| Drug Name |
Category |
Comments |
| Capreomycin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Anti-Mycobacterial; 2nd-line |
|
| Carbenicillin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Penicillins
Extended - Spectrum |
IV, acid-labile drug.
Extended - Spectrum agent. Proteus and
Pseudomonas. For Pseudomonas, use combination therapy with
aminoglycoside, as rapid resistance can develop. |
|
| Carbenicillin indamyl |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Penicillins
Extended - Spectrum |
Extended - Spectrum agent.
Acid-stable ester of carbenicillin, recently
developed, that can be given orally. |
| Carboplatin |
Chemo therapy; Alkylating Agent
Platinum Complex |
Platinum complex, similar to Cis-Platin. |
| Carmustine (BCNU) |
Chemo therapy; Alkylating Agent
Nitrosurea |
Nitrosurea, pro-drug. IV. Gets into CNS, thus useful for
treating brain cancers. |
| Cefaclor |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
2nd generation |
PO administration. |
| Cefadroxil |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
1st generation |
PO administration. |
| Cefamandole |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
2nd generation |
May show Disulfarim-like reaction; don't take with EtOH.
Cephalosporinase-resistant. |
| Cefazolin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
1st generation |
IV. Excreted mainly by glomerular filtration (rather than active
tubular secretion), thus it has a longer half-life. |
| Cefepine |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
4th generation |
Actually a fourth generation, brand new drug, with
extended spectrum and greater resistance to beta-Lactamase inactivation. |
| Cefixime |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
3rd generation |
PO administration. Can penetrate into the CNS. |
| Cefonicid |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
2nd generation |
Excreted mainly by glomerular filtration (rather than active tubular
secretion), thus it has a longer half-life. |
| Cefoperazone |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
3rd generation |
Active against Pseudomonas.
Can penetrate into the CNS. Biliary excretion, longer half-life.
Cephalosporinase-resistant.
May show Disulfarim-like reaction; don't take with EtOH |
| Ceforanide |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
2nd generation |
|
| Cefotaxime |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
3rd generation |
IV. Can penetrate CNS.
Cephalosporinase-resistant. |
| Cefoxitin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
2nd generation |
IV. Cephalosporinase-resistant. |
| Ceftazidime |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
3rd generation |
IV. |
| Ceftazidime |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
3rd generation |
Active against Pseudomonas. |
| Ceftizoxime |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
3rd generation |
Can penetrate CNS. |
| Ceftriaxone |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
3rd generation |
IV. Biliary excretion, longer half-life. |
| Cefuroxine |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
2nd generation |
IV |
| Cephalexin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
1st generation |
PO administration. |
| Cephalothin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
1st generation |
IV. Short-half life, due to active (probenecid-sensitive) tubular
secretion. |
| Chlorambucil |
Chemo therapy; Alkylating Agent
Nitrogen Mustard |
Nitrogen Mustard, Oral. Indicated for lymphomas, CLL. |
| Chloramphenicol |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Synthesis Inhibitor |
Indicated for CNS infections, Salmonella Typhoid Fever,
H. Influenzae.
Toxicity: (1) Dose-dependent anemia, (2) aplastic anemia,
(3) gray-baby syndrome, due to lack of
glucuronyl-transferase in babies. |
| Chloroquine |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Malarial
Anti- Inflammatory; Anti-Arthritis |
Usually PO, also IV, IM. Most popular blood schizonticide. Extensive
tissue binding requires large loading dose. Resistance is common and
occurs by P. Falciparum making phosphoglycoprotein pumps to
pump out the drug. Adverse Effects: generally well-tolerated; long-term
retinopathyy, myopathy, ototoxicity.
Also: Low dose, long-term treatment for RA refractory to treatment
with NSAID's. |
| Chlortetracycline |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Synthesis Inhibitor; Tetracycline |
Very incomplete oral absorption. Like tetracycline. |
| Cilastatin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Adjunct |
Dihydropeptidase Inhibitor in the kidney. It is
coadministered with the carbapenems (imipenem), in
order to prevent its destruction in the kidney. |
| Ciprofloxacin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
DNA Gyrase Inhibitor |
Fluoroquinolone. PO or IV. |
| Cis-Platin |
Chemo therapy; Alkylating Agent
Platinum Complex |
Forms Platinum complex, a unique platinum-bond with
DNA causes both damage and cross-linkage of DNA strands. Broad-spectrum
agent. Useful at fighting solid tumors: breast, ovarian,
testicular, lung, bladder cancers.
