What is the common brand name(s) for:
bimatoprost ophthalmic
(bi-MAT-oh-prost off-THAL-mik)
Lumigan
Class: Prostaglandin, Antiglaucoma
Indication: Elevated intraocular pressure; hypotrichosis of the eyelashes
MOA: Synthetic prostaglandin increases aqueous humor outflow; decreasing intraocular pressure
Side effects: eye discoloration; discomfort; inflammation; Hypertrichosis; dry eyes
Contraindications: Active ocular inflammation; recent ocular surgery or trauma
Considerations:
- Remove contact lenses prior to application and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
brimonidine
(bri-MOE-ni-deen)
Alphagan P
Class: Antiglaucoma, Alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist
Indication: Postoperative control of intraocular pressure; open-angle glaucoma; ocular hypertension
MOA: Decreases aqueous humor formation (alpha2)
Side effects: drowsiness; allergic conjunctivitis; xerostomia; erythema of eyelid; blood pressure changes
Contraindications: Infants and young children
Considerations:
- Patients should remove contact lenses prior to instillation and wait approximately 15 minutes before reinserting them.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
clobetasol
(kloe-BAY-ta-sol)
Temovate
Class: Topical corticosteroid
Indication: Psoriasis; eczema; dermatitis; lichen planus
MOA: Binds to glucocorticoid receptors; altering gene expression to suppress inflammation
Side effects: skin atrophy; striae; telangiectasia; hypopigmentation; acne eruptions; irritation
Contraindications: Cutaneous infections, areas with thin skin
Considerations:
- Intended for short-term use (typically 2 weeks or less) to minimize risk of side effects.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
cyclosporine ophthalmic
(sye-kloe-SPOR-een off-THAL-mik)
Restasis
Class: Ocular Immunomodulator
Indication: Chronic dry eye disease; ocular surface inflammation
MOA: Suppresses T-cell activation; reducing inflammatory mediators on the ocular surface
Side effects: ocular burning or stinging; redness; blurry vision; foreign body sensation
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or its components.
Considerations:
- Typically instilled twice daily.
- Improvement may take weeks to months.
- Use caution in pregnant or lactating patients.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
fluocinonide
(floo-oh-SIN-oh-nide)
Lidex
Class: Topical corticosteroid
Indication: Psoriasis; eczema; dermatitis
MOA: Binds to glucocorticoid receptors; modulating gene expression to reduce inflammation
Side effects: skin atrophy; striae; telangiectasia; changes in skin pigmentation; irritation
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or its components.
Considerations:
- Intended for short-term use (about 2 weeks).
What is the common brand name(s) for:
hydrocortisone
(hye-droe-KOR-ti-sone)
Cortizone
Class: Glucocorticoid
Indication: Adrenal insufficiency; thyroid storm; anaphylaxis; corticosteroid replacement therapy; IBD; eczema; asthma; nappy rash; hypersensitivity reactions; oral/perioral lesions
MOA: Binds to glucocorticoid receptors, decreasing inflammation and providing immunosuppressive effects.
Side effects: anxiety; Cushing’s syndrome; osteoporosis; fatigue; hirsutism; nausea; increased appetite; cardiac failure; vertigo; adrenal suppression; hypertension
Contraindications: Acne; rosacea; untreated infections
Considerations:
- Salt-retaining activity due to mineralocorticoid effects.
- Fludrocortisone may be needed for adrenal insufficiency.
- Avoid long-term use; taper to avoid adrenal crisis.
- Monitor for secondary infections; osteoporosis; fat redistribution.
- Caution in elderly due to psychiatric effects.
- Monitor height in children on long-term therapy.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
imiquimod
(i-MIK-wi-mod)
Aldara
Class: Immune response modifier
Indication: External genital warts; actinic keratoses; superficial basal cell carcinoma
MOA: Binds to TLR7; triggering cytokine production for immune-mediated attack on abnormal cells
Side effects: erythema; edema; irritation; burning; itching; stinging; erosion; scabbing
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or its components
Considerations:
- Caution in pregnant or lactating women.
- Caution in individuals with compromised immune systems or autoimmune conditions.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
latanoprost
(la-TAN-oh-prost)
Xalatan
Class: Prostaglandin, Antiglaucoma
Indication: Open-angle glaucoma
MOA: Increases aqueous humor outflow via the uveoscleral pathway
Side effects: permanent eye color change; erythema of eyelid; eye discomfort; hyperemia; increased eyelash length
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or its components
Considerations:
- Administered once daily.
- Remove contact lenses before instillation and wait 15 minutes before reinsertion.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
tacrolimus
(ta-KROE-li-mus)
Protopic
Class: Calcineurin Inhibitor
Indication: Autoimmune diseases; organ transplant rejection prophylaxis; graft vs host disease prevention; rheumatoid arthritis; myasthenia gravis; nephrotic syndrome
MOA: Inhibits calcineurin; preventing T-cell activation and formation
Side effects: increased infection risk; pure red cell aplasia; hyperkalemia; hypertension; cardiac effects; hypersensitivity reactions; renal dysfunction; neurotoxicity; increased malignancy risk; GI perforation
Contraindications: Allergy to castor oil
Considerations:
- Monitor tacrolimus levels and renal function.
