Common prescription drugs Flashcards
Common Proton Pump inhibitors…
omeprazole
lansoprazole
What are Proton Pump inhibitors and why are they usually prescribed?
PPIs are a group of drugs whose main action is the reduction in gastric acid production
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
gastric ulcers
omeprazole
omep·ra·zole
inhibits gastric acid secretion
lansoprazole
lan·so·praz·ole
inhibits gastric acid secretion
Common statins…
simvastatin
atorvastatin
pravastatin
What are statins?
Lipid-lowering medications are a group of medications that have been found to lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood
Why are statins usually prescribed?
They are prescribed to help reduce the risk of... stroke coronary heart disease heart attacks (MI) angina
What is a stroke?
when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off
What is coronary heart disease?
a type of heart disease that develops when the arteries of the heart cannot deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart
What is a heart attack (MI)?
occurs when an artery supplying your heart with blood and oxygen becomes blocked
What is the main cause of heart attack (MI)?
Fatty deposits build up over time, forming plaques in your heart’s arteries
If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form and block your arteries, causing a heart attack
What is a heart attack also know as?
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
What is angina?
is where you have attacks of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to your heart
simvastatin
sim·va·stat·in
decreases the level of cholesterol in the bloodstream
atorvastatin
ator·va·stat·in
lower lipid levels in the blood
pravastatin
prav·a·stat·in
inhibits the production of cholesterol in the body
Why is paracetamol prescribed?
a common painkiller used to treat aches and pain
It can also be used to reduce a high temperature
Common Beta‐blockers…
bisoprolol
atenolol
propranolol
What class of drugs do beta-blockers fall under?
Antihypertensives
What types of drugs are classed as Antihypertensives?
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
beta-blockers
Why are beta-blockers prescribed?
beta-adrenergic blocking agents
Used to treat hypertension
Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine
Beta blockers cause your heart to beat more slowly and with less force, which lowers blood pressure.
bisoprolol
bis·o·pro·lol
treat hypertension
atenolol
aten·o·lol
treatment of hypertension
propranolol
pro·pran·o·lol
the treatment of abnormal heart rhythms and angina pectoris
Why are vitamin D and calcium often prescribed together?
commonly prescribed for hypoparathyroidism, a condition that causes calcium deficiency
Vitamin D helps alleviate the symptoms of hypoparathyroidism
Common calcium-channel blockers…
amlodipine felodipine diltiazem nifedipine lercanidipine
What class of drugs do calcium-channel blockers fall under?
Antihypertensives
What are calcium-channel blockers?
calcium channel antagonists are a group of medications that disrupt the movement of calcium through calcium channels
Calcium channel blockers are used as antihypertensive drugs
Why are calcium-channel blockers often prescribed?
commonly prescribed to treat conditions of the heart and blood vessels
such as hypertension, angina, some abnormal heart rhythms and Raynaud’s phenomenon
What is Raynaud’s phenomenon?
a condition resulting in painful and cold fingers and toes due to narrowing of the arteries in the hands and feet
amlodipine
am·lo·di·pine
treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris
felodipine
fe·lo·di·pine
used especially in the treatment of hypertension
diltiazem
dil·ti·a·zem
a coronary vasodilator
nifedipine
ni·fed·i·pine
a coronary vasodilator used especially in the treatment of angina pectoris
lercanidipine
ler·can·i·di·pine
treatment of hypertension
What are H1 receptor antagonists also known as?
Antihistamines
common H1 receptor antagonists…
cyclizine cetirizine loratadine fexofenadine chlorphenamine
Why are H1 receptor antagonists prescribed?
clinically used in the treatment of histamine-mediated allergic conditions
indicated for the management of symptoms associated with upper respiratory allergies
used for the prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness, and vertigo
What are H1 receptor antagonists?
are a class of medications that block the action of histamine at the H1 receptor, helping to relieve allergic reactions.
cyclizine
cy·cli·zine
treatment of motion sickness
cetirizine
ce·tir·i·zine
a long-acting, non-sedating, antihistamine drug
especially to treat allergic rhinitis and chronic hives
loratadine
lo·rat·a·dine
relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria
fexofenadine
fex·o·fen·a·dine
relieve symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic hives
chlorphenamine
chlor·phen·amine
antihistamine
Why is aspirin prescribed?
