Nursing Pharmacology

Made Easy by Amos Odeleye, RN, MSN

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DRUGS AND THEIR THERAPEUTIC LEVELS
Drugs Therapeutic levels
acetaminophen (Tylenol) 0.2 - 0.6 mg/dL; toxic: >5 mg/dL

carbamazepine (Tegretol) 4 – 12 mcg/mL

digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin) 0.5 – 2.0 ng/mL

lidocaine (Xylocaine) 1.5 – 6.0 mcg/mL

lithium (Eskalith) 0.5 – 1.5 mEq/L

phenytoin (Dilantin) 10 – 20 mcg/mL

procainenamide (Pronestyl) 4 – 8 mcg/mL

quinidine 2 -6 mcg/mL

salicylates (Aspirin) 100 – 200 mg/L; toxic:>200 mg/L

“Bronchodilators” xanthines (Theophylline) 10 – 20 mcg/mL

valproates (Depakene, Depakote, Depacon) 50 – 100 mcg/mL

vancomycin (Vancocin) 30 – 40 mg/mL (peak)

5 – 10 mg/mL (trough)

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 DRUGS AND THEIR ANTIDOTES

Drugs Antidotes
acetaminophen (Tylenol) Mucomyst

anticholinergics Physostigine

benzodiazepam Flumazenil

Calcium channel blockers Calcium gluconate

Calcium chloride
Cyanide / nitrate Methylene blue

digoxin Digoxin immune fab

heparin Protamine sulfate

iron Deferoxamine

insulin Glucagons

lead Succiner

opioids naloxone (Narcan)

nalmefene (Revex )
coumadin Vitamin K (Aquamephyton)

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 Nursing Pharmacology
Made Easy
• PART I – SYSTEM-ACTING DRUGS (Cardiovascular, Immune, Endocrine,
Neuro-Musculoskeletal, Respiratory, Digestive, & Urinary)

• PART II – GENERALLY-ACTING DRUGS (Anti-infectives & Pain)

• PART III – SPEACIALTY DRUGS (Mental Health, OB/Maternity &

Pediatrics)

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Nursing Pharmacology
made Easy
Part I System-acting Drugs

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CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM DRUGS - ANTIHYPERTENSIVES
DIURETICS Beta Blockers Calcium Channel “ACE-Inhibitors” ARB (-sartan) Alpha Adrenergic Vasodilators
(-lol) Blockers CCB (-pine) Angiotensin Converting Angiotensin II
Enzyme (-pril) Receptor Blocker
Thiazides: altenol Centrally acting
“Potassium-wasting” (Tenormin) verapamil (Isoptin, benazepril(Lotensin) losartan (Cozaar) “Alpha-2 diazoxide
Hydrochlorothiazide Calan) agonist” (Hyperstat)
(HCTZ) metoprolol captopril (Capoten) valsartan (Diovan) Clonidine
(Lopressor) diltiazem (Cardizem) (Catapres) hydralazine
Loop Diuretics – enalapril (Vasotec) (Apresoline)
“Potassium-wasting” propranolol nifedipine (Procardia) Alpha-1 blocker
furosemide (Lasix); (Inderal) fosinopril (Monopril) “-zosin”: isosorbide
torsemide (Demadex); amlopine (Norvasc) mononitrate
bumetanide (Bumex); nadolol lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) terazosin (Hytrin) (Imdur)
ethacrynic acid (Corgard)
(Edecrin) ramipril (Altace) doxazosin nitroprusside
carvedilol (Cardura) (Nitropress)
Potassium- Sparing (Coreg) quinapril (Accupril)
sprionolactone prazosin nitroglycerin
(Aldactone) (Minipress) (Nitrostat)

CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS - CARDIOTONIC & INOTROPIC DRUGS

Cardiac Glycoside: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors:
digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps) inamrinone (Inocor);

milrinone (Primacor)

CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS - ANTIARRYTHMIC DRUGS

SODIUM ‘Na” blockers Beta-blockers POTASSIUM “K” blockers “CCB” Calcium channel blockers
disopyramide (Norpace)
propranolol (Inderal) sotalol (Betapace) diltiazem (Cardizem)
quinidine (Quinaglute)
amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS)
lidocaine (Xylocaine)

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CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM DRUGS -ANTIANGINAL AGENTS
Nitrates: Beta-blockers Calcium-blockers
nitroglycerin (Nitrostat) metaprolol (Toprol, Toprol XL) diltiazem (Cardizem)

isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur) propranolol (Inderal) verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)

nadolol (Corgard)

