NR566 Final – Complete Drug List, MOAs,
Indications & Exam-Ready Guide (2025
Updated)
Prostaglandin Analogs (latanoprost) - MOA?
↑ aqueous humor OUTFLOW by relaxing ciliary muscle
Cholinesterase Inhibitors (echothiophate) - MOA?
↑ acetylcholine → ↑ aqueous humor OUTFLOW
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors (dorzolamide) - MOA?
Inhibit carbonic anhydrase → ↓ aqueous humor PRODUCTION
Beta-Blockers for glaucoma (timolol) - MOA?
↓ aqueous humor PRODUCTION
Alpha-2 Agonists for glaucoma (brimonidine) - MOA?
↓ aqueous humor production + ↑ outflow (dual action)
Carbamide peroxide (Debrox) - MOA?
Foaming action softens and loosens cerumen
Intranasal Corticosteroids (fluticasone/Flonase) - MOA?
Inhibit prostaglandins leukotrienes and histamine → ↓ inflammation
Alpha-1 Agonist Decongestants (phenylephrine pseudoephedrine) - MOA?
Vasoconstriction in nasal passages → ↓ edema and congestion
Topical Glucocorticoids (triamcinolone) - MOA?
Inhibit prostaglandins leukotrienes and histamine → ↓ inflammation
Keratolytics (salicylic acid) - MOA?
Break down cell surface proteins → desquamation (shedding of skin)
Topical Retinoids (adapalene/Differin) - MOA?
Modulate cell nucleus → ↑ cell turnover ↓ comedone formation ↓ inflammation
Lithium - MOA?
,Alters cation transport in nerve and muscle cells
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) - MOA?
Blocks Na+ channels + ↑ GABA activity
Valproic acid (Depakote) - MOA?
Blocks Na+ channels + ↑ GABA activity
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) - MOA?
Blocks Na+ and Ca²⁺ channels + blocks glutamate
SSRIs (fluoxetine/Prozac) - MOA?
Selectively block serotonin reuptake → ↑ serotonin in synapse
SNRIs (venlafaxine/Effexor) - MOA?
Block serotonin + norepinephrine reuptake
NDRIs (bupropion/Wellbutrin) - MOA?
Block norepinephrine + dopamine reuptake
SARIs (trazodone/Desyrel) - MOA?
Inhibit serotonin reuptake + antagonize some serotonin receptors
TCAs (imipramine/Tofranil) - MOA?
Block NE + serotonin reuptake; also block histamine & acetylcholine receptors
MAOIs (phenelzine/Nardil) - MOA?
Inhibit MAO-A enzyme → ↑ norepinephrine and serotonin availability
Benzodiazepines (lorazepam/Ativan) - MOA?
Enhance GABA activity at GABA-A receptors → ↑ inhibition
Azapirones (buspirone/Buspar) - MOA?
High affinity for serotonin receptors low affinity for dopamine receptors
Z-drugs (zolpidem/Ambien) - MOA?
Agonist at GABA-A benzodiazepine receptors (but NOT a benzodiazepine)
Melatonin Agonists (ramelteon/Rozerem) - MOA?
Activate MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors → regulate sleep-wake cycle
, Orexin Antagonists (suvorexant/Belsomra) - MOA?
Block orexin (hypocretin) → ↓ wakefulness facilitate sleep
First-Generation Antipsychotics (haloperidol/Haldol) - MOA?
Block dopamine D2 receptors (especially in mesolimbic pathway)
Second-Generation Antipsychotics (risperidone) - MOA?
Block dopamine D2 + serotonin 5-HT2A receptors (dual action → fewer EPS)
Stimulants (methylphenidate amphetamine) - MOA?
↑ dopamine and norepinephrine release in prefrontal cortex
Non-stimulants NRI (atomoxetine/Strattera) - MOA?
Selectively inhibit norepinephrine reuptake in prefrontal cortex
Alpha-2 Agonists for ADHD (clonidine guanfacine) - MOA?
Enhance prefrontal cortex function for better mental focus
Naltrexone (for opioid/alcohol use disorder) - MOA?
Blocks opioid receptors → prevents euphoric effects
Buprenorphine (Subutex) - MOA?
Partial opioid agonist → reduces cravings/withdrawal without full opioid effect
Methadone (Dolophine) - MOA?
Full opioid agonist (gradual sustained activation) → eases withdrawal
Acamprosate (Campral) - MOA?
Modulates glutamate transmission resembles GABA → treats alcohol withdrawal
Disulfiram (Antabuse) - MOA?
Blocks alcohol oxidation → causes unpleasant reaction if alcohol consumed
Bupropion (Zyban) for smoking cessation - MOA?
↑ dopamine and norepinephrine → reduces cravings
Varenicline (Chantix) - MOA?
Partial agonist at nicotine receptors → reduces cravings and withdrawal
Triptans (sumatriptan/Imitrex) - MOA?
