Group I Drugs Pharmacy

UNM COP

Levothyroxine Sodium

Brand Names: Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid

Levothyroxine - Therapeutic Class

Hormone / Thyroid

Levothyroxine - DEA Schedule

No Schedule

Levothyroxine - Primary Indication

TSH Suppression / Hypothyroidism

Levothyroxine - Adult Dose

150 micrograms

Levothyroxine - Dosage Form

Tablet, Capsule, Solution (PO)

Levothyroxine - Common (>10%) Side Effects

None Known

Levothyroxine - Less Common (1-10%) Side Effects

Decreased appetite, anxiety, diarrhea, insomnia

Levothyroxine - Rare but Serious Effects

Aggravation of preexisting cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, seizures, mania

Levothyroxine - Counseling Points

May take 6-8 weeks for improvement; take on an empty stomach with water 30 minutes before food; avoid iron and antacids within 4 hours

Atorvastatin Calcium

Brand Name: Lipitor

Atorvastatin - Therapeutic Class

Antihyperlipidemic

Atorvastatin - DEA Schedule

No Schedule

Atorvastatin - Primary Indication

Hypercholesterolemia

Atorvastatin - Adult Dose

20mg daily, 80mg daily

Atorvastatin - Dosage Form

Tablet, Capsule, Solution (PO)

Atorvastatin - Common (>10%) Side Effects

Myopathy, diarrhea, headache, nasopharyngitis

joint/muscle pain

Atorvastatin - Less Common (1-10%) Side Effects

Increased liver enzymes, indigestion, insomnia, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, nausea, increased HbA1c

Atorvastatin - Rare but Serious Effects

Rhabdomyolysis, tendon rupture, liver failure

Atorvastatin - Counseling Points

Avoid excessive alcohol; avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice; continue diet and exercise

Omeprazole

Brand Name: Prilosec

Omeprazole - Therapeutic Class

Gastric Antisecretory

Omeprazole - DEA Schedule

No Schedule

Omeprazole - Primary Indication

GERD

Omeprazole - Adult Dose

20 mg PO once daily

Omeprazole - Dosage Form

Tablet, Capsule, Solution (PO)

Omeprazole - Common (>10%) Side Effects

None Known

Omeprazole - Less Common (1-10%) Side Effects

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, rash, cough

Omeprazole - Rare but Serious Effects

Toxic epidermal necrolysis, C. difficile diarrhea, pancreatitis

Omeprazole - Counseling Points

Take 1 hour before meals

Losartan Potassium

Brand Name: Cozaar

Losartan - Therapeutic Class

Antihypertensive

Losartan - DEA Schedule

No Schedule

Losartan - Primary Indication

Hypertension

Losartan - Adult Dose

Initial 25-50 mg PO daily; maximum 100 mg/day

Losartan - Dosage Form

Tablet, Capsule, Solution (PO)

Losartan - Common (>10%) Side Effects

Headache

Losartan - Less Common (1-10%) Side Effects

Anorexia, back pain, constipation, dizziness

Losartan - Rare but Serious Effects

Angioedema, birth defects, hepatotoxicity

Losartan - Counseling Points

May take with or without food; avoid pregnancy; avoid sudden discontinuation

Amlodipine Besylate

Brand Name: Norvasc

Amlodipine - Therapeutic Class

Antihypertensive

Amlodipine - DEA Schedule

No Schedule

Amlodipine - Primary Indication

Hypertension

Amlodipine - Adult Dose

5-10 mg PO daily

Amlodipine - Dosage Form

Tablet, Capsule, Solution (PO)

