NCLEX Drugs Pharmacology

NCLEX DRUGS PHARMACOLOGY: Medications for NCLEX I

ANALGESICS

  • Opioids:

    • Function: Increase pain threshold by altering pain perception.

ANTIDEPRESSANTS

  • SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors):

    • Mechanism of action: Inhibit serotonin reuptake in the Central Nervous System (CNS).

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Demerol: Meperidine HCL

  • Celexa: Citalopram

  • Dilaudid: Hydromorphone

  • Effexor: Venlafaxine

  • Duragesic, Sublimaze: Fentanyl

  • Lexapro: Escitalopram Oxalate

  • Morphine Sulfate: Morphine Sulfate

  • Paxil: Paroxetine

  • Vicodin, Norco: Hydrocodone

  • Prozac: Fluoxetine

  • Zoloft: Sertraline

BENZODIAZEPINES (PAM & LAM)

  • Function: Enhance/facilitate GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Valium: Diazepam

  • Xanax: Alprazolam

TRICYCLICS

  • Mechanism of action: Block reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin at nerve endings.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Elavil: Amitriptyline

  • Halcion: Triazolam

SEDATIVES/HYPNOTICS

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Ativan: Lorazepam

  • Klonopin: Clonazepam

  • Ambien: Zolpidem Tartrate

ANXIOLYTICS

  • Class: Azaspirodecanedione derivatives.

  • Function: Act on anxiety; action unknown but thought to decrease the amount/action of serotonin in certain parts of the brain.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Buspar: Buspirone Hydrochloride

  • Lunesta: Eszopiclone

ANTICOAGULANTS

  • Function: Interfere with blood clotting processes; used to prevent thrombus and embolus.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Coumadin: Warfarin

  • Lovenox: Enoxaparin

  • Heparin: Heparin Sodium from beef/pork

ANTICONVULSANTS

  • Function: Increase the interval between seizures.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Dilantin: Phenytoin

  • Neurontin: Gabapentin

  • Tegretol: Carbamazepine

  • Depakote: Valproic Acid

ANTIPLATELETS

  • Function: Interfere with the first step in the clotting process: platelet aggregation.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • ASA: Acetylsalicylic Acid

  • Plavix: Clopidogrel

  • Note: Pepto-Bismol contains aspirin

NCLEX DRUGS PHARMACOLOGY: Medications for NCLEX II

DIURETICS

  • Function: Decrease fluid volume in the body.

Nursing Interventions:

  • Monitor daily weight under standard conditions.

  • Assess blood pressure, intake/output, presence of edema.

LOOP DIURETICS

  • Mechanism: Inhibit reabsorption of Na+, Cl-, K+, and H2O (in loop of Henle) but also in proximal and distal renal tubules.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Bumex: Bumetanide

  • Demadex: Torsemide

  • Lasix: Furosemide

THIAZIDE DIURETICS

  • Mechanism: Increase excretion of Na+, Cl-, K+, H2O in the distal tubule and ascending loop of Henle.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Diuril: Hydrochlorothiazide

  • Hydrodiuril, HCTZ: Hydrochlorothiazide

  • Zaroxolyn: Metolazone

ALPHA 2 ANTAGONISTS

  • Class: Centrally-acting anti-hypertensives.

  • Mechanism: Decrease sympathetic activity via norepinephrine release.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Catapres: Clonidine

BETA BLOCKERS (OLOL)

  • Function: Prevent sympathetic stimulation of the heart, thus decreasing heart rate and contractility.

  • Mechanism: Suppress release of renin from kidneys, reduce myocardial irritability, and depress automaticity of the SA node.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Inderal: Propranolol

  • Lopressor: Metoprolol Tartrate

  • Toprol-XL: Metoprolol Succinate

  • Atenolol: Atenolol

POTASSIUM-SPARING DIURETICS

  • Mechanism: Block aldosterone at receptor sites in the distal tubule; excrete Na+, Cl-, H2O, not K+.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Aldactone: Spironolactone

  • Dyrenium: Triamterene

ANTIHYPERTENSIVES (PRIL)

  • Class: ACE Inhibitors.

  • Mechanism: Block conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, causing vasodilation.

