Top 200 Drugs Pharm Prac

What medication elements should be recognized for each drug?

Generic name, brand name, indication, dosing, side effects, counseling points, and how to tailor counseling to the patient

What are the general counseling tips for prescription medications?

Keep counseling simple, provide information relevant to the patient, and use reliable resources

What resources can help with adverse reactions and medication counseling?

Lexicomp, Micromedex, and UpToDate

What class are lisinopril, benazepril, and enalapril?

ACE inhibitors

What are the brand names for lisinopril, benazepril, and enalapril?

Lisinopril is Prinivil, benazepril is Lotensin, and enalapril is Vasotec

What are ACE inhibitors used for?

Hypertension, heart failure, post-MI management, and diabetic nephropathy

How are ACE inhibitors dosed?

Once daily or twice daily

What are common side effects of ACE inhibitors?

Dry cough, dizziness, hyperkalemia, and rare angioedema

What black box warning applies to ACE inhibitors?

Fetal toxicity, so they should be avoided in pregnancy

What potassium counseling is important with ACE inhibitors?

Use caution with salt substitutes and potassium supplements because they can increase hyperkalemia risk

What monitoring should patients do with ACE inhibitors?

Monitor blood pressure and keep a blood pressure log

What class are losartan, valsartan, and olmesartan?

Angiotensin II receptor blockers

What are the brand names for losartan, valsartan, and olmesartan?

Losartan is Cozaar, valsartan is Diovan, and olmesartan is Benicar

What are ARBs used for?

Hypertension, heart failure, post-MI management, and diabetic nephropathy

How are ARBs dosed?

Once daily

What are common side effects of ARBs?

Dizziness, less common dry cough, hyperkalemia, and rare angioedema

What black box warning applies to ARBs?

Fetal toxicity, so they should be avoided in pregnancy

What potassium counseling is important with ARBs?

Use caution with salt substitutes and potassium supplements because they can increase hyperkalemia risk

What monitoring should patients do with ARBs?

Monitor blood pressure and keep a blood pressure log

How do ACE inhibitors and ARBs compare for cough risk?

ACE inhibitors commonly cause dry cough, while ARBs cause dry cough less commonly

What class are hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone?

Thiazide diuretics

What are the brand names for hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone?

Hydrochlorothiazide is Hydrodiuril and chlorthalidone is Hygroton

What are thiazide diuretics used for?

Hypertension and rarely edema

How are thiazide diuretics dosed?

Once daily or twice daily, usually in the morning

Why should thiazide diuretics be taken in the morning?

To reduce nighttime urination from polyuria

What are common side effects of thiazide diuretics?

Polyuria, dizziness, photosensitivity, hyperglycemia, and electrolyte disturbances such as hypokalemia

What alcohol counseling is important with thiazide diuretics?

Alcohol may worsen orthostatic hypotension

What monitoring should patients do with thiazide diuretics?

Monitor blood pressure and keep a blood pressure log

What class is triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide?

Potassium-sparing/thiazide diuretic combination

What are the brand names for triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide?

Dyazide capsules and Maxzide tablets

What is triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide used for?

Hypertension and rarely edema

How is triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide dosed?

Once daily or twice daily, usually in the morning

What are common side effects of triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide?

Polyuria, dizziness, photosensitivity, and hyperglycemia

What monitoring should patients do with triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide?

Monitor blood pressure and keep a blood pressure log

What class is furosemide?

Loop diuretic

What is the brand name for furosemide?

Lasix

What is furosemide used for?

Edema from various causes and hypertension

How is furosemide dosed?

Variable dosing such as once daily, twice daily, or as needed, usually in the morning

What are common side effects of furosemide?

Polyuria, dizziness, photosensitivity, orthostatic hypotension, rash, and hypokalemia

What electrolyte issue can furosemide cause?

Hypokalemia

What supplementation may be needed with furosemide?

Potassium supplementation may be needed

What alcohol counseling is important with furosemide?

Alcohol may worsen orthostatic hypotension

What class is spironolactone?

Aldosterone antagonist

What is the brand name for spironolactone?

Aldactone

What is spironolactone used for?

Heart failure, primary hyperaldosteronism, and edema

How is spironolactone dosed?

Variable dosing such as once daily, twice daily, or as needed, usually in the morning

What are common side effects of spironolactone?

Polyuria, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, and hyperkalemia

What electrolyte issue can spironolactone cause?

Hyperkalemia

What potassium counseling is important with spironolactone?

