DRUG LIST NCLEX
2023
*Contains main drugs questioned in UWorld and mentioned in MK; Antibiotics, CV drugs, Diuretics, Diabetic drugs, Mental health drugs, andRespiratory drugs (in that
order) plus other main drugs. i.e. proton pump inhibitors, dilantin, NSAIDs
ANTIBIOTICS
*All antibiotics have GI effects
Aminoglycosides -micin i.e. gentamicin Side effects: -Assess for allergies esp.
-mycin i.e. vancomycin, -Ototoxicity anaphylactic allergies
neomycin -Nephrotoxicity -Monitor appropriate lab values
-GI irritation prior to administration i.e.
aminoglycosides with BUN and
Vancomycin: Red man Cr
syndrome; administer over 60 -Monitor for adverse effects and
minutes report to HCP if they occur
-Monitor ins and outs
-Encourage fluid intake
-Emphasize importance of
completing full prescribed course
Cephalosporins (broad Cef- i.e. cefaclor, -GI disturbances
spectrum) cefradoxil, cefdinir, -Nephrotoxicity
cefotaxime, cephalexin -Superinfections i.e. C. difficile
Similar to penicillins;
contraindicated for clients with
penicillin sensitivity
Floroquinolones -floxacin i.e. Headache, dizziness, insomnia,
ciprofloxacin, depression
Floroquinol(one) bone marrow gatifloxacin -GI effects
depression -bone marrow depression i.e.
thrombocytopenia
-photosensitivity, fever, rash
Macrolides -thromycin i.e. -GI effects
azithromycin, -pseudomembranous colitis (c.
erythromycin diff colitis)
-superinfections
-Hepatotoxic
1
, DRUG LIST NCLEX
2023
-causes a prolonged QT interval,
which may lead to sudden
cardiac death due to torsades de
pointes
Penicillins -cillin i.e. amoxicillin, -hypersensitivity reactions,
carbenicillin, ampicillin including anaphylaxis
-related to cephalosporins
-GI effects
Sulfonamides Sulfa- i.e. sulfadiazine, -hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic
sulfasalazine -bone marrow depression i.e.
thrombocytopenia
-photosensitivity
-ANY RASH WITH
SULFONAMIDES MUST BE
REPORTED TO HCP!
Tetracyclines -cyclines i.e. -GI effects
doxycycline, -hepatotoxicity
tetracycline -teeth staining and bone damage
-photosensitivity,
hypersensitivity
**Can cause pill induced
esophagitis. Clients taking this
should sit upright for a period of
time after ingestion to prevent
tablet from lodging in esophagus
Antifungal medications Amphotericin B -gastrointestinal effects
-nazole i.e Fluconazole -neuritis, dizziness, headache,
Ketoconazole malaise, drowsiness,
hallucinations
Antiviral medications -clovir i.e. acyclovir, -hearing loss (ototoxicity)
ganciclovir, foscarnet -peripheral neuritis
2
, DRUG LIST NCLEX
2023
CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
Anticoagulants Oral: Warfarin, Prevent clot formation by Side effects: -contraindicated in clients taking NSAIDs,
Dabigatran, inhibiting factors in clotting Hemorrhage gingko and ginseng, corticosteroids, vit K
Rivaroxaban cascade and decreasing blood Hematuria containing foods (have this in moderation;
coagulability i.e. in MI, Thrombocytopenia no sudden increase or decrease)
Parenteral: Dalteparin, mechanical heart valves, Hypotension -contraindicated with active bleeding
Heparin, Enoxaparin, DVT, atrial fibrillation, -Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia can
Desirudin, unstable angina be ironic in that it can cause stroke and
Fondaparinux, embolism
Tinzaparin, Argatroban
Thrombolytic -teplase i.e. alteplase, Activates plasminogen which Bleeding -Contraindicated in active bleeding,
medications reteplase, tenecteplase digests plasmin and dissolves Dysrhythmias history of hemorrhagic brain attack
clots in cases of MI, DVT, Allergic reactions (stroke), intracranial or intraspinal surgery
occluded shunts and within the last 2 months, uncontrolled
pulmonary emboli HTN
-Apply direct pressure over a puncture site
for 20 to 30 minutes
-Used only for acute, life-threatening
conditions
Antidote: Aminocaproic acid
Antiplatelet Aspirin, clopidogrel, Inhibit aggregation of GI bleeding -may be used with anticoagulants
medications cilostazol, dypiridamole, platelets in clotting process, Bruising -used in prophylaxis of long-term
ticlopidine thereby prolonging bleeding Hematuria complications following MI, CAD, stents,
time Tarry stools and strokes
Positive Dobutamine Stimulate myocardial Dysrhythmias -used for IV administration; administer
inotropes/cardiotonic Dopamine contractility and produce a Hypotension with IV infusion pump
medications Imanrinone positive inotropic effect for Thrombocytopenia -monitor electrolyte (may lower K) and
Milrinone heart failure liver enzyme levels (may increase due to
-increases CO, decreasing Adverse effects: hepatotoxicity), platelet count, and renal
preload, improving blood Hepatotoxicity function studies
flow to periphery and Hypersensitivity- wheezing,
kidneys and increasing fluid SOB, pruritus, urticaria
excretion (hives, clammy skin and
flushing
3
2023
*Contains main drugs questioned in UWorld and mentioned in MK; Antibiotics, CV drugs, Diuretics, Diabetic drugs, Mental health drugs, andRespiratory drugs (in that
order) plus other main drugs. i.e. proton pump inhibitors, dilantin, NSAIDs
ANTIBIOTICS
*All antibiotics have GI effects
Aminoglycosides -micin i.e. gentamicin Side effects: -Assess for allergies esp.
