Administering, Prescribing, and Dispensing Medication

Medication may be administered, prescribed, or dispensed in the medical office. Medication that is administered is actually given to a patient at the office. Medication is prescribed when a physician provides a patient with a handwritten or computer-generated prescription for a drug to be filled at a pharmacy. Prescriptions also can be telephoned or faxed to the pharmacy by the physician, depending on the preference of the patient. Dispensed medication is given to a patient at the office to be taken at home; for example, the physician gives a patient drug samples to take home.

Legal Aspects

An important responsibility of the medical assistant is the administration of medication. (One should check the laws of the state to ensure that it is legally permissible for the medical assistant to administer medication.) The medical assistant should administer medication only under the direction of the physician. In all states, it is unlawful to administer medication in the medical office without the consent of the physician.

Routes of Administration

Common routes of administration of medication are oral, sublingual, inhalation, rectal, vaginal, topical, intradermal, subcutaneous (SC), intramuscular (IM), and intravenous (IV). The route of administration depends on the type of drug being given, the dosage form, the intended action, and the rapidity of response desired. The route by which medication is most commonly administered in the medical office is the parenteral route. Parenteral refers to sites outside the gastrointestinal tract; this term is most commonly used to refer to the administration of medication by injection.

Drug References

The medical assistant is obligated to become familiar with the drugs that are most frequently used in his or her office. It is essential to know their indications, adverse reactions, routes of administration, dosage, and storage. With each drug (including drug samples and injectable medications), the manufacturer includes a package insert (PI), which contains valuable information regarding the drug. In addition, many drug references are available. The Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR) is frequently used in the medical office. The PDR contains information on most major prescription pharmaceutical products available in the United States. The drug information in the PDR consists of the actual drug package insert. Figure 26-1 provides guidelines for using the PDR. These guidelines not only assist in learning how to use the PDR, but they also provide the necessary information for understanding how to interpret drug package inserts. Drug information is also available on the Internet on certain recognized websites; many of these sites are listed at the end of the chapter under the section entitled On the Web: For Information on Pharmacology.

Food and Drug Administration

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a federal agency in the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for determining whether new food products, drugs, vaccines, medical devices, cosmetics, and other products are safe before they are released for human use.

The FDA determines the safety and effectiveness of prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) drugs. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to submit new drug applications to the FDA for review and approval before products can be released for human use.

The FDA also is responsible for determining whether a medication will be available with or without a prescription. Medications that require a prescription have been determined by the FDA to be safe and effective when used under the guidance of a physician. Prescription medication labels must bear the following statement: Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription.

Nonprescription medications are drugs that the FDA determines to be safe and effective for use without physician supervision. Nonprescription medications have a low incidence of adverse reactions when the consumer follows the directions and warnings on the label. Examples of nonprescription medications include mild pain relievers, topical antibiotics, topical corticosteroids, cold medications, and laxatives.

Drug Nomenclature

Each drug has four names: chemical, generic, official, and brand (also known as trade) names.

The medical assistant should be familiar with the generic and brand names of medications commonly prescribed and administered in the medical office.

Classification of Drugs Based on Preparation

Drugs are available in two basic forms: liquid and solid. A medication may be available in both these forms (liquid and solid), which permits it to be administered to different types of patients. A liquid preparation of an antibiotic is administered to young children, and the solid preparation (e.g., tablets) of the same medication is administered to older children and adults. The following list includes the common categories of drugs based on preparation.

Classification of Drugs Based on Action

Drugs also can be classified according to the action they have on the body. The medical assistant should know in which category a particular drug belongs and its primary uses and major therapeutic effects. Table 26-1 contains classifications based on action and examples of drugs that are commonly administered and prescribed in the medical office.

