The document outlines the chapter topics and contents for Chapter 18 of The Pharmacy Technician 4E on common drugs and their uses. It provides classifications of drugs, examples of common drugs organized by therapeutic class, and brief descriptions of the drugs' indications. The major sections cover analgesics, anesthetics, anti-infectives, antineoplastics, cardiovascular agents, and others. Each section lists several example drugs and their generic and brand names.

1. The Pharmacy
Technician 4E
Chapter 18
Common Drugs & Their Uses

2. Chapter Outline
 Drug names and classes  Hematological agents
 Classification schemes  Hormones & modifiers
 Analgesics  Immunobiologic agents &
 Anesthetic agents vaccines
 Anti-infectives  Musculoskeletal agents
 Antineoplastics  Neurological agents
 Cardiovascular agents  Ophthalmic & otic agents
 Dermatologicals  Psychotropic agents
 Electrolytic agents  Respiratory agents
 Gastrointestinal & urinary  Additional common drugs
tract agents by classification

3. Classifications
 Blocker
 Term for an antagonist drug, because antagonists
block the action of neurotransmitters.
 Homeostasis
 State of equilibrium of the body.
 Mimetic
 Term for an agonist.
 Agonists imitate or “mimic” the action of the
neurotransmitter.
 Neurotransmitter
 Substances that carry the impulses from one
neuron to another.

4. Analgesics
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Salicylates Bayer (aspirin) acetlsalicylic acid
 Non-NSAID Tylenol acetaminophen
 NSAID Motrin, Advil ibuprofen
 NSAID Naprosyn naproxen
 Opiates MS Contin morphine
 Opiates Demerol meperidine
 Opiates Darvon propoxyphene

5. Anesthetics Agents
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Ester Novocain procaine
 Ester Pontocaine tetracaine
 Amide Xylocaine lidocaine
 Amide Marcaine bupivacaine
 Other Cepacol dyclonine

6. Anti-Infectives
 Type
SomeName Generic Name
Brand
Common Drugs
 Antibiotic Zithromax azithromycin
 Antibiotic/natural penicillin Veetids penicillin
 Antibiotic/synthetic penicillin Principen ampicillin
 Antibiotic/synthetic penicillin Augmentin amoxicillin w/potassium
clavulanate
 Antibiotic/semi-synthetic Geocillin carbenicillin
 Antibiotic/cephalosprin Ceclor cefaclor
 Antibiotic/tetracycline Sumycin tetracycline
 Antibiotic/sulfonamide Bactrim DS sulfamethoxazole/
trimethoprim
 Antiviral Valtrex valacyclovir
 Antiviral/protease inhibitor Viracept nelfinavir
 Antifungal Mycostatin nystatin
 Antimycobacterial Nydrazid isoniazid
 Antiprotozoal Flagyl metronidazole
 Anthelmintic Vermox mebendazole

7. Antineoplastics
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Antimetabolite Adrucil fluorouracil
 Antimetabolite Rheumatrex methotrexate
 Alkylating agent/nitrogen mustard Mustargen mechlorethamine
 Alkylating agent/nitrosurea BiCNU carmustine
 Plant alkaloid Oncovin vincristine
 Plant alkaloid Velban vinblastine
 Hormone agonist Lupron leuprolide
 Hormone/antiestrogen Nolvadex tamoxifen
 Anti-tumor antibiotic Blenoxane bleomycin
 Anti-tumor antibiotic Adriamycin doxorubicin
 Anti-tumor antibiotic Cerubidine daunorubicin
 Radioactive isotope Bexxar tositumomab & iodine I131

8. Cardiovascular Agents
 Type
SomeName
Brand
Common Generic Name
Drugs
 Beta blocker Inderal propranolol
 Beta blocker Tenormin atenolol
 Beta blocker Corgard nadolol
 Beta blocker Lopressor metoprolol
 Calcium channel blocker Calan verapamil
 Calcium channel blocker Norvasc amlodipine
 Calcium channel blocker Procardia nifedipine
 Calcium channel blocker Cardizem diltiazem
 Diuretics Lasix furosemide
 Diuretics Hydrodiuril hydrochlorothiazide
 Diuretics Aldactone spironolactone
 ACE inhibitor Capoten captopril
 ACE inhibitor Vasotec enalapril
 ACE inhibitor Zestril lisinopril
 Vasodilator Apresoline hydralazine
 Vasodilator Loniten minoxidil