  • Side effects: Nagging, nonproductive cough, angioedema.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Altace: Ramipril

  • Capoten: Captopril

  • Prinivil, Zestril: Lisinopril

  • Vasotec: Enalapril

ALPHA 1 ADRENERGIC BLOCKERS (ZOSYN)

  • Function: Dilate blood vessels and decrease peripheral vascular resistance (PVR).

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Hytrin: Terazosin

  • Minipress: Prazosin

ALPHA & BETA ADRENERGIC BLOCKERS (LOL)

  • Mechanism: Block alpha 1 and beta receptors, leading to vasodilation, reduced heart rate, and myocardial irritability.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Coreg: Carvedilol

  • Trandate, Normodyne: Labetalol

NCLEX DRUGS PHARMACOLOGY: Medications for NCLEX III

GLIPTINS (DPP-4 ENZYME INHIBITORS)

  • Function: Increase levels of incretins, naturally occurring substances that control blood sugar by increasing insulin release after meals.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Januvia: Sitagliptin

CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS

  • Mechanism: Block Na+ influx into the beta-receptors, decreasing myocardial contraction force and heart rate; dilates coronary arteries and relaxes vascular smooth muscle.

  • Side effects: Edema, dysrhythmias.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Cardizem: Diltiazem

  • Norvasc: Amlodipine

  • Procardia: Nifedipine

  • Verelan, Isoptin, Calan: Verapamil

NITRATES

  • Function: Peripheral and coronary vasodilators; treat/prevent angina, decrease blood pressure, preload, afterload, and myocardial oxygen demand.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Nitro BID: Nitroglycerin

  • Tridil: Isosorbide Mononitrate

  • Transderm Nitro: Nitroglycerin

  • Nitrostat: Nitroglycerin

  • Imdur: Isosorbide Dinitrate

  • Diovan: Valsartan

CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES

  • Mechanism: Positive inotropes (improve contractility and cardiac output); negative dromotropic effect (slows AV conduction rate); negative chronotropic effect (decreases heart rate).

  • Function: Act as antiarrhythmic via tropic effect.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Lanoxin: Digoxin

  • Nursing Intervention: Monitor potassium (K+) levels, signs/symptoms (S/S) of toxicity.

ANTI-DIABETICS

SULFONYLUREAS

  • Function: Promote insulin secretion by the pancreas and increase tissue response to insulin.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Amaryl: Glimepiride

  • Diabeta: Glyburide

  • Glynase: Glyburide

  • Micronase: Glyburide

  • Glucotrol (XL): Glipizide

BIGUANIDES

  • Function: Decrease hepatic glucose production and intestinal absorption of glucose while improving insulin sensitivity.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Glucophage: Metformin

  • Note: Initial drug therapy for newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Most common side effect is gastrointestinal upset; rare side effect includes lactic acidosis.

GLITAZONES

  • Mechanism: Decrease insulin resistance.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Actos: Pioglitazone

  • Avandia: Rosiglitazone

  • Note: Side effects include edema; heart failure secondary to renal retention of fluid.

NCLEX DRUGS PHARMACOLOGY: Medications for NCLEX IV

PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS (PPI)

  • Function: Block the final step of gastric acid production; used to reduce ulcers.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Nexium: Esomeprazole

  • Prilosec: Omeprazole

  • Protonix: Pantoprazole

ANTI-LIPIDEMICS

STATINS (HMG-COA REDUCTASE INHIBITORS)

  • Mechanism: Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, an early step in cholesterol production.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Crestor: Rosuvastatin

  • Lipitor: Atorvastatin

  • Zocor: Simvastatin

ANTIEMETICS

  • Mechanism: Act by decreasing or preventing nausea and vomiting.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Phenergan: Promethazine

  • Zofran: Ondansetron

MISCELLANEOUS ANTI-LIPIDEMICS
COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Zetia: Ezetimibe (Selective cholesterol absorption inhibitor)

  • TriCor: Fenofibrate (decrease triglyceride synthesis in the liver)

  • Lopid: Gemfibrozil (decrease triglyceride synthesis in the liver)

  • Questran: Cholestyramine (bile acid sequestrant)

GI MEDS

  • Function: Non-absorbable medications used prophylactically to treat or prevent ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

  • Mechanism: Mixes with gastric acid to form a protective coating of gastric mucosa.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Carafate: Sucralfate

GI STIMULANT

  • Function: Increases resting tone of the esophageal sphincter and promotes gastric emptying/intestine transit.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Reglan: Metoclopramide

    • Note: Sometimes used with diabetic gastroparesis.