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM DRUGS – ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC AGENTS:

“-statins” Bile Acid Resin Fibric Acid Derivatives Cholesterol Absorption Nicotinic Acid
HMG-CoA inhibitors “bile acid inhibitors” “fibrates” Inhibitors
atorvastatin (Lipitor) colesevelam (Welchol) fenofibrate (Tricor) ezetimibe (Zetia) niacin (Vitamin B)
lovastatin (Mevacor)
pravastatin (Pravachol) colestipol (Colestid) gemfibrozil (Lopid)
rosuvastatin (Crestor)
simvastatin (Zocor) cholestyramine (Questran)

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM DRUGS – ANTICOAGULANTS & THROMBOLYTICS

ANTIPLTELETS-prevent clot formation ANTICOAGULANTS – prevent clot formation THROMBOLYTICS-dissolve clots or “thinner”
PO or oral routes: Oral, PO – warfarin (Coumadin) “-ase”
salicylates (Aspirin)
ticlopidine (Ticlid) Injection/IV streptokinase (Streptase)
clopidogrel (Plavix) Heparin urokinase (Abbokinase)
Low-Molecular Weight Heparins “LMWH” are: tenecteplase (TNkase)
Injections/I.V.: enoxaparin (Lovenox) and dalteparin (Fragmin) reteplase (Retavase)
abciximab (ReoPro)
eptifibatide (Integrelin)
tirofiban (Aggrastat)

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IMMUNE SYSTEM DRUGS – Antineoplastics “Cancer medications”
Non-cell cycle specific antineoplastics Cell-cycle specific antineoplastics
Alkylating agents: 1. Antimetabolites:
chlorambucil (Leukeran) methotrexate (MTX, Rheumatrex)
cisplatin (Platinol) fluorouracil (5-FU, Adrucil)
cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) mercaptopurine (6-MP)

2. Antineoplastic antibiotics:
bleomycin (Blenoxane)
dactinomycin (Cosmegen)
doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

3. others:
vincrintine (Oncovin)
paclitaxel (Taxol, Onxol)
etoposide (Toposar, VesPid)

IMMUNE DRUGS –Immune modulators (Stimulants & Suppressants)

IMMUNE STIMULANTS – for cancer patients IMMUNE SUPPRESSANTS – for organ transplant patients
To treat/prevent Infection (stimulating WBC):
filgrastim (Neupogen) cyclosporine (Sandmmune, Neoral)
pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) azathioprine (Imuran)
sargramostim (Leukine) mycophenolate (CellCept)
anakinra (Kineret)
To treat/prevent Bleeding (stimulating Platelets): infiximab (Remicade)
oprelvelkins (Neumega)
To treat/prevent Anemia (stimulating RBC):
darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp)
epoetin alfa (Procrit, Epogen) ** used for dialysis patient**
ferrous (oral form of iron)
Iron dextran (injection form of iron)
Vitamin B12
leucovorin (Wellcovorin)

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ENDOCRINE SYSTEM DRUGS
ANTIDIABETIC AGENTS THYROID & PARATHYROID PITUITARY AGENTS ADRENOCORTICAL AGENTS
AGENTS
INSULINS (6 Types) THYROID REPLACEMENT: Antidiuretic Hormones Replacement therapy for Adrenal
1. Rapid-acting: levthyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl) (ADH): insufficiency:
Lispro (Humalog); Aspart (Novolog)
2. Short-acting: ANTITHYROID AGENTS: desmopressin (DDAVP) GLUCOCORTICOIDS: “-sone”
Regular (Humulin R or Novolin R) - propylthiouracil (PTU) vasopressin (Pitressin) hydrocortisone (Cortef)
3. Intermediate: - methimazole (Tapazole) cortisone (Cortisone Acetate)
NPH & Lente - Potassium iodide prednisone (Deltasone)
4. Long-acting: dexamethasone (decadron)
Untralente (Humulin U)
5. Very Long-acting: MINERALOCORTICOIDS:
Insulin Glargine (Lantus) fludrocortisone (Florinef)
6. Mixed Insulin
e.g., 70/30, 50/50, 75/25

ORAL Diabetic drugs (5 groups)

1. Sulfonylureas
chlorpropamide (Diabinese)
glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase)
2. Meglitinides
repanglitinide (Prandin)
nateglitinide (Starlix)
3. Biguanide
metformin (Glucophage)
4. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)
rosiglitazone (Avandia)
pioglitazone (Actos)
5. Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors
acarbose (Precose)