Table 26-1

Classification of Drugs Based on Action

		COMMONLY PRESCRIBED DRUGS
Drug Category	Primary Use and Major Therapeutic Effects	Generic	Brand
Analgesics (Opioid)	Used to manage moderate to severe pain Work by altering perception of and response to painful stimuli	codeine/APAP	Tylenol w/Codeine (III)
		fentanyl hydrocodone/APAP hydrocodone/ASA hydrocodone/ibuprofen meperidine oxycodone oxycodone/APAP oxycodone/ASA propoxyphene propoxyphene N/APAP tramadol	Actiq Vicodin (III) Lortab/ASA (III) Vicoprofen (III) Demerol (II) OxyContin (II) Percocet (II) Percodan (II) Darvon (IV) Darvocet-N (IV) Ultram
Analgesics (Barbiturate)	Used to manage moderate to severe pain of tension headaches Work by relieving pain and relaxing muscle contractions	butalbital/APAP/caffeine butalbital/ASA/caffeine	Fioricet (III) Fiorinal (III)
Analgesics/Antipyretics	Used to manage mild to moderate pain and to reduce fever Work by relieving pain and reducing fever	acetaminophen aspirin	Tylenol* Bayer* Ecotrin*
Analgesics/Antipyretics		NSAIDs
		diclofenac	Voltaren
		ibuprofen	Advil* Motrin* Aleve*
		naproxen	Anaprox Naprosyn
Anesthetics (Local)	Used to produce local anesthesia through loss of feeling to a body part Work by preventing initiation and conduction of normal nerve impulses in body part	lidocaine dibucaine	Xylocaine Nupercainal ointment*
Antacids	Used to treat heartburn, hyperacidity, indigestion, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, and to promote healing of ulcers Work by neutralizing gastric acid to relieve gastric pain and irritation	aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide	Maalox* Mylanta*
		calcium carbonate	Tums*
		sodium bicarbonate/ASA	Alka-Seltzer*
Anti-Alzheimer Agents	Used to treat mild to moderate dementia associated with Alzheimer disease Work by elevating acetylcholine concentration in the cerebral cortex	donepezil memantine rivastigmine	Aricept Namenda Exelon
Antianemics	Iron Supplements
	Used to prevent or cure iron-deficiency anemia Work by increasing amount of iron in body	ferrous sulfate	Feosol*
		iron dextran	DexFerrum InFed
	Vitamin B12 Injections
	Used to treat pernicious anemia Work by increasing amount of vitamin B12 in body	cyanocobalamin	Cobex Cyanoject
	Folic Acid Supplements
	Used to promote normal fetal development Work by stimulating production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets	folic acid	Folvite
Antianginals	Used to relieve or prevent angina attacks Work by increasing blood supply to myocardial tissue	Nitrates
		isosorbide dinitrate	Sorbitrate
		isosorbide mononitrate nitroglycerin	Imdur Nitro-Bid Nitro-Dur Nitrostat
		Beta-Blockers
		atenolol	Tenormin
		propranolol	Inderal
		metoprolol	Toprol-XL
		Calcium Channel Blockers
		amlodipine	Norvasc
		bepridil	Vascor
		diltiazem	Cardizem Dilacor XR
		nifedipine	Adalat Procardia XL
		verapamil	Calan Isoptin Verelan
Antianxiety Agents	Used to treat anxiety Work at many levels in central nervous system to produce anxiolytic (anxiety-relieving) effect	alprazolam	Xanax (IV)
		buspirone	BuSpar
		chlordiazepoxide	Librium (IV)
		diazepam	Valium (IV)
		lorazepam	Ativan (IV)
Anticholinergics	Used to decrease preoperatively oral and respiratory secretions Work by blocking effects of acetylcholine in autonomic nervous system	atropine	Atro-Pen
Anticoagulants	Used to prevent and treat venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and myocardial infarction by preventing clot extension and formation Work by delaying or preventing blood coagulation	heparin
		enoxaparin	Lovenox
		warfarin	Coumadin
Anticonvulsants	Used to prevent or relieve seizures Work by decreasing incidence and severity of seizures	carbamazepine	Tegretol
		clonazepam	Klonopin (IV)
		divalproex	Depakote
		gabapentin	Neurontin
		lamotrigine	Lamictal
		phenytoin	Dilantin
		pregabalin	Lyrica
		topiramate	Topamax
Antidepressants	Used to prevent, cure, or alleviate depression, and to treat anxiety disorders (panic attacks) and obsessive-convulsive disorder Work by inhibiting reuptake of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system	Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
		citalopram	Celexa
		escitalopram	Lexapro
