Transcript Top 200 Drugs

For Pharmacy Technicians
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Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact
with the body
Pharmaceutics is how we turn chemicals into drugs
(drug design)
Both are complex fields that involve years of study &
many subjects: chemistry, physics, calculus,
biostatistics
These overviews of the top 200 drugs are intended
only to provide a brief snapshot of the medications &
their uses, side effects, & properties
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NSAIDs =
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
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5.
Controlled Substances
Narcotic Analgesics (Class II)
Muscle Relaxers
Miscellaneous Agents
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Brand Name
Celebrex
Motrin/Advil
Mobic
Naprosyn
Relafen
Generic Name
celecoxib
ibuprofen
meloxicam
naproxen
nabumetone
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Used for mild to moderate pain
Reduce swelling
Some are antipyretics
 Antipyretic = fever reducer
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Cautions:
 Take with food
 Take with plenty of water
 Do not take with aspirin
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Can cause severe stomach upset, heartburn
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Share characteristics with aspirin
 Caution with aspirin allergy
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Can cause bleeding
 Inhibit platelets from “sticking together” (clotting)
 Stomach ulcers
 Blood thinners (Coumadin)
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FDA Medication Guide
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Darvocet =
propoxyphene/acetaminophen
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Vicodin/Lortab/Lorcet/Norco =
hydrocodone/acetaminophen
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Vicoprofen =
hydrocodone/ibuprofen
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Used for moderate to severe pain
 Do not reduce swelling
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Cautions:
 May cause drowsiness. Alcohol may intensify this
effect.
 Do not drive or operate machinery while taking.
 Federal law prohibits transfer of this medication to
anyone other than for whom it was prescribed.
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Work by preventing the body from feeling pain
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Common side effects of controlled substances
include:
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Constipation
Stomach upset
Drowsiness
Respiratory depression
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Brand name
Generic name
Demerol
meperidine
Duragesic
fentanyl
Methadose
methadone
Oxycontin
oxycodone extended release
Percocet /Tylox/Roxicet/Endocet
oxycodone/acetaminophen
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Opiates
Class II
Used for SEVERE pain
Cautions:
 May cause drowsiness. Alcohol may intensify this
effect.
 Do not operate machinery.
 Federal law prohibits transfer of this medication to
anyone other than for whom it was prescribed.
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Brand name
Generic name
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Flexeril
cyclobenzaprine
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Robaxin
methocarbamol
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Soma
carisoprodol
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Work to relax skeletal muscle
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Ease pain & stiffness
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Useful after injury
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Cautions:
 May cause dizziness or drowsiness.
 Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
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Work in the Central Nervous System (CNS)
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This also creates many of their side effects
 Dizziness
 Drowsiness
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Most commonly used for short-term treatment
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Brand name
Lidoderm
Lyrica
Neurontin
Tylenol
Ultram
Ultracet
Generic name
lidocaine
pregabalin
gabapentin
acetaminophen (APAP)
tramadol
tramadol/acetaminophen
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Lidoderm is a topical patch
 Applied to the area of pain (back)
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12 hours on/12 hours off
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Caution:
 External use only
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Lyrica is used for nerve pain & fibromyalgia
Caution:
 May cause dizziness or drowsiness.
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Neurontin is used for nerve pain
Caution:
 May cause dizziness or drowsiness
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What medication is responsible for the most
emergency room visits due to overdose?
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acetaminophen
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Used for mild to moderate pain
Antipyretic
 Fever reducer
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Cautions:
 Maximum daily dose currently 4 grams/day
 (about 6 extra-strength tabs)
 May cause liver damage with chronic (daily use),
taking more than the recommended dose, or if you
drink 3 or more alcoholic beverages a day
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Metabolized in liver
1/3 of OTC pain killer purchases are for APAP
Over 600 products contain APAP in some amount
#1 cause of drug overdose in the US
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Caution with combination products
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Panel recommendations to the FDA:
 Extra strength become RX only
 Maximum daily dosage of APAP be reduced
 Medications such as Vicodin & Percocet be banned
from the market
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Ultram & Ultracet are used for moderate to
severe pain
Non-narcotic alternative to morphine (useful in
those with true allergy)
NOT controlled substances
Caution:
 May cause dizziness or drowsiness. Alcohol may
intensify this effect.