9. Cardiovascular Agents Cont.
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Antianginal Nitrostat nitroglycerin
 Antianginal Procardia nifedipine
 Antiarryhthmic Lanoxin digoxin
 Antiarryhthmic Betapace sotalol
 Antihyperlipidemic Vytorin ezetimibe w/simvastatin
 Antihyperlipidemic Zocor simvastatin
 Antihyperlipidemic Pravachol pravastatin
 Antihypertensive/diuretic Lasix furosemide
 Antihypertensive/ACE inhibitor Altace ramipril
 Antihypertensive/diuretic Aldactone spironolactone
 Thrombolytic Cathflo Activase alteplase
 Anticoagulant Coumadin warfarin
 Anticoagulant Hep-Lock heparin
 Vasopressor Dobutrex dobutamine

10. Dermatologicals
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Steroid Westcort hydrocortisone cream
 Antihistamine Benadryl diphenhydramine
 Anti-infective Silvadene silver sulfadiazine cream
 Anti-infective Vibramycin doxycycline hyclate
 Anti-infective Floxin ofloxacin
 Antimetabolite Efudex fluorouracil cream

11. Electrolytic Agents
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic
 Potassium supplement K-Dur Tablets, Klor-Con potassium chloride
Nitrostat nitroglycerin
 Electrolyte replacement Rehydralyte Solution sodium, potassium,
chloride, citrate
 Electrolyte replacement Infalyte Oral Solution sodium, potassium,
chloride, citrate
 Electrolyte replacement Resol Solution sodium, potassium,
chloride, citrate,
magnesium,
phosphate
 Electrolyte replacement Naturalyte Solution sodium,
potassium, chloride, citrate
 Electrolyte replacement Pedialyte Solution sodium, potassium,
chloride, citrate

12. Gastrointestinal & Urinary Tract
Agents
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Enzyme Creon pancrelipase
 Enzyme Pancrease pancrelipase
 Enzyme Ultrace pancrelipase
 Antidiarrheal Imodium loperamide
 Antidiarrheal Lomotil diphenoxylate plus atropine
 Antidiarrheal Pepto-Bismol bismuth subsalicylate
 Antiemetic Tigan trimethobenzamide
 Antiemetic Compazine prochlorperazine

13. Gastrointestinal & Urinary Tract
Agents Cont.
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Antacid/antiulcer Maalox Adv Liquid magneisium hydroxide,
simethicone
 Antacid/antiulcer Tagamet cimetidine
 Antacid/antiulcer Zantac ranitidine
 Antacid/antiulcer Pepcid famotidine
 Antacid/antiulcer Axid nizatidine
 PP Inhibitors Prilosec omeprazole
 Laxative Kristalose lactulose
 Stool softener Colace docusate sodium

14. Gastrointestinal & Urinary Tract
Agents Cont.
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Urinary tract agent Flomax tamsulosin
 Urinary tract agent Uroxatral alfuzosin
 Urinary tract agent Proscar finasteride
 Urinary tract agent Avodart dutasteride
 Urinary tract agent Detrol LA tolterodine
 Urinary tract agent Enablex darifenacin
 Urinary tract agent Vesicare solifenacin
 Urinary tract agent Pyridium phenazopyridine

15. Hematological
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Hematopoietic Slow Fe ferrous sulfate
 Hematopoietic Rubramin cyanocobalamin
 Hemostatic Amicar aminocaproic acid
 Hemostatic Cyklokapron tranexamic acid
 Hemostatic/topical Surgicel oxidized cellulose

16. Hormones & Modifiers
Thyroid, Parathyroid, and Pituitary
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Thyroid Armour Thyroid thyroid desiccated
 Thyroid Synthroid levothyroxine
 Parathyroid Miacalcin calcitonin-salmon
 Pituitary/ovulatory Clomid clomiphene
stimulant
 Pituitary/hypothalamus Pitocin oxytocin

17. Hormones & Modifiers Cont.
Adrenal
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name
Generic
 Adrenal/sympathomimetic Adrenalin epinephrine
 Adrenal/corticosteroid Cortef
hydrocortisone
 Adrenal/corticosteroid Medrol
methylprednisolone
 Adrenal/corticosteroid Sterapred prednisone
 Adrenal/corticosteroid Kenalog triamcinolone

18. Hormones & Modifiers Cont.
Insulin and Oral Anti-diabetic
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Insulin Humulin N NPH
 Insulin Humulin R regular
 Insulin Humulin L lente
 Insulin Lantus glargine
 Oral antidiabetic Diabeta glyburide
 Oral antidiabetic Glucotrol glipizide