		fluoxetine	Prozac
		fluvoxamine	Luvox
		paroxetine	Paxil
		sertraline	Zoloft
		Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
		desvenlafaxine	Pristiq
		duloxetine	Cymbalta
		venlafaxine	Effexor XR
		Miscellaneous
		amitriptyline	Elavil
		bupropion	Wellbutrin SR
		mirtazapine	Remeron
		nefazodone	Serzone
		trazodone	Desyrel
Antidiabetics	Oral Hypoglycemics Used to manage non–insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus Work by stimulating release of insulin from pancreas and increasing sensitivity to insulin	glimepiride	Amaryl
		glipizide	Glucotrol XL
		glyburide	Micronase
		metformin	Glucophage
		pioglitazone	Actos
		rosiglitazone	Avandia
Antidiabetics	Insulins Used to manage diabetes mellitus Work by reducing blood glucose levels	regular insulin	Humulin R* Novolin R*
		NPH insulin	Humulin N* Novolin N*
		NPH/regular insulin	Humulin 70/30* Novolin 70/30*
		insulin glargine	Lantus
		insulin lispro	Humalog
Antidiarrheals	Used to control and relieve diarrhea Work by inhibiting peristalsis, reducing fecal volume, and preventing loss of fluids and electrolytes	bismuth subsalicylate	Pepto-Bismol*
		diphenoxylate/atropine	Lomotil (V)
		kaolin/pectin	Kaopectate*
		loperamide	Imodium*
Antidysrhythmics	Used to control or prevent cardiac dysrhythmias Work by decreasing myocardial excitability and slowing conduction velocity	metoprolol	Lopressor Toprol-XL
		procainamide	Pronestyl
		propranolol	Inderal
Antiemetics	Used to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting Work by depressing chemoreceptor trigger zone in central nervous system to inhibit nausea and vomiting	dronabinol	Marinol (III)
		ondansetron	Zofran
		prochlorperazine	Compazine
		promethazine	Phenergan
		meclizine	Bonine*
Antiflatulents	Used to relieve discomfort of excess gas and bloating in gastrointestinal tract Work by causing coalescence of gas bubbles in intestinal tract	simethicone	Gas-X* Mylanta Gas*
Antifungals	Used to treat fungal infections Work by killing or inhibiting growth of susceptible fungi	amphotericin B	Fungizone
		clotrimazole	Gyne-Lotrimin*
		fluconazole	Diflucan
		itraconazole	Sporanox
		ketoconazole	Nizoral
		miconazole	Monistat*
		nystatin	Mycostatin*
		terbinafine	Lamisil
Antigout Agents	Used to prevent attacks of gout Work by inhibiting production of uric acid	allopurinol colchicine	Zyloprim Colchicine tablets
Anthelmintics	Used to treat worm infections (pinworms, roundworms, hookworms) Work by destroying worms	mebendazole	Vermox
Antihistamines	Used to relieve symptoms associated with allergies (increased sneezing; rhinorrhea; itchy eyes, nose, and throat) Work by blocking effects of histamine at histamine receptor sites	brompheniramine	Dimetane*
		cetirizine	Zyrtec*
		chlorpheniramine	Chlor-Trimetron* Teldrin*
		desloratadine	Clarinex
		diphenhydramine	Benadryl*
		fexofenadine/pseudoephedrine	Allegra
		levocetirizine	Xyzal
		loratadine	Claritin*
		promethazine	Phenergan
Antihypertensives	Used to manage hypertension Work by causing systemic vasodilation to reduce blood pressure	Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
		benazepril	Lotensin
		captopril	Capoten
		enalapril	Vasotec
		lisinopril	Prinivil
		quinapril	Accupril
		ramipril	Altace
		Peripherally Acting Adrenergic Blockers
		clonidine	Catapres
		doxazosin	Cardura
		prazosin	Minipress
Antihypertensives, cont’d		Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists
		candesartan	Atacand
		irbesartan	Avapro
		losartan	Cozaar
		olmesartan	Benicar
		telmisartan	Micardis
		valsartan	Diovan
		Beta-Blockers
		atenolol	Tenormin
		carvedilol	Coreg
		metoprolol	Lopressor Toprol-XL
		propranolol	Inderal
		sotalol	Betaspace
		Calcium Channel Blockers
		amlodipine	Norvasc
		diltiazem	Cardizem
		felodipine	Plendil
		Vasodilators
		hydralazine	Apresoline
		Miscellaneous
		amlodipine/atorvastatin	Caduet
		amlodipine/benazepril	Lotrel
		bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide	Ziac
		irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide	Avalide
		losartan/hydrochlorothiazide	Hyzaar
		olmesartan/hydrochlorothiazide	Benicar HCT
		triamterene/hydrochlorothiazide	Maxzide
		valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide	Diovan HCT
