Top 25: Generic Names, Brand Names, Drug Classes, Approved Uses, Adult Doses, Crush, Common Side Effects, & Black Box Warnings

Atorvastatin:

• The brand name of atorvastatin is Lipitor

• The drug class of atorvastatin is HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)

• The approved use for atorvastatin is hypercholesterolemia

• The normal adult dose of atorvastatin is 10-80mg PO qD

• Can atorvastatin tablets be crushed: yes

• Some common adverse rxns of atorvastatin are diarrhea, arthralgia, nasopharyngitis, nausea, UTI, insomnia, limb pain, myalgia, and pharyngolaryngeal pain

Levothyroxine:

• The brand names of levothyroxine are Synthroid, Levoxyl, and Levothroid

• The drug class of levothyroxine is thyroid hormone

• The approved use for levothyroxine is hypothyroidism

• the normal adult dose of levothyroxine is individualized PO/IM/IV qD

• Can you crush levothyroxine tablets: yes

• Some common adverse rxns of levothyroxine are palpitations, nervousness, tremor, diarrhea, insomnia, fever, alopecia, heat intolerance, nausea, rash, and diaphoresis

• The Black Box Warning for levothyroxine is it is not to be used for weight loss

Lisinopril:

• The brand names of lisinopril are Prinivil and Zestril

• The drug class of lisinopril is Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor

• The approved uses for lisinopril are hypertension and heart failure

• The normal adult dose of lisinopril is 5-40mg PO qD

• Can you crush lisinopril tablets: yes

• Some common adverse rxns of lisinopril are dizziness, hypotension, hyperkalemia, cough, headache, fatigue, and photosensitivity

• The Black Box Warning for lisinopril is do not use during pregnancy

Metformin:

• The brand names of metformin are Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, and Fortamet

• The drug class of metformin is biguanide

• The approved use for metformin is type 2 diabetes

• The normal adult dose of metformin is 500-1000mg PO BID

• Can you crush metformin tablets: NOT the ER Form

• Some common adverse rxns of metformin are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia, headache, and asthenia

• The Black Box Warning for lisinopril is it may cause lactic acidosis

Amlodipine:

• The brand name of amlodipine is Norvasc

• The drug class of amlodipine is calcium channel blocker (CCB)

• The approved uses for amlodipine are hypertension and heart failure

• The normal adult dose of amlodipine is 5-10mg PO qD

• Can you crush amlodipine tablets: yes

• Some common adverse rxns of amlodipine are peripheral edema, fatigue, flushing, palpitations, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, and pruritus

Metoprolol:

• The brand names of metoprolol are Lopressor and Toprol-XL

• The drug class of metoprolol is selective beta-adrenergic blocker (B1)

• The approved uses for metoprolol are hypertension, angina, prevention of cardiovascular event, and migraine relief

• The normal adult dose of metoprolol is 50-100mg PO BID -or- 50-200mg ER PO qD

• Can you crush metoprolol tablets: NOT the ER form

• Some common adverse rxns of metoprolol are hypotension, bradycardia, pruritus, diarrhea, depression, dizziness, and bronchospasm

• The Black Box Warning for metoprolol is do not stop abruptly - taper dose

Albuterol (inhaled):

• The brand names for albuterol are ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA, and Ventolin HFA

• The drug class of albuterol is inhaled short acting beta-2 agonist

• The approved use for albuterol is bronchospasm

• The normal adult dose of albuterol is 1-2 puffs q4-6hr prn

• Some common adverse rxns of albuterol are nervousness, tremor, exacerbation of asthma, pharyngitis, tachycardia, dizziness, increased serum glucose, nausea, throat irritation, and diarrhea

Omeprazole:

• The brand name of omeprazole is Prilosec

• The drug class of omeprazole is proton pump inhibitor (PPI)

• The approved uses for omeprazole are GERD, gastric ulcers, and H. pylori infection

• The normal adult dose of omeprazole is 20mg PO qD

• Can you crush omeprazole tablets: NO

• Some common adverse rxns of omeprazole are diarrhea, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, dizziness, rash, and upper respiratory influx

Losartan:

• The brand name of losartan is Cozaar

• The drug class of losartan is angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)

• The approved uses of losartan are hypertension, diabetic neuropathy, and stroke prevention

