click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Pharmacology Drugs
Pharmacology common name given, need drug name
Trade Name | Generic name | Classification |
---|---|---|
ANALGESIC | Used to treat mild to moderate systemic pain. Examples include arthritis, injury, and headaches. Types include prostaglandin inhibitors and antagonists and nonsteroidal anti-inflammation. NSAIDS, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are the most common. | NSAIDS can harm kidneys after prolonged usage. Opiate analgesics are for moderate to severe pain due to the high level of addiction potential. |
Tylenol | Acetaminophen | ANALGESIC |
Bayer | Aspirin (NSAID) | ANALGESIC |
Advil | Ibuprofen (NSAID) | ANALGESIC |
Mobic, Metacam | Meloxicam (NSAID) | ANALGESIC |
Ultram | Tramadol (Opiate) | ANALGESIC |
ANTACID | Reducing acid in the stomach may occur in several manners. A proton-pump inhibitor physically decreases the amount of acid produced while other antacids neutralize the acid already produced (sodium bicarbonate). | |
Prilosec, Zegerid | Omeprazole (proton-pump inhibitor) | ANTACID |
Protonix | Pantoprazole (proton-pump inhibitor) | ANTACID |
Baking Soda (does come in pill form) | Sodium Bicarbonate (neutralizes stomach acid) | ANTACID |
ANTIBIOTIC | Slows down and inhibits bacterial production and growth which causes infections. Antibiotics can either be narrow-spectrum (only kill a few types of bacteria) or broad-spectrum (kill many types of bacteria). No antibiotic kills all types of bacteria. | There are 10 different antibiotic classes (three are shown with the examples below). |
Amoxil | Amoxicillin (penicillin + an extra amino group) | ANTIBIOTIC |
Zithromax | Azithromycin (a macrolide antibiotic) | ANTIBIOTIC |
Keflex | Cephalexin (a cephalosporin antibiotic) | ANTIBIOTIC |
ANTICHOLESTEROL / LIPOPHILIC / HYDROPHILIC | Reduces hypercholesterolemia. Lowers LDL and triglyceride levels while raising HDL. Decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke. | |
Lipitor | Atorvastatin | ANTICHOLESTEROL / LIPOPHILIC / HYDROPHILIC |
Zocor | Simvastatin | ANTICHOLESTEROL / LIPOPHILIC / HYDROPHILIC |
Crestor | Rosuvastatin | ANTICHOLESTEROL / LIPOPHILIC / HYDROPHILIC |
Pravachol | Pravastatin | ANTICHOLESTEROL / LIPOPHILIC / HYDROPHILIC |
ANTICOAGULANT | Thins blood to reduce blood clotting and so reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. Different drugs accomplish this by different mechanisms | |
Plavix | Clopidogrel (prevents platelets from clotting) | ANTICOAGULANT |
Eliquis | Apixaban (blocks natural substances to prevent clotting | ANTICOAGULANT |
Coumadin | Warfarin (a vitamin K antagonis | ANTICOAGULANT |
ANTICONVULSANT | Decreases abnormal excitement of the brain. This excitement can cause seizures, restless leg syndrome and tardive dyskinesia | |
Neurontin, Graslise | Gabapentin (also used to relieve nerve pain) | ANTICONVULSANT |
Klonopin | Clonazepam | ANTICONVULSANT |
Dilantin | Phenytoin | ANTICONVULSANT |
ANTIDEPRESSANT | Reduces the effects of depression. Depression is treated in a variety of ways with a variety of mechanisms. These include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) which increase the amount of serotonin produced in the brain. | Serotonin helps maintain mental balance.Another type is a norepinephrine/dopamine reuptake inhibitor. It is not totally understood how this type of antidepressant works. Some antidepressants have other uses such as antianxiety, OCD and some PTSD |
Zoloft | Sertraline (SSRI) | ANTIDEPRESSANT |
Lexapro | Escitalopram (SSRI) | ANTIDEPRESSANT |
Wellbutrin | Bupropion (works well for smoking cessation) (norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor) (NDRI) | ANTIDEPRESSANT |
Molipaxin | Trazodone (serotonin-antagonist-reuptake inhibitor - SARI) | ANTIDEPRESSANT |
Prozac | Fluoxetine (SSRI) | ANTIDEPRESSANT |
Cymbalta | Duloxetine (serotonin & norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) | ANTIDEPRESSANT |
Celexa | Citalopram (SSRI) | ANTIDEPRESSANT |
Xanax | Alprazolam (SSRI) | ANTIDEPRESSANT |
Effexor | Venlafaxine (SNRI) | ANTIDEPRESSANT |
ANTIDIABETIC | Decreases blood sugar levels. Different medications produce this effect in different ways | |
Fortamet, Glumetza | Metformin (decreases glucose absorbed from food) | ANTIDIABETIC |
Glucotrol | Glipizide (tells pancreas to produce more insulin) | ANTIDIABETIC |
Precose | Acarbose (slows down the digestion of carbohydrates) | ANTIDIABETIC |
ANTIGOUT AGENT | Prevents gout by reducing the production of uric acid in the body. Due to the build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints, gout causes pain in the joints and leaves the skin red. Interestingly, the big toe is the most common site | |
Aloprim, Zyloprim | Allopurinol | ANTIGOUT AGENT |
Colcrys | Colchicine (relieves the swelling and pain of gout) | ANTIGOUT AGENT |
ANTIHYPERTENSIVE | Reduces high blood pressure (hypertension). The most common methods of reducing blood pressure are by relaxing the walls of the arteries (ACE inhibitor) or | by being a calcium channel blocker (calcium causes the heart to beat harder which increases blood pressure) or beta blockers which relax blood vessels AND slow heart rate. |
Zestril | Lisinopril (ACE inhibitor) | ANTIHYPERTENSIVE |
Exforge, Prestalia, Twynsta | Amlodipine (calcium channel blocker) | ANTIHYPERTENSIVE |
Lopressor | Metoprolol (beta blocker) | ANTIHYPERTENSIVE |