*Combination drugs:
Metaglip
Glucvance
Avandamet

Hypoglycemia? Administer Glucagon

“GlucaGen”

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NEURO-MUSCULOSKELETAL DRUGS - NERVOUS SYSTEM DRUGS
AUTONOMIC NREVOUS SYSTEM IS MADE UP OF:
• SYMPATHETIC “FIGHT/FLIGHT” – ALSO CALLED ADRENERGIC SYSTEM
• PARASYMPATHETIC “REST/DIGEST” – ALSO CALLED CHOLINERGIC SYSTEM

ADRENERGIC DRUGS ADRENERGIC-BLOCKING CHOLINERGIC DRUGS “ANTICHOLINERGICS”

“SYMPATHOMIMETICS” THAT’S MIMIC THE DRUGS CHOLINERGIC-BLOCKING
SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM DRUGS
Adrenergic “Vasopressor” used for low BP or BETA-2 blockers: DIRECT-ACTING Anticholinergic drugs – used to
shock: carvedilol (Coreg) CHOLINERGICS: treat Shock;
dobutamine (Dobutrex) atenolol (Tenormin) (used for Urinary Retention) atropine (AtroPEN)
dopamine ( Intropin) metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL bethanechol (Duvoid,
epinephrine (Adrenalin) nadolol (Corgard) Urecholine) Anticholinergic drugs – used for
midodrine (ProAmantine) sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF) ACUTE Respiratory symptoms:
INDIRECT-ACTING ipratropium (Atrovent)
Short-acting Beta-2 Adrenergic ADRENERGIC BLOCKING CHOLINERGICS: tiotropium (Spiriva)
(Used for Acute Respiratory symptoms) AGENTS,(used for “BPH” Benign used for Alzheimer
albulterol Prostatic Hypertrophy) Disease Anticholinergic drugs – used for
levabuterol tamsulosin (Flomax) -donepezil (Aricept) G.I. disease
terbutaline terazosin (Hytrin) -rivastigmine (Exelon) glycopyrrolate (Robinul) – for
-tacrine (Cognex) peptic ulcer
Long-acting Beta-2 Adrenergic ADRENERGIC BLOCKING propanthelin (Pro-Banthine) – for
(Used for long-term management of Respiratory AGENTS used as OPTIC/EYE Used to treat Auto- pepetic ulcer
symptoms) DROP, used for Glaucoma: immune diseases such as scopolamine – used for motion
salmeterol timolol (Timoptic) MS or MG sickness
betaxolol (Betoptic) edrophonium (Tensilon) trimethobenzamide (Tigan) – for
Optic Agent (Eye drop): neostigmine (Prostigmine) nausea and vomiting
brimonidine (Alphagan) pyridostigmine (Regonol, dicyclomine (Bentyl) – for “IBS”
Mestinon) irritable bowel syndrome

OPTIC/EYE DROP, (used Anticholinergic drugs – used to

for Glaucoma): treat Parkinson disease
carbachol (Miostat) benztropine (Cogentin)
pilocarpine (Pilocar)
Anticholinergic drugs – used for
overactive bladder (trade names)
Detrol LA; Vesicare; Ditropan;
Urispas; Enablex

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NEURO - MUSCULOSKELETAL DRUGS – Muscle, Bone & Joint Relaxants
SKELETAL MUSCLE Seizure drugs (Anticonvulsant) Bisphosphonates Uric Acid inhibitors DIURETICS
RELAXANTS (Bone resorption inhibitors)
baclofen (Lioresal) Phenytoin (Dilantin) Used for osteoporosis Used for Gout due to Used to treat ‘IOP”
chlorzoxazone (Paraflex) Valprioic acid (Depakote) hyperuricemia increased intra-ocular
cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) Phenobarbital (Luminal) alendronate (Fosamax) pressure or glaucoma:
metaxalone (Skelaxin) Carbamazepine (Tegretol) risedronate (Actonel) alluporinol – for management -Acetazolamide (Diamox)
metacarbamol (Robaxin) Levetiracetam (Keppra) ibandronate (Boniva) colchine – for acute attack
orphenadrine (Banflex) Toparamate (Topamax) zoledronic acid (Reclast) Used to treat “ICP”
tizanidine (Zanaflex) Lamotrigine (Lamictal) increased intra-cranial
Dantrolene (Dantrium) Gabapentin (Neurontin) pressure:
Diazepam (Valium) -mannitol (Osmitrol)
Lorazepam (Ativan) -glycerine
Clonazepam (Klonopin) -urea

