Drug Names and Pharmacology Reference List – Complete Guide for Medical and Nursing Students

Pharmacology is one of the pillars of medicine, bridging biological science and therapeutics. Understanding drug names, their classes, and uses is essential for safe clinical practice, prescription writing, and exam success.

Drug lists often look overwhelming—but when organized alphabetically with pharmacological classes and uses, they become a powerful learning resource. This article provides a complete drug reference list (A → Z) designed for students, healthcare professionals, and exam aspirants.

A → Z Drug Names with Pharmacology Reference

A Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Abacavir	Antiretroviral (NRTI)	HIV/AIDS treatment	Used in HAART regimen.
Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)	Analgesic, Antipyretic	Pain, fever	Overdose causes hepatotoxicity.
Acetylcysteine	Mucolytic, Antidote	COPD (mucus thinning), paracetamol overdose	Restores glutathione.
Acyclovir	Antiviral	Herpes simplex, Varicella zoster	Safe in pregnancy.
Albuterol (Salbutamol)	Beta-2 agonist	Asthma, COPD	Inhaler for bronchospasm relief.
Alteplase (tPA)	Thrombolytic	Acute MI, ischemic stroke	Bleeding risk.
Aluminum Hydroxide	Antacid	GERD, peptic ulcer	Can cause constipation.

B Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Bisacodyl	Laxative	Constipation relief	Stimulates bowel movement.
Bumetanide	Loop diuretic	Edema, CHF	Stronger than furosemide.
Bupropion	Atypical antidepressant	Depression, smoking cessation	Lowers seizure threshold.
Buspirone	Anxiolytic (5-HT1A partial agonist)	Generalized anxiety disorder	Non-sedating.

C Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Calcium Carbonate	Antacid, supplement	Hypocalcemia, osteoporosis	May cause constipation.
Carbamazepine	Anticonvulsant	Epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia	Risk of agranulocytosis.
Captopril	ACE inhibitor	Hypertension, CHF	Can cause dry cough, hyperkalemia.
Cephalosporins	Antibiotic	Bacterial infections	Classified into generations.
Chlorpromazine	Antipsychotic (typical)	Schizophrenia, mania	Causes sedation, EPS.
Cimetidine	H2 blocker	GERD, peptic ulcer	Inhibits CYP450.
Ciprofloxacin	Fluoroquinolone antibiotic	UTI, GI infections	Contraindicated in children.

D Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Diazepam	Benzodiazepine	Anxiety, seizures, muscle relaxant	Risk of dependence.
Digoxin	Cardiac glycoside	CHF, atrial fibrillation	Toxicity causes arrhythmias.
Diphenhydramine	Antihistamine (1st gen)	Allergy, motion sickness	Causes sedation.
Doxycycline	Tetracycline antibiotic	Rickettsia, Chlamydia	Avoid in children & pregnancy.

E Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Enalapril	ACE inhibitor	Hypertension, CHF	Risk of hyperkalemia.
Enoxaparin	Low molecular weight heparin	DVT, PE prevention	Safer than unfractionated heparin.
Epinephrine	Catecholamine	Anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest	First-line in anaphylaxis.
Erythromycin	Macrolide antibiotic	Respiratory infections	CYP3A4 inhibitor.

F Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Fentanyl	Opioid analgesic	Severe pain, anesthesia	Very potent, risk of respiratory depression.
Fluconazole	Antifungal	Candidiasis, cryptococcosis	Inhibits CYP450.
Fluoxetine	SSRI antidepressant	Depression, OCD	Long half-life.
Furosemide	Loop diuretic	Pulmonary edema, hypertension	Causes hypokalemia.

G Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Gabapentin	Anticonvulsant / Neuropathic pain agent	Epilepsy, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia	Causes sedation, dizziness.
Gentamicin	Aminoglycoside antibiotic	Severe Gram-negative infections	Nephrotoxic, ototoxic.
Glucagon	Hormone (pancreatic)	Severe hypoglycemia, beta-blocker overdose	Raises blood glucose quickly.
Guaifenesin	Expectorant	Cough with mucus	Common in OTC cough syrups.

H Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Haloperidol	Typical antipsychotic	Schizophrenia, acute psychosis, Tourette’s	Causes extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS).
Heparin	Anticoagulant	DVT, PE, MI	Antidote = Protamine sulfate.
Hydrochlorothiazide	Thiazide diuretic	Hypertension, CHF	Risk of hypokalemia.
Hydrocodone	Opioid analgesic	Moderate to severe pain	High abuse potential.

I Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Ibuprofen	NSAID	Pain, fever, inflammation	Risk of GI irritation.
Iloperidone	Atypical antipsychotic	Schizophrenia	Fewer EPS than typical antipsychotics.
Imipenem	Carbapenem antibiotic	Broad-spectrum bacterial infections	Resistant to most β-lactamases.
Imipramine	Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)	Depression, enuresis	Anticholinergic side effects.
Insulin	Hormone	Diabetes mellitus	Risk of hypoglycemia.
Ipratropium	Anticholinergic bronchodilator	Asthma, COPD	Inhaler, slower than albuterol.
Irbesartan	ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker)	Hypertension	Alternative to ACE inhibitors.

K Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Ketoconazole	Antifungal	Fungal infections, Cushing’s syndrome (off-label)	Inhibits CYP450.

L Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Lactulose	Osmotic laxative	Hepatic encephalopathy, constipation	Reduces ammonia absorption.
Lamivudine	Antiretroviral (NRTI)	HIV, Hepatitis B	Used in HAART.
Lamotrigine	Anticonvulsant	Epilepsy, bipolar disorder	Risk of Stevens–Johnson syndrome.
Lansoprazole	Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)	GERD, peptic ulcer	Long-term use → B₁₂ deficiency.
Levodopa/Carbidopa	Dopamine precursor + decarboxylase inhibitor	Parkinson’s disease	Reduces tremor and rigidity.
Levothyroxine	Synthetic T₄ hormone	Hypothyroidism	Monitor TSH levels.
Lisinopril	ACE inhibitor	Hypertension, CHF	Causes cough, hyperkalemia.
Lithium	Mood stabilizer	Bipolar disorder	Narrow therapeutic index; monitor levels.
Lorazepam	Benzodiazepine	Anxiety, seizures	Intermediate-acting, safer in liver disease.
Losartan	ARB	Hypertension	No cough (unlike ACE inhibitors).
Lovastatin	Statin	Hyperlipidemia	Risk of rhabdomyolysis.

M Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Magnesium Hydroxide	Antacid, laxative	Constipation, heartburn	Can cause diarrhea.
Mannitol	Osmotic diuretic	Raised ICP, acute glaucoma	Risk of electrolyte imbalance.
Metformin	Biguanide	Type 2 diabetes	Risk of lactic acidosis; weight neutral.
Methadone	Opioid agonist	Opioid dependence, chronic pain	Long half-life; QT prolongation.
Methotrexate	Antimetabolite (antifolate)	Cancer, autoimmune diseases (RA, psoriasis)	Teratogenic, hepatotoxic.
Metoprolol	Beta-1 blocker	Hypertension, angina, CHF	Cardioselective.
Metronidazole	Antiprotozoal / Antibiotic	Amoebiasis, giardiasis, anaerobic infections	Disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol.
Morphine	Opioid analgesic	Severe pain, palliative care	Risk of respiratory depression.

Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms List – Complete Healthcare Reference

N Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Naloxone	Opioid antagonist	Opioid overdose	Short half-life, may need repeat doses.
Naratriptan	Triptan (5-HT₁ agonist)	Migraine	Vasoconstrictive action.
Nevirapine	Antiretroviral (NNRTI)	HIV treatment	Rash and hepatotoxicity risk.
Nifedipine	Calcium channel blocker	Hypertension, angina	Causes reflex tachycardia.
Nitroglycerin	Nitrate	Angina, hypertensive crisis	Sublingual for acute relief.
Nitroprusside	Vasodilator	Hypertensive emergency	Can cause cyanide toxicity.
Norepinephrine	Catecholamine	Septic shock, hypotension	Strong alpha-agonist.
Nortriptyline	TCA	Depression, neuropathic pain	Anticholinergic side effects.
Nystatin	Antifungal	Oral candidiasis (thrush)	Not absorbed orally.

O Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Olanzapine	Atypical antipsychotic	Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder	Weight gain, metabolic syndrome.
Omeprazole	PPI	GERD, ulcers	Long-term risk: osteoporosis.
Ondansetron	5-HT₃ antagonist	Chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting	Can cause QT prolongation.
Oxybutynin	Anticholinergic	Overactive bladder	Dry mouth, constipation.
Oxycodone	Opioid analgesic	Moderate to severe pain	High addiction potential.
Oxytocin	Hormone	Labor induction, postpartum hemorrhage	Risk of uterine rupture if misused.

P Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Pantoprazole	PPI	GERD, Zollinger–Ellison syndrome	Safer with fewer interactions.
Paroxetine	SSRI	Depression, anxiety disorders	Causes sexual dysfunction.
Penicillin	Beta-lactam antibiotic	Streptococcal infections, syphilis	Allergic reactions common.
Phenelzine	MAOI	Depression (refractory)	Hypertensive crisis with tyramine foods.
Phenobarbital	Barbiturate	Epilepsy, sedation	Risk of dependence, respiratory depression.
Prednisone	Corticosteroid	Inflammation, asthma, autoimmune	Long-term use: Cushingoid features.
Propranolol	Non-selective beta blocker	Hypertension, arrhythmia, anxiety	Contraindicated in asthma.
Progesterone	Hormone	Contraception, HRT	Can cause mood changes.

R Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Ranitidine	H₂ blocker	Peptic ulcer, GERD	Withdrawn in many markets (NDMA impurity).
Rifampin	Antitubercular	TB treatment	Turns body fluids orange.
Risperidone	Atypical antipsychotic	Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder	Can cause hyperprolactinemia.
Rosuvastatin	Statin	Hyperlipidemia	Stronger LDL lowering.

S Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Sertraline	SSRI	Depression, PTSD, OCD	Fewer drug interactions.
Sildenafil	PDE-5 inhibitor	Erectile dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension	Contraindicated with nitrates.
Simvastatin	Statin	Hypercholesterolemia	Risk of muscle toxicity.
Spironolactone	Potassium-sparing diuretic, aldosterone antagonist	CHF, cirrhosis, PCOS	Causes gynecomastia.
Sumatriptan	Triptan	Acute migraine	Vasoconstriction risk.

T Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Temazepam	Benzodiazepine	Insomnia	Short-acting.
Terbutaline	Beta-2 agonist	Asthma, preterm labor	Causes tachycardia, tremors.
Testosterone	Androgen hormone	Hypogonadism, delayed puberty	Risk of prostate cancer.
Theophylline	Bronchodilator (methylxanthine)	Asthma, COPD	Narrow therapeutic index.
Torsemide	Loop diuretic	Edema, hypertension	Similar to furosemide.
Trazodone	Antidepressant (SARI)	Depression, insomnia	Causes priapism (rare).
Trimethoprim	Antimicrobial	UTI	Often combined with sulfamethoxazole.

V Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Valproic Acid	Anticonvulsant, mood stabilizer	Epilepsy, bipolar disorder	Teratogenic (neural tube defects).
Vancomycin	Glycopeptide antibiotic	MRSA, C. difficile (oral)	Risk of “Red Man syndrome.”
Varenicline	Nicotinic receptor partial agonist	Smoking cessation	Risk of vivid dreams, depression.
Vilazodone	SSRI + 5-HT1A agonist	Depression	Less sexual dysfunction.

W, X, Y, Z Drugs

Drug	Class	Uses	Clinical Notes
Warfarin	Vitamin K antagonist	Anticoagulant (AF, DVT, PE)	Requires INR monitoring.
Zafirlukast	Leukotriene receptor antagonist	Asthma maintenance	Can cause liver toxicity.

FAQs

Q1. What are the most important drugs to memorize for exams?

Analgesics, antibiotics, antidiabetics, antihypertensives, and psychotropic drugs are high-yield.

Q2. How can I quickly learn drug names and classes?

Using mnemonics, flashcards, and grouping drugs by suffixes (-pril, -olol, -azole).

Q3. Why do many drugs have similar names?

Because suffixes often denote drug class (e.g., “-azole” for antifungals).

Q4. What is the difference between generic and brand names?

Generic = chemical/standard name (e.g., Paracetamol). Brand = trade name (e.g., Crocin, Tylenol).

Q5. Which drugs are on the WHO Essential Medicines List?

Paracetamol, Amoxicillin, Insulin, Omeprazole, Morphine, Warfarin, etc.