What is a general list of commonly used medications?

Commonly Used Medications List

The most commonly prescribed medications in the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union include antihypertensives such as lisinopril, amlodipine, metoprolol, ramipril, and bisoprolol, which represent the top five most frequently prescribed medications for hypertension. 1

Cardiovascular Medications

Antihypertensives

• ACE inhibitors: Lisinopril, ramipril, enalapril, perindopril, quinapril, fosinopril, trandolapril 1
• Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs): Losartan, candesartan, valsartan, irbesartan, telmisartan 1
• Calcium Channel Blockers: Amlodipine, nifedipine, diltiazem, verapamil, felodipine, lercanidipine 1
• Beta-Blockers: Metoprolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, atenolol, propranolol, nebivolol 1
• Diuretics: Hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, chlorthalidone, furosemide 1
• Aldosterone Antagonists: Spironolactone, eplerenone 1
• Alpha-Blockers: Doxazosin, terazosin 1
• Other: Hydralazine, isosorbide dinitrate (especially for African American patients with heart failure) 1

Heart Failure Medications

• ACE inhibitors at target doses: Captopril (50 mg 3 times daily), enalapril (10-20 mg twice daily), lisinopril (20-40 mg daily) 1
• Beta-blockers: Bisoprolol (10 mg daily), carvedilol (50 mg twice daily), metoprolol succinate (200 mg daily) 1
• Aldosterone antagonists: Spironolactone (25 mg daily or twice daily), eplerenone (50 mg daily) 1

Diabetes Medications

• Biguanides: Metformin (first-line therapy) 2
• Sulfonylureas: Glipizide, glyburide, glimepiride 3, 2
• DPP-4 inhibitors: Sitagliptin, linagliptin, saxagliptin, alogliptin 1
• SGLT2 inhibitors: Empagliflozin, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin 1
• GLP-1 receptor agonists: Semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide 1
• Thiazolidinediones: Pioglitazone, rosiglitazone 1
• Insulin: Various formulations (rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting) 1, 2

Weight Management Medications

• GLP-1 receptor agonists: Semaglutide, liraglutide 1
• Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist: Tirzepatide 1
• Combination therapies: Phentermine/topiramate, naltrexone/bupropion 1
• Lipase inhibitor: Orlistat 1
• Sympathomimetic: Phentermine 1

Pain Medications

• Opioid analgesics: Morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, fentanyl 1
• Non-opioid analgesics: Acetaminophen (paracetamol), tramadol 1
• NSAIDs: Ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac 1

Psychiatric Medications

• Antidepressants:
  • SSRIs: Fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine 1
  • SNRIs: Venlafaxine, duloxetine 1
  • Other: Bupropion, mirtazapine, tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline) 1
• Antipsychotics: Risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, aripiprazole, lurasidone, ziprasidone 1

Neurological Medications

• Anticonvulsants/antiepileptics: Lamotrigine, zonisamide, levetiracetam, topiramate, carbamazepine, valproic acid, phenytoin, gabapentin, pregabalin 4

Hormonal Medications

• Oral contraceptives: Ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone acetate/ferrous fumarate 1
• Thyroid medications: Levothyroxine
• Corticosteroids: Prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone 1

Gastrointestinal Medications

• Proton pump inhibitors: Omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole
• H2 receptor antagonists: Famotidine, ranitidine
• Laxatives: Polyethylene glycol, docusate, senna

Respiratory Medications

• Bronchodilators: Albuterol, salmeterol, formoterol
• Inhaled corticosteroids: Fluticasone, budesonide, mometasone 1
• Antihistamines: First-generation (diphenhydramine), second-generation (loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine) 1

Antimicrobials

• Antibiotics: Amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, azithromycin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin
• Antifungals: Fluconazole, itraconazole
• Antivirals: Acyclovir, valacyclovir, oseltamivir

Important Monitoring Considerations

• For antiepileptic medications: Complete blood count, liver function tests, renal function tests, and electrolytes should be monitored regularly 4
• For diabetes medications: Blood glucose, HbA1c, renal function 3, 2
• For cardiovascular medications: Blood pressure, electrolytes, renal function 1
• For weight management medications: Weight, cardiovascular parameters, mood changes 1

Drug Interactions to Consider

• Metformin interactions with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (topiramate, zonisamide), cationic drugs (cimetidine), and drugs affecting glycemic control 2
• Sulfonylureas interactions with highly protein-bound drugs, salicylates, and drugs that produce hyperglycemia 3
• Antihypertensive drug interactions with NSAIDs, antidepressants, and other cardiovascular medications 5

This comprehensive list covers the most commonly prescribed medications across major therapeutic categories, providing a valuable reference for clinical practice. The selection should be tailored based on specific patient factors including comorbidities, contraindications, and potential drug interactions.