19. Hormones & Modifiers Cont.
Reproductive System
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Androgen Android methyltestosterone
 Phosphodiesterase inhibitor Cialis tadalafil
 Phosphodiesterase inhibitor Viagra sildenafil
 Oral contraceptive Ortho Novum norethindrone &
ethinyl estradiol
 Oral contraceptive Trinessa norgestimate &
ethinyl estradiol

20. Hormones & Modifiers Cont.
Reproductive System
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Oral contraceptive Yasmin 28 drospirenone &
ethinyl estradiol
 Oral contraceptive Ortho Tricyclen Lo norgestimate &
ethinyl estradiol
 Contraceptive patch Ortho Evra Patch norelgestromin &
ethinyl estradiol
 Estrogen replacement Vagifem estradiol
 Estrogen replacement Premarin conjugated estrogens
 Progestin Provera medroxyprogesterone

21. Immunobiologic Agents & Vaccines
Some Common Drugs
 Brand Vaccine
 Daptacel, Infanrix, Tripedia Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP, DT, Tdap,
Td)
 Liquid Pedvax HIB, ActHIB, HibTITER Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
 Havrix, VAQTA Hepatitis A (HepA)
 Engerix-B, Recombivax HB, Twinrix Hepatitis B (HepB)
 FluMist Influenza, live attenuated (LAIV)
 Afluria, Fluarix, FluLaval, Fluvirin, Fluzone Influenza, trivalent inactivated (TIV)
 Attenuvax, M-M-R II, Mumpsvax, Meruvax II Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
 Menomune Meningococcal, conjugated (MCV4)
 Prevnar Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)
 Pneumovax 23 Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPV)
 Varivax Varicella (Var)
 Comvax Hib+HepB (combination)
 Pediarix DTaP+HepB+IPV (combination)
 ProQuad MMR+Var (combination)
 TriHIBit DTaP+Hib (combination)

22. Musculoskeletal Agents
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Disease-modifying Rheumatrex methotrexate
antirheumatic
 Gold preparation Solganal aurothioglucose
(suspended in oil)
 Anti-gout Colchine colchicine
 Anti-gout, uricosuric Benemid probenecid
 Anti-gout, xanthine Zyloprim allopurinol
oxidase inhibitor

23. Musculoskeletal Agents Cont.
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Osteoporotic Actonel risedronate
 Osteoporotic Fosamax alendronate
 Centrally acting Valium diazepam
antispasmodics
 Muscle relaxant Soma carisoprodol
 Muscle relaxant Flexeril cyclobenzaprine

24. Neurological Agents Antiparkinsonion
Anti-Alzheimer
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Antiparkinsonian Sinemet carbidopa/levodopa
 Antiparkinsonian Eldepryl selegiline
 Antiparkinsonian Symmetrel amantadine
 Antiparkinsonian/dopamine agonist Permax pergolide
Antiparkinsonian/dopamine agonist Parlodel bromocriptine
 Antiparkinsonian/anticholinergic Cogentin benztropine
 Cognitive symptom agent Cognex tacrine
 Cognitive symptom agent Aricept donepezil
 Antidepressant Pamelor nortriptyline
 Antidepressant Norpramin desipramine
 SSRI Paxil paroxetine
 SSRI Zoloft sertraline

25. Neurological Agents
Epilepsy, Migraine, Multiple Sclerosis, and
AD(H)D
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Antiepileptic Dilantin phenytoin
 Antiepileptic Luminal phenobarbital
 Antiepileptic Depakene valproic acid
 Antiepileptic Depakote divalproex sodium
 Antiepileptic Tegretol carbamazepine
 Antimigraine Bayer Aspirin aspirin
 Antimigraine Imitrex sumatriptan
 Antimigraine Motrin ibuprofen
 Immunomodulator Avonex inter feron beta-1a
 Immunomodulator Betaseron inter feron beta-1b
 Immunomodulator Copaxone glatiramer acetate
 Immunomodulator Rebif inter feron beta-1a
 AD(H)D Concerta methylphenidate
 AD(H)D Methylin methylphenidate
 AD(H)D Ritalin methylphenidate
 AD(H)D Adderall dextroamphetamine/amphetamine

26. Ophthalmic Agents
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Antibiotic Garamycin gentamicin
 Antibiotic Sodium Sulamyd sodium sulfacetamide
 Antibiotic Chibroxin norfloxacin
 Antibiotic Ciloxan ciprofloxacin
 Antiviral Vira-a vidarabine
 Antiviral Viroptic trifluridine
 Antihistamine Livostin levocabastine
 Antihistamine Patanol olopatadine
 Antihistamine Emadine emedastine
 Ophthalmic cortico-steroids HMS medrysone
 Ophthalmic cortico-steroids Pred Forte prednisolone
 NSAID Ocufen flurbiprofen
 NSAID Acular ketorolac

