| Drug Name |
Category |
Comments |
| Kanamycin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Synthesis Inhitor; Aminoglycoside |
Older drug. Now only used as topical agent, due to severity of
adverse effects. |
| Ketoconazole |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Fungal
Imidazole (Systemic) |
Pharmacokinetics: PO, with good oral absorption. Inhibits Cyt-P450
in liver. Biliary excretion.
Adverse Effects: Hepatotoxicity, gynecomastia,
thrombophlebitis.
Can be used in treatment of prostate cancer, due to anti-androgenic
effects. |
|
| Ketoprofen
(Orudis) |
Anti-Inflammatory; NSAID
Propionic Acid Derivative |
Short-acting. Must be given 4 times a day for RA. Unique in that it
inhibits both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase. Does not
displace drugs from plasma binding proteins as much as others. Preferred
drug for use with Warfarin. |
| L-Aspara ginase |
Chemotherapy; Miscellaneous |
For Leukemia. Leukemic cells are deficient in asparagine
synthetase and thus cannot replenish asparagine when it is
broken down by this drug. That makes them selectively susceptible to the
drug. Adverse Effects: Allergy, hepatitis, mental depression,
pancreatitis. |
| Lamivudine (3TC) |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Viral
Anti-AIDS; Nucleoside Analog |
|
| Leoprulide Acetate |
Chemotherapy; Hormonal Agent |
Synthetic analog of GnRH ------> blocks FSH and LH in pituitary
------> decreased androgen synthesis and an inhibitory effect on
prostatic carcinoma. |
| Levamisole |
Immuno modulating Agent
Anti-Inflammatory; Anti-RA |
It is an immunostimulatory drug that has
paradoxical effect in treating RA. Treament has not yet been approved by
FDA. Latency period of 3 - 4 months. May also be useful for Hodgkin's
Disease. |
| Lomustine (CCNU) |
Chemotherapy; Alkylating Agent
Nitrosurea |
Nitrosurea, pro-drug. IV. Gets into CNS, thus useful for
treating brain cancers. |
| Mafenide
(Sulfamylon) |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Metabolic Inhibitor; Sulfonamide |
Does not have a para-amino group, thus it has a different
structure and mode of action, and it is not an analog of PABA. It is not
inactives by the presence of pus or necrotic tissue, thus it is ideal to
use with burn patients. |
| Mebendazole |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Helminthitic |
Given PO, but only about 10% is absorbed (poorly absorbed).
It inhibits microtubule synthesis in nematodes.
Indicated for pinworms, hookworms, ascariasis. |
| Mechlore thamine |
Chemotherapy; Alkylating Agent
Nitrogen Mustard |
Nitrogen Mustard, IV. Directly toxic. It has the shortest half-life
(a few minutes) and is the least stable of all alkylating agents. Is
often infused directly into artery supplying the tumor, due to its short
half-life. Part of the MOPP group of drugs, to fight Hodgkin's
Disease. |
| Meclo fenamate |
Anti-Inflammatory; NSAID |
|
| Mefloquine |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Malarial |
Only PO. Primarily used for prophylaxis and treatment of
Chloroquine-resistant P. Falciparum strains. Adverse Effects:
Can have bad CNS and psychological effects. |
| Melarsoprol |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Protozoal |
Indicated for the late meningeal stages of Trypanosomiasis (T.
Gambiense). |
| Melphalan |
Chemotherapy; Alkylating Agent
Nitrogen Mustard |
Nitrogen Mustard, Oral. Indicated for Multiple Myeloma. |
| Meropenem |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Carbopenem |
|
| Methicillin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Penicillins
Penicillinase-Resistant |
Given only IV, because it is acid-labile.
Altered PBP's appears to be the mode of resistance in the case
of Staph. Aureus. beta-Lactamase Resistant. |
| Methotrexate |
Immuno suppressant
Chemotherapy; Antimetabolite
Anti-RA |
Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase. Well absorbed orally, or
intrathecal. Polyglutamic-acid conjugates of methotrexate are retained
intracellularly, where they have activity.
