Pharmacology study guides for nurses, covering basics every nurse should know.
Heparin, an anticoagulant, is considered a high-alert medication. It reduces blood’s capacity to clot and prevents dangerous clots from forming in arteries. Although commonly mistaken as a blood thinner, it doesn’t actually thin the blood. Blood clots that have already formed cannot be dissolved by heparin, but they may be prevented from growing and posing … Read more
Lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure. Decreasing high blood pressure reduces the risk of heart attacks, kidney diseases, and strokes. Lisinopril is used to treat heart failure and increases survival rates following a heart attack. Lisinopril facilitates smooth blood flow by dilating blood vessels. Generic names: Lisinopril Brand names: Apo-Lisinopril, Prinivil, Qbrelis, Zestril … Read more
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant used in the prevention of partial seizures. It is frequently used for neuropathic pain including diabetic neuropathy, radiculopathy, shingles, and trigeminal neuralgia. Generic names: Gabapentin/Gabapentin Enacarbil Brand names: Gralise, Neurontin, Horizant Pharmacologic class: 1-amino-methyl cyclohexoneacetic acid Therapeutic class: Anticonvulsant Mechanism of action: Gabapentin helps to stabilize cell membranes by changing cation … Read more
Albuterol (also referred to as Salbutamol) is a fast-acting bronchodilator that prevents and manages wheezing and shortness of breath brought on by breathing difficulties (such as asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). It is also used to prevent exercise-induced asthma. Albuterol relaxes the airways’ muscles, allows them to open, and facilitates breathing. Generic names: Albuterol … Read more
Atorvastatin is a statin medication. It reduces the cholesterol that may accumulate on the artery walls and obstruct blood flow to the heart, brain, and other areas of the body. Atorvastatin prevents heart diseases, stroke, and heart attacks along with proper diet and lifestyle modifications. Generic names: Atorvastatin Calcium Brand names: Lipitor Pharmacologic class: HMG-CoA … Read more
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that improves blood flow and circulation by relaxing blood vessels and slowing the heart rate. It is used to treat chest pain, heart failure, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation. Generic names: Metoprolol succinate (extended-release), metoprolol tartrate Brand names: Toprol, Toprol-XL (extended-release), Lopressor Pharmacologic class: Beta-adrenergic blocker Therapeutic class: Antihypertensive, antianginal … Read more
Acetylsalicylic acid, better known as aspirin, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is often used to treat mild pain, fever, and swelling. It has additional uses as a blood thinner and can effectively reduce the risk of a heart attack and stroke. Generic names: Aspirin Brand names: Ecotrin, Bayer, Aspergum, Aspirtab Pharmacologic class: Nonsteroidal … Read more
Acetaminophen is a p-aminophenol derivative commonly known as Tylenol or Paracetamol. It is an OTC medicine used to relieve mild to moderate pain and fever. It does not have any anti-inflammatory properties. Generic names: Acetaminophen Brand names: Tylenol, Abenol (CAN), Acephen, Altenol, Aminofen, Apra, Atasol (CAN), Cetafen, Calpol, Dolono, Febrol, Genapap, Genebs, Mapap, Panadol Pharmacologic … Read more