Antiimpotence Agents	Used to treat erectile dysfunction Work by promoting increased blood flow to penis	sildenafil	Viagra
		tadalafil	Cialis
		vardenafil	Levitra
Antiinfectives	Used to treat infections Work by killing or inhibiting growth of bacteria	Penicillins
		amoxicillin	Amoxil Trimox
		amoxicillin/clavulanate	Augmentin
		ampicillin	Omnipen
		benzathine penicillin	Bicillin
		penicillin V	Veetids
		procaine penicillin	Wycillin
		Macrolides
		azithromycin	Zithromax
		clarithromycin	Biaxin
		erythromycin	Ery-Tab
		Cephalosporins
		cefaclor	Ceclor
		cefdinir	Omnicef
		cefprozil	Cefzil
		ceftriaxone	Rocephin
		cefuroxime	Ceftin
		cephalexin	Keflex
Antiinfectives, cont’d		Fluoroquinolones
		ciprofloxacin	Cipro
		levofloxacin	Levaquin
		moxifloxacin	Avelox
		ofloxacin	Floxin
		Tetracyclines
		doxycycline	Doryx Vibramycin
		minocycline	Arestin
		tetracycline	Achromycin Sumycin
		Aminoglycosides
		gentamicin	Garamycin
		kanamycin	Kantrex
		neomycin	Neobiotic
		tobramycin	Nebcin
		Sulfonamides
		sulfamethoxazole	Gantanol
		trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole	Bactrim
		Miscellaneous
		clindamycin	Cleocin
		chloramphenicol	Chloromycetin
		nitrofurantoin	Macrobid Macrodantin
		vancomycin	Vancocin
Antiinflammatory Agents	Used to relieve signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in adults Work by decreasing pain and inflammation	aspirin	Bayer* Ecotrin*
		celecoxib	Celebrex
		etodolac	Lodine
		ibuprofen	Advil* Motrin*
		indomethacin	Indocin
		meloxicam	Mobic
		nabumetone	Relafen
		naproxen	Aleve* Anaprox Naprosyn
		piroxicam	Feldene
		valdecoxib	Bextra
Antimanics	Used to treat bipolar affective disorders Work by altering cation transport in nerves and muscles	lithium	Eskalith Eskalith CR
Antimigraines	Used in acute treatment of migraine attacks Work by causing vasoconstriction in large intracranial arteries	sumatriptan	Imitrex
Antineoplastics	Used to treat tumors Work by preventing development, growth, or proliferation of malignant cells	cyclophosphamide	Cytoxan
		methotrexate	Mexate Folex
Anti-Parkinson Agents	Used to treat symptoms of Parkinson disease Work by restoring balance between acetylcholine and dopamine in central nervous system	carbidopa/levodopa	Sinemet
		ropinirole	Requip
Antiprotozoals	Used to treat protozoal infections Work by destroying protozoa	metronidazole	Flagyl
Antipsychotics	Used to treat psychotic disorders Work by blocking dopamine and serotonin receptors in central nervous system	haloperidol	Haldol
		aripiprazole	Abilify
		olanzapine	Zyprexa
		risperidone	Risperdal
		quetiapine	Seroquel
Antiretrovirals	Used to manage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and to reduce maternal-fetal transmission of HIV Work by inhibiting replication of retroviruses	efavirenz	Sustiva
		emtricitabine	Emtriva
		lamivudine	Epivir
		ritonavir	Norvir
		tenofovir	Viread
		zidovudine	Retrovir
Antispasmodics	Used to control hypermotility in irritable bowel syndrome, spastic colitis, spastic bladder, and pylorospasm Work by preventing or relieving spasms of gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract	dicyclomine	Bentyl
		hyoscyamine	Levsin
Antituberculars	Used to treat tuberculosis Work by killing or inhibiting growth of mycobacteria	isoniazid	INH
		rifampin	Rifadin
Antitussives	Used in prevention or relief of coughs caused by minor viral upper respiratory infections or inhaled irritants Work by suppressing cough reflex by direct effect on cough center in central nervous system	benzonatate	Tessalon
		chlorpheniramine/hydrocodone	Tussionex (III)
		dextromethorphan	Robitussin DM*
		guaifenesin/codeine	Robitussin A-C (V)
Antiulcers	Used to manage ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, heartburn, indigestion, and gastric hyperacidity Work by preventing accumulation of acid in stomach	Proton Pump Inhibitors
		esomeprazole	Nexium
		lansoprazole	Prevacid
		omeprazole	Prilosec*
		pantoprazole	Protonix
		rabeprazole	AcipHex
		H2-Receptor Antagonists
		cimetidine	Tagamet*
		famotidine	Pepcid AC*
		ranitidine	Zantac*
Antivirals	Used to manage herpes infections Work by inhibiting viral replication	acyclovir	Zovirax
		famciclovir	Famvir
