Appendix D. Most-Prescribed Medications in the United States

The NCLEX exam includes pharmacology as a subcategory under the area of physiological integrity. Because nurses are responsible for administering medications, it is extremely important for the nurse to be aware of those drugs that are frequently prescribed. Table D.1 provides a listing of the most prescribed medications in the United States, including the generic and trade names of the medication, as well as primary uses and major concerns associated with the medication. Using this list will help you to prepare for these questions.

Table D.1. Most-Prescribed Medications in the United States

Generic Name	Trade Name	Uses	Major Concerns
Acetaminophen	Tylenol	Analgesic	Watch for liver and kidney problems.
Albuterol	Proventil	Bronchodilator	This drug can cause tachycardia. The doctor needs to check blood levels for toxicity to this drug.
Alendronate	Fosamax	Osteoporosis	Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking to prevent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Take this drug with water.
Allopurinol	Zyloprim	Antigout	This client should drink at least eight glasses of water per day.
Alprazolam	Xanax	Antianxiety	This drug can be addictive.
Amiodipine	Norvasc	Antihypertensive	This drug can lead to hypotension.
Amitriptyline HCl	Elavil	Antidepressant
Amoxicillin	Augmentin	Antibiotic	Watch for allergic reactions.
Atenolol	Tenormin	Antihypertensive	This drug can cause a drop in pulse rate, so check your pulse daily.
Azithromycin	Zithromax Z-Pak	Antibiotic	Watch for allergies.
Cephalexin	Keflex	Antibiotic	If you are allergic to cephalosporins, you might also be allergic to penicillin.
Cetirizine	Zyrtec	Antihistimine
Clonazepam	Klonopin	Anticonvulsant	This drug should not be stopped abruptly.
Cyclobenzaprine HCl	Flexeril	Muscle relaxant	This drug can cause sedation.
Diazepam	Valium	Anticonvulsant/antianxiety	Watch for allergies.
Doxazosin mesylate	Cardura	Antihypertensive
Doxycycline hyclate	Vibramycin	Antibiotic	Women should not take this drug if pregnant.
Estrogen	Premarin	Hormone	This drug can increase the chances of blood clots.
Fexofenadine	Allegra	Antihistimine	This drug can lead to dry mouth.
Furosemide	Lasix	Diuretic	This drug can lead to hypokalemia.
Glipizide	Glucotrol	Antidiabetic	Watch for hypoglycemia.
Hydrochloro- thiazide	HCTZ	Diuretic	This drug can lead to hypokalemia.
Hydrocodone with acetaminophen	Lortab	Analgesic	This drug can be addictive.
Ibuprofen	Motrin	Analgesic/anti-inflammatory	This drug can lead to hypertension and kidney disease.
Lansoprazole	Prevacid	Proton pump inhibitor/antiulcer	Take the medication prior to meals.
Levothyroxin	Synthyroid	Hormone	Teach the client to check his pulse.
Levothyroxine	Levoxyl	Hormone	This drug can increase the chances of blood clotting.
Lisinopril	Zestril	Antihypertensive	This drug can lead to postural hypotension. Remain supine for at least 30 minutes when beginning the medication.
Lorazepam	Antivan	Anticonvulsant/antianxiety	This drug can cause sedation.
Metformin	Glucophage	Antidiabetic	This drug should be stopped prior to a dye study such as a cardiac catheterization.
Metoprolol succinate	Toprol XL	Antihypertensive	The nurse needs to teach the client to check his pulse.
Metoprolol tartrate	Lopressor, Toprol	Antihypertensive	The client should be taught to check his pulse rate.
Montelukast	Singulair	Asthmatic medication
Naproxen	Aleve	Analgesic	This drug can lead to hypertension and kidney disease.
Necon	Ortho-Novum 7/7/7	Oral contraceptive	This drug can increase the chances of blood clots.
Omeprazole	Prilosec	Proton pump inhibitor/antiulcer
Penicillin V potassium	Penicillin	Antibiotic	Watch for allergies.
Potassium chloride	K-Lyte	Supplement	The nurse should check renal function prior to giving the medication.
Prednisone	Deltasone	Anti- inflammatory	This drug can cause Cushing’s syndrome. This drug can cause gastrointestinal problems.
Promethazine HCl	Phenergan	Antiemetic/antianxiety
Rantidine HCl	Zantac	Histamine blocker/antiulcer	Usually it is best to take this drug with meals.
Sertraline	Zoloft	Antidepressant	This drug can cause sedation.
Simvastatin	Zocor	Antilipidemic	This drug can cause liver problems and muscle soreness. Taking the drug at night will increase the drug’s effectiveness. Do not take this drug with grapefruit juice.
Sulfamethoxazole	Septra, Bactrim	Antibiotic	This drug can cause gastrointestinal disturbance.
Trazodone HCl	Desyrel	Antidepressant
Trinessa	Ortho TriClen	Oral contraceptive	This drug can increase chances of blood clotting.
Verapamil HCl	Calan	Antihypertensive/antianginal
Warfarin sodium	Coumadin	Anticoagulant	The nurse should teach the client to limit the intake of green leafy vegetables and watch for signs of bleeding.
Zolpidem	Ambien	Sleep aid	Allow at least eight hours of sleep time to prevent daytime drowsiness.