Top 300 Most Prescribed Drugs (what it be, what it do)

Question 1

1. Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Answer 1

What is it?

A statin.

What does it do?

Lowers LDL (“bad” cholesterol) by slowing LDL production in liver. This reduces risk of MI and CVA in pts at higher risk.

Who is it for?

• Patients with a family hx or high risk factors of heart attack / stroke / HTN
• Patients diagnosed with CAD
• Patients with Type 2 diabetes

Question 2

2. Levothyroxine

Answer 2

What is it?

A manufactured form of thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4)

What does it do?

Simulates a hormone that is lacking in patients with hypothyroidism, helping to balance out hormone levels.

Who is it for?

Most often used for patients with hypothyroidism who require lifelong hormone therapy

Question 3

3. Metformin (Glucophage)

Answer 3

What is it?

An antihyperglycemic agent

What does it do?

Frontline treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Decreases glucose production in the liver, making cells more insulin sensitive. It also reduces appetite.

Who is it for?

• Patients with type 2 diabetes
• Patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (improves fertility)

Question 4

Lisinopril

Answer 4

ACE Inhibitor

Treats HTN by inhibiting the RAAS cycle

Question 5

Amlodipine

Answer 5

Calcium Channel Blocker

Reduces BP by lowering pulse pressure (how hard heart squeezes)

Treats HTN, angina, CAD, post-op cardiac pts

Question 6

Metoprolol

Answer 6

Beta Blocker

Reduces BP by inhibiting beta-1 receptors (causing heart to beat slower and with reduced contractility)

Tx: HTN, Angina, Post MI pts

Question 7

Albuterol (Ventolin)

Answer 7

Bronchodilator

Opens bronchioles by relaxing smooth muscles, reducing inflammation in lower airways

Tx: Asthma, COPD

Question 8

Omeprazole

Answer 8

Proton Pump Inhibitor

Slows the production of stomach acid

Tx for: GERD, Upper GI bleeding in pts who experience severe emesis

Question 9

Losartan

Answer 9

Angiotensin II receptor blocker

Inhibits RAAS, lowering BP

Tx for: HTN, HTN + Type 2 Diabetes

Question 10

10. Gabapentin

Answer 10

Anticonvulsant used to treat seizures and diabetic neuropathy

Question 11

Hydrochlorothiazide

Answer 11

Diuretic

Question 12

12. Sertraline

Answer 12

SSRI: Tx depression, panic attacks, OCD, social anxiety

Question 13

13. Simvastatin

Answer 13

Statin: lowers LDL

Question 14

Montelukast

Answer 14

PO drug that treats asthma, promotes bronchodilaton

Question 15

Escitalapram

Answer 15

SSRI, Treats depression

Question 16

Vicodin (Acetaminophen + Hydrocodone)

Answer 16

Opioid analgesic

Question 17

Rosuvastatin

Answer 17

Statin, lowers LDL (cholesterol)

Question 18

Bupropion

Answer 18

Anti-depressant / smoking cessation

Question 19

Furosemide (Lasix)

Answer 19

Diuretic, reduces the reuptake of electrolytes in kidneys, promoting more frequent urination

Question 20

Pantoprazole

Answer 20

Proton Pump Inhibitor used to treat GERD + Peptic Ulcers

Question 21

Trazodone

Answer 21

Anti-depressant

Question 22

Dextroamphetamine (-Amphetamine suffixes)

Answer 22

CNS stimulant. Treats ADHD, narcolepsy

Question 23

Fluticasone

Answer 23

Glucocorticoid (steroid) used to treat nasal symptoms (congestion etc)

Question 24

Tamsulosin

Answer 24

“Flomax”, an alpha-blocker that treats enlarged prostate syndromes

Question 25

Fluoxetine

Answer 25

SSRI: Antidepressant

Question 26

Carvedilol

Answer 26

Non-selective Beta blocker, Alpha 1 blocker, treats HTN + LVH in otherwise stable pts (blocks the shit outta sympathetic receptors, only used in otherwise healthy pts who can tolerate)

Question 27

Duloxetine

Answer 27

Serotonin/Norepi reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), Tx for depression and anxiety