Overview
This lecture reviews the top 200 drugs with their brand names, drug classes, indications, and some key regulatory details, helping pharmacy students master high-yield medication facts.
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) for Cholesterol
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Rosuvastatin (Crestor), Simvastatin (Zocor), Pravastatin (Pravachol), Lovastatin (Mevacor): lower cholesterol.
- Ezetimibe (Zetia): selective cholesterol absorption inhibitor for high cholesterol.
- Fenofibrate (Tricor): fibric acid derivative for cholesterol and triglycerides.
Diabetes Medications
- Metformin (Glucophage): oral biguanide for diabetes.
- Glipizide (Glucotrol), Glimepiride (Amaryl): sulfonylureas for diabetes.
- Semaglutide (Ozempic), Dulaglutide (Trulicity), Tirzepatide (Mounjaro): injectable GLP-1 analogs for diabetes/weight loss.
- Empagliflozin (Jardiance), Dapagliflozin (Farxiga): SGLT2 inhibitors for diabetes.
- Insulin glargine (Lantus), detemir (Levemir), aspart (Novolog), lispro (Humalog): injectable insulins for diabetes.
Antidepressants & Anxiolytics
- Sertraline (Zoloft), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paroxetine (Paxil): SSRIs for depression.
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Venlafaxine (Effexor): SNRIs for depression/nerve pain.
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin): NDRI for depression and smoking cessation.
- Trazodone (Desyrel): SARI antidepressant.
- Mirtazapine (Remeron), Amitriptyline (Elavil), Doxepin (Silenor): tricyclic/tetracyclic antidepressants.
Antihypertensives
- Lisinopril (Prinivil), Enalapril (Vasotec), Benazepril (Lotensin): ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure/heart failure.
- Losartan (Cozaar), Valsartan (Diovan), Irbesartan (Avapro): ARBs for blood pressure/heart failure.
- Amlodipine (Norvasc), Nifedipine (Procardia): calcium channel blockers for blood pressure.
- Metoprolol (Lopressor), Carvedilol (Coreg), Atenolol (Tenormin), Propranolol (Inderal): beta blockers for blood pressure/heart conditions.
- Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), Chlorthalidone (Thalitone): thiazide diuretics.
- Spironolactone (Aldactone), Triamterene/HCTZ (Maxzide): potassium-sparing diuretics/combinations.
Pain, Inflammation, and Sedative Medications
- Ibuprofen (Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve), Meloxicam (Mobic), Diclofenac (Voltaren), Celecoxib (Celebrex): NSAIDs for pain/inflammation.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): non-opioid analgesic/antipyretic.
- Hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco), Oxycodone (Roxicodone), Tramadol (Ultram), Morphine (MS Contin): opioids (various schedule classes) for pain.
- Alprazolam (Xanax), Lorazepam (Ativan), Diazepam (Valium), Clonazepam (Klonopin): benzodiazepines for anxiety (controlled substances).
- Zolpidem (Ambien): non-benzodiazepine sleep aid for insomnia (schedule IV).
Other Major Classes & High-Yield Agents
- Levothyroxine (Synthroid): thyroid hormone for hypothyroidism.
- Montelukast (Singulair): leukotriene inhibitor for asthma/allergies.
- Albuterol (Proventil): beta-2 bronchodilator for asthma/COPD.
- Fluticasone (Flonase), Prednisone (Deltasone): steroids for allergies/inflammation.
- Amoxicillin (Amoxil), Azithromycin (Zithromax), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), Cephalexin (Keflex): antibiotics for infections.
Key Terms & Definitions
- HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin) — lowers cholesterol by blocking cholesterol synthesis.
- Biguanide — diabetes drug class lowering blood sugar (e.g., Metformin).
- SSRIs/SNRIs/NDRI/SARI — antidepressant classes, targeting different neurotransmitters.
- ACE Inhibitor/ARB — blood pressure medications blocking specific hormone pathways.
- Beta Blocker — reduces heart rate and blood pressure.
- NSAID — non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for pain/inflammation.
- Opioid Analgesic — strong pain medications, many are DEA controlled.
- Benzodiazepine — sedative/anxiolytic medications, DEA controlled.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and memorize drug names, classes, brand names, and main indications.
- Focus on controlled substance schedules and common drug pairings.
- Practice by quizzing yourself with flash cards.