used for relief of pain and fever
Low-dose aspirin helps to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people at high risk because it interferes with the body’s ability to clot, antiplatelet
Common Opioids: weak/moderate…
tramadol
codeine
dihydrocodeine
Why are are Opioids: weak/moderate often prescribed?
mild to moderate pain alleviation
tramadol
tram·a·dol
moderate to severe pain
codeine
co·deine
a morphine derivative
weaker in action than morphine, and is used especially as an analgesic and antitussive
What is a antitussive medicine?
suppress coughing, also known as cough suppressants.
What is an analgesic medicine?
An analgesic or painkiller is any member of the group of drugs used to achieve analgesia, relief from pain
dihydrocodeine
di·hydro·co·deine
moderate to severe pain or severe dyspnea, or as an antitussive
What is dyspnea?
medical term for shortness of breath
sometimes described as ‘air hunger’
Common Opioids: strong…
Morphine
Why is morphine often prescribed?
Morphine is prescribed to treat severe pain
morphine
mor·phine
an analgesic and sedative
Common Beta2 agonists…
salbutamol
salmeterol
What are Beta2 agonists also known as?
bronchodilators
How do Beta2 agonists work?
are used to help make breathing easier by relaxing the muscles in the lungs and widening of the bronchi
Why are Beta2 agonists prescribed?
prescribed to treat asthma
Short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) provide quick relief of asthma symptoms
also be prescribed to be taken before exercising in order to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
salbutamol
sal·bu·ta·mol
treat bronchospasm associated especially with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
salmeterol
sal·met·er·ol
treat bronchospasm associated especially with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Common Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors…
ramipril
lisinopril
perindopril
What are Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors also known as?
ACE inhibitors
Why are ACE inhibitors prescribed?
commonly prescribed to treat..
high blood pressure
heart problems associated with hypertension
ramipril
ra·mip·ril
treat hypertension and congestive heart failure
lisinopril
li·sin·o·pril
antihypertensive drug
perindopril
per·in·do·pril
ACE inhibitor to treat essential hypertension
What heart problem commonly requires a ACE inhibitor prescription?
heart failure
Common loop diuretics…
furosemide
bumetanide
What types of drugs are classed as diuretics?
loop diuretics
potassium-sparing diuretics
thiazides
Why are loop diuretics prescribed?
used in medicine to treat hypertension and edema often due to congestive heart failure or chronic kidney disease
What is edema?
medical term for swelling
It can affect a small area or the entire body
Why does edema occur?
Edema happens when your small blood vessels leak fluid into nearby tissues
What are the main causes of edema?
Injury or inflammation
Medications
pregnancy
infections
furosemide
fu·ro·se·mide
a powerful diuretic used especially to treat edema and hypertension
bumetanide
bu·met·a·nide
a powerful loop diuretic used in the treatment of edema
How do diuretics work?
help rid your body of salt (sodium) and water
Most of them help your kidneys release more sodium into your urine
The sodium takes with it water from your blood, decreasing the amount of fluid flowing through your veins and arteries
This reduces blood pressure.
Common Vitamin K antagonists…
warfarin
How do vitamin K antagonists work?
a group of substances that reduce blood clotting by reducing the action of vitamin K
Why are vitamin K antagonists prescribed?
Antithrombotic Therapy for Prosthetic Valves
Vitamin K antagonists (VKA), remain the mainstay of anticoagulation following mechanical valve replacement to prevent thromboembolic events and valve thrombosis.
warfarin
war·fa·rin
the prevention or treatment of thromboembolic disease
Commonly prescribed vitamins…
folic acid
thiamine hydrochloride
Why are vitamins prescribed?
used for the prevention and treatment of specific deficiency states or where the diet is known to be inadequate
folic acid
fo·lic acid
a crystalline vitamin of the B complex that is required for normal production of red blood cells, is used especially in the treatment of nutritional anemias
thiamine hydrochloride
thi·a·mine hy·dro·chlor·ide
a vitamin of the vitamin B complex that is essential to normal metabolism and nerve function
Common Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs…
naproxen
ibuprofen
What are Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs also known as?