Indications: GVHD, Acute Lymphocytic
Lymphoma, Choriocarcinoma, RA, psoriasis.
Adverse Effects: Oral, gastric ulcerations, and
liver cirrhosis with long-term use. High dose
methotrexate may be followed by high-dose folinic acid
in order to "rescue" the anti-folate effects of the
drug. |
| Methylene Blue |
Toxicity |
Indicated for treatment of methemoglobinemia, such
as that due to nitrite poisoning. Methylene Blue speeds
the conversion of methemoglobin back to hemoglobin. |
| Metronidazole |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Protozoal
Anti-Bacterial |
Mech: Parasites reduce a nitro group on the drug and form
oxidative intermediates that do oxidative damage. Indicated for
a wide variety of intestinal and tissue parasitic infections:
Trichomoniasis, Giardiasis, Amebiasis, Leshmaniasis. Also
indicated for treating Bacteroides and other
serious anaerobic bacterial infections. |
| Mezlocillin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Penicillins
Extended-Spectrum |
Extended-Spectrum agent. Proteus and
Pseudomonas. |
| Miconazole |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Fungal
Imidazole (Topical, Systemic) |
Pharmacokinetics: Topical or IV. Not absorbed
orally. Biliary excretion.x
Adverse Effects: Nausea and vomiting when given IV.
It potentiates warfarin. |
| Minocycline |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Synthesis Inhibitor; Tetracycline |
Complete oral absorption. Long-lasting. |
| Mithramycin |
Chemotherapy; Antibiotic |
|
| Mitomycin C |
Chemotherapy; Antibiotic |
Only IV. It is metabolized to 6-Mercaptopurine,
active metabolite, which then cross-links with DNA.
Indications: Solid tumors of cervix, stomach, pancreas, lung,
bladder, colon. May be instilled directly into bladder to treat
bladder carcinoma. Adverse Effects: pronounced and long-lived
bone-marrow suppression. |
| Mitoxantrone |
Chemotherapy; Antibiotic
Anthracycline; Synthetic |
The only synthetic anti-cancer antibiotic, with properties similar
to the other Anthracyclines. They are intercalating agents,
blocking both replication and transcription by non-covalent
interactions. Cumulative cardiotoxicity, which can be
potentially fatal.
Indications: Used for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML),
non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas, breast cancer. |
| Moxalactam |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Cephalosporin
3rd generation |
IV. Penetrates CNS.
Adverse Effects: May show Disulfarim-like reaction; don't take with
EtOH. May also see occassional bleeding. |
| N-Acetylcysteine |
Toxicity |
Indicated for Acetominophen toxicity. It provides
reduced sulfhydryl groups and restores glutathione to its reduced form. |
| Nabumetone
(Relafen) |
Anti-Inflammatory; NSAID
Long-acting |
Can be given only once a day to treat RA. |
| Nafcillin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Penicillins
Penicillinase-Resistant |
Similar to Penicillin G. PO. Unique biliary excretion.
beta-Lactamase Resistant, Acid Stable |
| Nalidixic Acid |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
DNA Gyrase Inhibitor |
Quinolone that blocks Topoisomerase II. Effective against
gram-negatives. |
| Nalorphine |
Toxicity |
Indicated for opioid overdose, alternative to
naloxone. |
| Naloxone |
Toxicity |
Opioid antagonist, indicated for acute opioid toxicity. |
| Naproxen |
Anti-Inflammatory; NSAID
Propionic Acid Derivative |
Longer acting than the other propionic-acid derivatives. Half-life
of about 13 hours. Can be given twice a day for RA. |
| Neomycin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Synthesis Inhitor; Aminoglycoside |
Now only used as topical agent, due to severity of
adverse effects. |
| Netilmicin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Synthesis Inhitor; Aminoglycoside |
Newest agents. Currently effective against strains that are
resistant to the other aminoglycosides. |
| Nifurtimox |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Protozoal |
Indicates for Chagas Disease (T. Cruzi) |
| Nitrite |
Toxicity |
It causes methemoglobinemia which can then bind up
all of the extra cyanide, driving it away from the cytochrome oxidase.