		valacyclovir	Valtrex
Bone Resorption Inhibitors	Used to treat and prevent osteoporosis Work by inhibiting resorption of bone	alendronate	Fosamax
		ibandronate	Boniva
		raloxifene	Evista
		risedronate	Actonel
Bronchodilators	Used to manage reversible airway obstruction caused by asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Work by relaxing smooth muscle of respiratory tract resulting in bronchodilation	albuterol	Proventil
		fluticasone/salmeterol	Advair Diskus
		formoterol	Foradil
		ipratropium/albuterol	Combivent
		levalbuterol	Xopenex
		montelukast	Singulair
		salmeterol	Serevent
		theophylline	Bronkodyl
		tiotropium	Spiriva
Cardiac Glycosides	Used to treat congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias Work by increasing strength and force of myocardial contractions and slowing heart rate	digitoxin	Crystodigin Digitek
		digoxin	Lanoxicaps Lanoxin
Central Nervous System Stimulants	Used to treat narcolepsy and manage attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder Work by increasing level of catecholamines in central nervous system	atomoxetine	Strattera
		dextroamphetamine	Dexedrine (II)
		dextroamphetamine saccharate and sulfate	Adderall (II)
		lisdexamfetamine	Vyvanse (II)
		methylphenidate	Ritalin (II) Concerta (II)
Contraceptives (Hormonal)	Used to prevent pregnancy and to regulate menstrual cycle Work by inhibiting ovulation	Oral Contraceptives
		ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone	Yasmin Yaz
		ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel	Alesse Levien
		ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone	Kariva Ortho-Novum Loestrin Fe
		ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate	Ortho Tri-Cyclen Tri-Sprintec
		Injectable Contraceptives
		medroxyprogesterone	Depo-Provera
		Transdermal Contraceptives
		ethinyl estradiol/norelgestromin	Ortho Evra
		Vaginal Ring Contraceptives
		ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel	NuvaRing
Corticosteroids	Systemic Corticosteroids Used to treat inflammation, allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disorders and as replacement therapy in adrenal insufficiency Work by suppressing inflammation and modifying normal immune response	cortisone	Cortone
		fluticasone	Flovent
		hydrocortisone	Cortef
		methylprednisolone	Medrol Depo-Medrol
		triamcinolone	Aristocort
	Nasal Corticosteroids Used to treat chronic nasal inflammatory conditions (e.g., allergic rhinitis) Work by suppressing inflammation and reducing hypersecretions of respiratory tract	fluticasone	Flonase
		mometasone	Nasonex
		prednisone	Deltasone
		triamcinolone	Nasacort
Decongestants	Used to decrease nasal congestion Work by producing vasoconstriction in respiratory tract mucosa	oxymetazoline	Afrin* Dristan*
		phenylephrine	Neo-Synephrine*
		pseudoephedrine	Sudafed*
Diuretics	Used to manage hypertension, edema in congestive heart failure, and renal disease Work by removing excess fluid from the body by increasing urine output	Loop Diuretics
		bumetanide	Bumex
		furosemide	Lasix
		Thiazide Diuretics
		chlorthalidone	Hygroton
		hydrochlorothiazide	Microzide
		Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
		spironolactone	Aldactone
		triamterene	Dyrenium
Electrolyte Replacements	Used to treat or prevent electrolyte depletion Work by replacing electrolytes in body	Potassium Supplements
		potassium chloride	K-Dur Klor-Con
Emetics	Used to treat poisoning Work by inducing vomiting	syrup of ipecac
Expectorants	Used to manage coughs by expelling mucus Work by decreasing viscosity of bronchial secretions to promote clearance of mucus from respiratory tract	guaifenesin	Robitussin* Mucinex* Naldecon*
Hormone Replacements	Used to treat moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms of menopause Work by restoring hormonal balance	conjugated estrogens	Premarin
		conjugated estrogen/progesterone	Prempro
		estradiol/norethindrone	Activella
Immunizations	Used to prevent (vaccine-preventable) diseases Work by stimulating body to produce antibodies	diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and acellular pertussis vaccine	Acel-Imune Certiva Daptacel Infanrix Tripedia
		Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine	ActHIB HibTITER