NSAIDs
Why are NSAIDs prescribed?
medicines that are widely used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and bring down a high temperature
What are NSAIDs often prescribed to relieve the symptoms of?
They're often used to relieve symptoms of... headaches painful periods sprains and strains colds and flu arthritis other causes of long-term pain
naproxen
na·prox·en
an analgesic and antipyretic
ibuprofen
ibu·pro·fen
a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve pain and fever
What is an antipyretic?
a substance that reduces fever
How do antipyretics work?
Antipyretics cause the hypothalamus to override a prostaglandin-induced increase in temperature
The body then works to lower the temperature, which results in a reduction in fever
Common Penicillins, broad spectrum…
amoxicillin
co‐amoxiclav
What types of drugs are classed as antibiotics?
penicillins cephalosporins aminoglycosides tetracyclines macrolides fluoroquinolones
penicillin
pen·i·cil·lin
are used especially against gram-positive cocci
cephalosporin
ceph·a·lo·spo·rin
to treat a variety of bacterial infections, especially for people who are allergic to penicillin
aminoglycoside
ami·no·gly·co·side
inhibit bacterial protein synthesis and are active especially against gram-negative bacteria
tetracycline
tet·ra·cy·cline
broad-spectrum antibiotic
macrolide
mac·ro·lide
inhibit bacterial RNA-dependent protein synthesis, and are effective especially against gram-positive bacteria
fluoroquinolone
flu·o·ro·quin·o·lone
used as antibacterial drugs
What are penicillins commonly used to treat?
infections caused by bacteria
pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections
scarlet fever
ear, skin, gum, mouth, and throat infections
What are cephalosporins commonly used to treat?
a variety of bacterial infections, especially for people who are allergic to penicillin
skin or soft tissue infections
urinary tract infections (UTIs)
What are aminoglycosides commonly used to treat?
the treatment of severe infections of the abdomen and urinary tract
bacteremia
endocarditis
prophylaxis, especially against endocarditis
What is endocarditis?
inflammation of your heart’s inner lining, caused by bacteria
When the inflammation is caused by infection, the condition is called infective endocarditis
What is Bacteremia?
the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream
What are tetracyclines commonly used to treat?
used to treat infections caused by bacteria
pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections
certain infections of skin, eye, lymphatic, intestinal, genital and urinary systems
other infections that are spread by ticks, lice, mites, and infected animals
What are macrolides commonly used to treat?
They are useful in treating... respiratory infections skin infections soft tissue infections sexually transmitted infections H. pylori atypical mycobacterial infections
What are fluoroquinolones commonly used to treat?
effectively treat a variety of infections…
complicated urinary tract infections
bacterial infections of the prostate
stomach and bacterial forms of pneumonia
other respiratory infections
amoxicillin
amox·i·cil·lin
co‐amoxiclav
co·amox·I·clav
Common Laxatives ‐ osmotic…
macrogol
lactulose
Why are osmotic laxatives prescribed?
a type of stool softener used in the management of constipation
macrogol
mac·ro·gol
a laxative taken to treat constipation
help clear a build-up of hard poo in your bowel, which can happen if you’ve been constipated for a long time (faecal impaction)
lactulose
lac·tu·lose
used as a laxative for chronic constipation and as an acidifier to reduce blood ammonia levels causing neurological symptoms in advanced liver disease
Common selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)…
citalopram
sertraline
fluoxetine
What are selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) more commonly known as?
anti-depressants
What types of drugs are classed as anti-depressants?
