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 are
resistant 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

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 of
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.


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)

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

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 gout
Tamsulosin (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