MEDLIST 10 - miscellaneous

Question 1

Levoxyl,
Synthroid,
Tirosint

Answer 1

Generic:
levothyroxine
Common Strength:
25mcg,
50mcg,
75mcg,
88mcg,
100mcg,
112mcg,
125mcg,
137mcg,
150mcg,
175mcg,
200mcg

Common Frequency:
daily
Indication and use:
* Hypothyroidism (low thyroid)
Tips:
* Take with water at least 30 minutes before breakfast to increase absorption (absorption can decrease with food)
* Take the same way everyday
* Take >4 hours apart from antacids and iron
* May take several weeks to see symptoms improve

Question 2

Flomax

Answer 2

Generic:
tamsulosin
Common Strength:
0.4mg
Common Frequency:
daily
Indication and use:
* Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
* Ureteral stone expulsion (remove kidney stone)

Tips:
* Take 30 minutes AFTER the same meal each day to increase absorption
* Orthostatic hypotension (dizziness when standing quickly)
* Headache
* Dizziness

Question 3

Detrol LA

Answer 3

Generic:
tolterodine
Common Strength:
2mg
4mg

Common Frequency:
daily
Indication and use:
* Overactive bladder
Tips:
* Constipation
* Dry mouth
* Headache

Question 4

Aricept

Answer 4

Generic:
Donepezil
Common Strength:
5mg
10mg
23mg

Common Frequency:

daily, at bedtime

Max: 23 mg/day

Indication and use:
* Alzheimer’s disease
* Dementia

Tips:
* Nausea
* Diarrhea
* Risk of stomach bleed with NSAIDs
* Prolonged QT interval

Question 5

Fosamax

Answer 5

Generic:
alendronate
Common Strength:
5mg
10mg
35mg
70 mg

Common Frequency:
once weekly
Indication and use:
* Osteoporosis
Tips:
* Take 30 minutes before breakfast to increase absorption (standup for 30 minutes after taking)
* Ensure adequate Ca and Vit. D intake
* Take with 8 oz of water and remain upright for 30 minutes
* Report heartburn or bone pain to physician (Uncommon)

Question 6

Zyloprim

Answer 6

Generic:
allopurinol
Common Strength:
100mg
300mg

Common Frequency:
daily

MAX: 800mg/day

Indication and use:
Gout
Tips:
* Report rash to prescriber if it occurs
* May cause nausea and/or diarrhea
* Gout attacks may be more frequent in early therapy

Question 7

Tamiflu

Answer 7

Generic:
oseltamivir
Common Strength:
30mg
45mg
75mg

Common Frequency:
Flu Prevention:
One capsule once daily for 10 days

Flu Treatment:
One capsule twice daily for 5 days

Indication and use:
Influenza prevention or treatment
Tips:
* Nausea/vomiting
* Headache
* Does not replace influenza vaccine
* Must initiate within 48 hours of onset of symptoms

Question 8

Slow Fe,
FeroSul

Answer 8

Generic:
ferrous sulfate
Common Strength:
325mg
(65mg elemental iron)

Common Frequency:
daily, BID, TID
Indication and use:
* Iron deficiency
* Dietary supplement

Tips:
* Best absorbed on empty stomach, but take with food if stomach upset occurs
* Separate 2 hours before or after other medications
* Black stools (iron isn’t fully absorbed)
* Constipation common

Question 9

Imitrex

Answer 9

Generic:
sumatriptan

Common Strength:
25mg
50mg
100mg

Common Frequency:
One tablet PO at first sign of migraine, may
repeat once in 2 hours if no relief

MAX: 200mg/day

Indication and use:
* Acute treatment of migraine
* Cluster headache

Tips:
* Tingling, dizziness common
* Avoid if history of cardiovascular disease
* Overuse (more than 10 days per month) may worsen or increase frequency of headaches

Question 10

Cialis

Answer 10

Generic:
tadalafil
Common Strength:
2.5mg
5mg
10mg
20mg

Common Frequency:
daily
Indication and use:
* Erectile dysfunction
* Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
* Pulmonary hypertension

Tips:

• Do not take more than once daily
• Avoid alcohol due to risk of low blood pressure
• Avoid grapefruit juice or lower dose/frequency of tadalafil use
• Headache and flushing
• Report sudden loss of hearing or vision and discontinue use