STOOL SOFTENERS

  • Mechanism: Decrease surface tension of interfacing liquid contents of the bowel, promoting additional liquid into stools to soften mass.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Colace: Docusate Sodium

  • Surfak: Docusate Calcium

H2-HISTAMINE RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS

  • Mechanism: Inhibit histamine at H2 receptor sites, decreasing gastric acid secretion.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Pepcid: Famotidine

  • Zantac: Ranitidine

ANTI-INFECTIVES

AMINOGLYCOSIDES
COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Gentamicin: Gentamicin Sulfate

  • Streptomycin: Streptomycin Sulfate

  • Tobramycin: Tobramycin Sulfate

NCLEX DRUGS PHARMACOLOGY: Medications for NCLEX V

RESPIRATORY MEDICATIONS

BRONCHODILATORS

  • Function: Relax bronchial smooth muscle.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Proventil, Ventolin: Albuterol Sulfate

  • Brovana: Arformoterol Tartrate

  • Foradil: Formoterol Fumarate

  • Xopenex: Levalbuterol

  • Spiriva: Tiotropium

  • Advair: Fluticasone/Salmeterol (combination drug with potent anti-inflammatory effects and bronchodilator).

CORTICOSTEROIDS

  • Function: Reduce inflammation, produce intentional immunosuppression, and treat adrenocortical insufficiency.

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Celestone: Betamethasone

CEPHALOSPORINS
COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Rocephin: Ceftriaxone

  • Maxipime: Cefepime

  • Mefoxin: Cefoxitin

  • Ancef: Cefazolin

PENICILLINS
COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Amoxil: Amoxicillin

  • Omnipen: Ampicillin

SULFONAMIDES
COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Bactrim: SMZ-TMP (Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim)

  • Bactrim DS: SMZ-TMP

  • Note: Avoid or use with extreme caution if allergic to sulfa drugs.

ANTIPROTOZOAL
COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Flagyl: Metronidazole

VANCOMYCIN
COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Vancocin: Vancomycin Hydrochloride

Notes:

  • B-LACTAM Antibiotics: Include PCNs, cephalosporins, monobactams, carbapenems; assess for allergies.

NCLEX DRUGS PHARMACOLOGY: Medications for NCLEX VI

FLUOROQUINOLONES (OXACIN)
COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES

  • Cipro: Ciprofloxacin

  • Levaquin: Levofloxacin

  • Note: Risk of tendon rupture. Adjust dosage for renal patients.

TETRACYCLINES
COMMON BRAND NAMES

  • Tetracycline: Tetracycline

  • Vibramycin: Doxycycline

INSULINS

  • Types of Insulins:

    • LONG ACTING INSULINS:

    • No peak

    • Examples: Insulin Detemir (Levemir), Insulin Glargine (Lantus), Unavailable in IV.

    • NPH (Intermediate):

    • Given SQ: 2-4 hours, up to 24 hours duration; cloudiness means it’s an intermediate.

    • Mix: clear to cloudy.

    • REGULAR (Short-Acting):

    • Only insulin that can be given IV; onset of 30-60 minutes (SQ); 10-30 minutes (IV).

    • RAPID ACTING:

    • Types include Insulin Lispro (Humalog), Insulin Aspart (Novolog).

    • Onset: 5-15 minutes (Lispro), 15 minutes (Aspart).

COMMON BRAND NAMES AND GENERIC NAMES OF INSULINS:

  • Insulin Lispro: Humalog

  • Insulin Aspart: Novolog

  • Regular Insulin: Humulin R

  • NPH: Humulin N, Novolin R

  • Insulin Glargine: Lantus

  • Insulin Detemir: Levemir

  • NPH/REG: Humulin 50/50, Humulin 70/30

  • Premixed Insulins: Aspart protamine/aspart (Novolog Mix 70/30), Lispro protamine/lispro (Humalog Mix 75/25).