Common patient medications list I created a number of years ago as a student nurse. Free to download/distribute.

1. Calcium Channel Blockers (ZEM)
Pharmacodynamics:
 ↓ contractility force => ↓ BP
 ↓ electrical contractility => ↓ heart
rate
Indications:
 Angina Pectoris
 Hypertension
 Dysrhythmias
Common brands:
 NP: Verapamil
 NP: Diltiazem
 Istin (amlodipine)
 Dilzem (diltiazem)
 Adizem (diltiazem)
 Zemtard (diltiazem)
 Cardene (nicardipine hydrochloride)
 Adalat (nifedipine)
S/Es:
 N&V
 Facial flushing
 Headaches
 Ankle oedema
 Constipation
Cardiac Glycosides (OXIN)
Pharmacodynamics:
 ↓ conductivity in AV node
 ↑ myocardial contractility
Indications:
 CCF
 SVT
 A Fib
Common brands:
 NP: Digoxin
 NP: Digitoxin
 Lanoxin (digoxin)
S/Es:
 N&V; Diarrhoea
 Abdo pain
 Headache
 Fatigue, drowsiness
 Confusion
 Dysrhythmias
Beta Blockers (LOL)
Pharmacodynamics:
 Block β-adrenoreceptors => ↓ heart
rate, ↓ BP
Indications:
 Hypertension
 Angina Pectoris
 Post-MI
Common Brands:
 NP: Propanolol
 NP: Atenolol
 NP: Sotalol
 Inderal: (propanolol)
 Emcor (bisoprolol)
 Eucardic (carvedilol)
 Nebilet (nebivolol)
 Beta-Cardone (sotalol)
S/Es:
 Breathlessness, wheeze
 Cold extremities
 Ankle oedema
 Tiredness, dizziness
C/I: Asthma
Loop Diuretics (IDE)
Pharmacodynamics:
 ↓ reabsorption from ascending limb
of Loop of Henle
Indications:
 CCF
 Left ventricular failure
 Pulmonary Oedema
Common brands:
 NP: Furosemide
 Lasix (furosemide)
 Burinex (bumetanide)
S/Es:
 Hypotension
 N&V, GIT disturbance
 Hyponatraemia
 Hypokalemia
 Hypomagnesemia

2. Thrombolytics (PLASE)
Pharmacodynamics:
 ↑ plasmin
 ↓ fibrin
Indications:
 MI (esp. ST segment ↑)
 DVT
 Pulmonary embolism
Common brands:
 NP: rt-PA (alteplase)
 NP: streptokinase
 Rapilysin (reteplase)
 Streptase (streptokinase)
 Metalyse (tenecteplase)
S/Es:
 N&V
 Bleeding
 Dysrhythmias
 Hypotension
 Rash, flushing
Anti-arrhythmics (ARONE)
Pharmacodynamics:
 ↓ conductivity in AV node
 ↑ myocardial contractility
Indications:
 Supraventricular and ventricular
arrhythmias
 Cardiac arrest (VF/VT)
Common brands:
 NP: Amiodarone
 Cordarone X
S/Es:
 Peripheral neuropathy
 Bradycardia
 N&V (rare)
 Metallic taste
 Hot flushes, dizziness
C/Is:
 Pregnancy
 Hypotension
 Breastfeeding
Nitrates (NITRATE)
Pharmacodynamics:
 Coronary vasodilation
 Reduction in venous return to heart
Indications:
 Angina Pectoris
 LVF
Common brands:
 NP: Glyceryl Trinitrate
 Glytrin (Glyceryl Trinitrate)
 Angitak (Isosorbide Trinitrate)
 Nitrocine (Glyceryl Trinitrate)
 TransidermNitro (Glyceryl Trinitrate)
S/Es:
 Hot flushes, dizziness
 Tachycardia
 Hypotension
 Headache
C/Is: hypotension, cardiac tamponade,
anaemia
Antiplatelet Drugs
Pharmacodynamics:
 decrease platelet aggregation
 inhibit thrombus formation
Indications:
 prevention of ischaemic events
 prophylaxis of thromboembolism
Common brands:
 NP: Aspirin
 NP: Clopidogrel
 Nu-Seals 75 (aspirin)
 Caprin (aspirin)
 Plavix (clopidogrel)
S/Es:
 Aspirin: bronchospasm, GI bleeding
 Clopidogrel: dyspepsia, abdo pain,
N&V, constipation, gastritis,
diarrhoea, GI bleeding
C/Is:
 Aspirin: U-16, breastfeeding, GI
ulceration, haemophilia
 Clopidogrel: Active bleeding,
breastfeeding

3. ACE Inhibitors (PRIL)
Pharmacodynamics:
 inhibit angiotensin I > II conversion
 antihypertensive
Indications:
 Heart failure
 Hypertension
Common brands:
 NP: captopril
 Zestril (lisinopril)
 Coversyl (perindopril)
 Tritzce (ramipril)
S/Es:
 Arrhythmias, angina, chest pain,
syncope, CVA, MI, hypotension
 Dry mouth, loss of appetite, skin
reactions, confusion, depression
 Anxiety, impotence, flushing, N&V
C/Is:
 Renal impairment
 Pregnancy
Alpha adrenoreceptor blockers (SIN)
Pharmacodynamics:
 Block α-adrenoreceptors => ↓ heart
rate, ↓ BP
Indications:
 hypertension
 angina pectoris, post-MI
Common brands:
 Cardura, Cardura XL (doxazosin)
 Hypovase (prazosin)
S/Es:
 Flushes
 N&V, tiredness
 Hypotension
 Dizziness, breathlessness
Proton Pump Inhibitors (ZOLE)
Pharmacodynamics:
 inhibit gastric acid
 block H-K ATP enzyme system
Indications:
 Gastric & duodenal ulcers
 GORD; oesophagitis
 NSAID assoc ulcers
 Dyspepsia
Common brands:
 Nexium (esomeprazole)
 Zoton (lansoprazole)
 NP: Omeprazole
 Losec (omeprazole)
 Protium (pantoprazole)
S/Es:
 N&V, diarrhoea, constipation
 Abdo pain, flatulence, dry mouth
 Dizziness, drowsiness, headache
 Sweating, rash, fever, insomnia