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
noradrenaline and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NASSAs)
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
Why are SSRIs prescribed?
mainly prescribed to treat depression
What are SSRIs often used in combination with?
a talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
citalopram
ci·tal·o·pram
treat depression and anxiety
sertraline
ser·tra·line
enhance serotonin activity
fluoxetine
flu·ox·e·tine
enhances serotonin activity
Common systemic corticosteroids…
prednisolone
Why are systemic corticosteroids often prescribed?
mainly used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system
What conditions are systemic corticosteroids often used to treat?
asthma
allergic rhinitis
hay fever
prednisolone
pred·nis·o·lone
used especially as an anti-inflammatory drug
Common stimulant laxatives…
senna
docusate sodium
Why are stimulant laxatives prescribed?
an effective treatment for constipation
How do stimulant laxatives work?
ausing the intestinal muscles to rhythmically contract and help push out, or ‘stimulate’ a bowel movement
Senna glycoside
sen·na gly·co·side
used to treat constipation
docusate sodium
doc·u·sate so·di·um
used to soften stools in the treatment or prevention of constipation
Common inhaled corticosteroids…
beclometasone
fluticasone
budesonide
Why are inhaled corticosteroids prescribed?
The treatment of asthma and other respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
How do inhaled corticosteroids work?
suppress airway inflammation and reduce inflammation in the lungs
allowing for easier breathing.
beclometasone
bec·lo·met·asone
prevent difficulty breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing caused by asthma
fluticasone
flu·tic·a·sone
fluticasone propionate
used as a nasal spray to treat allergic rhinitis
as an oral inhalant to treat and prevent asthma & COPD
a cream or ointment to treat inflammation and itching
fluticasone furoate
a nasal spray to treat allergic rhinitis
an oral inhalant to treat asthma & COPD
budesonide
bu·des·o·nide
a synthetic anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid
an inhalational aerosol or powder especially to treat asthma
a nasal spray to treat allergic rhinitis or to treat or prevent nasal polyps
capsule form taken by mouth to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
What are the two types of fluticasone?
fluticasone propionate
fluticasone furoate
Common thyroid hormones…
levothyroxine
Why are thyroid hormones often prescribed?
generally prescribed when your thyroid is not making enough thyroid hormone naturally
For what condition are thyroid hormones commonly prescribed for?
hypothyroidism
levothyroxine
le·vo·thy·rox·ine
treatment of hypothyroidism
Common Benzodiazepines…
diazepam
temazepam
lorazepam
Why are benzodiazepines prescribed?
treating…
anxiety and panic
seizures (convulsions)
insomnia or trouble sleeping
diazepam
di·az·e·pam
a tranquilliser used especially to relieve anxiety and tension and as a muscle relaxant
temazepam
te·maz·e·pam
used for its sedative and tranquilizing effects in the treatment of insomnia
lorazepam
lor·az·e·pam
tranquilliser used especially to relieve anxiety and insomnia and to control epileptic seizures
Common Alpha‐adrenoceptor blocking drugs…
doxazosin
tamsulosin
What conditions are Alpha‐adrenoceptor blocking drugs prescribed for?
hypertension
Raynaud’s disease
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
erectile dysfunction.
doxazosin
dox·a·zo·sin
to relieve urethral obstruction in benign prostatic hyperplasia and to treat hypertension
acts to relax smooth muscle or blood vessels, which increases fluid flow in these entities by combining with and blocking the activity of an alpha-receptor
tamsulosin
tam·su·lo·sin
an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent administered to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia
What is prostatic hyperplasia?
prostate gland enlargement
Common Biguanides…
bi·gua·nides
metformin
Why are biguanides prescribed?
used as an oral drug for the management of mild to moderately severe noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus ((NIDDM) (Type II)) in obese or overweight patients who are usually above 40 years of age
metformin
met·for·min
treat type 2 diabetes
Insulin
in·su·lin
essential especially for the metabolism of carbohydrates and the regulation of glucose levels in the blood and that when insufficiently produced results in diabetes mellitus
Why is insulin prescribed?
used to control blood sugar in people who have type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not make insulin and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood)
or in people who have type 2 diabetes (condition in which the blood sugar is too high because the body does not produce or use insulin normally) that cannot be controlled with oral medications alone
What class of drugs is human insulin?
hormones
Common Angiotensin‐II receptor antagonists…
losartan
candesartan
irbesartan
Why are Angiotensin‐II receptor antagonists prescribed?
used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure
They are also used for chronic kidney disease prescribed following a heart attack
What are Angiotensin‐II receptor antagonists also known as?