- Use lowest dose in renal or hepatic impairment.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
timolol
(TIM-oh-lol)
Timoptic
Class: Antiglaucoma, beta blocker
Indication: Open-angle glaucoma; hypertension; MI prevention; migraine prevention
MOA: Non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist; may block vasodilation and reduce platelet aggregation
Side effects: eye discomfort; visual disorders; systemic effects like abdominal discomfort; bradycardia; breathlessness.
Contraindications: Bronchial asthma; severe COPD; sinus bradycardia; heart block; cardiogenic shock
Considerations:
- Caution in asthma; COPD.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
travoprost
(TRAV-oh-prost)
Travatan
Class: Prostaglandin, Antiglaucoma
Indication: Open-angle glaucoma; ocular hypertension
MOA: Increases aqueous humor outflow; decreasing intraocular pressure
Side effects: eye discoloration; discomfort; inflammation; hypertension; hypertrichosis; dry eyes.
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or its components
Considerations:
- Remove contact lenses before application and wait 15 minutes before reinsertion.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
triamcinolone
(trye-AM-sin-oh-lone)
Kenalog
Class: Glucocorticoid
Indication: Allergic rhinitis; local joint inflammation; suppresses inflammation
MOA: Inhibits phospholipase A2; decreasing leukotriene and prostaglandin production
Side effects: epistaxis; headache; throat irritation; altered sense of smell; rare glaucoma; blurred vision
Contraindications: Active infection
Considerations:
- Caution with large or chronic topical application.
- Intra-articular injection may cause hyperglycemia.
- Avoid long-term use; taper to avoid adrenal crisis.
- Monitor for secondary infections; osteoporosis; fat redistribution.
- Caution in elderly due to psychiatric effects.
- Monitor height in children on long-term therapy.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
inactivated polio vaccine
(in-AK-ti-vay-ted POE-lee-oh vak-SEEN)
IPOL
Class: Inactivated viral vaccine
Indication: Poliovirus prevention
MOA: Induces active immunity against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3
Side effects: anorexia; swelling at injection site; fatigue; irritability; vomiting; fever
Contraindications: Anaphylaxis occurring within 24 hours of administration of one dose of vaccine; acute febrile illness
Considerations:
- Administered via intramuscular injection.
- Standard schedule—injections typically starting at 2 months of age, with additional doses at 4 and 6 to 8 months, followed by booster doses in later childhood.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
rabies vaccine
(RAY-beez vak-SEEN)
Imovax Rabies, Rabavert
Class: Inactivated rabies vaccine
Indication: Preexposure and postexposure vaccination against rabies
MOA: Promotes immunity by inducing an active immune response
Side effects: lymphadenopathy; pain at injection site; dizziness; headache; myalgia
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Antibody production takes 7–10 days; peak effect is 30–60 days.
- Watch for syncope with injection.
- Caution in patients with bleeding disorders.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
yellow fever vaccine
(YEL-oh FEE-ver vak-SEEN)
YF-VAX
Class: Live attenuated viral vaccine
Indication: Yellow fever prevention
MOA: Active immunization against yellow fever infection
Side effects: headache; malaise; fever; skin rash
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to egg or chick embryo protein; infants younger than 9 months (including in breast milk); severely immunocompromised patients (HIV; leukemia; general malignancy)
Considerations:
- Seroconversion is 10–14 days.
- Response rate of nearly 100% in patients.
- Monitor for hypersensitivity and syncope 15 minutes after administration.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
varicella virus vaccine live
(va-ri-SELL-a VYE-rus vak-SEEN lyv)
Varivax, Zostavax
Class: Live attenuated viral vaccine
Indication: Varicella prevention in persons 12 months and older
MOA: Active immunity to disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus
Side effects: injection site reaction; fever; skin rash; abdominal pain; diarrhea; nausea; arthralgia
Contraindications: Anaphylactic reaction to neomycin and gelatin; immunosuppressed or immunodeficient; untreated tuberculosis (TB); active fever; pregnant or planning to become pregnant within next 3 months
Considerations:
- Varivax used to prevent chickenpox; Zostavax used to prevent reactivation of the virus causing shingles.
- Varivax for 12 months and older.
- Shingrix is similar to Zostavax but is a recombinant subunit vaccine (more effective vaccination profile).
What is the common brand name(s) for:
pneumococcal vaccine 20-valent
(noo-moe-KOK-al vak-SEEN TWEN-tee VAY-lent)
Prevnar 20
Class: Inactivated bacterial vaccine
Indication: Invasive streptococcus pneumoniae prevention; otitis media prevention; pneumococcal disease prevention
MOA: Promotes active immunization against pneumonia and invasive disease caused by S. pneumoniae
Side effects: injection site reaction; fatigue; headache; arthralgia; fever
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Approved for use in adults 18 years and older.
