What is the common brand name(s) for:
alendronate
(a-LEN-dro-nate)
Fosamax
Class: Bisphosphonates
Indication: Osteoporosis treatment and prevention; Paget’s disease
MOA: Binds to hydroxyapatite in bone, reducing bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclast activity
Side effects: esophagitis; musculoskeletal pain; osteonecrosis of the jaw; atypical femoral fractures
Contraindications: Esophageal dysmotility; hypocalcemia; inability to remain upright
Considerations:
- Ensure proper administration guidelines are followed
- Maintain serum calcium and vitamin D levels
- Report any new or worsening esophageal symptoms
What is the common brand name(s) for:
cyanocobalamin
(vitamin B12)
(sye-an-oh-koe-BAL-a-min)
Cobalin
Class: Water soluble vitamins
Indication: Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency
MOA: Converts to active forms aiding in red blood cell production and neurological function
Side effects: injection site reactions; mild nausea or diarrhea; rare allergic reactions
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or components
Considerations:
- Available in various formulations including oral, sublingual, and injections
What is the common brand name(s) for:
denosumab
(den-OH-soo-mab)
Prolia
Class: Monoclonal Antibody
Indication: Osteoporosis
MOA: Monoclonal antibody against RANKL, inhibiting osteoclastic activity
Side effects: musculoskeletal pain; hypocalcemia; increased infection risk; osteonecrosis of the jaw
Contraindications: Hypocalcemia; pregnancy
Considerations:
- Monitor patients with renal failure
- Calcium and vitamin D supplementation required
What is the common brand name(s) for:
ergocalciferol
(vitamin D2)
(er-goe-KAL-si-fer-ol)
Drisdol
Class: Vitamin D analog
Indication: Dietary supplementation, osteoporosis prevention (off-label)
MOA: Increases calcium absorption and reduces bone resorption
Side effects: Hypercalcemia, vitamin D toxicity
Contraindications: Hypercalcemia, malabsorption syndromes
Considerations:
- Injectable form used for correcting vitamin D deficiency
What is the common brand name(s) for:
folic acid
(vitamin B9)
(FOE-lik ASS-id)
Folacin
Class: Water-soluble B vitamin
Indication: Megaloblastic and macrocytic anemias due to folate deficiency
MOA: Converts to THF derivatives, aiding in nucleotide synthesis and erythropoiesis
Side effects: mild nausea; rash; excitability at high doses
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or components
Considerations:
- Enhanced absorption on an empty stomach
- Important for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy
What is the common brand name(s) for:
ibandronate
(eye-BAN-dro-nate)
Boniva
Class: Bisphosphonates
Indication: Osteoporosis in postmenopausal women; hypercalcemia in malignancy (off-label)
MOA: Inhibits osteoclast activity, increasing bone mineral density
Side effects: esophageal ulcer; osteonecrosis of the jaw; flu-like symptoms
Contraindications: Hypocalcemia
Considerations:
- Caution in patients with history of GERD
- Not recommended for CrCl <30 mL/min
What is the common brand name(s) for:
raloxifene
(ra-LOX-i-feen)
Evista
Class: Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)
Indication: Postmenopausal osteoporosis; hormone receptor-positive breast cancer
MOA: SERM that decreases bone resorption and increases bone mineral density
Side effects: flu-like illness; thromboembolic events; hepatotoxicity
Contraindications: VTE; pregnancy
Considerations:
- Only indicated in postmenopausal women
What is the common brand name(s) for:
risedronate
(ri-SEDR-oh-nate)
Actonel
Class: Bisphosphonates
Indication: Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis; Paget disease
MOA: Induces osteoclast apoptosis, decreasing bone resorption
Side effects: gastrointestinal ulcers; hypocalcemia; atypical femur fractures
Contraindications: Hypocalcemia; esophageal abnormalities
Considerations:
- Take on an empty stomach, avoid food for 30 mins
- Stay upright for at least 30 mins after taking
What is the common brand name(s) for:
zoledronic acid
(zoe-LED-ron-ik ASS-id)
Reclast
Class: Bisphosphonates
Indication: Osteoporosis; Paget disease; hypercalcemia of cancer; bone metastases
MOA: Inhibits osteoclast activity, preventing bone resorption
Side effects: bone and joint pain; osteonecrosis of the jaw; renal impairment risk
Contraindications: Hypocalcemia; renal impairment <35 mL/min
Considerations:
- Administer slowly as IV infusion
- Dental exam recommended before treatment
What is the common brand name(s) for:
ascorbic acid
(uh-SKOR-bik ASS-id)
Vitamin C
Class: Water-soluble vitamin
Indication: Nutritional supplementation; Scurvy
MOA: Acts as an electron donor for collagen hydroxylation and hormone/amino acid synthesis - required in formation of connective tissue and iron absorption/storage
Side effects: hyperoxaluria; hemolysis
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Patients with diabetes - do not take large doses for long periods
- Caution in people with hemochromatosis
- Caution in renal impairment
What is the common brand name(s) for:
copper glycinate
(KAW-per GLIH-suh-nayt)
Coppermin
Class: Trace Element
Indication: Dietary supplementation
MOA: Serves as a cofactor for serum ceruloplasmin which is necessary for proper formation of the iron carrier protein, transferrin. Helps maintain normal rates of blood cell formation and helps prevent deficiency symptoms.
