top 200 drugs

• Escitalopram


  • B: Lexapro
  • C: SSRI
  • I: anxiety, major depressive disorder, panic disorder
  • NSE: inc risk of bone fractures, inc risk of bleeding, appetite / weight disturbances, gastrointestinal upset
  • CP: bleeding risk when taken with NSAIDs / aspirin, avoid taking with MAO inhibitors as it increases risk for serotonin syndrome
• Acetaminophen / Hydrocodone


  • B: Vicodin
  • C: analgesic
  • I: moderate to severe pain
  • NSE: constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, gastrointestinal upset
  • CP: can worsen CNS adverse affects if taken with other sedating drugs, should ideally avoid
  • FDI: can worsen sedative / CNS effects with alcohol, avoid
• Lisinopril


  • B: Prinivil, Qbrelis
  • C: ACE inhibitor
  • I: hypertension, chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease
  • CI: pregnancy category d
  • NSE: persistent dry cough, hyperkalemia, hypotension, worsen renal damage
  • CP: avoid taking with other potassium elevating drugs
  • FDI: hyperkalemia risk inc with foods high in potassium (bananas, avocados)
  • S: none
• Simvastatin


  • B: Zocor
  • C: HMG - CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)
  • I: hyperlipidemia / high cholesterol, prevent cardiovascular disease
  • CI: pregnancy category x
  • NSE: muscle pain, elevated liver enzymes, inc risk of diabetes type 2, headache
  • CP: inc risk of adverse effects with macrolide antibacterial drugs and amiodarone, typically take in the evening as they have greater effect bc diet intake is at its lowest
  • FDI: grapefruit juice inhibits metabolism which can lead to muscle dmg
  • S: none
• Levothyroxine


  • B: Synthroid, Levoxyl
  • C: thyroid hormone
  • I: hypothyroidism, hypothyroidism secondary to hypopituitarism
  • NSE: diarrhea, weight loss, palpitations, tremors
  • CP: antacids reduce GI absorption, so administration should be separated by 4 hours to avoid interaction
  • FDI: foods high in multivalent ions (Ca, Fe, Mg, Al, Zn) reduce efficacy
  • S: none
• Amoxicillin


  • B: Amoxil, Trimox
  • C: antibacterial penicillin
  • I: tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, ear / eye / skin infection, h. pylori infection (with PPI and macrolide)
  • NSE: nausea, diarrhea, allergic reactions, skin rash
  • CP: reduces renal excretion of methotrexate, inc risk of toxicity
  • FDI: none significant
• Azithromycin


  • B: Zithromax
  • C: macrolide antibacterial
  • I: respiratory / ear / eye / skin / sexually transmitted infections
  • NSE: nausea and vomiting, ototoxicity at high doses, QT prolongation, C. difficile infection
  • CP: antacids can lower effectiveness
  • FDI: better tolerated with food
• Hydrochlorothiazide


  • B: Microzide, Aquazide
  • C: thiazide diuretic
  • I: hypertension, edema, congestive heart failure
  • NSE: hyponatremia, hypokalemia, impotence in men, inc risk of gout
  • CP: NSAIDs can lower efficacy, should be avoided in pts with hypokalemia or hyponatremia
  • FDI: can cause potassium loss, advise to eat potassium rich foods to prevent
• Amlodipine


  • B: Norvasc, Katerzia
  • C: calcium channel blocker
  • I: hypertension, control symptoms in stable angina
  • NSE: ankle swelling, flushing, headache, palpitations
  • CP: should be swallowed whole and not crushed or chewed
  • FDI: grapefruit juice can increase risk of side effects
  • S: none
• Alprazolam


  • B: Xanax
  • C: benzodiazepine
  • I: anxiety disorders, panic disorder, depression
  • NSE: drowsiness, light headedness, sedation, dependence
  • CP: elderly more susceptible to side effects, opioids can worsen sedative / CNS effects, avoid in liver failure as it can cause hepatic encephalopathy
  • FDI: alcohol can worsen sedative / CNS side effects
• Metformin


  • B: Glucophage, Fortamet
  • C: biguanide antidiabetic
  • I: type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome
  • NSE: metallic taste, weight loss, GI disturbances, vit B12 deficiency
  • CP: drugs that elevate blood glucose levels reduce efficacy, should be taken with / after food to minimize GI side effects
  • FDI: alcohol inc risk of developing lactic acidosis
  • S: none
• Atorvastatin


  • B: Lipitor
  • C: HMG-CoA reductase inhibtor (statin)
  • I: cholesterol lowering
  • CI: pregnancy category x
  • FDI: grapefruit inhibits metabolism which leads to muscle dmg
  • S: none
• Omeprazole


  • B: Prilosec
  • C: proton pump inhibitor
  • I: acid reflux, GERD
  • CP: reduces effectiveness of clopidogrel
  • S: none
• Ciprofloxacin


  Cipro, Proquin
• Ondansetron


  Zofran
• Clozapine


  Clozaril
• Furosemide


  Lasix
• Vardenafil


  Levitra
• Tetracycline


  Sumycin, Ala-Tet, Brodspec
• Heparin


  Heparin Sodium
• Valganciclovir


  Valcyte
• Lamotrigine


  Lamictal
• Fluconazole


  Diflucan
• Atenolol


  Tenormin
• Montelukast


  Singulair
• Fluticasone propionate 


  Flonase Nasal Spray
• Allopurinol 


  Zyloprim
• Alendronate


  Fosamax
• Famotidine


  Pepcid
• Cefdinir


  Omnicef
• Ethinyl estradiol, Drospirenone


  Yaz
• Hydralazine


  Apresoline
• Benztropine


  Cogentin
• Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone


  Tussionex, PennKinetic
• Paroxetine


  Paxil
• Lorazepam


  Ativan
• Phenazopyridine 


  Pyridium
• Hydroxychloroquine


  Plaquenil
• Lidocaine


  Lidoderm
• Diclofenac


  Cataflam