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Pharmacology Drug Review- Top 100 Drugs

Antibiotics

Penicillins- Natural (or semisynthetic) antibiotics that are produced from a certain species of fungus called penicillium.

They are used for the treatment of a broad spectrum of bacterial microorganisms.

Examples: Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox) and Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (Augmentin)

Cephalosporins- Semisynthetic antibiotics that are pharmacologically and structurally related to penicillin. They areresistant to -lactamase which provides them with an advantage over penicillins. They are used as a substitute for

penicillins in patients who have resistant bacterial infections.

Examples: Cefdinir (Omnicef), Cephalexin (Keflex)

Fluoroquinolones- Synthetic antibiotics that are used to treat a broad spectrum of bacterial infections (gram-negative

and gram-positive bacteria). They are more potent than the penicillins and are less likely to cause anaphylaxis.

Examples: Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), Levofloxacin (Levaquin)

Sulfonamides- Synthetic derivatives of sulfanilamide which was the first medication to be proven effective for the

prevention and cure of bacterial infection.

Examples: Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra)

Tetracyclines- Semisynthetic antibiotics obtained from the cultures of a bacteria known as Streptomyces. They are

considered broad spectrum and maintain stability in acidic solutions, making these a strong choice for oral

administration.

Examples: Doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx)

Lincosamide- kills bacteria by interfering with the synthesis of proteins.

Examples: Clindamycin (Cleocin)

Macrolide antibiotic- are used to treat infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria and infections such as respiratory

tract and soft-tissue infections.

Examples: Azithromycin (Zithromax)and Erythromycin

Antihistamines

Histamine 1 (H1) Blockers/Antagonist- Used for allergic reactions caused by histamine.

Examples: Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Fexofenadine (Allegra), Loratadine (Claritin)

Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist

Examples: Montelukast (Singulair)

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs- NSAIDs are used to treat allergies and respiratory conditions.

Examples: Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), Meloxicam (Mobic), Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox)

COX-2 Inhibitor- a form of NSAID that directly targets COX-2, an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain.

Examples: Celecoxib (Celebrex)

Hypnotic Drugs

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Nonbenzodiazepines- Used to induce or maintain sleep or decrease anxiety

Examples: Zolpidem (Ambien), Lunesta (Eszopiclone)

Behavior Disorder Drugs

Antipsychotics- Used to control symptoms of psychosis and mood disorders.

Examples: Olanzapine (Zyprexa), Quetiapine (Seroquel), Aripiprazole (Abilify), Risperidone (Risperidol)

Benzodiazepines- Medications that are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.Examples: Alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan)

Tricyclic Antidepressants- Medications that are used to treat depressive disorders. They are used to treat unipolar

depression and regulation of sleep patterns.

Examples: Amitriptyline (Elavil)

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)- Used to treat Major Depressive disorders. They are also considered to

have the fewest and least serious side effects as compared to other antidepressants.

Examples: Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Fluoxetine (Prozac, Serafem), Paroxetine (Paxil), Sertraline

(Zoloft)

Serotonin Antagonist and Reuptake Inhibitors (SARIs) are a class of drugs used mainly as antidepressants, but also as

anxiolytics and hypnotics.

Examples: Trazodone (Desyrel)

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)- A class of antidepressant drugs used in the treatment of major

depression and other disorders.

Examples: Venlafaxine (Effexor), Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

Aminoketone Antidepressant-medication used to alleviate mood disorders

Examples: Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants- Medications that are used to prevent or stop seizures. Seizures are caused by an excessive discharge o

neuronal activity. The goal of this treatment is to regulate the discharge activity to normal level.

Examples: Gabapentin (Neurontin)

Analgesics

Narcotic Analgesics- also known as opioids or opiate agonists are medications that are used to treat more severe pain in

patients.Examples: Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen (Vicoden, Lorcet), Oxycodone (OxyContin), Oxycodone/Acetaminophen

(Percocet, Tylox)

Non-opioid Analgesics- also known as non-narcotic analgesics, have principally analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-

inflammatory actions. They do not bind to opioid receptors and are not classified under the Controlled Substances.

Examples: Propoxyphene/Acetaminophen (Darvocet, Wygesic), Tramadol (Ultram), Acetaminophen/Codeine (Tylenol

No. 2, 3, and 4)

COX-2 Inhibitors are analgesics.

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Antihypertensive Drugs

Beta-blockers (sometimes written as -blocker) are also known as beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists or blockers, and

they are used to treat hypertension especially in younger patients. In addition, they are the medication of choice for

patients after a heart attack because of its mechanism of action.

Examples: Carvedilol (Coreg), Atenolol (Tenormin), and Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol)

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors- A class of medications that are used to reduce blood pressure.Examples: Enalapril (Vasotec), Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), Ramipril (Altace), Lisinopril/HCTZ (Zestorectic, Prinzide)

Angiotensin 2 Receptor Antagonists- Medications used to treat hypertension by interfering with the substance A2.