Side effects: CNS toxicity (high dose)
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Caution in hepatic impairment
- Do not use in Wilson’s disease
What is the common brand name(s) for:
zinc sulfate
(zink SUL-fate)
Orazinc
Class: Trace Element
Indication: Dietary supplementation
MOA: Functions as a cofactor for enzymes - facilitating certain biochemical reactions. Also stabilizes the folding of structural proteins and binds to albumin to aid in transport.
Side effects: GI upset; decrease in enteral copper absorption
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Caution in renal impairment
- Administer with food if GI upset occurs
What is the common brand name(s) for:
levocarnitine
(L-Carnitine)
(LEE-voe-KAR-nih-teen)
Acticarnitine SF
Class: Dietary supplement
Indication: Dietary supplementation; Carnitine deficiency
MOA: Functions as a carrier molecule for long chain fatty acids in the mitochondria - helps facilitate energy production
Side effects: atrial fibrillation; chest pain; body odor; skin rash; hypercalcemia; weight gain/loss; abdominal pain
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Caution in renal impairment
- Caution in seizure disorders
- Metabolized in the liver
What is the common brand name(s) for:
ferrous sulfate
(FAIR-us SUL-fate)
FeroSul
Class: Iron preparations
Indication: Iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia
MOA: Replaces iron found in hemoglobin and myoglobin - allows transport of oxygen via hemoglobin
Side effects: abdominal pain; constipation; darkening of stools; nausea; vomiting
Contraindications: Hemochromatosis; Hemolytic anemia
Considerations:
- Avoid in frequent blood transfusions
- Caution in children younger than 6 - can lead to fatal poisoning
- Immediate release formulations preferred for iron deficiency anemia
- Avoid administration for greater than 6 months (except for continuous bleeding or menorrhagia)
What is the common brand name(s) for:
cholecalciferol
(KOE-lee-kal-SIF-er-ol)
Vitamin D3
Class: Vitamin D analog
Indication: Dietary supplementation
MOA: Cholecalciferol is a provitamin that converts to active metabolite calcitriol, stimulating calcium and phosphate absorption and promotes secretion of calcium from bone to blood
Side effects: weakness; confusion; fatigue; headache (from high calcium)
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Avoid in those with malabsorption syndrome, overactive parathyroid gland, sarcoidosis, or Williams syndrome
- May need to take with food
What is the common brand name(s) for:
calcium carbonate
(KAL-see-um KAR-boe-nate)
Tums
Class: Antacid
Indication: GI symptoms (acid indigestion, heartburn, GERD)
MOA: Neutralizes gastric acidity resulting in increased gastric pH; also inhibits proteolytic activity of pepsin and increases lower esophageal sphincter tone
Side effects: headache; hypercalcemia; hypophosphatemia; anorexia; constipation; acid rebound
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Constipation, bloating, and gas are common with calcium supplements
- Commonly found in combination with magnesium and simethicone for gastric relief
What is the common brand name(s) for:
calcitonin
(kal-si-TOE-nin)
Miacalcin
Class: Anti-resorptive agent
Indication: Osteoporosis, postmenopausal; Hypercalcemia; Paget Disease
MOA: Functionally antagonizes the effects of parathyroid hormone; directly inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption
Side effects: antibody development; rhinitis; flushing; rash; abdominal pain; nausea
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Comes in intranasal or injection formulations
- Caution in hypocalcemia and malignancy
- In older individuals, give calcium and vitamin D supplementation as well
What is the common brand name(s) for:
magnesium oxide
(mag-NEE-zee-um OX-ide)
Mag-Oxide
Class: Antacid
Indication: Dietary supplementation; treatment of magnesium deficiency
MOA: Provides magnesium ions after dissolution, contributing to enzymatic processes and maintaining magnesium balance