For cyanide poisoning. |
| Nitrofurantoin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
UTI Antiseptic |
Used solely for treatment of UTI's. Cleared
extremely quickly to urine, where it can have bacteriostatic or
bactericidal effects. Mech = formation of oxidative intermediates in
urinary tract. |
| Norfloxacin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
DNA Gyrase Inhibitor |
Fluoroquinolone. PO. |
| Nystatin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Fungal
Polyene (Topical) |
Topical use only. Drug is not
absorbed orally, and side-effects are too severe for systemic use.
Available OTC for dermal fungal infections, or used orally for
intraluminal GI fungal overgrowth infections. Can also be used for
intestinal amebiasis. |
| Ofloxacin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
DNA Gyrase Inhibitor |
Fluoroquinolone. |
| Ondansetron |
Chemotherapy; Adjunct |
Serotonin antagonist can be given to alleviate nausea associated
with chemotherapy. Phenothiazines and other drugs can
also be used. |
| Oxacillin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Penicillins
Penicillinase-Resistant |
Similar to Penicillin G. PO. Highly protein-bound.
beta-Lactamase Resistant, Acid Stable |
| Oxaprozin
(Daypro) |
Anti-Inflammatory; NSAID
Long-acting |
Can be given only once a day to treat RA. |
| Oxytetra cycline |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Synthesis Inhibitor; Tetracycline |
Incomplete oral absorption |
| Para aminosalicylic acid (PAS) |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Anti-Mycobacterial; 2nd-line |
Second-line drug. PO. Mech: It blocks dihydropteroate
synthesis in mycobacteria but not in other bacteria. This is
same mode of action as the sulfonamides, but on different bugs.
Adverse Effects: Severe GI disturbances and pain;
hypersensitivity. Impaired liver function. |
| Paromomycin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Protozoal |
Indicated for intestinal amebiasis. |
| Penicillin G |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Penicillins |
Active against gram-positives. |
| Penicillin V
|
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Penicillins |
Acid-stable Pencillin G, thus it can be given PO.
Active against Gram-positives. |
| Pentamidine |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Protozoal |
IM or aerosol; not absorbed orally. Indications:
Trypanosomiasis, first-line therapy for
Pneumocystic Cariini infection in AIDS patients.
Second-line therapy for many other parasitic infections.
Adverse Effects: Histamine degranulation can lead to
life-threatening hypotension. Also can see hypoglycemia or
hyperglycemia, TPP, nephrotoxicity, anemia. |
| Phenacetin |
Anti-Inflammatory; Non-Opioid Analgesic |
Pro-drug that is rapidly converted to Acetominophen by
Cyt-P450. Because of severe nephrotoxicity, phenacetin
is not available in the United States. Also, metabolite,
phenetidine causes methemoglobinemia. |
| Phenyl butazone |
Anti-Inflammatory; NSAID
Anti-Gout |
Potent anti-inflammatory, but weak analgesic and
anti-pyretic. Indications: Acute gouty arthritis,
RA that is refractory to treatment with other NSAID's.
Adverse Effects: GI distress, peptic ulcer; can be worse than
aspirin. Also soar throat, agranulocytosis. |
| Phytonadione (Vitamin-K) |
Toxicity |
Given to reverse the effects of warfarin toxicity,
but it takes 24 hours to take effect. |
| Phytonadione
(Vitamin-K) |
Hemopoeitic; Clotting
Prothrombogenic
Toxicity |
Given for treatment of warfarin overdose, or
whenever the effects of warfarin need to be reversed, such as in
preparation for surgery. The effect is delayed by about 24 hours, the
time required to synthesize new clotting factors.