27. Ophthalmic Agents Cont.
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Mydriatic Mydfrin phenylephrine
 Topical anesthetic Alcaine proparacaine
 Ocular lubricant Lacrisert hydroxypropyl
cellulose
 Antiglaucoma Betoptic betaxolol
 Antiglaucoma Ocupress carteolol
 Antiglaucoma Optipranolol metipranolol
 Antiglaucoma Timoptic timolol
 Antiglaucoma Isopto Atropine atropine
 Antiglaucoma Propine dipivefrin

28. Otic Agents
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Anti-infective Cortisporin Otic Solution neomycin, polymixin b,
hydrocortisone
 Anti-infective Cortisporin Otic Suspension neomycin, polymixin
b, hydrocortisone
 Ear wax softener Cerumenex triethanolamine polypeptide
oleate-condensate
 Ear wax softener Debrox carbamide peroxide
 Anti-infective VoSol HC acetic acid, hydrocortisone
 Anti-infective Ciprodex ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone

29. Antipsychotic and Anti-seizure
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Antipsychotic/bipolar Seroquel quetiapine
 Antipsychotic/bipolar Risperdal risperidon
 Antipsychotic/schizophrenia Thorazine chlorpromazine
 Antipsychotic/schizophrenia Stelazine trifluoperazine
 Antiseizure Tegretol carbamazepine
 Antiseizure Depakene valproic acid
 Antiseizure Klonopin clonazepam

30. Psychotropic Agents
Sedatives and Hypnotics
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Sedative/antianxiety Valium diazepam
 Sedative/antianxiety Librium chlordiazepoxide
 Hypnotic/ barbiturate Seconal secobarbital
 Hypnotic/ barbiturate Nembutal pentobarbital
 Hypnotic/ nonbarbiturate Noctec chloral hydrate
 Hypnotic/ nonbarbiturate Miltown meprobamate

31. Psychotropic Agents Cont.
Anti-anxiety
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Antianxiety Valium diazepam
 Antianxiety Librium chlordiazepoxide
 Antianxiety Ativan lorazepam
 Antianxiety Xanax alprazolam

32. Psychotropic Agents Cont.
Antidepressant Drugs
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Antidepressant Elavil amitriptyline
 Antidepressant Zoloft sertraline
 Antidepressant Lexapro escitalopram
 Antidepressant Effexor venlafaxine
 Antidepressant Prozac fluoxetine

33. Psychotropic Drugs Cont.
Alcohol or Drug Dependency
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Treatment for alcoholism Antabuse disulfiram
 Treatment for alcoholism ReVia naltrexone
 Treatment for cocaine addiction Norpramin desipramine
 Narcotic detoxification Dolophine methadone

34. Respiratory Agents - Antihistamines,
Decongestants, and Anti-tussives
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic Name
 Antihistamine Atarax/Vistaril hydroxyzine
 Antihistamine Phenergan promethazine
 Antihistamine Claritin loratadine
 Decongestant Sudafed pseudoephedrine
 Decongestant Sudafed PE phenylephrine
 Antitussive Delsym dextromethorphan
 Antitussive Tussionex hydrocodone/ &
&(narcotic)/antihistame chlorpheniramine

35. Respiratory Agents Cont. Expectorants
and Mucolytics
Some Common Drugs
 Type Brand Name Generic
 Expectorant Robitussin guaifenesin
 Mucolytic Mucomyst acetylcysteine
 Expectorant/antitussive (narcotic)
Vicodin Tuss
guaifenesin/hydrocodone
 Expectorant/antitussive (narcotic)
Robitussin AC guaifenesin/codeine

36. Respiratory Agents Cont.
Bronchodilators
Some Common Drugs
 Type Generic Brand
 Bronchodilator/ sympathomimetic Proventil HFA albuterol
 B ronchodilator/xanthine derivative Theo- Dur theopylline
 B ronchial corticosteroid QVAR
beclomethasone
 Anticholinergic Atrovent ipratropium

37. Terms to Remember
1. Analgesia 13. Conjunctivitis
2. Androgens 14. Corticosteroid
3. Anemia 15. Dermatological
4. Anion 16. Diabetes mellitus
17. Dissociation
6. Anthelmintic
18. Electrolytes
6. Anti-pyretic
19. Endocrine system
7. Bactericidal 20. Estrogens
8. Bacteriostatic 21. Extracellular fluids
9. Blocker 22. Fibrin
10. Cation 23. Fibrinogen
11. Chyme
12. Clotting factors