Indications & Exam-Ready Guide (2025
Updated)
Prostaglandin Analogs (latanoprost) - MOA?
↑ aqueous humor OUTFLOW by relaxing ciliary muscle
Cholinesterase Inhibitors (echothiophate) - MOA?
↑ acetylcholine → ↑ aqueous humor OUTFLOW
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors (dorzolamide) - MOA?
Inhibit carbonic anhydrase → ↓ aqueous humor PRODUCTION
Beta-Blockers for glaucoma (timolol) - MOA?
↓ aqueous humor PRODUCTION
Alpha-2 Agonists for glaucoma (brimonidine) - MOA?
↓ aqueous humor production + ↑ outflow (dual action)
Carbamide peroxide (Debrox) - MOA?
Foaming action softens and loosens cerumen
Intranasal Corticosteroids (fluticasone/Flonase) - MOA?
Inhibit prostaglandins leukotrienes and histamine → ↓ inflammation
Alpha-1 Agonist Decongestants (phenylephrine pseudoephedrine) - MOA?
Vasoconstriction in nasal passages → ↓ edema and congestion
Topical Glucocorticoids (triamcinolone) - MOA?
Inhibit prostaglandins leukotrienes and histamine → ↓ inflammation
Keratolytics (salicylic acid) - MOA?
Break down cell surface proteins → desquamation (shedding of skin)
Topical Retinoids (adapalene/Differin) - MOA?
Modulate cell nucleus → ↑ cell turnover ↓ comedone formation ↓ inflammation
Lithium - MOA?
,Alters cation transport in nerve and muscle cells
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) - MOA?
Blocks Na+ channels + ↑ GABA activity
Valproic acid (Depakote) - MOA?
Blocks Na+ channels + ↑ GABA activity
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) - MOA?
Blocks Na+ and Ca²⁺ channels + blocks glutamate
SSRIs (fluoxetine/Prozac) - MOA?
Selectively block serotonin reuptake → ↑ serotonin in synapse
SNRIs (venlafaxine/Effexor) - MOA?
Block serotonin + norepinephrine reuptake
NDRIs (bupropion/Wellbutrin) - MOA?
Block norepinephrine + dopamine reuptake
SARIs (trazodone/Desyrel) - MOA?
Inhibit serotonin reuptake + antagonize some serotonin receptors
TCAs (imipramine/Tofranil) - MOA?
Block NE + serotonin reuptake; also block histamine & acetylcholine receptors
MAOIs (phenelzine/Nardil) - MOA?
Inhibit MAO-A enzyme → ↑ norepinephrine and serotonin availability
Benzodiazepines (lorazepam/Ativan) - MOA?
Enhance GABA activity at GABA-A receptors → ↑ inhibition
Azapirones (buspirone/Buspar) - MOA?
High affinity for serotonin receptors low affinity for dopamine receptors
Z-drugs (zolpidem/Ambien) - MOA?
Agonist at GABA-A benzodiazepine receptors (but NOT a benzodiazepine)
Melatonin Agonists (ramelteon/Rozerem) - MOA?
Activate MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors → regulate sleep-wake cycle
, Orexin Antagonists (suvorexant/Belsomra) - MOA?
Block orexin (hypocretin) → ↓ wakefulness facilitate sleep
First-Generation Antipsychotics (haloperidol/Haldol) - MOA?
Block dopamine D2 receptors (especially in mesolimbic pathway)
Second-Generation Antipsychotics (risperidone) - MOA?
Block dopamine D2 + serotonin 5-HT2A receptors (dual action → fewer EPS)
Stimulants (methylphenidate amphetamine) - MOA?
↑ dopamine and norepinephrine release in prefrontal cortex
Non-stimulants NRI (atomoxetine/Strattera) - MOA?
Selectively inhibit norepinephrine reuptake in prefrontal cortex
Alpha-2 Agonists for ADHD (clonidine guanfacine) - MOA?
Enhance prefrontal cortex function for better mental focus
Naltrexone (for opioid/alcohol use disorder) - MOA?
Blocks opioid receptors → prevents euphoric effects
Buprenorphine (Subutex) - MOA?
Partial opioid agonist → reduces cravings/withdrawal without full opioid effect
Methadone (Dolophine) - MOA?
Full opioid agonist (gradual sustained activation) → eases withdrawal
Acamprosate (Campral) - MOA?
Modulates glutamate transmission resembles GABA → treats alcohol withdrawal
Disulfiram (Antabuse) - MOA?
Blocks alcohol oxidation → causes unpleasant reaction if alcohol consumed
Bupropion (Zyban) for smoking cessation - MOA?
↑ dopamine and norepinephrine → reduces cravings
Varenicline (Chantix) - MOA?
Partial agonist at nicotine receptors → reduces cravings and withdrawal
Triptans (sumatriptan/Imitrex) - MOA?