Cozaar | Losartan (ACE inhibitor) | ANTIHYPERTENSIVE |
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY | Reduces inflammation. These include allergens, rhinitis, asthma, emphysema and dermatitis. Reducing inflammation can be through the mechanism of an NSAID or corticoid steroid. | |
Flonase, Flovent | Fluticasone (allergens/rhinitis) (corticoid steroid | ANTI-INFLAMMATORY |
Omnipred, Pred Mild, Orapred | Prednisone (decreases immune response to prevent swelling) (corticoid steroid) | ANTI-INFLAMMATORY |
Celebrex | Celecoxib (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) | ANTI-INFLAMMATORY |
BETA BLOCKER | Used to treat cardiac malfunction. Slows heart rate and makes it easier to pump blood throughout the body. Conditions it may be used for include heart failure, ventricular dysfunctions and myocardial infarction (MI). | |
Coreg | Carvedilol | BETA BLOCKER |
Tenormin | Atenolol (relaxes blood vessels, slows heart rate, used for chest pain) | BETA BLOCKER |
Inderal | Propranolol (also used for anxiety and migraines) | BETA BLOCKER |
BRONCHODILATOR | Relaxes the walls of bronchial tubes to make it easier to breathe (most commonly used for asthma). | |
Proair, Proventil | Albuterol | BRONCHODILATOR |
Xopenex | Levalbuterol (beta antagonist – relaxes and opens airways) | BRONCHODILATOR |
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM STIMULANT | Excites the brain. A stimulant to treat ADHD and narcolepsy (excessive daytime sleeping). Can also act as an appetite suppressant. | |
Adderall | Dextroamphetamine | CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM STIMULANT |
Ritalin | Methylphenidate | CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM STIMULANT |
Adipex | Phentermine | CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM STIMULANT |
CONTRACEPTIVE | Prevents pregnancy | |
Primolut-Nor | Norethindrone (prevents ovulation and prevents the uterus lining from developing) | CONTRACEPTIVE |
Depo Provera (injection) | Medroxyprogesterone Acetate | CONTRACEPTIVE |
Skyla | Levonorgestrel | CONTRACEPTIVE |
DIURETIC | Causes the kidneys to get rid of excess water and salt (which retains water). This increases urine output which decreases swelling (edema). May be used for edema associated with menstrual cycles, heart failure or lymphedema. | |
HydroDiuril, Microzide | Hydrochlorothiazide | DIURETIC |
Lasix | Furosemide | DIURETIC |
Aldactone | Spironolactone (prevents potassium loss) | DIURETIC |
ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT | Replaces low electrolyte levels. Electrolytes include potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium. Low electrolyte levels may cause muscle, brain and heart malfunction. | |
KDur, Slow K | Potassium Chloride | ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT |
Kalcinate | Calcium Gluconate (used for hyperkalemia and hypermagnesemia) | ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT |
Citracal | Calcium Citrate (used for hypocalcemia) | ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT |
HORMONE REPLACEMENT | Replaces, stops or enhances hormones normally produced in the body by the endocrine glands | |
Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid | Levothyroxine (replaces thyroid hormone) | HORMONE REPLACEMENT |
Alora | Estradiol (replaces estrogen during menopause) | HORMONE REPLACEMENT |
Cortef | Hydrocortisone (replaces cortisol insufficiency in the adrenal glands | HORMONE REPLACEMENT |
INSULIN | Controls blood sugar levels. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and is released when blood sugar levels rise. | |
Lantus | Insulin Glargine (a synthetic hormone replacing human insulin) (long lasting) | INSULIN |
Levemir | Insulin Detemir (wears off faster than glargine) | INSULIN |
Tresiba | Insulin Degludec (new generation – lowers A1C better than glargine) | INSULIN |
LEUKOTRIENE RECEPTOR BLOCKER – this is not an antihistamine | This drug blocks leukotriene. Leukotriene is a chemical that the body releases when exposed to an allergen such as pollen. | |
Singulair | Montelukast | LEUKOTRIENE RECEPTOR BLOCKER |
Accolate | Zafirlukast | LEUKOTRIENE RECEPTOR BLOCKER |
Zyflo | Zileuton | LEUKOTRIENE RECEPTOR BLOCKER |
MUSCLE RELAXANT | Relaxes both smooth and skeletal muscles. Different types of relaxants work in vastly different ways. | |
Flomax | Tamsulosin (specifically used to relax the smooth muscles of the bladder to aid in voiding) | MUSCLE RELAXANT |
Flexeril | Cyclobenzaprine (skeletal muscle relaxant) | MUSCLE RELAXANT |
Ozobax | Baclofen (skeletal muscle relaxant) | MUSCLE RELAXANT |
SEDATIVE/HYPNOTIC | Induces sleep by slowing brain activity to aid in sleep | |
Ambien | Zolpidem | SEDATIVE/HYPNOTIC |
Diazepam | Valium | SEDATIVE/HYPNOTIC |
Lunesta | Eszopiclone | SEDATIVE/HYPNOTIC |
VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT | ncreases low vitamin levels from either dietary shortage or due to disease processes. | |
Drisdol, Calcidol | Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2, helps the body absorb calcium) | VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT |
Cobolin-M | Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B-12, treats pernicious anemia) | VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT |
Folvite | Folic Acid (vitamin B-9, helps prevent certain birth defects) | VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT |