CATEGORY ACTIONS; GENERIC NAME TRADE NAME

APPLICATIONS

Adrenergics Mimic the action of the Epinephrine Bronkaid

(sympathomimetics
) sympathetic nervous Phenylephrine Neo-Synephrine

system, which responds Pseudoephedrine Sudafed

to stress Dopamine Intropin

Analgesics Alleviate pain

Narcotic decrease pain sensation in Meperidine Demerol

central nervous system; Morphine Duramorph

chronic use may lead to

physical dependence

Nonnarcotic Act peripherally to inhibit aspirin

prostaglandins (local (acetylsalicylic

hormones); they may also acid; ASA) Tylenol

be anti-inflammatory and acetaminophen Motrin, Advil

antipyretic (reduce fever) (APAP) Celebrex, Vioxx

ibuprofen

Celecoxib

Anesthetics Reduce or eliminate Local

sensation Lidocaine Xylocaine

Procaine Novocain

General

Nitrous oxide

Midazolam

Anticoagulants Prevent coagulation and Heparin

 formation of blood clots Warfarin Coumadin

Anticonvulsants Suppress or reduce the Phenobarbital

number and/or intensity Phenytoin Dilantin

of seizures Carbamazepine Tegretol

Valproic acid Depakene

Antidiabetics Prevent or alleviate Insulin Humulin (injected)

diabetes Chlorpropamide Diabinese (oral)

Glyburide Micronase

Metformin Glucophage

Acarbose Precose

Antiemetics Relieve symptoms of Ondansetron Zofran

nausea and prevent Dimenhydrinate Dramamine

vomiting (emesis) Prochlorperazine Compazine

Scopolamine Transderm-Sco–p

Promethezine Phenergan

Antihistamines Prevent responses Diphenhydramine Benadryl

mediated by histamine: Brompheniramine Dimetane

allergic and inflammatory Loratadine Claritin

reactions Cetirizine Zyrtec

Antihypertensives Lower blood pressure by Clonidine Catapres

reducing cardiac output, Prazosin Minipress

dilating vessels, or Minoxidil Loniten

promoting excretion of Losartan Cozaar

water by the kidneys; see Captopril Capoten

 also calcium channel

blockers, beta blockers,

and diuretics under

cardiac drugs, below

Anti-inflammatory Counteract inflammation

drugs and swelling

Corticosteroids Hormones from the dexamethasone Decadron

cortex of the adrenal Cortisone Cortone

gland; used for allergy, Prednisone Deltasone

respiratory, and blood Hydrocortisone Hydrocortone, Cortef

diseases, injury, and Fluticasone Flonase

malignancy; suppress the

immune system

Nonsteroidal Reduce inflammation Aspirin

anti-inflammatory and pain by interfering Ibuprofen Motrin, Advil

drugs (NSAIDs) with synthesis of Indomethacin Indocin

prostaglandins; also Naproxen Naprosyn, Aleve

Antipyretic Diclofenac Voltaren

Anti-infective
agents Kill or prevent the growth

of infectious organisms

Antibacterials Effective against bacteria Amoxicillin Polymox

Antibiotics Penicillin V Pen-Vee K

Erythromycin Erythrocin

Vancomycin Vancocin

Linezolid Zyvox

Gentamycin Garamycin
 Clarithromycin Biaxin

Cephalexin Keflex

Sulfisoxazole Gantrisin

Tetracycline Achromycin

Ciprofloxacin (acts Cipro

on ulcer-causing

Helicobacter pylori)

Isoniazid (INH)

(tuberculosis) Nydrazid

Antifungals Effective against fungi Amphotericin B Fungizone

Miconazole Monistat

Nystatin Nilstat

Fluconazole Diflucan

Itraconazole Sporanox

Iodoquinol
Antiparasitics Effective against (amebae) Yodoxin

parasites: protozoa, Quinacrine

worms Atabrine

Antivirals Effective against viruses Acyclovir Zovirax

Amantadine Symmetrel

Zanamivir Relenza

(influenza)

Zidovudine (HIV) Retrovir

 Indinavir (HIV Crixivan

protease inhibitor)