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
losartan
lo·sar·tan
antihypertensive drug
blocks the action of the physiologically active form of angiotensin
What is angiotensin?
a peptide hormone that causes vasoconstriction and an increase in blood pressure
candesartan
can·de·sar·tan
antihypertensive drug
blocks the action of angiotensin II
irbesartan
ir·be·sar·tan
antihypertensive drug
blocks the action of angiotensin II
Common topical corticosteroids…
hydrocortisone
Why are topical corticosteroids prescribed?
used to treat a large number of conditions that cause inflammation
They work by reducing inflammation and irritation
eczema
psoriasis
hay fever
allergiescertain conditions of the eyes
hydrocortisone
hy·dro·cor·ti·sone
calms down your body’s immune response to reduce pain, itching and swelling (inflammation)
It can also be used as hormone replacement for people who do not have enough of the natural stress hormone, cortisol
gabapentin
gab·a·pen·tin
anticonvulsant drug that is administered orally as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures
pregabalin
pre·gab·a·lin
anticonvulsant drug that is taken orally for the relief of pain associated especially with fibromyalgia, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and post-herpetic neuralgia and as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures
What are both gabapentin and pregabalin structurally related too?
gamma-aminobutyric acid
What is fibromyalgia?
a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, tenderness, and stiffness of muscles and associated connective tissue structures that is typically accompanied by fatigue, headache, and sleep disturbances
What is diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
a disease or degenerative state of the peripheral nerves in which motor, sensory, or vasomotor nerve fibers may be affected and which is marked by muscle weakness and atrophy, pain, and numbness
What is post-herpetic neuralgia?
lasting nerve pain in an area previously affected by shingles
Common tricyclic antidepressants…
amitriptyline
Why are tricyclic antidepressants usually prescribed?
used primarily to treat mood disorders
but also have their place in the treatment of anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and neurological disorders
amitriptyline
am·i·trip·ty·line
tricyclic aromatic antidepressant drug used to prevent migraines and to treat neuropathic pain, bulimia, and depression
Common Anti‐platelet drugs…
clopidogrel
Why are anti‐platelet drugs prescribed?
used to reduce the risk of heart attack
clopidogrel
clo·pid·o·grel
an antithrombotic agent that inhibits ADP-induced aggregation of platelets
Common Anti‐fungal drugs…
clotrimazole
ketononazole
Why are anti-fungal drugs prescribed?
used to treat fungal infections
clotrimazole
clo·tri·ma·zole
an antifungal agent
ketononazole
ke·ton·o·na·zole
an antifungal medication used to treat a number of fungal infections
Common Histamine (H2)‐receptor antagonists…
ranitidine
What are Histamine (H2)‐receptor antagonists?
a group of medicines that reduce the amount of acid produced by the cells in the lining of the stomach
What are Histamine (H2)‐receptor antagonists also known as?
H2 blockers
ranitidine
ra·nit·i·dine
a histamine blocker that inhibits gastric acid secretion
Common thiazide diuretics…
bendroflumethiazide
indapamide
Why are thiazide diuretics prescribed?
a common treatment for high blood pressure
They are also used to clear fluid from the body in conditions where your body accumulates too much fluid, such as heart failure
bendroflumethiazide
ben·dro·flu·me·thi·a·zide
a thiazide diuretic taken orally in the treatment of hypertension often in combination with a beta-blocker
indapamide
in·da·pa·mide
a thiazide-like diuretic drug generally used in the treatment of hypertension, as well as decompensated heart failure.
Why are Emollients prescribed?
moisturising treatments applied directly to the skin to soothe and hydrate it
They cover the skin with a protective film to trap in moisture
What conditions are emollients prescribed for?
help manage dry, itchy or scaly skin conditions such as…
eczema
psoriasis
ichthyosis
Common Nitrates…
isosorbide mononitrate
glyceryl trinitrate
Why are nitrates prescribed?
used for treating or preventing heart pain (angina, chest pain) caused by heart disease, usually of the arteries in the heart
isosorbide mononitrate
iso·sor·bide mono·nitrate
used for heart-related chest pain, heart failure, and esophageal spasms
glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)
glyc·er·yl tri·ni·trate
a medication used for heart failure, high blood pressure, anal fissures, painful periods, and to treat and prevent chest pain caused by decreased blood flow to the heart (angina) or due to the recreational use of cocaine
What is glyceryl trinitrate also known as?
