Drug Drug Name Use/MOA Side Effects Misc.

Class/Category
Loop diuretics Eliminate excess fluid
(Furosemide)

Digoxin CHF; Improved No proven

contractility, reduces survival benefit
hospitalizations, does
improve exercise
tolerance
Vasodilators All cause headache,
edema, reflex tachy

Cardiac Hydralazine Drug-induced lupus

Minoxidil Hypertrichosis/hirsutism
Nitroprusside Cyanide toxicity
Endothelin Receptor Pulm HTN; Hepatotoxicity Helps delay
antagonists competitively inhibit progression of dz
endothelin-1 in sx’c pts
receptors
Bosentan
Ambrisentan Endothelin – potent
Macitentan vasoconstricting
hormone produced
by endothelial cells

Endocrine Methimazole Hyperthyroidism Agranulocytosis, rash,

arthralgias, hepatitis,
aplasia cutis
Short-acting Insulin

Lispro, Aspart, Peak effect: 0.5-1.5h

Glulisine Duration: 3-5h

Regular Peak effect: 2-4h

Duration: 5-8h
Intermediate-acting
Insulin

NPH Peak effect: 4-12h Peak may cause

Duration: 14h+ hypoglycemia
Long-acting insulin:

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 Detemir Peak effect: 4-9h May req twice-daily
Duration: 12-24h admin

Glargine Peak effect: None No Peak = less likely to

Duration: 20-24h cause hypoglycemia

Degludec Peak effect: None

Duration: 42h+
Insulin secretagogues Increase insulin Hypoglycemia & wt gain Nateglinide =
secretion by short acting;
Sulfonylureas inhibiting beta-cell dosed 3x daily
(glyburide, glipizide, KATP channels with meals
glimepiride)

Meglitinides
(nateglinide,
repaglinide)
Biguanides Stimulates AMPK + Diarrhea (MC) + lactic
inhibit mitochondrial acidosis (Most severe,
Metformin gluconeogenesis, Rare)
decreases hepatic
glucose production +
increases peripheral
glucose uptake
Thiazolidinediones Activates Fluid retention/heart
transcription failure; wt gain
Pioglitazone regulator PPAR-
gamma; decreases
insulin resistance
GLP-1 agonists Increases glucose- Pancreatitis; wt loss
dependent insulin
Exenatide secretion; decreases
Liraglutide glucagon secretion;
delayed gastric
emptying
DPP4 inhibitors Increases Nasopharyngitis
endogenous GLP-1 +
Sitagliptin GIP levels
Saxagliptin
Alpha-glucosidase Decreases intestinal Diarrhea, flatuance
inhibitors disaccharide
absorption

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 Acarbose
Miglitol
SGLT2 inhibitors Increases renal Vulvovaginal
glucose excretion candiadiasis, UTI, HoTN,
Canagliflozin AKI, Hyper-K,
Dapagliflozin Hyperlipidemia,
ketoacidosis, low trauma
fx, amputation

Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) Laxative drug, works

directly on the colon
to produce BM;
prescribed to relieve
constipation and for
neurogenic bowel
dysfunction
GI
Metoclopramide Dopamine receptors EPS s/e: dystonia,
antagonist + akathisia, Parkinsonism –
serotonin receptors uncommon, but usually
agonist; promotes occur within 24-48h after
gastric emptying + initiation. Tx with
improves N/V diphenhydramine or
benztropine IV.

Hematologic Aspirin Permanently inhibits Tinnitus

COX 1 and 2; blocks
conversion of
arachidonic acid to
thromboxane A2;
inhibits platelet
aggregation
Abciximab, Bind Gp IIb/IIIa on
Eptifibatide, Tirofiban platelet surface 
prevents cross linking
of platelets w/
fibrinogen
Clopidogrel, Inhibits ADP receptor
Ticlopidine, on platelets 
Ticagrelor, Prasugrel Decreased activation
of Gp IIb/Gp IIIa;
inhibit platelet
aggregation