Adverse Effect: Relatively non-toxic to bone marrow, but does have
nephrotoxicity which is dose-limiting. |
| Clarithromycin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Synthesis Inhibitor; Macrolide |
|
| Clavulanic Acid |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Adjunct |
beta-Lactamase Inhibitor can be used as an adjunct,
only with penicillins that are not already beta-Lactamase resistant.
It is counterproductive to use Clavulanic Acid with
beta-Lactamase-Resistant penicillins: Naficillin, Oxacillin,
Cloxacillin, Methicillin. |
| Clindamycin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Synthesis Inhibitor |
Similar to erythromycin. C. Difficile is resistant, thus
Pseudomembranous Colitis is a feared complication of
the drug. Indicated for mixed anaerobic infections. |
| Clotrimazole |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Fungal
Imidazole (Topical) |
Topical use only. Not absorbed orally. |
| Cloxacillin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Penicillins
Penicillinase-Resistant |
Similar to Penicillin G. PO. Highly protein-bound.
beta-Lactamase Resistant, Acid Stable |
| Co-Trimoxazole
(Sulfame thoxazole-Trimethoprim) |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Metabolic Inhibitor; Sulfonamide |
Adverse Effects: May see adverse effects of either constituent drug,
as well as fever, rashes, vomiting, diarrhea. Side-effects prominent in
AIDS patients receiving the drug for the treatment of
Pneumocystis Pneumonia. |
| Colchicine |
Anti- Inflammatory; Anti-Gout |
Binds to tubulin to prevent polymerization of microtubules ------>
prevent granulocyte migration and phagocytosis of urate crystals
------> prevent foreign-body granulomatous inflammation in joints.
Adverse Effects: Alopecia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia.
Myopathy, nausea, and vomiting. |
| Colistmethate |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Membrane-Active |
Only used topically: ointment, or injection into pleural or joint
cavities. Can be used topically for gram-negative bacterial overgrowth. |
| Corticosteroids
(Prednisone, etc.) |
Chemo therapy; Hormonal Agent
Anti- Inflammatory; Anti-RA
Immuno suppressant |
Actions: (1) They inhibit Phospolipase-A2,
(2) They inhibit the induction of COX-2
Chemo therapy: They suppress proliferation of lymphocytic cells, thus
they are useful at combating lymphomas. Part of the MOPP group of drugs,
to fight Hodgkin's Disease.
RA: It is a potent Anti- Inflammatory, but it does nothing to prevent
destruction of bone and cartilege.
Immuno suppressant : Organ transplantation, auto-immune diseases,
asthma. |
| Cyanocobalamin
(Vitamin B12) |
Hemopoeitic; Anemia
Megaloblastic Anemia
Toxicity |
IM. The drug of choice in patients who are hypersensitive to the
Hydroxycobalamin-Transcobalamin-II Complex. Therapy continues for life.
Cyanide Toxicity: Co2 EDTA +
Hydroxycobalamin takes up free cyanide, neutralizing it and forming
cyanocobalamin (Vit B12). |
| Cyclopho sphamide |
Chemo therapy; Alkylating Agent
Nitrogen Mustard
Immuno suppressant |
Pro-drug, oral. It is converted to its active form by
Cytochrome-P450 enzyme.
Broad-spectrum agent Useful at fighting solid tumors,
leukemias, ovarian carcinoma.
Immunosuppresant: Bone marrow transplants (but it does not
prevent GVHD), autoimmune disorders (PRCA, Wegener's Granulomatosis).
Adverse Effect: Hemorrhagic cystitis, higher incidence
of alopecia than other drugs. |
| Cycloserine |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Anti-Mycobacterial; 2nd-line
ICWS |
Second-line anti-mycobacterial drug. Mech: It inhibits
alanine racemase.
Adverse Effects: CNS Toxicity, drug-induced psychosis
greatly limit its use. |
| Cyclosporin A |
Immuno suppressant
Chemo therapy; Miscellaneous |
From the fungus, Tolypocladium Inflatum. Binds to
cyclophillins ------> inhibit IL-2 production
in T-Cells ------> inhibit T-Cell differentiation and activation.
Extensive Cyt-P450 metabolism.
Indications: Suppress organ rejection after transplantation, IDDM.
Adverse Effects: Viral infections, lymphoma. Nephrotoxicity, but it
can be prevented with mannitol. |
| Cytarabine (Cytosine Arabinoside, AraC) |
Chemo therapy; Antimetabolite |
Pyrimidine antagonist. Must be given IV. Active metabolite is
AraCTP, which inhibits DNA polymerase
during the S-Phase. Resistance: decreased uptake of AraC by tumor cells,
decreased conversion of AraC to AraCTP, increased breakdown of AraCTP.
Indicated for acute leukemias (ALL) and
lymphomas.