- Current guidelines suggest that Prevnar 20 may be used as a stand-alone vaccine in many adult populations without the need for sequential dosing with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines (such as PPSV23); although vaccination history and specific risk factors should be taken into account.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
pneumococcal vaccine 23-valent
(noo-moe-KOK-al vak-SEEN TWEN-tee-three VAY-lent)
Pneumovax 23
Class: Inactivated bacterial vaccine
Indication: Pneumococcal disease prevention
MOA: Induces active immunization against S. pneumoniae
Side effects: injection site reaction; fatigue; headache; arthralgia; fever
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- For 2 years and older at increased risk and those 50 years and older to prevent pneumococcal disease.
- Monitor for hypersensitivity and syncope 15 minutes after administration.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine
(DTaP)
(dif-THEER-ee-uh and TET-uh-nus TOK-soydz and ay-SELL-yoo-ler per-TUSS-is vak-SEEN)
Adacel, Boostrix, Daptacel, Infanrix
Class: Inactivated bacterial vaccine
Indication: Prevention of diphtheria; tetanus; and pertussis
MOA: Promotes active immunity through the production of specific antibodies
Side effects: anorexia; swelling at injection site; fatigue; irritability; vomiting; fever; drowsiness; lethargy
Contraindications: Progressive neurologic disorder (Infanrix only); encephalopathy within 7 days of a previous pertussis-containing vaccine dose; children/adults 7 or older (Daptacel only)
Considerations:
- DTaP vaccines for infants and children.
- Tdap vaccines for adolescents; pregnant women; and adults for booster.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
measles, mumps, and rubella virus vaccine
(MMR)
(MEE-zulz, MUMPS, and roo-BELL-uh VY-rus vak-SEEN)
M-M-R II, Priorix
Class: Live vaccine
Indication: Prevention of measles; mumps; and rubella
MOA: Live, attenuated vaccine stimulating immunity
Side effects: anorexia; swelling at injection site; drowsiness; fever; rash; arthralgia; neck stiffness; diarrhea; nausea; angioedema
Contraindications: Active febrile illness; untreated tuberculosis; immunosuppressed/immunodeficient; pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next month
Considerations:
- Some dosage forms may contain human albumin; eggs; gelatin; latex.
- Some products may be manufactured with neomycin.
- Rubella vaccine virus can be detected in the nose and throat of vaccinated individuals for 7–28 days after vaccination.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
hepatitis B vaccine
(hep-uh-TY-tis BEE vak-SEEN)
Engerix-B, Recombivax HB
Class: Inactivated viral vaccine
Indication: Prevention of hepatitis B
MOA: Noninfectious subunit viral vaccine that stimulates active immunity via formation of antihepatitis B antibodies
Side effects: soreness at injection site; fatigue; decreased appetite; diarrhea; nausea; dizziness; headache; pharyngitis; flushing; hypotension; vomiting; stomach cramps
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Multiple sclerosis exacerbations have been reported – use caution.
- Older adults (greater than 60 years of age) may have lower response rates.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
hepatitis A vaccine
(hep-uh-TY-tis AY vak-SEEN)
Havrix, Vaqta
Class: Inactivated viral vaccine
Indication: Prevention of hepatitis A
MOA: Inactivated virus vaccine to induce active immunity against hepatitis A virus
Side effects: drowsiness; headache; irritability; decreased appetite; erythema at injection site; weakness; fever; chills; fatigue; rash; abdominal pain; anorexia
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Some components include neomycin – use caution in those with a sensitivity.
- Those with hepatic impairment may have decreased antibody response.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine
(HEE-moh-fil-us in-FLOO-en-zuh type BEE vak-SEEN)
Pedvax HIB
Class: Inactivated bacterial vaccine
Indication: Prevention of invasive disease caused by haemophilus influenzae type b
MOA: Stimulates production of anticapsular antibodies and provides active immunity
Side effects: anorexia; erythema at injection site; drowsiness; fever; rash; vomiting; pneumonia
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Some products may contain lactose or latex.
What is the common brand name(s) for:
rotavirus vaccine
(ROE-tuh-vy-rus vak-SEEN)
Rotarix, RotaTeq
Class: Live vaccine
Indication: Prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis
MOA: Live vaccine that replicates in the small intestine, promoting active immunity to rotavirus serotypes G1, G2, G3, G4, and G9
Side effects: diarrhea; vomiting; irritability; flatulence; bronchospasm; seizure
Contraindications: History of uncorrected congenital malformation of the GI tract; history of intussusception; severe combined immunodeficiency disease
Considerations:
- Rotarix is not active against serotype G2.
- Use caution in infants with any type of GI illness.
- Not intended for use in adults.
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Analgesics and Pain Management37
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Antibiotics, Antivirals, & Anti-Infective Agents72
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Cardiovascular Agents69
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Endocrine & Metabolic Agents36
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Bone Health, Vitamins, & Minerals24
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Reproductive Health & Hormones25
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Gastrointestinal Agents29
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Neurologic Agents81
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Respiratory Agents28
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Miscellaneous Agents & Vaccines26
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Drug Indication Review162