Nitroglycerin
Why is Trimethoprim prescribed?
an antibiotic
It’s used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as cystitis
Occasionally used to treat other types of infections, such as chest infections and acne
Trimethoprim
tri·meth·o·prim
a synthetic antibacterial and antimalarial drug
Common types of iron drugs…
ferrous fumarate
ferrous sulfate
Why are iron drugs prescribed?
to treat and prevent iron deficiency anaemia
Why is iron important in the body?
Iron helps the body to make healthy red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body
Why are people often prescribed iron drugs?
blood loss, pregnancy or too little iron in your diet can make your iron supply drop too low, leading to anaemia
ferrous fumarate
fer·rous fu·ma·rate
the treatment of iron-deficiency anemia
ferrous sulfate
fer·rous sul·fate
used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anaemia
Common Bisphosphonates…
alendronic acid
Why are Bisphosphonates prescribed?
bis·phos·pho·nate
drugs that help prevent or slow down bone thinning (osteoporosis)
They can help to treat some types of cancer that cause bone damage
They are also a treatment for high levels of calcium in your blood
alendronic acid
al·en·dron·ic ac·id
used to treat osteoporosis and Paget’s disease of bone
Common penicillinase-resistant penicillins…
flucloxacillin
Why are penicillinase-resistant penicillins prescribed?
Some bacteria produce the enzyme penicillinase that destroys the beta-lactam ring of the antibiotic, making the penicillin ineffective
Penicillinase resistant penicillins are used to treat resistant strains of staphylococci and other infections
flucloxacillin
flu·clox·a·cil·lin
an antibiotic used to treat skin infections, external ear infections, infections of leg ulcers, diabetic foot infections, and infection of bone
Common Sulfonylureas…
sul·fo·nyl·ureas
gliclazide
Why are Sulfonylureas prescribed?
medications that control blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes by stimulating the production of insulin in the pancreas and increasing the effectiveness of insulin in the body
gliclazide
gli·cla·zide
anti-diabetic medication, used to treat diabetes mellitus type 2
used when dietary changes, exercise, and weight loss are not enough
increases the amount of insulin that your pancreas makes
Common Macrolides…
clarithromycin
Why are macrolides prescribed?
used to treat infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria treat infections caused by limited Gram-negative bacteria
treat some respiratory tract and soft-tissue infections
clarithromycin
cla·rith·ro·my·cin
a semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic used especially in the treatment of various mild to moderate bacterial infections
Common Gout and hyperuricaemia drugs…
allopurinol
Why are Gout and hyperuricaemia drugs prescribed?
used to lower levels of uric acid in your blood
If you produce too much uric acid or your kidneys do not filter enough out, it can build up and cause tiny, sharp crystals to form in and around your joints
allopurinol
al·lo·pu·ri·nol
used to promote excretion of uric acid
used to treat gout and kidney stones
What does hyperuricaemia mean?
hy·per·uri·ce·mia
excess uric acid in the blood
Why are Alginates and antacids prescribed?
Alginates taken in combination with an antacid increases the viscosity of stomach contents and can protect the oesophageal mucosa from acid reflux
Common Anti‐depressant drugs…
venlafaxine
mirtazapine
Why are anti-depressants prescribed?
are prescribed for mood conditions such as depression and anxiety, as well as for pain and sleeping troubles
venlafaxine
ven·la·fax·ine
a drug that functions as an SNRI and is used especially to treat depression, anxiety, and panic disorder
mirtazapine
mir·taz·a·pine
an antidepressant drug taken orally especially to treat major depressive disorder
Common Ocular lubricants…
hypromellose
Why are ocular lubricants prescribed?