Avoid salt substitutes and potassium supplements

What alcohol counseling is important with spironolactone?

Alcohol may worsen orthostatic hypotension

What class are amlodipine, diltiazem, and verapamil?

Calcium channel blockers

What are the brand names for amlodipine, diltiazem, and verapamil?

Amlodipine is Norvasc, diltiazem is Cardizem and others, and verapamil is Isoptin or Verelan

What are calcium channel blockers used for?

Hypertension, angina, and coronary artery disease

How are calcium channel blockers dosed?

Once daily

What are common side effects of calcium channel blockers?

Dizziness, flushing, fatigue, peripheral edema with amlodipine, and constipation with verapamil

Which calcium channel blocker commonly causes peripheral edema?

Amlodipine

Which calcium channel blocker commonly causes constipation?

Verapamil

Which calcium channel blocker is a dihydropyridine?

Amlodipine

Which calcium channel blocker is a benzothiazepine non-dihydropyridine?

Diltiazem

Which calcium channel blocker is a phenylalkylamine non-dihydropyridine?

Verapamil

What monitoring should patients do with calcium channel blockers?

Monitor blood pressure and keep a blood pressure log

What class are atenolol, metoprolol tartrate, metoprolol succinate, and carvedilol?

Beta blockers

What are the brand names for atenolol, metoprolol tartrate, metoprolol succinate, and carvedilol?

Atenolol is Tenormin, metoprolol tartrate is Lopressor, metoprolol succinate is Toprol XL, and carvedilol is Coreg

What are beta blockers used for?

Hypertension, angina, heart failure, and MI

How are beta blockers dosed?

Immediate-release products are usually twice daily, controlled-release products are usually once daily, and they are taken with food

What are common side effects of beta blockers?

Orthostatic hypotension, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and bradycardia

What discontinuation counseling is important with beta blockers?

Do not abruptly stop taking them

What respiratory condition requires caution with beta blockers?

Asthma

What class are atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin?

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

What are the brand names for atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin?

Atorvastatin is Lipitor, lovastatin is Mevacor, pravastatin is Pravachol, and simvastatin is Zocor

What are statins used for?

Hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and cardiovascular event prevention

How are statins dosed?

Once daily, often in the evening

What are important side effects of statins?

Myopathy and hepatic enzyme elevation

What lifestyle counseling is important with statins?

Modify risk factors for atherosclerosis

Which statins require grapefruit juice counseling?

Atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin

What grapefruit juice counseling applies to atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin?

Avoid more than 8 ounces of grapefruit juice per day

What pregnancy warning applies to statins?

Pregnancy Category X

What class is albuterol HFA?

Short-acting beta-2 agonist

What are brand names for albuterol HFA?

ProAir, Ventolin, and Proventil

What is albuterol HFA used for?

Bronchospasm

How is albuterol HFA dosed?

1 to 2 inhalations every 4 to 6 hours as needed

What are common side effects of albuterol HFA?

Tremor, nervousness, palpitations, tachycardia, and upper respiratory infection

What technique counseling is important with albuterol HFA?

Assess inhalation technique and consider a spacer

When may asthma therapy need to be stepped up with albuterol use?

If albuterol is needed more than 2 times per week for asthma

What class is fluticasone and salmeterol?

Inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta agonist combination

What is the brand name for fluticasone and salmeterol?

Advair

What is fluticasone and salmeterol used for?

Asthma and COPD

How is fluticasone and salmeterol dosed?

Twice daily

What are common side effects of fluticasone and salmeterol?

Thrush, upper respiratory infections, and pharyngitis

What technique counseling is important with fluticasone and salmeterol?

Assess inhalation technique

What mouth care counseling is important with fluticasone and salmeterol?

Rinse mouth after use

What class is ipratropium and albuterol Respimat?

SAMA and SABA combination

What is the brand name for ipratropium and albuterol Respimat?

Combivent Respimat

What is ipratropium and albuterol Respimat used for?

COPD

How is ipratropium and albuterol Respimat dosed?

Four times daily

What are common side effects of ipratropium and albuterol Respimat?

Tremor, nervousness, palpitations, tachycardia, upper respiratory infection, dry mouth, and urinary retention

What technique counseling is important with ipratropium and albuterol Respimat?

Assess inhalation technique

What class is tiotropium HandiHaler?

Long-acting muscarinic antagonist

What is the brand name for tiotropium HandiHaler?

Spiriva HandiHaler

What is tiotropium HandiHaler used for?

COPD