Top 200 Drugs Series: Miscellaneous Drugs (Part 12)

Overview

Presenter: Amanda, a pharmacist
Focus: Miscellaneous drugs from the top 200 drug list
Structure: Grouping medications by categories
Categories covered:
- DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs)
- Congestion and cough medications
- Remaining miscellaneous drugs from the list

Purpose: Used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment to block inflammation and preserve joints.
Drugs and their Details:
- Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
  - Originally an anti-malarial drug
  - Used to decrease pain/swelling in autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
- Adalimumab (Humira)
  - Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor
  - Treats inflammatory conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis)
- Methotrexate (Trexol)
  - Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, affecting cell's DNA replication/repair
  - Used for certain cancers and rheumatoid arthritis (mechanism for arthritis unknown)

Alendronate (Fosamax)
- Bisphosphonate
- Slows bone loss; used for osteoporosis prevention/treatment
Finasteride (Proscar, Propecia)
- Five alpha-reductase inhibitor
- Decreases hormone DHT
- Proscar: Used for enlarged prostate (BPH)
- Propecia: Used for hair loss
Phentermine (Adipex)
- Sympathomimetic amine
- Causes norepinephrine release, reducing hunger sensation/appetite
- Used for weight loss
- Note: DEA Schedule IV for abuse/dependency potential
Oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol)
- Urinary antispasmodic
- Blocks acetylcholine for reduced bladder contractions
- Used for overactive bladder

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Upcoming series: Top 200 drug video flashcards with audio, starting with cardiovascular drugs

For further learning, consider watching the video to reinforce learning with visual and auditory aids.