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RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DRUGS
DRUGS ACTING ON THE UPPER RESP. TRACT DRUGS USED TO TREAT OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISORDERS
such as Emphysema or COPD
ANTITUSSIVES “Cough medications” “The Relievers” Short-Acting Beta Adrenergic drugs
Codeine albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
Hydrocodone (Hycodan) bitolterol (Tornalate)
Dexatromethorphan (Benylin) levalbuterol (Xopenex)
Benzonatate (Tessalon)
“The maintenacne” Long-Acting Beta-Adrenergic
DECONGESTANTS salmetrol (Serevent)
Oxymetazoline (Afrine)
Phenylephrine (Coricidin) “The Preventers” Steroids
Mometasone (Nasonex) Nasal/topical route:
Triamcinolone (Nasacort) • Budesonide (Pulmicort)
• Flucticasone propionate (Flovent)
EXPECTORANTS • Triamcinolone acetonide (Azmacort)
guafenesin (Robitussin) Oral route
• Prednisone
MUCOLYTICS – break up mucus • prednisolone
acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) **also used as antidote**
dornase alfa (Pulmozyme) The “ ANTICHOLINERGICS”
ipratropium (Atrovent)
ANTIHISTAMINES: tiotropium (Spiriva)
diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
hydroxyzine (Vistaril) OTHER DRUGS USED:
promethazine (Phenergan) zileuton (Zyflo)
desloratadine (Clarinex) montelukast (Singular)
fexofenadine (Allegra) aminophylline (Truphylline)
loratadine (Claritin) theophylline ( Theo-Dur)
Certirizine (Zyrtec)

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DIGESTIVE/GASTROINTESTINAL (G.I.) SYSTEM – HEARTBURN/ACID REFLUX
HISTAMINE-2 inhibitors ANTACIDS PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS ANTIPEPTIC AGENT
Cimetidine (Tagamet) Calcium carbonate (Tums) The “-prazole” The “Co”
Ranitidine (Zantac) Sucralfate (Carafate)
Famotidine (Pepcid) Magnesium hydroxide & Aluminum Omeprazole (Prilosec)
hydroxide (Maalox) Esomeprazole (Nexium)
Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
Magnesium salts Pantoprazole (Protonix)
(Milk of Magnesia “MOM”) Rabeprazole (Aciphex)

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM – Laxative and Antidiarrheal agent

LAXATIVES & DIARRHEAL DRUGS AntiEmetic “treat/prevent nausea & vomiting” Appetite stimulant, especially used to cancer patient
LAXATIVE -Chemical stimulants: Metoclopramide (Reglan) dronabinol (Marinol) – this is a chemical form of
Senna (Senokot) Prochlorperazine (Compazine) marijuanna
Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) Promethazine (Phenergan)
Dolasetron (Anzemet)
LAXATIVE-Bulk Laxatives: Ondansetron (Zofran)
Magnesium citrate (Citrate of Magnesia)
Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts)
Psyllium (Metamucil)
Magnesium salts(Milk of Magnesia, MOM)

LAXATIVE-Lubricants:
Docusate (Colace)

ANTIDIARRHEAL
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
Loperamide (Imodium)
Diphenoxylate w/ atropine (Lomotil)

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URINARY/RENAL SYSTEM - DIURETICS
THIAZIDES LOOP DIURETICS POTASSIUM SPARING
(Potassium Wasting) (Potassium Wasting)
Thiazides: furosemide (Lasix) sprionolactone (Aldactone)
chlorothiazide (Diuril) torsemide (Demadex)
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDIURIL) bumetanide (Bumex)
hydroflumethiazide (Diucardin) ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) **especially for cancer patients**
methyclothiazide (Aduatensen)
trichlormethiazide (Diurese)

RENAL DRUGS - UTI AND Bladder

U.T I drugs U.T. ANTISPASMODICS U.T. ANALGESIC BLADDER PROTECTANTS B.P.H DRUGS
To treat/prevent Overactive
bladder
fosfomycin (Monurol) flavoxate (Urispas) The “stainer” this drugs turns pentosan polysulfate sodium doxazosin (Cardura)
methenamine (Hiprex) oxybutynin (Ditropan) urine reddish orange (Elmiron) finasteride (Proscar)
methylene blue (Urolene tolterodine (Detrol LA) tamsulosin (Flomax)
Blue) Vesicare phenazopyridine (Pyridium) terazosin (Hytrin)
nalidixic acid (NegGram) Enablex
nitrofurantoin (Furadantin)
CIPRO
Batrim

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Nursing Pharmacology
made Easy
PART II GENERALLY-ACTING DRUGS

