Class Drug Uses Side Effects Considerations
Carbapenems Imipenem (Primaxin) Resp. infections, UTI’s, GI upset, rash, itching Do not take with antivirals Do
End in ‘penem’ blood/ skin/ bone infections not use in CNS disorders
Cephalosporins Cephalexin (Keflex) Resp., skin, bone, and ear GI upset, dark urine, rash, oral May cause kidney problems,
Start with ‘cef/ceph’ infections, UTI’s candidiasis especially if taken with
metformin
Fluroquinolones Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) UTI’s, resp./ skin GI upset, dizziness, blurred May cause peripheral
End in ‘floxacin’ Levofloxacin (Levaquin) infections, sinusitis, vision, photosensitivity neuropathy, avoid NSAIDs,
bronchitis caffeine, and warfarin
Glycopeptides Vancomycin (Vancocin) MRSA, C-diff, resp. Dizziness, chills, Monitor kidneys, avoid loop
infections, septicemia thrombophlebitis diuretics, require peak and
trough levels, ^fluid intake
Macrolides Azithromycin (Zithromax) Resp./ ear infections, Gi upset, photosensitivity, May interact with
End in ‘romycin’ Erythromycin (E-mycin) STI’s, UTI’s, acne, tonsilitis dizziness anticoagulants, digoxin, and
antacids. Avoid fruit juice
Monobactams Aztreonam (Azactam) Severe blood, urinary, lung, GI upset, HA, blurred vision Monitor for seizures,
End in ‘actam’ skin, and stomach infections superinfection and renal
impairment
Nitroimidazoles Metronidazole (Flagyl) Infections of the skin and Gi upset, HA, metallic taste in Avoid alcohol or items
End in ‘idazole’ oral mucosa, bacterial mouth, can cause dark urine containing propylene glycol can
vaginosis while using cause disulfiram-like reaction,
monitor for signs of peripheral
neuropathy and seizure-like
activity
Oxazolidinones Linezolid (Zyvox) Skin infections, pneumonia Diarrhea, HA, dizziness, rash, Monitor BP/HR. Can cause
End in ‘zolid’ thrombocytopenia peripheral neuropathy and
visual disturbances
Penicillin’s Amoxicillin (Amoxil) Skin, resp. infections, UTI’s GI upset, dizziness, HA, rash Decreases effectiveness of
End in ‘cillin’ contraceptives, avoid fruit
juice. Increased bleeding with
anticoagulants
Sulfonamides Trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole UTI’s, STI’s, otitis media, GI upset, vertigo, depression, Monitor for anemia/
‘Sulfa drugs’ (Bactrim) pneumonia photosensitivity neutropenia, may cause
bleeding/ bruising
Tetracyclines Doxycycline (Vibramycin) UTI’s, STI’s, acne, resp./ Gi upset, HA, rash Take on empty stomach, stay
End in ‘cycline’ intestinal infections upright, may cause candida
infection or blisters
, CLASS DRUG SIDE EFFECTS CONSIDERATIONS
Citalopram (Celexa) ¨ N/V/D ¨ 1st line therapy in depression/ anxiety
Escitalopram (Lexapro) ¨ Insomnia/ sedation ¨ May take 4-6 weeks to reach effectiveness
Fluoxetine (Prozac) ¨ Weight gain ¨ Do not stop abruptly
SSRI’s Fluvoxamine (Luvox) ¨ Sexual dysfunction
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Vilazodone (Viibryd)
Desvenlafaxine (Savella) ¨ Increased BP/ HR ¨ Do not mix with TCA’s or MAOI’s (can cause serotonin
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) ¨ Insomnia/ sedation syndrome)
Levomilnacipran (Fetzima) ¨ Anxiety/ agitation ¨ May take 4-6 weeks to reach effectiveness
SNRI’s Venlafaxine (Effexor) ¨ Dry mouth ¨ Do not stop abruptly
¨ Constipation
¨ Dry mouth
Amitriptyline (Elavil) ¨ Blurred vision ¨ Cardiotoxic (should not be taken in those with heart
Amoxapine (Asendin) ¨ Orthostatic hypotension conditions)
Clomipramine (Anafranil) ¨ Tachycardia ¨ Lethal in overdose
Desipramine (Norpramin) ¨ Weight gain/ loss ¨ May take 2-4 weeks to reach effectiveness
TCA’s Doxepin (Sinequan) ¨ Constipation ¨ Do not stop abruptly
Imipramine (Tofranil) ¨ Dry mouth
Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
Protriptyline (Surmontil)
Isocarboxazid (Marplan) ¨ N/V/D/ constipation ¨ Avoid tyramine – can cause hypertensive crisis (aged
Phenelzine (Nardil) ¨ Headache meat, cheese, beer/ wine, pickled/ fermented foods,
MAOI’s Selegiline (Emsam) ¨ Insomnia dried/ overripe fruits)
Tranylcypromine (Parnate) ¨ Dizziness ¨ May take 4-6 weeks to reach effectiveness
¨ Dry mouth
Buproprion (Wellbutrin) ¨ Insomnia/ sedation ¨ Avoid bupropion in anorexia, bulimia, and seizures
Fluoxetine/olanzapine (Symbax) ¨ Dizziness ¨ Mirtazapine may cause ^lipids and weight gain
ATYPICALS Mirtazapine (Remeron) ¨ Weight gain/ loss ¨ May take 4-6 weeks to reach effectiveness
