Common medications
Generic names, familiar brands, typical adult examples, common uses and EMS relevance.
50 medications
Acetaminophen/codeine/caffeine
Tylenol No. 3
Contains opioid; sedation/respiratory depression/constipation.
Acetylsalicylic acid
Aspirin · Entrophen
Antiplatelet; increases bleeding risk.
Amlodipine
Norvasc
Calcium-channel blocker; may contribute to edema/hypotension.
Amoxicillin
Amoxil
Antibiotic; ask indication, start date, allergy/reaction.
Apixaban
Eliquis
Anticoagulant - major relevance to trauma/head strike/bleeding.
Atorvastatin
Lipitor
Statin; history clue for CAD/stroke risk.
Bisoprolol
Monocor
Beta blocker; bradycardia/hypotension considerations.
Budesonide/formoterol
Symbicort
ICS/LABA; ask whether used as maintenance and/or reliever plan.
Candesartan
Atacand
ARB; hypotension/hyperkalemia considerations.
Cephalexin
Keflex
Antibiotic; ask indication and allergy history.
Clopidogrel
Plavix
Antiplatelet - increases bleeding risk.
Diltiazem
Cardizem · Tiazac
Rate-limiting CCB; bradycardia/hypotension possible.
Doxycycline
Vibramycin
Antibiotic; indication varies widely.
Duloxetine
Cymbalta
SNRI; may indicate chronic pain/neuropathy.
Empagliflozin
Jardiance
SGLT2 inhibitor - consider euglycemic DKA in an unwell diabetic.
Escitalopram
Cipralex
SSRI; psychiatric history clue.
Fluoxetine
Prozac
SSRI; long half-life and serotonergic interactions.
Furosemide
Lasix
Strong CHF/volume-management clue; dehydration/electrolyte issues possible.
Gabapentin
Neurontin
Sedation/falls; CNS depression can increase with opioids.
Gliclazide MR
Diamicron MR
Sulfonylurea - prolonged/recurrent hypoglycemia possible.
Hydrochlorothiazide
HydroDIURIL · generic
Diuretic; dehydration/electrolyte disturbance possible.
Hydromorphone
Dilaudid
Potent opioid - respiratory/CNS depression; tolerance may vary.
Insulin aspart
NovoRapid
Hypoglycemia risk; clarify timing and carbohydrate intake.
Insulin glargine
Lantus · Basaglar
Hypoglycemia risk; clarify last dose/food intake.
Levetiracetam
Keppra
Antiseizure medication; ask about missed doses.
Levonorgestrel
Plan B
Time-sensitive contraceptive medication.
Levothyroxine
Synthroid · Eltroxin
Thyroid replacement; dose highly individualized.
Lorazepam
Ativan
Benzodiazepine - sedation/falls/respiratory depression with opioids/alcohol.
Losartan
Cozaar
ARB; hypotension/hyperkalemia considerations.
Metformin
Glucophage
Diabetes clue; dose often adjusted for renal function.
Metoprolol
Lopresor
Beta blocker; may cause bradycardia and blunt tachycardia.
Mirtazapine
Remeron
Sedating; orthostasis possible.
Olanzapine
Zyprexa
Sedation/metabolic effects; psychiatric history clue.
Oxycodone
OxyIR · OxyNEO
Opioid - respiratory/CNS depression, constipation, falls.
Pantoprazole
Pantoloc
PPI; may signal ulcer/GI-bleed history.
Prednisone
Generic
Hyperglycemia; infection risk; chronic use may suppress adrenal function.
Quetiapine
Seroquel
Sedation, orthostasis; psychiatric history clue.
Rabeprazole
Pariet
PPI; may signal GI history.
Ramipril
Altace
ACE inhibitor; consider hypotension, hyperkalemia, angioedema.
Rivaroxaban
Xarelto
Anticoagulant - dosing differs by indication/renal function.
Rosuvastatin
Crestor
Statin; history clue for dyslipidemia/CAD.
Salbutamol
Ventolin
Short-acting beta agonist; tachycardia/tremor possible.
Semaglutide
Ozempic
GLP-1 agonist; nausea/vomiting/dehydration can occur.
Sertraline
Zoloft
SSRI; psychiatric history clue; serotonergic interactions.
Spironolactone
Aldactone
Potassium-sparing diuretic; hyperkalemia risk.
Tamsulosin
Flomax
Alpha blocker; can contribute to orthostatic hypotension/falls.
Tiotropium
Spiriva
Long-acting anticholinergic; maintenance, not rescue.
Trazodone
Desyrel
Sedation/orthostasis; fall risk.
Venlafaxine XR
Effexor XR
SNRI; withdrawal if abruptly stopped; BP can increase.
Zopiclone
Imovane
Sedative-hypnotic; falls/confusion, especially in older adults.