Common prescription medications

From MEFD

It's frequently helpful to check what a prescription medication does. Some ways to figure it out:

  • Our patients will usually be able to explain what their medications do
  • It doesn't hurt to just search the name – that's what our medics do too!
  • There are apps out there that can serve as offline references – check with fellow volunteers for what they use.
  • Check this list!

Note: brand names are capitalized below, while the name for the drug itself is lowercase. For instance: "ibuprofen (Advil)"

Anti-Coagulants (Blood Thinners)

Note: These medications increase our index of suspicion for internal bleeding, brain bleeds, etc. ALS evaluation is required.

  • warfarin (Coumadin)
  • dabigatran (Pradaxa)
  • clopidogrel (Plavix)
  • apixaban (Eliquis)
  • rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
  • enoxaparin (Lovenox)
  • heparin

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Note: Recent ED medication use may limit our ability to provide nitro. Check with patient and consult BLS protocols.

  • sildenafil (Viagra)
  • tadalafil (Cialis)
  • vardenafil (Levitra)
  • avanafil (Stendra)
  • Additionally, most drugs ending in:
    • -afil

Anti-Hypertensives (High BP)

Mechanisms

  • Beta Blockers
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Thiazide Diuretics
  • Angiotensin II receptor blockers
  • ACE (angiotensin - converting enzyme inhibitors)

Medications

  • amlodipine (Norvasc) = calcium channel blocker
  • benazepril (Lotensin) = ACE inhibitor
  • hydrochlorothiazide/HCTZ = thiazide diuretic
  • valsartan (Diovan) = Angiotensin II Blocker
  • metoprolol (Lopressor) = beta blocker
  • lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) = ACE inhibitor
  • In addition, most medications ending in:
    • -pril
    • -olol
    • -thiazide
    • -tan

note: Caduet is a fixed-dose combination of amlodipine (for high blood pressure) and atorvastatin (for high cholesterol)

High Cholesterol

(reminder: most people want lower triglycerides; lower LDL; higher HDL)

Medications

  • atorvastatin (Liptor)
  • simvastatin (Zocor)
  • rosuvastatin (Crestor)
  • ezetimibe (Zetia)
  • In addition, most medications ending in:
    • -statin
    • or trade names ending in -tor

note: Caduet is a fixed-dose combination of amlodipine (for high blood pressure) and atorvastatin (for high cholesterol)

Diuretics

Mechanisms

  • Loop-acting (Reduce Water/Salt)
  • Potassium-Sparing (Reduce water; No B/P Support; Saves Potassium)
  • Thiazides (Lowers B/P; Widens Vessels; Reduces Salt/Water)

Medications

  • bumetanide (Bumex) = loop
  • furosemide (Lasix) = loop
  • spironolactone (Aldactone) = potassium sparing
  • amiloride (Midamor) = potassium sparing
  • hydrocholothiazide (HTCZ) = thiazide
  • chlortalidone (Hygroton) = thiazide

Insulins

Injectable insulin is categorized by how quickly it takes effect:

  • Rapid-acting
    • insulin aspart (Novolog)
    • insulin lispro (Humalog)
    • insulin glulisine (Apidra)
    • or medications ending in:
      • -olog
      • -alog
  • Regular/short-acting
    • insulin (Humulin, Novolin)
    • or medications ending in:
      • -lin
  • Intermediate-acting
    • insulin isophane (Humulin N, Novolin N)
  • Long-acting
    • insulin glargine (Lantus)
    • insulin detemir (Levemir)

Oral medications (type 2 diabetes only)

  • metformin (Glucophage)
  • glipizide (Glucotrol)
  • pioglitazone (Actos)
  • glyburide/glibencalmide (Diabeta)
  • sitagliptin (Januvia)
  • linagliptin (Tradjenta)
  • dulaglutide (Trulicity)
  • liraglutide (Victoza)
  • dapagliflozin (Farxiga)
  • empagliflozin (Jardiance)
  • gabapentin (Neurontin)
    • Specifically for Neuropathy, epilepsy & nerve pain
    • People who are diabetic will take for neuropathy (i.e. nerve damage – numb, burning, prickling)
  • semaglutide (Ozempic)

Mental Health

Bipolar

  • lithium compounds

Schizophrenia

  • clozapine (Clozaril)
  • aripiprazole (Abilify)
  • ziprasidone (Geodon)
  • risperidone (Risperdal)
  • quetiapine (Seroquel)
  • paliperidone (Invega)
  • olanzapine (Zyprexa)
  • lurasidone (Latuda)
  • haloperidol (Haldol)

Dementia/Alzheimers

  • donepezil (Aricept)
  • memantine (Namenda)

Anxiety

  • alprazolam (Xanax)
  • clonazepam (Klonopin)
  • Additionally, medications ending in:
    • -lam

Depression

  • sertraline (Zoloft)
  • citalopram (Celexa)
  • escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex)
  • aripiprazole (Abilify)
  • trazodone
  • Additionally, medications ending in:
    • -zole
    • -pram

Anti-Convulsants (Seizure Meds)

  • levetiracetam (Keppra)
  • valproate/VPA (Depakote)
  • phenytoin/PHT (Dilantin)
  • lamotrigine (Lamictal)
  • topiramate (Topamax)
  • carbamazepine (Tegretol)
  • phenobarbital (Luminol)

Pain

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
    • ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin)
    • naproxen (Aleve)
    • aspirin (Bayer Aspirin)
  • acetaminophen/paracetamol (Tylenol)
  • Anti-depressants/anti-convulsants
    • Chronic pain is often caused by nerve things, and anti-depressants/anti-convulsants can help with that flavor of pain
  • Narcotics
    • codeine
    • morphine (Statex)
    • oxycodone (OxyContin)
    • methadone (Dolophine)
    • fentanyl (Actiq)
    • hydrocodone
    • hydromorphone
    • tramadol (Ultram)
    • Anything ending in -done

Insomnia

  • melatonin (available over the counter)
  • zolpidem (Ambien)
  • eszopiclone (Lunestra)
  • zaleplon (Sonata)

Nausea

Zofran - anti nausea

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