-mycin i.e. vancomycin, -Ototoxicity anaphylactic allergies
neomycin -Nephrotoxicity -Monitor appropriate lab values
-GI irritation prior to administration i.e.
aminoglycosides with BUN and
Vancomycin: Red man Cr
syndrome; administer over 60 -Monitor for adverse effects and
minutes report to HCP if they occur
-Monitor ins and outs
-Encourage fluid intake
-Emphasize importance of
completing full prescribed course
Cephalosporins (broad Cef- i.e. cefaclor, -GI disturbances
spectrum) cefradoxil, cefdinir, -Nephrotoxicity
cefotaxime, cephalexin -Superinfections i.e. C. difficile
Similar to penicillins;
contraindicated for clients with
penicillin sensitivity
Floroquinolones -floxacin i.e. Headache, dizziness, insomnia,
ciprofloxacin, depression
Floroquinol(one) bone marrow gatifloxacin -GI effects
depression -bone marrow depression i.e.
thrombocytopenia
-photosensitivity, fever, rash
Macrolides -thromycin i.e. -GI effects
azithromycin, -pseudomembranous colitis (c.
erythromycin diff colitis)
-superinfections
-Hepatotoxic
1
, DRUG LIST NCLEX
2023
-causes a prolonged QT interval,
which may lead to sudden
cardiac death due to torsades de
pointes
Penicillins -cillin i.e. amoxicillin, -hypersensitivity reactions,
carbenicillin, ampicillin including anaphylaxis
-related to cephalosporins
-GI effects
Sulfonamides Sulfa- i.e. sulfadiazine, -hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic
sulfasalazine -bone marrow depression i.e.
thrombocytopenia
-photosensitivity
-ANY RASH WITH
SULFONAMIDES MUST BE
REPORTED TO HCP!
Tetracyclines -cyclines i.e. -GI effects
doxycycline, -hepatotoxicity
tetracycline -teeth staining and bone damage
-photosensitivity,
hypersensitivity
**Can cause pill induced
esophagitis. Clients taking this
should sit upright for a period of
time after ingestion to prevent
tablet from lodging in esophagus
Antifungal medications Amphotericin B -gastrointestinal effects
-nazole i.e Fluconazole -neuritis, dizziness, headache,
Ketoconazole malaise, drowsiness,
hallucinations
Antiviral medications -clovir i.e. acyclovir, -hearing loss (ototoxicity)
ganciclovir, foscarnet -peripheral neuritis
2
, DRUG LIST NCLEX
2023
CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
Anticoagulants Oral: Warfarin, Prevent clot formation by Side effects: -contraindicated in clients taking NSAIDs,
Dabigatran, inhibiting factors in clotting Hemorrhage gingko and ginseng, corticosteroids, vit K
Rivaroxaban cascade and decreasing blood Hematuria containing foods (have this in moderation;
coagulability i.e. in MI, Thrombocytopenia no sudden increase or decrease)
Parenteral: Dalteparin, mechanical heart valves, Hypotension -contraindicated with active bleeding
Heparin, Enoxaparin, DVT, atrial fibrillation, -Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia can
Desirudin, unstable angina be ironic in that it can cause stroke and
Fondaparinux, embolism
Tinzaparin, Argatroban
Thrombolytic -teplase i.e. alteplase, Activates plasminogen which Bleeding -Contraindicated in active bleeding,
medications reteplase, tenecteplase digests plasmin and dissolves Dysrhythmias history of hemorrhagic brain attack
clots in cases of MI, DVT, Allergic reactions (stroke), intracranial or intraspinal surgery
occluded shunts and within the last 2 months, uncontrolled
pulmonary emboli HTN
-Apply direct pressure over a puncture site
for 20 to 30 minutes
-Used only for acute, life-threatening
conditions
Antidote: Aminocaproic acid
Antiplatelet Aspirin, clopidogrel, Inhibit aggregation of GI bleeding -may be used with anticoagulants
medications cilostazol, dypiridamole, platelets in clotting process, Bruising -used in prophylaxis of long-term
ticlopidine thereby prolonging bleeding Hematuria complications following MI, CAD, stents,
time Tarry stools and strokes
Positive Dobutamine Stimulate myocardial Dysrhythmias -used for IV administration; administer
inotropes/cardiotonic Dopamine contractility and produce a Hypotension with IV infusion pump
medications Imanrinone positive inotropic effect for Thrombocytopenia -monitor electrolyte (may lower K) and
Milrinone heart failure liver enzyme levels (may increase due to
-increases CO, decreasing Adverse effects: hepatotoxicity), platelet count, and renal
preload, improving blood Hepatotoxicity function studies
flow to periphery and Hypersensitivity- wheezing,
kidneys and increasing fluid SOB, pruritus, urticaria
excretion (hives, clammy skin and
flushing
3
