Pharmaceutical Drugs Essential Knowledge

Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, Throat

• Basic Drug Knowledge is a compilation of 300+ outpatient drugs and 50+ inpatient drugs
• These drugs are considered essential for safe and effective patient care
• The drug list is not exhaustive and may exclude some indications, formulations, routes, brand names, side effects, and precautions
• Facts in the “Essential Knowledge” column are crucial for patient counseling
• The information is verified using package inserts, drug information resources, and professional textbooks
• This document is for internal use only
• Abbreviations used:
  • PO: oral
  • IV: intravenous
  • IM: intramuscular
  • INH: inhalation
  • SQ: subcutaneous
  • CI: contraindicated

Alpha 2 agonist

• Brimonidine (ophthalmic)
  • Brand Name: Alphagan P
  • Common Indications: Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP)
  • Key Side Effects: Ocular hypersensitivity, drowsiness, conjunctivitis, conjunctival hyperemia, ocular pruritus
  • Other Notes: CI with MAOI therapy

Non-selective beta-blocker

• Timolol (ophthalmic)
  • Brand Names: Timoptic, Timoptic XE, Istalol
  • Common Indications: Elevated IOP
  • Key Side Effects: Ocular stinging and burning

Prostaglandin Analog

• Bimatoprost (ophthalmic)

  • Brand Names: Lumigan, Latisse
  • Common Indications: Elevated IOP, eyelash hypotrichosis
  • Key Side Effects: Eyelash growth, conjunctival hyperemia, ocular pruritus, iris color change, periocular hyperpigmentation

• Latanoprost (ophthalmic)

  • Brand Name: Xalatan
  • Common Indications: Elevated IOP
  • Key Side Effects: Ocular burning, stinging, pruritus, foreign body sensation, hypersensitivity reaction

• Travoprost (ophthalmic)

  • Brand Name: Travatan Z
  • Common Indications: Elevated IOP

Calcineurin Inhibitor

• Cyclosporine (ophthalmic)
  • Brand Name: Restasis
  • Common Indications: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
  • Key Side Effects: Xeroderma, skin exfoliation, erythema, stinging, burning

Corticosteroid

• Prednisolone (ophthalmic)
  • Brand Names: Pred Forte, Pred Mild, Omnipred
  • Common Indications: Ophthalmic inflammation
  • Key Side Effects: Glaucoma, cataract formation, corneal thinning, secondary infection

Pediculocide

• Permethrin (topical)
  • Brand Names: Nix, Elimite
  • Common Indications: Lice, scabies
  • Key Side Effects: Itching, redness, swelling of scalp

Retinoic Acid Derivative

• Adapalene (topical)
  • Brand Name: Differin
  • Common Indications: Acne
  • Key Side Effects: Itching, redness, swelling of scalp

Antiseptic

• Chlorhexidine (topical, PO)
  • Brand Names: Hibiclens, Peridex
  • Common Indications: Skin cleanser, periodontitis, gingivitis
  • Key Side Effects: Dysgeusia, increased tartar formation, mouth discoloration, mouth irritation

Corticosteroid

• Clobetasol (topical)

  • Brand Names: Temovate, Clobex
  • Common Indications: Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis
  • Key Side Effects: Burning of skin, dryness of skin, hypopigmentation, secondary infection
  • Other Notes: Do not use for more than 2 weeks because it may cause adrenal suppression

• Triamcinolone (topical)

  • Brand Name: Kenalog
  • Common Indications: Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis
  • Key Side Effects: Burning of skin, dryness of skin, hypopigmentation, secondary infection

Alpha (α1) agonist

• Pseudoephedrine (PO)
  • Brand Name: Sudafed
  • Common Indications: Nasal congestion
  • Key Side Effects: Increased blood pressure, tachycardia, insomnia, restlessness
  • Other notes: Sold behind the counter

Corticosteroid

• Fluticasone (intranasal)

  • Brand Name: Flonase
  • Common Indications: Allergic rhinitis
  • Key Side Effects: Nasal dryness, epistaxis, nasal burning, headache

• Triamcinolone (intranasal)

  • Brand Name: Nasacort
  • Common Indications: Allergic rhinitis
  • Key Side Effects: Nasal dryness, epistaxis, nasal burning, headache

Other

• Azelastine (intranasal)

  • Brand Name: Astepro
  • Common Indications: Allergic rhinitis
  • Key Side Effects: Nasal dryness, epistaxis, nasal burning, headache

• Diphenhydramine (PO, IV)

  • Brand Name: Benadryl
  • Common Indications: Allergic rhinitis, allergic reaction, insomnia
  • Key Side Effects: Drowsiness, constipation, xerostomia, urinary retention

• Hydroxyzine (PO, IV)

  • Brand Names: Atarax, Vistaril
  • Common Indications: Pruritis, nausea, anxiety
  • Key Side Effects: Dizziness, somnolence, xerostomia, blurred vision, QTc prolongation

• Cetirizine (PO)

  • Brand Name: Zyrtec
  • Common Indications: Allergic rhinitis
  • Key Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, headache

• Loratadine (PO)

  • Brand Name: Claritin
  • Common Indications: Allergic rhinitis
  • Key Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, headache

• Fexofenadine (PO)

  • Brand Name: Allegra
  • Common Indications: Allergic rhinitis
  • Key Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, headache

• Olopatadine (ophthalmic)

  • Brand Names: Pataday, Patanol
  • Common Indications: Allergic conjunctivitis
  • Key Side Effects: Ocular burning, discomfort, dryness

• Promethazine and Codeine (PO)

  • Brand Name: Phenergan with Codeine
  • Common Indications: Cough, Cold
  • Key Side Effects: Dizziness, somnolence, xerostomia, blurred vision, constipation, respiratory depression (dose-related)
  • US Boxed Warning: Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants (including alcohol) may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death
  • Other Notes: Opioid-containing cough and cold products are no longer indicated for use in patients

This quiz covers essential outpatient and inpatient drugs that are crucial for safe patient care. It focuses on knowledge about specific drug uses, side effects, and abbreviations. Ideal for healthcare professionals seeking to reinforce their understanding of key medications.