Amlodipine - Common (>10%) Side Effects

Peripheral edema

Amlodipine - Less Common (1-10%) Side Effects

Abdominal pain, arthralgia, dizziness, fatigue

Amlodipine - Rare but Serious Effects

Hypersensitivity, hepatotoxicity, thrombocytopenia

Amlodipine - Counseling Points

Report hypotension or worsening angina; avoid alcohol; may cause dizziness

Gabapentin

Brand Name: Neurontin

Gabapentin - Therapeutic Class

Anticonvulsant / Antineuralgic

Gabapentin - DEA Schedule

No Schedule

Gabapentin - Primary Indication

Partial seizures (adjunct therapy), neuralgia

Gabapentin - Adult Dose

Initial 300 mg PO three times daily; up to 1800 mg/day in 3 divided doses

Gabapentin - Dosage Form

Tablet, Capsule, Solution (PO)

Gabapentin - Common (>10%) Side Effects

Ataxia, dizziness, somnolence, fatigue

Gabapentin - Less Common (1-10%) Side Effects

Blurred vision, diarrhea, hostile behavior

Gabapentin - Rare but Serious Effects

Stevens-Johnson syndrome, suicidal thoughts

Gabapentin - Counseling Points

First dose at bedtime; avoid activities requiring alertness until effects are known; take at least 2 hours after antacids

Lisinopril

Brand Names: Prinivil, Zestril

Lisinopril - Therapeutic Class

Antihypertensive

Lisinopril - DEA Schedule

No Schedule

Lisinopril - Primary Indication

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI)
heart failure

Lisinopril - Adult Dose

2.5-5 mg PO daily

Lisinopril - Dosage Form

Tablet, Capsule, Solution (PO)

Lisinopril - Common (>10%) Side Effects

Dizziness, hypotension

Lisinopril - Less Common (1-10%) Side Effects

Diarrhea, dry cough, headache

Lisinopril - Rare but Serious Effects

Angioedema, birth defects, hepatotoxicity

Lisinopril - Counseling Points

Avoid pregnancy; may take with or without food; use potassium supplements only under medical supervision

Metformin Hydrochloride

Brand Name: Glucophage XR

Metformin - Therapeutic Class

Antidiabetic

Metformin - DEA Schedule

No Schedule

Metformin - Primary Indication

Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Metformin - Adult Dose

500-1000 mg PO twice daily

Metformin - Dosage Form

Tablet, Capsule, Solution (PO)

Metformin - Common (>10%) Side Effects

Diarrhea, malabsorption, nausea

Metformin - Less Common (1-10%) Side Effects

Headache, indigestion, vitamin B12 deficiency

Metformin - Rare but Serious Effects

Lactic acidosis, hepatotoxicity, hemolytic anemia

Metformin - Counseling Points

Take with meals; XR may be taken with evening meal; drink plenty of fluids

Sertraline Hydrochloride

Brand Name: Zoloft

Sertraline - Therapeutic Class

Antidepressant

Sertraline - DEA Schedule

No Schedule

Sertraline - Primary Indication

Depression

Sertraline - Adult Dose

50 mg PO daily

Sertraline - Dosage Form

Tablet, Capsule, Solution (PO)

Sertraline - Common (>10%) Side Effects

Diarrhea, dry mouth, fatigue

Sertraline - Less Common (1-10%) Side Effects

Abdominal pain, anxiety, bleeding

Sertraline - Rare but Serious Effects

Serotonin syndrome, suicidal thoughts

Sertraline - Counseling Points

Avoid alcohol; avoid NSAIDs/aspirin unless directed; avoid abrupt discontinuation

Escitalopram Oxalate

Brand Name: Lexapro

Escitalopram - Therapeutic Class

Antidepressant

Escitalopram - DEA Schedule

No Schedule

Escitalopram - Primary Indication

Depression

Escitalopram - Adult Dose

10 mg PO daily

Escitalopram - Dosage Form

Tablet, Capsule, Solution (PO)

Escitalopram - Common (>10%) Side Effects

Diarrhea, headache, impotence

Escitalopram - Less Common (1-10%) Side Effects

Constipation, diaphoresis, dizziness

Escitalopram - Rare but Serious Effects

Serotonin syndrome, suicidal thoughts, acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

Escitalopram - Counseling Points

Avoid alcohol; avoid NSAIDs/aspirin unless directed; avoid abrupt discontinuation