Commonly Used Organ-Specific Medications

Commonly Used Organ-Specific Medications

While some medications affect the body as a whole, others may do their work at a specific site (or on a particular organ). It may be helpful to break down medications into categories by their primary site of action when studying. Also, do not forget that prefixes and suffixes of drug names will help with identifying the medication’s drug class. Below is a non-comprehensive, yet helpful list of some of the popular drugs you will see in pharmacy practice and their primary site of action.

Drug Class Examples Primary Site of Action Side Effects
Beta-blockers Carvedilol
Metoprolol
Atenolol
Heart Hypoglycemia
Dizziness
Bradycardia
Calcium Channel
Blockers
Amlodipine
Nifedipine
Diltiazem
Heart Peripheral edema
Hypotension
Dizziness
Proton Pump
Inhibitors
Pantoprazole
Omeprazole
Esomeprazole
Stomach Hypomagnesemia
Risk of bone fractures
Diarrhea
Histamine-2 Receptor
Blockers
Famotidine
Cimetidine
Stomach Headache
Dizziness
Upset bowel
Loop Diuretics Furosemide
Torsemide
Bumetanide
Kidneys Dehydration
Electrolyte imbalance
Hypokalemia
Thiazide Diuretics Hydrochlorothiazide
Chlorothiazide
Indapamide
Kidneys Hypokalemia
Dehydration
Hyponatremia
Antimuscarinic
Agents
Oxybutynin
Tolterodine
Solifenacin
Bladder Dry mouth
Constipation
Blurred vision
HMG-CoA Reductase
Inhibitors
Atorvastatin
Simvastatin
Pravastatin
Liver Myopathy
Indigestion
Increased risk of
diabetes mellitus
Biguanides Metformin Liver Diarrhea
Nausea/vomiting
Weight loss
Sulfonylureas Glipizide
Glyburide
Glimepiride
Pancreas GI disturbances
Hypoglycemia
Weight gain
Beta-2 Agonists Albuterol
Levalbuterol
Salmeterol
Lungs Tremor
Bronchospasm
Palpitations
Selective Serotonin
Receptor Agonists
Sumatriptan
Naratriptan
Eletriptan
Brain Dizziness
Flushing
Nausea
Selective Serotonin
Receptor Inhibitors
Citalopram
Sertraline
Escitalopram
Brain Risk of bleeding
Suicidal ideation
GI disturbances
Bisphosphonates Alendronate
Ibandronate
Risendronate
Bones Esophageal irritation
Osteonecrosis of jaw
Hypocalcemia
Prostaglandin
Analogs
Latanoprost
Bimatoprost
Travoprost
Eyes Ocular pain
Ocular irritation
Blurred vision
Nasal Corticosteroids Fluticasone
Mometasone
Nasal Cavity Nasal irritation
Pharyngitis
Temporary loss of smell
5-Alpha Reductase
Inhibitors
Dutasteride
Finasteride
Prostate Gynecomastia
Decreased libido
Erectile dysfunction
PDE-5 Inhibitors Sildenafil
Tadalafil
Vardenafil
Penis Headache
Flushing
Hypotension
Estrogens/Progestins Estradiol
Norethindrone
Drospirenone
Uterus Headache
Abdominal pain
Breakthrough bleeding

Although memorizing the top 200 medications along with their characteristics may seem daunting, breaking them down by drug class as well as their primary site of action will make studying more manageable. It is also important to take note of the side effect profile of these drugs. If side effects become too severe or bothersome to a patient, it might warrant discontinuation of the medication and a change in therapy.

Commonly Used Organ Specific Medications

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