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 GENERALLY-ACTING DRUGS I: PAIN Medications
SALICYLATES NSAIDs OTHERS NARCOTICS ANTIMIGRAINES
aspirin (Bayer) acetaminophen (Tylenol) Codeine
flurbiprofen (Ansaid) Fentanyl (Duragesic) Dihydroergotamine
Hydrocodone (Hydrodan) (Migranal)
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
Aleve) Meperidine (Demerol) Ergotamine (generic)
Methadone (Dolophine)
naproxen (Nasprosyn) Morphine (Roxanol) The “-tripan”
Oxycodone (OxyCotin) -Almortiptan (xert)
indomethacin (Indocin) Oxymorphone (Numorphan) -Eletriptan (Relpax)
Propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvon-N) -Frovatriptan (Frova)
Celecoxib (Celebrex) -Naratriptan (Amerge)
Narcotic Antagonists – used to treat -Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
overdose or withrawal: -Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
Nalmefene (Revex) -Zolmitriptan (Zomig)
Naloxone (Narcan)
Naltrexone (ReVia)

GENERALLY-ACTING DRUGS II - ANTIBIOTICS

AMINOGLY CEPHALOSPORINS FLUOROQUINOL MACROLIDE PENICILLINS SULFONAMIDE TETRACYCLINE VANCOMYCIN
COSIDES ONE
streptomycin ciprofloxacin Azithromycin penicillin G sulfisoxazole doxycycline vancomycin
(generic) cefazolin (Ancef) (Cipro) (Zithromax, or (generic) (Doryx) hydrochloride
Z-pack) penicillin V (Vancocin)
tobramycin cefadroxil (Duricef) levofloxacin sulfasalazine minocycline
(Tobrex) (Levaquin) Clarithromycin amoxicillin (Azulfidine) (Minocin)
cephalexin (Keflex) (Biaxin) (Amoxil)
neomycin cotrimoxazole
(Mycifradin) ceftriaxone Erythromycin Combination (Bactrim)
(Rocephin) (E-Mycin) drugs
gentamicin amoxicillin
(Garamycin) clavulanate
(Augmentin)

piperacillin/taxob
actam (Zosyn)

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Nursing Pharmacology
made Easy
PART III SPECIALTY MEDICATIONS

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MENTAL HEALTH / PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS

Five (5) Classes of Mental Health Drugs:

- Antipsychotics drugs
- Mood stabilizers drugs (Antimanic & Antidepressants)
- Antianxiety drugs (Benzo &, NonBenzo)
- Cognitive drugs
- Development & Behavioral Drugs

1. Antipsychotics (Typical or Traditional) vs. Atypical

TRADITIONAL ATYPICAL
a. Phenothiazines clozopine (Clozaril)
chlorpromazine (Thorazine) resperidone (Risperdol)
haloperidol (Haldol) olanzopine (Zyprexa)
quetiapine (Seroquel)
ziprasidone (Geodon)
aripipazole (Abilify)

2. Mood stabilizers: Antimanic for Bipolar and Antidepressants: SSRI, SNRI, TCA, MAOI, & Novel
ANIT-MANIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS – 5 TYPES
Lithium SSRI - fluoxetine (Prozac)
- citalopram (Celexa)
- paroxetine (Paxil)
- sertraline (Zoloft)
- escitalopram (Lexapro)
Atypical bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- alprazolam (Xanax)
- trazadone (Desyrel)
- venlafaxine (Effexor)
- duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- mirtazapine (Remeron)
TCA amitriptyline (Elavil)
- doxepin (Sinequan)
- imipramine (Tofranil
MAOI - isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- phenelzine (Nardil)
- tranylcypromine (Parnate)

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3. Antianxiety (Anxiolytic): Benzo vs. Non-Benzo

BENZODIAZEPINES “-lam or -pam” NON-BENZODIAZEPINES

Lorazepam (Ativan) Buspirone (BuSpar)
Diazepam (Valium)
Clonazepam (Klonoplin)
Alprazolam (Xanax)

4. Cognitive “Dementias” Drugs:

Alzheimer’s drugs: Tacrine (Cognex),
Donepezil (Aricept),
Rivastigmine (Exelon),
Memantine (Namenda)

Parkinson’s Disease Symmetrel

carbidopa
levodopa
Sinemet (carbidopa + levodopa)
Cogentin

5. Development/Behavior Drugs: For ADHD drugs: Amphetamines

Amphetamines mixtures (Adderall}
Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
Atomoxetine (Strattera)

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