keep the eye moist
help to protect the eye from injury and infection
decrease symptoms of dry eyes such as burning, itching, and feeling as if something is in the eye
hypromellose
hy·pro·mellose
is a semisynthetic, inert, viscoelastic polymer used as eye drops
Common Anti‐muscarinic bronchodilators…
tiotropium
ipratropium bromide
Why are anti‐muscarinic bronchodilators prescribed?
used to treat long-term conditions where the airways may become narrow and inflamed, such as asthma and COPD
tiotropium
ti·o·tro·pi·um
an anticholinergic drug administered by oral inhalation as a bronchodilator in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
ipratropium bromide
ip·ra·tro·pi·um bromide
an anticholinergic drug
inhalational aerosol for bronchodilation especially in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
nasal spray in the treatment of runny nose associated with rhinitis
Common cardiac glycosides…
digoxin
Why are cardiac glycosides prescribed?
main medical treatment to congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmia
due to their effects of increasing the force of muscle contraction while reducing heart rate
digoxin
di·gox·in
used especially to treat atrial fibrillation
Common 2nd generation anti-psychotics…
quetiapine
olanzapine
risperidone
Why are 2nd generation antipsychotics prescribed?
if extrapyramidal side-effects are a particular concern
What are extrapyramidal side-effects?
Physical symptoms, including tremor, slurred speech, akathesia, dystonia, anxiety, distress, paranoia, and bradyphrenia, that are primarily associated with improper dosing of or unusual reactions to neuroleptic (antipsychotic) medications
quetiapine
que·ti·a·pine
an antipsychotic drug taken especially to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
olanzapine
olan·za·pine
an antipsychotic drug used in the short-term treatment of schizophrenia and acute manic episodes of bipolar disorder
risperidone
ris·per·i·done
an antipsychotic drug used especially to treat schizophrenia
Commonly prescribed anti‐proliferative immunosuppressants….
azathioprine
Why are anti‐proliferative immunosuppressants prescribed?
widely used for transplant recipients and it is also used to treat a number of auto-immune conditions, usually when corticosteroid therapy alone provides inadequate control
azathioprine
aza·thi·o·prine
an immunosuppressant
Common tetracyclines…
doxycycline
Why are tetracyclines prescribed?
treat infections caused by bacteria including pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections
certain infections of skin, eye, lymphatic, intestinal, genital and urinary systems
certain other infections that are spread by ticks, lice, mites, and infected animals
doxycycline
doxy·cy·cline
a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic used orally to treat various bacterial infections
Common anti-motility drugs…
loperamide
Why are anti-motility drugs prescribed?
can reduce bowel movement frequency and enable travelers to resume their activities while awaiting the effects of antibiotics
loperamide
lo·per·a·mide
slows intestinal peristalsis and is used control acute nonspecific diarrhea or chronic diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease or to reduce fecal volume discharged from ileostomies
Common dopaminergic drugs used in parkinsonism…
co‐careldopa
a mixture of the medicines levodopa and carbidopa
Why are dopaminergenic drugs prescribed in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease?
provide an effective alternative to levodopa for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. They allow initiation of levodopa therapy to be delayed so deferring onset of levodopa associated treatment complications, a particular problem in younger patients
co‐careldopa
co·care·l·dopa
used to treat the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It can help with shaking (tremors), slowness and stiffness
Why is Lamotrigine prescribed?
used to treat epilepsy
can also help prevent low mood (depression) in adults with bipolar disorder
Lamotrigine
la·mot·ri·gine
an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy and to delay or prevent the recurrence of depressive episodes in bipolar disorder
Common direct oral anticoagulants…
rivaroxaban
apixaban
dabigatran
Why are direct oral anticoagulants prescribed?
also called vitamin K antagonists (VKAs)
are used to prevent the occurrence or increase of unwanted blood clots
rivaroxaban
riv·a·rox·a·ban
an anticoagulant drug that inhibits the activity of factor X and is taken to prevent and treat deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and to reduce the risk of stroke related to atrial fibrillation
apixaban
apix·a·ban
an anticoagulant drug that inhibits the activated form of factor X and is taken in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disease (such as deep vein thrombosis)
dabigatran
da·big·a·tran
an anticoagulant drug that inhibits the action of thrombin and is administered to reduce the risk of stroke associated with atrial fibrillation in the absence of heart valve disease and to treat or prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
Common 1st generation anti-psychotics…
haloperidol
Why are 1st generation anti-psychotics prescribed?