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 Heparin, LMWH Activate
(Enoxaparin, antithrombin;
Dalteparin) enhanced
inactivation of
thrombin and Factor
Xa; reduced
thrombus formation
Fondaparinux Activates
antithrombin;
enhanced
inactivation of factor
Xa; reduced
thrombus formation
Rivaroaxaban, Inactivates factor Xa, Therapeutic
Apixaban, Edoxaban reduced thrombus onset of 2-4h; no
formation overlap/lab
monitoring
required (vs
warfarin)
Bivalirudin, Inactivate thrombin;
Agatroban, decreased thrombus
Dabigatran formation
Alteplase, Reteplase, Convert plasminogen Bleeding and intracranial
Tenectaplase to plasmin; cleaves hmg; C/I in pts with h/o
fibrin clots bleeding, sx, HTN
Warfarin Inhibits Vitamin K Warfarin-Induced skin Therapeutic
epoxide reductase; necrosis – within 1st few onset of 5-7 days;
impaired production days of tx; increased risk required overlap
of Factor II, VII, IX in pts with protein C def with UFH or
and X; reduced LMWH for
thrombus formation ~5days; Monitor
with PT/INR

HIV drugs NRTIs All: lactic acidosis,

lipoatrophy, hepatic
steatosis

Zidovudine Myopathy, bone marrow

suppression, anemia
Didanosine Pancreatitis, peripheral
neuropathy
Abacavir Hypersensitivity rxns
Emtricitabine Diarrhea, nausea, HA

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 Lamivudine Diarrhea, nausea, HA
Tenofovir Renal toxicity
Stavudine Peripheral neuropathy
NNRTIs All: rash

Efavirenz CNS tox, teratogen, vivid

dreams, depression
Rilpivirine Avoid in high viral
Depression, HA, insomnia load or low CD4
count
Nevirapine
Etravirine Rash and hepatic failure
Protease Inhibitors All: metabolic
derangement, GI
symptoms

Atazanavir Benign indirect

hyperbilirubinemia
Indinavir Kidney stones
Ritonavir Potent P-450 inhibitor
Integrase Inhibitors

Raltegavir Hypersensitivity rxn

Dolutegravir Muscle weakness/rhabdo

Abx Ciprofloxacin Inhibits Tendinopathy, QT

(Fluoroquinolone) topoisomerase II & IV prolongation leading to
(DNA gyrase) torsades, myasthenia
gravis exacerbation
Macrolides QT prolongation leading
to torsades, cholestasis
TMP-SMX (Bactrim) Inhibits DNA
replication by
inhibiting folic acid
synthesis
Beta-lactams (PCN, Inhibits
Cephalosporins, peptidoglycan
Aztreonam) crosslinking in
bacterial cell walls
Vancomycin Inhibits
peptidoglycan
synthesis in bacterial

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 cell wall
Aminoglycosides, Inhibits protein
Tetracyclines synthesis by binding
to the 30S ribosomal
subunit
Clindamycin, Inhibits protein
Chloramphenicol, synthesis by binding
Macrolides, Linezolid to 50S ribosomal
subunit

Neurologic Levetiracetam Increases GABA Increased risk of

suicidality and mood
disturbance
Lamotrigine Inhibits Na channel SJS

DOC for partial

seizures
Valproate Inhibits Na channel Teratogenic (NTDs), wt Get labs at start
and increases GABA gain, hair loss, tremor, of tx and follow
hepatotoxicity, periodically!
DOC for generalized pancreatitis, dose-related
epilepsy + juvenile thrombocytopenia (as
myoclonic epilepsy well as  in other cell
lines)
2nd line for absence
seizure
Topiramate Inhibits Na channel Cognitive impairment,
weight loss, kidney
stones
Carbamazepine Inhibits Na channel Hyponatremia,
pancytopenia
Phenytoin Inhibits Na channel Gingival hyperplasia,
Inhibits T-type Ca2+ bone demineralization,
channel peripheral neuropathy,
Hirsutism, megaloblastic
anemia, drug-induced
lupus, SJS, fetal
hydantoin syndrome
Ethosuximide Inhibits T-type Ca2+ Sedation, scotomas,
channel Optic neuritis, color
blindness (red-green)
DOC for absence
seizures

