen toxicity and as mucolytic

Talicia

Combination of omeprazole, amoxicillin, and rifabutin for H. pylori eradication

Famotidine

H2-receptor antagonist that decreases gastric acid secretion

Ranitidine

H2 blocker (withdrawn in many markets due to NDMA impurity concerns)

Cimetidine

Prototype H2 blocker; notable for CYP450 inhibition and anti-androgen effects

Omeprazole

Proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) that irreversibly blocks gastric H⁺/K⁺-ATPase

Esomeprazole

S-isomer of omeprazole; PPI for GERD and ulcer disease

Pantoprazole

PPI available IV and PO; used for stress-ulcer prophylaxis and GERD

Lansoprazole

PPI used for gastric/duodenal ulcers and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Calcium carbonate

Fast-acting antacid that may cause rebound acid secretion and constipation

Magnesium hydroxide

Antacid and osmotic laxative; may cause diarrhea and hypermagnesemia

Aluminum hydroxide

Antacid that can cause constipation and hypophosphatemia

Sucralfate

Aluminum sucrose sulfate that binds ulcer base forming protective barrier

Bismuth subsalicylate

Mucosal protectant and anti-secretory agent; also used for traveler’s diarrhea

Psyllium

Bulk-forming fiber laxative that absorbs water to soften stool

Docusate sodium

Emollient (stool softener) that promotes water and fat penetration of stool

Bisacodyl

Stimulant laxative that directly irritates colonic mucosa to induce peristalsis

Senna

Anthraquinone stimulant laxative; may cause brown-pigmented colon (melanosis coli)

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)

Osmotic laxative used for chronic constipation and bowel preparation

Mineral oil

Lubricant laxative that coats stool and intestinal wall; risk of lipid pneumonia if aspirated

Loperamide

Peripheral µ-opioid-receptor agonist; first-line anti-diarrheal without CNS effects

Lorazepam (as antiemetic)

Benzodiazepine used for anticipatory nausea and vomiting, esp. with chemotherapy

Beclomethasone (as antiemetic)

Corticosteroid that reduces chemotherapy-induced nausea via anti-inflammatory effects

Scopolamine

Muscarinic antagonist transdermal patch for motion-sickness prophylaxis

Cannabis (dronabinol)

CB1 agonist used for chemotherapy-induced nausea and appetite stimulation

Ondansetron

Selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist; gold standard for postoperative and chemo-induced nausea

Metoclopramide

D2 antagonist and prokinetic agent used for gastroparesis and antiemesis

Promethazine

Phenothiazine H1 blocker with strong antiemetic and sedative properties

Hyoscyamine

Anticholinergic antispasmodic for IBS-related abdominal cramping

Penicillin G

Natural penicillin active mainly against Gram-positive cocci and syphilis

Nafcillin

Penicillinase-resistant penicillin for MSSA infections

Ampicillin

Aminopenicillin with extended Gram-negative coverage; drug of choice for Listeria

Amoxicillin

Oral aminopenicillin; first-line for otitis media, sinusitis, H. pylori (with PPI)

Piperacillin

Extended-spectrum ureidopenicillin active against Pseudomonas

Piperacillin–Tazobactam

Piperacillin plus β-lactamase inhibitor; broadest penicillin coverage including anaerobes

Amoxicillin–Clavulanate

Oral aminopenicillin plus β-lactamase inhibitor; covers β-lactamase–producing bacteria

Cefepime

4th-generation cephalosporin with broad Gram-negative including Pseudomonas and good Gram-positive coverage

Ceftriaxone

3rd-generation cephalosporin; first-line for community-acquired pneumonia, meningitis, gonorrhea

Cefdinir

Oral 3rd-generation cephalosporin for respiratory and skin infections

Cefixime

Oral 3rd-generation cephalosporin used for uncomplicated UTIs and gonorrhea

Meropenem

Carbapenem resistant to most β-lactamases; broadest antibacterial spectrum

Imipenem

Carbapenem given with cilastatin to inhibit renal metabolism; broad Gram-positive/negative and anaerobe coverage

Vancomycin

Glycopeptide inhibiting cell-wall synthesis; treats MRSA and C. difficile (oral)

Erythromycin

Macrolide that inhibits 50S ribosome; used for atypical pneumonia and whooping cough

Clarithromycin

Macrolide for H. pylori triple therapy and respiratory infections

Azithromycin

Long-acting macrolide; first-line for chlamydia and atypical pneumonia

Doxycycline

Tetracycline with broad coverage; used for Lyme disease, acne, and malaria prophylaxis

Gentamicin

Aminoglycoside for severe Gram-negative sepsis; nephro- and ototoxic

Streptomycin

First aminoglycoside; used as 2nd-line agent for TB and plague

Neomycin

Topical/neomycin PO for bowel decontamination; high nephro/ototoxicity when systemic

Tobramycin

Aminoglycoside similar to gentamicin with enhanced Pseudomonas activity

Clindamycin

Lincosamide; excellent anaerobic and Gram-positive coverage; risk of C. difficile colitis

Nitrofurantoin

Urinary antiseptic; first-line for uncomplicated cystitis especially in pregnancy

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole

Synergistic folate-pathway inhibitors; treats UTIs, MRSA skin infections, Pneumocystis

Rifampin

RNA polymerase inhibitor; cornerstone of TB therapy and meningococcal prophylaxis

Isoniazid

Inhibits mycolic-acid synthesis; first-line for latent and active TB

Pyrazinamide

TB drug active in acidic intracellular environment; hepatotoxic and hyperuricemia

Ethambutol

TB drug inhibiting arabinosyl transferase; can cause optic neuritis and red–green color blindness

Levofloxacin

Respiratory fluoroquinolone; inhibits DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV

Ciprofloxacin

Fluoroquinolone with strong Gram-negative/Pseudomonas coverage; inhibits DNA gyrase

Metronidazole

Prodrug active against anaerobes and protozoa; disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol

Amphotericin B

Polyene antifungal that binds ergosterol; broadest systemic coverage but highly nephrotoxic

Fluconazole

Triazole antifungal; first-line for Candida and cryptococcal meningitis maintenance

Ketoconazole

Imidazole antifungal; endocrine side effects due to steroid inhibition

Itraconazole

Triazole for histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, and onychomycosis

Nystatin

Topical/oral polyene for cutaneous, oral, and GI Candida infections

Valacyclovir

Prodrug of acyclovir with higher oral bioavailability; HSV and VZV therapy/prophylaxis

Acyclovir

Guanosine analog activated by viral thymidine kinase; treats HSV-1/2, VZV, some CMV