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That was the name for the cabinet over the bathroom sink in my house when I was growing up. What ever you call the place you keep medications, take a peek in my well stocked cabinet.
Brands are the proprietary names and trademarks of the pharmaceutical companies that make and distribute them. Names in parentheses are generic or chemical names. You may see either or both on labels of your medicines. With some exceptions, the medications presented require a prescription. Only selected drug categories are presented with examples. If you wish more information on selected drugs, click on the drug Category name. To return to the main listing, close the category pop-up box.
This content is for educational information only. Ask your physician or pharmacist any questions you may have about taking your medications.
CATEGORY |
WHAT I CALL'EM |
THEY ARE USED FOR? |
MY SAMPLES |
| Analgesics | pain pills | headaches, muscle aches and pains |
Aleve (naproxen) Aspirin Celebrex (celecoxib) Codeine Motrin (ibuprofen) Tylenol (acetaminophen) |
| Antacids | indigestion pills |
heartburn | Prevacid (lansoprazole) Prilosec (omeprazole)-OTC Tums Zantac (ranitidine) |
| Antiarthritic | rheumatism pills | rheumatoid arthritis | Aspirin Aleve (naproxin) Celebrex (celecoxib) Humira (adalimumab) Remicade (infliximab) |
| Antibiotics | bug killers | microbial infections | Amoxil (amoxicillin) Erythromycin Keflex (cephalexin) Pen-Vee (Penicillin) Septra (sulfamethoxazole) Vibramycin (doxycycline) |
| Anticoagulants | blood thinners | prevent blood clots |
Coumadin (warfarin) Heparin Plavix (clopidogrel) |
| Anticonvulsants | epilepsy drugs | prevent seizures | Dilantin (phenytoin) Phenobarbital Neurontin (gabapentin) |
| Antidepressants | uppers | relieve depression | Elavil (amitriptyline) Prozac (fluoxetine) Zoloft (sertraline) |
| Antihistamines | cold and flu pills | stops runny nose, wheezing and itchiness | Allegra (fexofenadine) Benadryl (diphenhydramine) Claritin (loratadine) |
| Antihyperlipidemics | cholesterol pills | lowers cholesterol levels | Lipitor (atorvastatin) Niaspan (Niacin) Pravachol (pravastatin) Questran (cholestyramine) Zocor (simvastatin) |
| Antihypertensives | blood pressure pills |
lowers high blood pressure |
Norvasc (amlodipine
besylate) Captopen (captopril) Inderal (propranolol) Lotensin (benazepril) Tenormin (atenolol) Zestril (lisinopril) |
| Cardiac drugs | heart medicine | treats abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, angina pain | Cardizem (diltiazem) Cordarone (amiodarone) Inderal (propranolol) Lanoxin (digoxin) Nitrostat (nitroglycerin) |
| Diuretics | water pills | lowers high blood pressure, treat congestive heart failure | Hydrodiuril (hydrochlorothiazide) Lasix (furosemide) |
| Erectile Dysfunction | man's best friend | impotency | Cialis (tadalafil) Levitra(vardenafil) Viagra (sildenafil) |
| Hypnotics | sleeping pills | insomnia | Ambien (zolpidemtartrate) Lunesta (eszopiclone) Sonata (zaleplon) |
| Hypoglycemic agents | diabetic drugs | lowers high blood sugar | Diabeta (Glyburide) Glucophage (metformin) Glucotrol (glipizide) Insulin |
| Osteoporosis therapy | mom's bone pills | strengthens bones | Actonel (risendronate) Boniva (ibandronate) Fosamax (alendronate) |
| Tranquilizers | downers | anxiety | Valium (diazepam) Xanax (alprazolam) |
Curious about what is in your neighbor's medicine cabinet? Think you can dope out what's bugging him? If you click on each category name and review the contents first, you can!
Thanks to Tom Suttie, R.Ph. for advice and consultation.
What ails America? In the top ten list of most prescribed drugs for 2009 are two cholesterol lowering drugs, one blood pressure drug, one thyroid hormone supplement, one antidepressant medication, one heartburn medication, three allergy medications and one anticoagulant. Ref: www.drugtopics.com (Pharmacy Facts and Figures).
Module created by: William J. Dyche, Ph.D.