		hepatitis A vaccine	Havrix Vaqta
		hepatitis B vaccine	Engerix-B Recombivax HB
		human papillomavirus vaccine	Gardasil
		inactivated polio vaccine	IPOL
		influenza virus vaccine types A and B	Afluria FluShield Fluzone FluMist
		measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine	M-M-R II
		meningococcal conjugate vaccine	Menactra
		pneumococcal conjugate vaccine	Prevnar Pneumovax II
		rotavirus	Rotarix RotaShield
		rubella vaccine	Meruvax II
		varicella vaccine	Varivax
Immunosuppressants	Used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis and to prevent and treat rejection of transplanted organs Work by inhibiting body’s normal immune response	cyclosporine	Sandimmune Neoral
		methotrexate	Rheumatrex
Laxatives	Used to relieve constipation Work by promoting defecation of normal, soft stool	bisacodyl	Dulcolax*
		docusate	Colace*
		phenolphthalein	Phenolax*
		psyllium	Metamucil*
Lipid-Lowering Agents	Used to lower cholesterol to reduce risk of myocardial infarction and stroke Work by inhibiting enzyme needed to synthesize cholesterol in body	atorvastatin	Lipitor
		ezetimibe	Zetia
		ezetimibe/simvastatin	Vytorin
		fenofibrate	Tricor
		fluvastatin	Lescol
		gemfibrozil	Lopid
		lovastatin	Mevacor
		pravastatin	Pravachol
		rosuvastatin	Crestor
		simvastatin	Zocor
Muscle Relaxants (Skeletal)	Used to treat acute painful musculoskeletal conditions Work by relaxing skeletal muscles	baclofen	Lioresal
		carisoprodol	Soma
		cyclobenzaprine	Flexeril
		metaxalone	Skelaxin
		methocarbamol	Robaxin
		tizanidine	Zanaflex
Ophthalmic Antiinfectives	Used to treat eye infections Work by destroying bacteria	dexamethasone/tobramycin	TobraDex
		moxifloxacin	Vigamox
		polymyxin/bacitracin	Polysporin
		polymyxin/neomycin	Neosporin
		polymyxin/trimethoprim	Polytrim
		tobramycin	Tobrex
Otic Preparations	Used to treat ear conditions
	Analgesics Work by relieving ear pain	benzocaine	Auralgan
	Antiinfectives Work by treating otitis externa	neomycin/polymyxin/hydrocortisone	Cortisporin Otic
		ofloxacin	Floxin Otic
	Cerumenolytics Work by softening cerumen	carbamide peroxide	Debrox*
Platelet Inhibitors	Used to reduce incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke Work by interfering with ability of platelets to adhere to each other	clopidogrel	Plavix
		salicylates	Aspirin*
Sedatives and Hypnotics	Used for short-term treatment of insomnia Work by promoting sleep by central nervous system depression	eszopiclone	Lunesta (IV)
		flurazepam	Dalmane (IV)
		hydroxyzine	Atarax Vistaril
		phenobarbital	Luminal (IV)
		temazepam	Restoril (IV)
		zolpidem	Ambien (IV)
Smoking Deterrents	Used to manage nicotine withdrawal to cease cigarette smoking Work by providing nicotine during controlled withdrawal from cigarette smoking	bupropion	Zyban
		nicotine	Nicorette Gum* Nicotrol Inhaler Nicoderm Patch* Commit Lozenges*
		varenicline	Chantix
Thrombolytic Agents	Used for acute management of coronary thrombosis (myocardial infarction) Work by dissolving existing clots	alteplase	Activase
		anistreplase	Eminase
		reteplase	Retavase
		streptokinase	Streptase
Thyroid Preparations	Thyroid Hormones Used as replacement or substitute therapy for diminished or absent thyroid functioning of many causes Work by increasing basal metabolic rate	levothyroxine	Levoxyl Synthroid
	Antithyroid Agents Used to treat hyperthyroidism Work by inhibiting thyroid hormone synthesis, reducing basal metabolic rate	methimazole	Tapazole
Urinary Tract–Antispasmodics	Used to treat overactive bladder function Work by inhibiting bladder contractions	oxybutynin	Ditropan
		tolterodine	Detrol
Vasopressors	Used to treat severe allergic reactions and cardiac arrest Work by increasing blood pressure and cardiac output and by dilating bronchi	epinephrine	Adrenalin EpiPen
Weight Control Agents	Used to manage obesity
	Appetite Suppressants Work by suppressing appetite center in central nervous system	diethylpropion	Tenuate (IV)
		phentermine	Fastin (IV)
		sibutramine	Meridia (IV)
		orlistat	Xenical
	Lipase Inhibitors Work by inhibiting action of lipase to decrease absorption of dietary fats		Alli*

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