• The normal adult dose of losartan is 50-100mg PO qD

• Can you crush losartan tablets: yes

• Some common adverse rxns of losartan are upper respiratory influx, hypotension, dizziness, nephropathy, cough, headache, and vertigo

• The Black Box Warning of losartan is it is not to be used during pregnancy

Simvastatin:

• The brand name of simvastatin is Zocor

• The drug class of simvastatin is HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)

• The approved uses of simvastatin are hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and cardiovascular event prevention

• The normal adult dose of simvastatin is 5-40mg PO qPM

• Can you crush simvastatin tablets: yes

• Some common adverse rxns of simvastatin are upper respiration influx, headache, abdominal pain, constipation, gastritis, atrial fibrillation, and vertigo

Gabapentin:

• The brand names of gabapentin are Neurontin and Horizant

• The drug class of gabapentin is anticonvulsant

• The approved uses for gabapentin are partial seizures and neuralgia

• The normal adult dose of gabapentin is 300-1200mg PO TID

• Can you crush gabapentin tablets: NOT the XR Form

• Some common adverse rxns of gabapentin are dizziness, ataxia, fatigue, nystagmus, tremor, diarrhea, headache, depression, amnesia, asthenia, hostility, and amblyopia

Hydrocodone + Acetaminophen:

• The brand names of hydrocodone + acetaminophen are Norco and Lortab

• The drug class of hydrocodone + acetaminophen is narcotic + non-narcotic opioid combination

• The approved use for hydrocodone + acetaminophen is moderate to severe pain

• The normal adult dose of hydrocodone + acetaminophen is 2.5-10mg hydrocodone PO q4-6hr prn

• Can you crush hydrocodone + acetaminophen tablets: yes

• Some common adverse rxns of hydrocodone + acetaminophen are constipation, nausea, headache, vomiting, anxiety, UTI, insomnia, dizziness, fatigue, and diarrhea

• The Black Box Warning of hydrocodone + acetaminophen is to avoid doses of APAP >4000mg per day (associated with cases of acute liver failure)

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• The brand names of hydrochlorothiazide are Microzide and Esidrix

• The drug class of hydrochlorothiazide is thiazide diuretic

• The approved uses for hydrochlorothiazide are hypertension and peripheral edema

• The normal adult dose of hydrochlorothiazide is 12.5-50mg PO qD

• Can you crush hydrochlorothiazide tablets: yes

• Some common adverse rxns of hydrochlorothiazide are hypokalemia, hypochloremia, hyponatremia, hyperuricemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, dizziness, headache, rash, and photosensitivity

Sertraline:

• The brand name of sertraline is Zoloft

• The drug class of sertraline is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

• The approved uses for sertraline are major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic disorder

• The normal adult dose of sertraline is 50-200mg PO qD

• Can you crush sertraline tablets: yes

• Some common adverse rxns of sertraline are nausea, diarrhea, xerostomia, palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, tremor, agitation, constipation, decreased libido, and decreased appetite

• The Black Box Warning of sertraline is it may cause suicidal thought in children and young adults

Montelukast:

• The brand name of montelukast is Singulair

• The drug class of montelukast is leukotriene inhibitor

• the approved uses for montelukast are bronchospasm and allergic rhinitis

• The normal adult dose of montelukast is 10mg PO qPM

• Can you crush montelukast tablets: yes

• Some common adverse rxns of montelukast are headache, abdominal pain, cough, diarrhea, nausea, dyspepsia, rash, anxiety, and tremor

• The Black Box Warning of montelukast is it may cause serious neuropsychological events, increased agitation, aggression, depression, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, etc.

Fluticasone (inhaled):

• The brand names of fluticasone are Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus

• The drug class of fluticasone is inhaled corticosteroid

• The approved use for fluticasone is asthma

• The normal adult dose of fluticasone is Diskus: 1-2 puffs BID and HFA: 2-4 puffs BID

• Some common adverse rxns of fluticasone are headache, throat irritation, candidiasis, hoarseness, cough, nausea, and arthralgia

Amoxicillin:

• The brand names of amoxicillin are Amoxil and Moxatag

• The drug class of amoxicillin is penicillin antibiotic (beta-lactam)

• The approved use of amoxicillin is bacterial infections

• The normal adult dose of amoxicillin is 250-500mg q8hr

• Can you crush amoxicillin tablets: NOT the XR Form

• Some common adverse rxns of amoxicillin are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash

Furosemide:

