Medication List with Dosing and Indications
1. Potassium Chloride ER 10 mEq Capsule
Indications: Treatment and prevention of hypokalemia (low potassium levels), particularly in patients on diuretics or with conditions causing potassium loss.
Dosing:
- Typical dose: 10-20 mEq once or twice daily
- Maximum: Generally up to 100 mEq/day in divided doses for severe depletion
- The extended-release formulation allows for sustained absorption and reduces gastrointestinal irritation compared to immediate-release forms 1
- Monitor serum potassium and renal function regularly, especially when combined with ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or potassium-sparing diuretics due to hyperkalemia risk 2
2. Tizanidine 4 mg Tablet
Indications: Muscle relaxant for spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or other neurological conditions.
Dosing:
- Initial: 2 mg orally at night
- Titration: Increase by 2-4 mg every few days as tolerated
- Typical maintenance: 8 mg every 8 hours (24 mg/day total)
- Maximum: Up to 36 mg/day in divided doses 3
- Critical warning: Contraindicated with CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g., oral contraceptives) and use caution with methadone due to QTc prolongation risk 3
- Common side effects include sedation, hypotension, dry mouth, and hepatotoxicity—monitor liver function 3
3. Amlodipine 5 mg Tablet
Indications: Hypertension and chronic stable angina.
Dosing:
- Initial: 2.5-5 mg once daily
- Maximum: 10 mg once daily 4, 5
- In heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF): Amlodipine is safe and recommended when additional blood pressure control is needed beyond ACE inhibitors/ARBs, beta-blockers, and diuretics 6
- In pediatrics (6-17 years): Start 2.5 mg daily, maximum 5 mg daily 4
- Side effects include peripheral edema, headache, and flushing 5
4. Abilify Asimtufii 960 mg/3.2 mL Suspension, Extended-Release IM Syringe
Indications: Maintenance treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder in adults.
Dosing:
- Administration: Intramuscular injection (gluteal) given once every 2 months after appropriate oral aripiprazole stabilization
- Dose: 960 mg (3.2 mL) IM every 2 months 7
- Critical considerations:
- Monitor for metabolic changes (weight gain, diabetes, dyslipidemia), tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and orthostatic hypotension 7
5. Buspirone 15 mg Tablet
Indications: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Dosing:
- Initial: 7.5 mg twice daily (15 mg/day total)
- Titration: Increase by 5 mg/day every 2-3 days as needed
- Typical maintenance: 15-30 mg/day in divided doses (twice or three times daily)
- Maximum: 60 mg/day
- Takes 2-4 weeks for full anxiolytic effect
- Does not cause dependence or withdrawal, unlike benzodiazepines
- Side effects include dizziness, headache, and nausea
6. Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg Tablet
Indications: Hypertension, edema associated with heart failure or renal disease.
Dosing:
- Hypertension: 12.5-25 mg once daily
- Maximum: 50 mg/day 4
- In heart failure: Thiazides recommended as add-on therapy when blood pressure not controlled with ACE inhibitor/ARB, beta-blocker, and MRA 6
- Critical monitoring: Check electrolytes (potassium, sodium, magnesium) and renal function shortly after initiation and periodically thereafter 4, 2
- Avoid hypokalemia—consider potassium supplementation or potassium-sparing diuretic if needed 8, 2
- Less effective when GFR <30 mL/min; switch to loop diuretic 2
7. Pantoprazole 40 mg Tablet, Delayed Release
Indications: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), erosive esophagitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, prevention of NSAID-induced ulcers.
Dosing:
- GERD/erosive esophagitis: 40 mg once daily for 8 weeks
- Maintenance: 40 mg once daily
- Zollinger-Ellison: 40 mg twice daily, titrate up to 240 mg/day if needed
- Take 30 minutes before meals for optimal effect
- Long-term use (>1 year) associated with increased risk of fractures, hypomagnesemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, and Clostridioides difficile infection—use lowest effective dose for shortest duration
8. Loratadine 10 mg Capsule
Indications: Allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial), chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Dosing:
- Adults and children ≥6 years: 10 mg once daily
- Children 2-5 years: 5 mg once daily
- Renal/hepatic impairment: 10 mg every other day
- Non-sedating second-generation antihistamine
- Can be taken without regard to meals
9. Glipizide 5 mg Tablet
Indications: Type 2 diabetes mellitus as adjunct to diet and exercise.
Dosing:
- Initial: 5 mg once daily before breakfast
- Titration: Increase by 2.5-5 mg every few days based on blood glucose response
- Typical maintenance: 5-10 mg once or twice daily
- Maximum: 40 mg/day (doses >15 mg should be divided)
- Extended-release formulation: 5-10 mg once daily, maximum 20 mg/day
- Take immediate-release 30 minutes before meals
- Critical warning: Risk of hypoglycemia, especially in elderly, malnourished, or those with renal/hepatic impairment
- Monitor blood glucose regularly and adjust dose accordingly