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 Magnesium sulfate DOC for eclampsia

OB/GYN Methotrexate Ectopic pregnancy Bone marrow To use MTX pt

suppression must fit the
following:
Stable pt,
NL renal and liver
fxn,
hCG <5000
mIU/mL,
No fetal cardiac
activity on U/S,
Size of pregnancy
<3.5cm,
Pt will be
compliant w/ F/U
OCPs HTN, MI & stroke, venous C/I: pregnancy,
thromboembolism migraine w/ aura,
previous or active
thromboembolic
dz, women
>35yrs old that
smoke,
undiagnosed
genital bleeding,
estrogen-dep
neoplasms, HCC,
hepatic adenoma,
acute liver
dysfunction,
poorly controlled
HTN, CAD
Progesterone-only Decreased bone density
contraceptives
Copper IUD Uterine perforation,
expulsion, increased risk
of PID w/in 3wks of
insertion
Hormone C/I: undiagnosed
Replacement Therapy vaginal bleeding,
acute liver dz,
recent MI, recent
or active

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 thrombosis, hx of
endometrial or
breast CA
Clomiphene (SERM) Antagonist at Hot flashes, ovarian
estrogen receptors in enlargement, multiple
hypothalamus simultaneous
preventing nL pregnancies, visual
feedback inhibition disturbances
and increased
release of LH and
FSH from pituitary
thereby stimulating
ovulation
Trastuzumab Monoclonal ab that Cardiotoxicity – d/t loss
targets HER2. Used of myocardial
as adjuvant chemo. contractility (myocardial
hibernation) leading to
decreased LVEF – usually
completely reversible
with discontinuation

Psychiatric Nicotine Smoking cessation

replacement,
Buproprion
(Welbutrin),
Varenicline (Chantix)
Disulfiram, Alcohol use disorder
Naltrexone,
Acamprosate
SSRIs Sexual dysfunction,
insomnia/ agitation,
Citalopram wt gain, serotonin
Escitalopram syndrome
Fluoxetine
Fluvoxamine
Paroxetine
Sertraline
SNRIs Sexual dysfunction,
insomnia/agitation,
Desvenlafaxine nausea, dizziness,
Duloxetine serotonin syndrome
Venlafaxine
Serotonin modulators Sedation, N/V, diarrhea,

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 serotonin syndrome
Nefazodone
Trazadone
Vilazodone
TCAs Anticholinergic effects,
sedation, sexual
Amitriptyline dysfunction, wt gain,
Clomipramine dangerous in OD,
Desipramine cardiotoxicity, CNS
Doxepin toxicity, Coma
Imipramine
Nortriptyline
MAOis Drug- drug interactions
Hypertensive crisis
Tranylcypromine Serotonin syndrome
Isocarboxacid
Phenelzine
Selegilline
Buproprion Atypical NO sexual
antidepressant dysfunction
C/I in bulimics
and anorexics
Mirtazepine Atypical Sedation, wt gain
antidepressant
Acetylcholinesterase 1st-line for dementia-
inhibitors related cognitive
impairment
Donepezil
Rivastigmine Inhibit
Galantamine acetylcholinesterase
at the synaptic cleft
 increasing
cholinergic
transmission  sx
improvement
Memantine NMDA receptor
antagonist; for
severe dementia

Pulmonary Propoxyphene Narcotic pain reliever

and cough
suppressant; weaker
than morphine or

9
 codeine

Drugs that cause testicular dysfunction:

Cyclophosphamide, ketoconazole, prednisone, spironolactone

Drugs that cause pancreatitis:

Sulfonamides, Estrogen, 6MP, Azathioprine, Valproate, Anti-HIV meds

Drugs that cause depression:

Alcohol, Benzos, Antihistamines, Haloperidol, alpha-methyldopa, clonidine, beta-blocker,
metaclopromide, steroids, INF-alpha; and withdrawal from cocaine or amphetamines

DVT Prevention:
Heparin (SubQ), LMWH, Fondaparinux, Apixaban, Dabigatran, sequential compression device,
compression stockings

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