• The brand name of furosemide is Lasix

• The drug class of furosemide is loop diuretic

• The approved use of furosemide is edema

• The normal adult dose of furosemide is 40-120mg PO divided qD-BID

• Can you crush furosemide tablets: yes

• Some common adverse rxns of furosemide are dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, hypokalemia, rash, and hypomagnesemia

• The Black Box Warning for furosemide is in excess amounts it can cause profound water and electrolyte depletion

Pantoprazole:

• The brand name of pantoprazole is Protonix

• The drug class of pantoprazole is proton pump inhibitor (PPI)

• The approved uses for pantoprazole are GERD and H. pylori infection

• The normal adult dose of pantoprazole is 20mg PO/IV qD

• Can you crush pantoprazole tablets: NO

• Some common adverse rxns of pantoprazole are diarrhea, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, dizziness, vertigo, and myalgia

Prednisone:

• The brand names of prednisone are Sterapred and Sterapred DS

• The drug class of prednisone is corticosteroid

• The approved uses for prednisone are asthma, inflammation, adrenal insufficiency, gout, and multiple-sclerosis

• The normal adult dose of prednisone is 5-60mg PO qD

• Can you crush prednisone tablets: NOT the DR Form

• Some common adverse rxns of prednisone are hirsutism, weight gain, erythema, abdominal discomfort, rash, nausea, vomiting, fluid retention, dizziness, anxiety, and depression

Escitalopram:

• The brand name of escitalopram is Lexapro

• The drug class of escitalopram is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

• The approved uses of escitalopram are major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder

• The normal adult dose of escitalopram is 10mg PO qD

• Can you crush escitalopram tablets: yes

• Some common adverse rxns of escitalopram are nausea, headache, ejaculatory dysfunction, insomnia, fatigue, dizziness, constipation, anorexia, abnormal dreams, and abdominal pain

• The Black Box Warning for escitalopram is it may cause suicidal thoughts in children and young adults

Fluoxetine:

• The brand names of fluoxetine are Prozac and Sarafem

• The drug class of fluoxetine is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

• The approved uses for fluoxetine are major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder

• The normal adult dose of fluoxetine is 20-80mg PO qAM

• Can you crush fluoxetine tablets: NOT the DR Form

• Some common adverse rxns of fluoxetine are nausea, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, constipation, anorexia, abnormal dreams, nervousness, tremor, anxiety, and drowsiness

• The Black Box Warning for fluoxetine is it may cause suicidal thoughts in children and young adults

Amphetamine + Dextroamphetamine:

• The brand name of amphetamine + dextroamphetamine is Adderall

• The drug class of amphetamine + dextroamphetamine is norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI)

• The approved uses of amphetamine + dextroamphetamine are ADHD and narcolepsy

• The normal adult dose of amphetamine + dextroamphetamine is 5-40mg PO divided qD-TID, ER: 20mg PO qAM

• Can you crush amphetamine + dextroamphetamine tablets: NOT the ER Form

• Some common adverse rxns of amphetamine + dextroamphetamine are anorexia, insomnia, headache, emotional lability, anxiety, agitation, nervousness, diarrhea, tachycardia, visual disturbance, and photosensitivity

• The Black Box Warning for amphetamine + dextroamphetamine is high abuse potential - monitor for signs of abuse or dependance

Tramadol:

• The brand names of tramadol are ConZip, Qdolo, and Ultram

• The drug class of tramadol is opioid agonist

• The approved use for tramadol is moderate to moderate-severe pain

• The normal adult dose of tramadol is 50-100mg PO q4-6hr

• Can you crush tramadol tablets: NOT the ER Form

• Some common adverse rxns of tramadol are somnolence, constipation, vomiting, dizziness, anxiety, dysphoria, confusion, headache, and asthenia

• The Black Box Warnings for tramadol are high addiction/misuse risk, opioid analgesic REMS, life threatening respiratory depression can occur, and concomitant use with BZDP

Insulin Glargine:

• The brand names of insulin glargine are Lantus, Toujeo, and Basaglar

• The drug class of of insulin glargine is long acting insulin

• The approved use for insulin glargine is type 1 + 2 diabetes

• The normal adult dose of insulin glargine is individualized given SC qD

• Some common adverse rxns of insulin glargine are hypoglycemia, injection site reaction, site lipodystrophy, myalgia, and rash