These are the only antihypertensive drugs that have no specific side effects.

Examples: Valsartan (Diovan), Valsartan/HCTZ

Calcium channel blockers- prevent calcium from entering cells of the heart and blood vessel walls, resulting in lower

blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers, also called calcium antagonists, relax and widen blood vessels by affecting

the muscle cells in the arterial walls.

Examples: Amlodipine (Norvasc), Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor), Amlodipine/benazepril (Lotrel)- CCB and ACE,

Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Verelan)

Diuretics:

Examples: Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) (Microzide, Esidrix)- Thiazide Diuretic; Furosemide (Lasix)- Loop Diuretic

Combination Diuretic: Triamterene/HCTZ (Dyazide, Maxzide)

Alpha Adrenergic Agonist-

Examples: Clonidine (Catapres)

Antihyperlipidemic Drugs

Medications used to reduce high cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attacks. These agents work by reducing high

density lipoproteins (LDL) and increasing high density lipoproteins (HDL).

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors- Used to lower blood cholesterol.

Examples: Simvastatin (Zocor), Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Lovastatin (Mevacor), Pravastatin (Pravachol), Rosuvastatin

(Crestor)

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor

Examples: Ezetimibe (Zetia)

Lipid Lowering Agent

Example: Fenofibrate (Tricor)

Combination Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor/HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor

Examples: Ezetimibe/Simvastatin (Vitorin)

Stomach Anti-Acid Drugs

Histamine 2 Receptor Antagonists (H2 Blockers)- Medications used to lower the amount of gastric acid produced in the

parietal cells of the stomach. These medications are also used to heal gastric or duodenal ulcers.

Examples: Ranitidine (Zantac)

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Proton Pump Inhibitors- Medications used to lower the amount of gastric acid produced in the stomach. These

medications are also used when working to heal gastric or duodenal ulcers caused by H. pylori.

Examples: Esomeprazole (Nexium), Lansoprazole (Prevacid), Omeprazole (Prilosec), Pantoprazole (Protonix)

Antidiabetic Drugs

Medications used to lower blood sugar in Type 2 Diabetic patients who have hyperglycemia or high blood sugar.

Sulfonylureas- Used to treat type 2 diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes. Sulfonylureas stimulate the production

of insulin in the beta cells of the pancreas.

Examples: Glipizide (Glucotrol)

Biguanides- Used to treat type 2 diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes. Biguanides reduce hepatic glucose output

and increase uptake of glucose.

Examples: Metformin (Glucophage)

Thiazolidinedione- Medications to treat Diabetes Mellitus Type II

Examples: Pioglitazone (Actos)

Insulin Glargine(Lantus)- Insulin Analogue that helps control blood sugar level of those with diabetes

Birth Control

Norgestimate (Ortho Tri-Cyclen)

Ethinyl Estradiol/Drospirenone (Yasmin, Yaz)

Hormones

Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid)- For hypothyroidism

Estrogen Conjugated (Premarin)- For menopause

Corticosteroids

Prednisone (Deltasone)- For inflammation (adrenal) insufficiency

Fluticasone (Flovent, Flonase Inhaler)- For Asthma

Methylprednisolone (Medrol)- For inflammation

Mometasone Furoate (Nasonex)- For allergies

Muscle Relaxants

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)

Carisoprodol (Soma)

Biphosphonates

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Class of drugs that prevent loss of bone mass

Examples: Alendronate (Fosamax), Risedronate (Actonel)

Beta2 Adrenergic Receptor Agonists

Class of drugs to treat asthma and other pulmonary disease states

Examples: Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil); Combination: Fluticasone/Salmeterol (Advair Diskus) Corticosteroid and

Beta 2 Agonist

Misc. Drugs

Potassium Chloride (K-Dur, Klor-Con, Micro-K)- For Hypokalemia

Warfarin (Coumadin)- Anticoagulant

Clopidogrel (Plavix)- Clot Prevent (Platelet Inhibitor)

Digoxin (Lanoxin)- For Tachycardia (Cardiac Glycoside)

Fluconazole (Diflucan)- For fungal infection (Candidiasis); Antifungal

Allopurinol (Zyloprim)- For hyperuricemia and its complications such as goutTamsulosin (Flomax)- For prostate enlargement (BPH); Prostate Receptor Antagonist

Sildenafil (Viagra)- For erectile dysfunction

Promethazine (Phenergan)- Antiemetic

Isosorbide Mononitrate (Imdur, Ismo, Monoket)- Vasodilator for Angina

Levoamphetamine/Dextroamphetamine (Adderall)- CNS stimulant for ADHD