Adverse Effects: Ocular toxicity, neurotoxicity. |
| D-Penicillamine |
Anti- Inflammatory; Anti-RA
Toxicity
Metal Chelator |
Analog of cysteine. Retards progression of bone and articular
cartilege destruction. 3-4 month latency period required.
Serious adverse effects: Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, aplastic
anemia. Cancels the effects of gold salts.
Chelator: It chelates copper,
mercury, zinc, lead. Indicated for Wilson's Disease.
Used as adjunct in lead, mercury, gold, arsenic poisoning. Indicated for
gold salt toxicity.
Cystinuria: Forms a soluble penicillamine-cysteine
complex, promoting the excretion of cysteine. |
| Dactinomycin |
Chemo therapy; Antibiotic |
Only IV. It tightly intercalates DNA between G-C base pairs,
blocking transcription. DNA replication is only slightly
affected. |
| Dapsone |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Anti-Mycobacterial |
Indicated for treating Leprosy. Resistance is on
the rise.
Adverse Effects: Hemolytic anemia in people with G6PD deficiency,
Erythema Nodosum, Methemoglobinemia. |
| Daunorubicin |
Chemo therapy; Antibiotic
Anthracycline |
Only IV. Undergoes extensive metabolism in the liver. They are
intercalating agents, blocking both replication and
transcription by non-covalent interactions. Adverse Effect = Cumulative
cardiotoxicity, which can be potentially fatal.
Indications: Narrower in spectrum, used only against Acute
Leukemias. |
| Deferoxamine (Desferal) |
Toxicity |
IM or IV to chelate iron in blood, for iron toxicity. |
| Demeclocycline |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Synthesis Inhibitor; Tetracycline |
Complete oral absorption. Intermediate half-life. Used to treat the
Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH). Photosensitive:
especially photosensitive and associated with Fanconi-like syndrome if
it has been photo-degraded. |
| Desmopressin Acetate |
Hemopoeitic; Clotting
Prothro mbogenic |
Useful as an adjunct in treatment of mild Hemophilia A.
It potentiates the activity of Factor VIII. |
| Dextran |
Hemopoeitic; Clotting
Anti-Coagulant |
Used to prevent post-operative thrombosis. Long
chain sugars physically interfere with platelet function and fibrin
polymerization. |
| Diclofenac |
Anti- Inflammatory; NSAID |
Hepatotoxic, due to reactive
carboxy-glucuronidate metabolites. Displaces warfarin from
plasma proteins, and should not be used with warfarin. |
| Dicloxacillin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Penicillins
Penicillinase-Resistant |
Similar to Penicillin G. PO. Highly protein-bound.
beta-Lactamase Resistant, Acid Stable |
| Dideoxycytosine (ddC) |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Viral
Anti-AIDS; Nucleoside Analog |
|
| Dideoxyinosine (ddI) |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Viral
Anti-AIDS; Nucleoside Analog |
|
| Diethylstilbestrol (DES) |
Chemo therapy; Hormonal Agent |
Can induce remission of prostatic carcinoma. |
| Diflunisal |
Anti- Inflammatory; NSAID |
|
| Digoxin-specific antibody fragments. |
Toxicity |
Indicated for Digitalis toxicity. |
| Diloxanide Furoate |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Protozoal |
Given orally, Diloxinide is the active drug, released by gut
bacteria. Mild drug used to combat intestinal amebiasis. Well-tolerated. |
| Dimercaprol
(British Anti-Lewisite, BAL) |
Toxicity
Metal Chelator |
Administered in oil by deep IM injection. Fast-acting and short
half-life. Enters tissues more readily than does EDTA.
Forms stable complexes with mercury, arsenic, gold.
It can free the sulfahydral compounds bound by the metals, but it is
better at primary prevention. Adverse Effects: It can cause transient
hypertension.
Used in combination with CaNa2 EDTA for lead poisoning,
particularly when there are signs of Lead Encephalopathy. |
| Dipyridamole |
Hemopoeitic; Clotting
Platelet Inhibitor |
Inhibits phosphodiesterase ------> potentiate
prostacyclin, which is a cAMP dependent factor.
In combination with warfarin, it is effective in preventing arterial
embolization in patients with prosthetic heart valves. |
| Doxorubicin |
Chemo therapy; Antibiotic
Anthracycline |
Only IV. Undergoes extensive metabolism in the liver. They are
intercalating agents, blocking both replication and
transcription by non-covalent interactions. Cumulative
cardiotoxicity, which can be potentially fatal.
Indications: Broad-spectrum agent, used in combo
Chemo therapy to treat many tumors. |
| Doxycycline |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Synthesis Inhibitor; Tetracycline |
Complete oral absorption. Exclusively hepatic clearance. |