Given prophylactically before gallbladder surgery. |
| Piperacillin |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Penicillins
Extended-Spectrum |
Extended-Spectrum agent. Proteus, Pseudomonas
and Klebsiella. |
| Piperazine |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Helminthitic |
Mech: It inhibits acetylcholine in helminths (non-depolarizing
blockade). It thus antagonizes the effects of Pyrantel Pamoate. |
| Piroxicam |
Anti-Inflammatory; NSAID
Long-acting |
Can be given only once a day to treat RA. Causes GI disturbances in
20% of patients. |
| Plicamycin |
Chemotherapy; Antibiotic |
Only IV. It binds to DNA as a ternary complex with Mg+2,
blocking transcription.
Indications: used primarily to combat paraneoplastic
hypercalcemia. It has an inhibitory effect on osteoclasts,
slowing down bone resorption. |
| Polymixin B |
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. |
| Potassium Iodide (KI) |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Fungal |
Singularly effective against Sporothrix Schenkii cutaneous
infection. |
| Praziquantel |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Helminthitic |
Well-absorbed orally. It increases permeability of
helminthitic cell membrane to calcium, causing
contraction, paralysis, death. Indicated for Schistosomiasis
and other fluke infections. |
| Primaquine |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Malarial |
It is the one and only tissue schizonticide,
required for treatment of P. Ovale and P. Vivax
hypnozoite (dormant) tissue-infections. Adverse Effects:
Hemolytic anemia in persons with G6PD-Deficiency. |
| Primaxin
(Imipenam + Cilistatin) |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
ICWS; Carbopenem |
Combination of imipenam and cilistatin is called primaxin. |
| Probenecid |
Anti-Inflammatory; Anti-Gout
Uricosuric Agent
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Adjunct |
Promotes the excretion of uric acid in the proximal tubule. Do not
use when urinary uric acid levels are already high, as urate
calculi may result. Adverse Effects: Allergic
dermatitis, GI disturbances.
Penicillin Adjunct: It blocks the urinary secretion
of penicillin, prolonging its half-life. |
| Procarbazine |
Chemotherapy; Alkylating Agent
Hydrazine |
Hydrazine. Part of the MOPP group of drugs, to fight
Hodgkin's Disease. Adverse Effects: Has especially high
incidence of secondary malignancies, particularly
leukemias. |
| Progestins |
Chemotherapy; Hormonal Agent |
Can induce remission of metastatic endometrial cancer.
Has shown some success with breast cancer. |
| Protamine Sulfate |
Toxicity |
Given IV for treatment of heparin overdose. It is a
basic peptide that binds to heparin. Must dose it carefully, as
protamine sulfate is itself an anti-coagulant! |
| Prussian Blue |
Toxicity |
Thallium poisoning: It interrupts the enterohepatic
circulation of Thallium, enhancing its excretion. |
| Pyrantel Pamoate |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Helminthitic |
Poorly absorbed orally. Triggers the release of
acetylcholine in helminths, causing depolarizing neuromuscular
blockade, paralysis. Indicated for broad-spectrum treatment of
luminal intestinal infections. Ascariasis, pinworm. |
| Pyrazinamide |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Anti-Mycobacterial; 1st-line |
First-line drug. Adverse Effects: Hepatotoxicity, Hyperuricemia. |
| Pyridoxine (Vit B6) |
Toxicity |
Can reverse convulsions and peripheral neuritis associated with
Isoniazid toxicity. |
| Pyridoxine (Vit. B6) |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Bacterial
Adjunct |
Given with Isoniazid, it prevents the peripheral
neuritis side-effect that can be seen with this drug. The peripheral
neuritis results from an anti-pyridoxine effect. |
| Pyrime thamine |
Anti-Microbial; Anti-Parasitic
Anti-Malarial |
Inhibits Plasmodium dihydrofolate reductase,
similar to trimepthoprim. Indicated for treatment of Chloroquine-resistant
P. Falciparum. Adverse Effects: Anti-Folate effects,
megaloblastic anemia. |