Trazodone (Oleptro) ¨ Dry mouth
Carbapenems Imipenem (Primaxin) Resp. infections, UTI’s, GI upset, rash, itching Do not take with antivirals Do
End in ‘penem’ blood/ skin/ bone infections not use in CNS disorders
Cephalosporins Cephalexin (Keflex) Resp., skin, bone, and ear GI upset, dark urine, rash, oral May cause kidney problems,
Start with ‘cef/ceph’ infections, UTI’s candidiasis especially if taken with
metformin
Fluroquinolones Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) UTI’s, resp./ skin GI upset, dizziness, blurred May cause peripheral
End in ‘floxacin’ Levofloxacin (Levaquin) infections, sinusitis, vision, photosensitivity neuropathy, avoid NSAIDs,
bronchitis caffeine, and warfarin
Glycopeptides Vancomycin (Vancocin) MRSA, C-diff, resp. Dizziness, chills, Monitor kidneys, avoid loop
infections, septicemia thrombophlebitis diuretics, require peak and
trough levels, ^fluid intake
Macrolides Azithromycin (Zithromax) Resp./ ear infections, Gi upset, photosensitivity, May interact with
End in ‘romycin’ Erythromycin (E-mycin) STI’s, UTI’s, acne, tonsilitis dizziness anticoagulants, digoxin, and
antacids. Avoid fruit juice
Monobactams Aztreonam (Azactam) Severe blood, urinary, lung, GI upset, HA, blurred vision Monitor for seizures,
End in ‘actam’ skin, and stomach infections superinfection and renal
impairment
Nitroimidazoles Metronidazole (Flagyl) Infections of the skin and Gi upset, HA, metallic taste in Avoid alcohol or items
End in ‘idazole’ oral mucosa, bacterial mouth, can cause dark urine containing propylene glycol can
vaginosis while using cause disulfiram-like reaction,
monitor for signs of peripheral
neuropathy and seizure-like
activity
Oxazolidinones Linezolid (Zyvox) Skin infections, pneumonia Diarrhea, HA, dizziness, rash, Monitor BP/HR. Can cause
End in ‘zolid’ thrombocytopenia peripheral neuropathy and
visual disturbances
Penicillin’s Amoxicillin (Amoxil) Skin, resp. infections, UTI’s GI upset, dizziness, HA, rash Decreases effectiveness of
End in ‘cillin’ contraceptives, avoid fruit
juice. Increased bleeding with
anticoagulants
Sulfonamides Trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole UTI’s, STI’s, otitis media, GI upset, vertigo, depression, Monitor for anemia/
‘Sulfa drugs’ (Bactrim) pneumonia photosensitivity neutropenia, may cause
bleeding/ bruising
Tetracyclines Doxycycline (Vibramycin) UTI’s, STI’s, acne, resp./ Gi upset, HA, rash Take on empty stomach, stay
End in ‘cycline’ intestinal infections upright, may cause candida
infection or blisters
, CLASS DRUG SIDE EFFECTS CONSIDERATIONS
Citalopram (Celexa) ¨ N/V/D ¨ 1st line therapy in depression/ anxiety
Escitalopram (Lexapro) ¨ Insomnia/ sedation ¨ May take 4-6 weeks to reach effectiveness
Fluoxetine (Prozac) ¨ Weight gain ¨ Do not stop abruptly
SSRI’s Fluvoxamine (Luvox) ¨ Sexual dysfunction
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Vilazodone (Viibryd)
Desvenlafaxine (Savella) ¨ Increased BP/ HR ¨ Do not mix with TCA’s or MAOI’s (can cause serotonin
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) ¨ Insomnia/ sedation syndrome)
Levomilnacipran (Fetzima) ¨ Anxiety/ agitation ¨ May take 4-6 weeks to reach effectiveness
SNRI’s Venlafaxine (Effexor) ¨ Dry mouth ¨ Do not stop abruptly
¨ Constipation
¨ Dry mouth
Amitriptyline (Elavil) ¨ Blurred vision ¨ Cardiotoxic (should not be taken in those with heart
Amoxapine (Asendin) ¨ Orthostatic hypotension conditions)
Clomipramine (Anafranil) ¨ Tachycardia ¨ Lethal in overdose
Desipramine (Norpramin) ¨ Weight gain/ loss ¨ May take 2-4 weeks to reach effectiveness
TCA’s Doxepin (Sinequan) ¨ Constipation ¨ Do not stop abruptly
Imipramine (Tofranil) ¨ Dry mouth
Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
Protriptyline (Surmontil)
Isocarboxazid (Marplan) ¨ N/V/D/ constipation ¨ Avoid tyramine – can cause hypertensive crisis (aged
Phenelzine (Nardil) ¨ Headache meat, cheese, beer/ wine, pickled/ fermented foods,
MAOI’s Selegiline (Emsam) ¨ Insomnia dried/ overripe fruits)
Tranylcypromine (Parnate) ¨ Dizziness ¨ May take 4-6 weeks to reach effectiveness
¨ Dry mouth
Buproprion (Wellbutrin) ¨ Insomnia/ sedation ¨ Avoid bupropion in anorexia, bulimia, and seizures
Fluoxetine/olanzapine (Symbax) ¨ Dizziness ¨ Mirtazapine may cause ^lipids and weight gain
ATYPICALS Mirtazapine (Remeron) ¨ Weight gain/ loss ¨ May take 4-6 weeks to reach effectiveness
Trazodone (Oleptro) ¨ Dry mouth