Antineoplastics Destroy cancer cells; they Cyclophosphamide Cytoxan

are toxic for all cells but Doxorubicin Adriamycin

have greater effect on Methotrexate Folex

cells that are actively Vincristine Oncovin

growing and dividing; Tamoxifen (estrogen Nolvadex

hormones and hormone inhibitor)

inhibitors also are used to

slow tumor growth

Cardiac drugs

Antiarrhythmics Correct or prevent Quinidine Quinidex

abnormalities of heart Lidocaine Xylocaine

rhythm Digoxin Lanoxin

Beta-adrenergic Inhibit sympathetic Propranolol Inderal

blockers (beta nervous system; reduce Metoprolol Lopressor

blockers) rate and force of heart Atenolol Tenormin

contractions Carvedilol Coreg

Calcium channel Dilate coronary arteries, Diltiazem Cardizem

blockers slow heart rate, reduce Nifedipine Procardia

contractions Verapamil Calan

Nitroglycerin Nitrostat

Isosorbide Isordil

Hypolipidemics Lower cholesterol in Cholestyramine Questran

patients with high serum Lovastatin Mevacor

levels that cannot be Pravastatin Pravachol

 controlled with diet Atorvastatin Lipitor

alone; Simvastatin Zocor

hypocholesterolemics,

Statins

Nitrates Dilate coronary arteries Nitroglycerin Nitrostat

and reduce workload of Isosorbide Isordil

heart by lowering blood

pressure and reducing

venous return; antianginal

CNS stimulants Stimulate the central Methylphenidate Ritalin

nervous system Amphetamine Adderall, Dexedrine

(chronic use may

lead to drug

dependence)

Diuretics Promote excretion of Bumetanide Bumex

water, sodium, and other Furosemide Lasix

electrolytes by the Mannitol Osmitrol

kidneys; used to reduce Hydrochlorothiazide Hydrodiuril

edema and blood pressure (HCTZ) Dyazide

Triamterene +

HCTZ

Gastrointestinal

drugs

Antidiarrheals Treat or prevent diarrhea Diphenoxylate Lomotil

by reducing intestinal Loperamide Imodium

 motility or absorbing Attapulgite Kaopectate

irritants and soothing the Atropine

intestinal lining

Histamine H2 Decrease secretion of Cimetidine Tagamet

antagonists stomach acid by Ranitidine Zantac

interfering with the action

of histamine at H2

receptors; used to treat

ulcers and other

gastrointestinal problems

Laxatives promote elimination from

the large intestine; types

include:

Stimulants Bisacodyl Dulcolax

Hyperosmotics (retain Lactulose Constilac, Chronulac

water)

Stool softeners Docusate Colace, Surfak

Bulk-forming agents Psyllium Metamucil

Hypnotics Induce sleep or dull the

senses; see antianxiety

agents (below, under

psychotropics)

Muscle relaxants Depress nervous system Baclofen Lioresal

stimulation of skeletal Carisoprodol Soma

muscles; used to control Methocarbamol Robaxin

muscle spasms and pain

Psychotropics Affect the mind, altering

mental activity, mental

state, or behavior

Antianxiety agents Reduce or dispel anxiety; Lorazepam Ativan

37

tranquilizers; anxiolytic Chlordiazepoxide Librium

agents Diazepam Valium

Hydroxyzine Atarax

Alprazolam Xanax

Buspirone BuSpar

Antidepressants Relieve depression by Amitriptyline Elavil

raising brain levels of Imipramine Tofranil

neurotransmitters Fluoxetine Prozac

(chemicals active in the Paroxetine Paxil

nervous system) Sertraline Zoloft

Antipsychotics Act on nervous system to Chlorpromazine Thorazine

relieve symptoms of Haloperidol Haldol

psychoses Clozapine Clozaril

Risperidone Risperdal

Olanzapine Zyprexa

Respiratory drugs

Antitussives Suppress coughing Dextromethorphan Benylin DM

Bronchodilators Prevent or eliminate Albuterol Proventil

 spasm of the bronchi Epinephrine Sus-Phrine

(breathing tubes) by Metaproterenol Alupent

relaxing bronchial Salmeterol Serevent

smooth muscle; used to Theophylline Theo-Dur

treat asthma and Montelucast Singulair

bronchitis (prevents attacks)

Expectorants Induce productive Guaifenesin Robitussin

coughing to eliminate

respiratory secretions

Mucolytics Loosen mucus to promote Acetylcysteine Mucomyst

its elimination

Sedatives/hypnotics Induce relaxation and Phenobarbital

sleep; lower (sedative) Zolpidem Ambien

doses promote relaxation

leading to sleep; higher

(hypnotic) doses induce

sleep; antianxiety agents

also used reduce mental

Tranquilizers Reduce mental tension

and anxiety; see

antianxiety agents (above,

under psychotropics)