Side effects: diarrhea (less common); hypermagnesemia (with excessive use)
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or components
Considerations:
- Caution in renal impairment due to risk of accumulation
- Monitor magnesium levels during prolonged therapy
What is the common brand name(s) for:
romosozumab
(roe-MOE-soe-zoo-mab)
Evenity
Class: Monoclonal Antibody
Indication: Osteoporosis, postmenopausal, fracture risk reduction
MOA: Inhibits sclerostin (regulatory factor in bone metabolism) which is involved in Wnt/Beta-catenin signaling pathway regulating bone growth; leads to increased bone formation
Side effects: arthralgia; edema; headache; insomnia; hypersensitivity reaction; muscle spasm
Contraindications: Uncorrected hypocalcemia
Considerations:
- Atypical femur fractures have been reported - watch for thigh, hip, or groin pain
- Use with calcium and vitamin D
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw has been reported - watch in those with known risk factors (invasive dental procedures, poor oral hygiene)
What is the common brand name(s) for:
vitamin A
(retinol)
(VY-tuh-min AY)
Aquasol A
Class: Fat-soluble vitamin
Indication: Vitamin A deficiency
MOA: Fat soluble vitamin needed for visual adaptation to darkness, epithelial cell maintenance, immune function, and embryonic development
Side effects: hypersensitivity reaction; intracranial hypertension
Contraindications: Hypervitaminosis A; IV administration; Pregnancy (dose exceeding daily allowance)
Considerations:
- Some dosage forms contain benzyl alcohol - toxic in neonates
- Caution in lactation
What is the common brand name(s) for:
vitamin E
(alpha-tocopherol)
(VY-tuh-min EE)
SoluVita E
Class: Fat-soluble vitamin
Indication: Dietary supplementation
MOA: Prevents oxidation of vitamins A and C; protects polyunsaturated fatty acids from free radicals and protects red blood cells from hemolysis
Side effects: diarrhea
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Also available as a topical skin protectant
What is the common brand name(s) for:
phytonadione
(fye-toe-NAD-ee-own)
Vitamin K
Class: Fat-soluble vitamin
Indication: Reversal of anticoagulation due to warfarin or other coumarin or indandione derivatives; Vitamin K deficiency
MOA: Promotes liver synthesis of clotting factors (exact mechanism unknown)
Side effects: chest pain; flushing; hypotension; dizziness; rash; hyperbilirubinemia; anaphylaxis; dyspnea
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- If skin reactions occur, discontinue therapy
- Anaphylaxis more likely with large IV doses
- High doses may lead to warfarin resistance for more than 1 week
- Caution in neonates
What is the common brand name(s) for:
calcium acetate
(KAL-see-um ASS-uh-tate)
Calphron
Class: Antidote
Indication: Dietary supplementation; Hypophosphatemia in CKD
MOA: Combines with dietary phosphate to form insoluble calcium phosphate to be excreted in feces
Side effects: hypercalcemia; diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; dizziness
Contraindications: Hypercalcemia
Considerations:
- Caution in renal dysfunction
- Caution in cardiac arrhythmias
- Increased risk of hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria in patients with hypoparathyroidism
What is the common brand name(s) for:
teriparatide
(ter-ih-PAR-a-tyde)
Forteo
Class: Parathyroid Hormone Analog
Indication: Osteoporosis
MOA: Works similarly to parathyroid hormone - stimulates osteoblast function, increases GI calcium absorption, and increases renal tubular reabsorption of calcium
Side effects: hypercalcemia; nausea; syncope; hyperuricemia; dyspepsia; gastritis; herpes zoster infection; arthralgia; dyspnea; pharyngitis
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to drug or any of its components
Considerations:
- Caution in renal impairment
- Caution in hypercalcemia
- Ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake
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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