used primarily to treat positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions
haloperidol
hal·o·per·i·dol
a depressant of the central nervous system used especially as an antipsychotic drug
Common mucolytics…
mu·co·lyt·ic
carbocisteine
Why are Mucolytics prescribed?
medicines that make the mucus less thick and sticky and easier to cough up
They are usually prescribed for people who have a long-term (chronic) cough
carbocisteine
car·bo·ci·st·eine
reduces the viscosity of sputum and so can be used to help relieve the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and bronchiectasis by allowing the sufferer to bring up sputum more easily
Why is Levetiracetam prescribed?
anticonvulsant
to treat certain types of seizures in adults and children with epilepsy
works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
Common penicillins…
benzylpenicillin
phenoxymethylpenicillin
Why are penicillins prescribed?
used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections, scarlet fever, and ear, skin, gum, mouth, and throat infections
benzylpenicillin
ben·zyl·pen·i·cil·lin
antibiotic used to treat a number of bacterial infections. This includes pneumonia, strep throat, syphilis, necrotizing enterocolitis, diphtheria, gas gangrene, leptospirosis, cellulitis, and tetanus
phenoxymethylpenicillin
phe·noxy·meth·yl·pen·i·cil·lin
antibiotic used for the treatment of strep throat, otitis media, and cellulitis
Common aminosalicylates…
mesalazine
Why are aminosalicylates prescribed?
used to treat inflammation of the gut that are used to treat and prevent flare-ups of ulcerative colitis
treatment of Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease
mesalazine
me·sal·a·zine
affects a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea
Why is Nitrofurantoin prescribed?
an antibiotic
used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), including cystitis and kidney infections
Nitrofurantoin
ni·tro·fu·ran·to·in
a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent used especially in treating urinary tract infections
What happens when you take nitrofurantoin?
When you take nitrofurantoin, your body quickly filters it out of your blood and into your pee
Common antivirals..
aciclovir
Why are antivirals prescribed?
used specifically for treating viral infections
aciclovir
aci·clo·vir
a cyclic synthetic nucleoside used especially to treat the symptoms of chicken pox, shingles, and the genital form of herpes simplex
Common Cephalosporins…
ceftriaxone
cefalexin
Why are cephalosporins prescribed?
for people who are allergic to penicillin
broad-spectrum antibiotics which are used for the treatment of septicaemia, pneumonia, meningitis, biliary-tract infections, peritonitis, and urinary-tract infections
ceftriaxone
cef·tri·ax·one
a broad-spectrum semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic
cefalexin
cef·a·lex·in
a semisynthetic cephalosporin with a spectrum of antibiotic activity similar to the penicillins
Common local anaesthetics…
Lidocaine
Why are local anaesthetics prescribed?
used to treat painful conditions, prevent pain during a procedure or operation, or relieve pain after surgery
Lidocaine
li·do·caine
local anesthetic and as an antiarrhythmic agent
What are anti arrhythmic agents?
also known as cardiac dysrhythmia medications
used to suppress abnormal rhythms of the heart (cardiac arrhythmias), such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation
Why is amiodarone prescribed?
used to treat or prevent heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation
It can be used to treat patients in hospital, especially after heart surgery to prevent atrial fibrillation
amiodarone
ami·o·da·rone
an anti arrhythmic drug used to treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias
Common drugs used in substance dependance…
nicotine
methadone
Why is nicotine prescribed?
Nicotine replacement therapy
uses products that supply low doses of nicotine
These products do not contain many of the toxins found in smoke
The goal of therapy is to cut down on cravings for nicotine and ease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal
Why is methadone prescribed?
Methadone is an opiate prescribed by doctors as a substitute for heroin
Used to help heroin addicts overcome withdrawal symptoms
