Commonly Prescribed Drugs in UK – Top 30
DRUG
Simvastatin
PRESCRIBED FOR
Hypercholesteraemia – decreases
low density lipoproteins
Aspirin
NSAID (Analgesic / Antipyretic /
(Acetylsalycylic Anti-inflammatory).
acid)
Antiplatelet effect – long term / low
dose use.
Thyroxine
Thyroid Hormone Deficiency /
(Levothyroxine Hypothyroidism.
Sodium)
Also used to treat goitre via ability
to lower TSH.
Ramapril
(Angiotensin
Converting
Enzyme
inhibitor)
Bendroflumeth
iazide
Hypertension and Congestive Heart
Failure.
Inhibit the actions of ACE thereby
lowering the production of
angiotensin II and decreasing
breakdown of bradykinin.
Decrease of angiotensin II relaxes
arteriole smooth muscle lowering
total peripheral resistance.
Hypertension.
Thyiazide diuretic which inhibits
sodium absorption at the start of
distal convoluted tubule.
Water lost due to more sodium
reaching the collecting ducts.
SIDE EFFECTS / OTHER
Common side effects (<1%)
= abdominal pain, diarreah,
indigestion, weakness.
Rare side effects = joint
pain, memory loss, muscle
cramps (myopathy and
hepatic damage if chronic
use)
Gastric ulcers, stomach
bleeding and tinnitus esp. In
higher doses.
Low TSH levels:
Long term can cause cardiac
problems and osteoporosis.
High TSH levels:
Symptoms mimic
hyperthyroidism –
palpitations, nausea,
insomnia, confusion, weight
loss.
Low blood sugar in diabetic
patients.
Dry cough.
Dizziness and Light
Headedness / Fatigue.
Nausea / Vomiting /
Abdominal Pain.
Signs of Infection.
Common:
Postural hypotension
Hypercalcaemia /
Hyperkalaemia /
Hyponatraemia.
Gout
Impotence
Rare:
Thrombocytopenia
Agranulocytosis
Paracetamol
Analgesic and Anti-Pyretic
Only a weak anti-inflammatory drug
therefore not a NSAID.
Salbutamol
(Ventalin)
Omeprazole
Bronchospasm in asthma (exercise
induced or allergic)
COPD
Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to
treat Dyspepsia, Peptic Ulcer
disease, Gastroesophageal Reflux
Disease, Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
Disease.
PPIs reduce gastric acid secretion.
PPIs irreversibly block the hydrogen
/ potassium adenosine triphosphate
enzyme system which secrete
Hydrogen ions directly in to the gut.
Lansaprozale
PPI – reduces gastric acid secretion
(see above)
Treatment of ulcers of stomach and
duodenum
Co-codamol
(Brand Name
in UK is
Solpadeine)
Atenolol
Compound analgesic used for relief
of mild to moderate pain.
Combination of codeine phosphate
and paracetamol - used when
NSAIDs or paracetamol don’t work.
Beta blocker
Used for hypertension, angina,
acute myocardial infarction,
supraventricular tachycardia,
Photosensitivity Rash
Non existent to mild in
recommended doses – does
not cause gastric irritation.
Metabolized and hepatoxic
so long term use can cause
liver and kidney damage.
Common:
Fine tremor, anxiety,
headache, muscle cramps,
dry mouth, palpitation
Rare:
Paradoxical bronchospasm,
Urticaria, angioedema
Common side effects:
headache, diarrhea,
abdominal pain, nausea,
dizziness, trouble awakening.
PPIs may be associated with
greater risk of osteoporosis
related fractures.
Infrequent: dry mouth,
insomnia, drowsiness,
blurred vision, rash, pruritis
Rarely: liver dysfunction,
peripheral oedema,
hypersensitivity reaction
Constipation, skin rashes,
dizziness, sob,
hypersensitivity reaction,
abdominal pain, pruritis
More common: Indigestion,
constipation, dry mouth,
dizziness, cold extremities,
hair loss, impotence
ventricular tachycardia
Furosemide
Loop diuretic used for congestive
heart failure, hypertension and
edema.
Rare: Hallucinations,
hypotension
Can lead to gout due to
hperuricaemia.
Hyperglycaemia.
Also used for hepatic cirrhosis, renal
impairment.
Amlodipine
Metformin
Amoxicillin
Diclofenac
Fluoxetine
(Prozac,
Sarafem,
Fontex)
Citalopram
Acts by impairing the luminal Na-K2CL symporter in the ascending limb
of the loop of Henle.
Calcium channel blocker used in
Very often: peripheral edema
treatment of angina, hypertension
and fatigue.
and coronary heart disease.
Often: dizziness, palpations,
dyspepsia, nausea.
Like other calcium channel blockers Sometimes: gynocemastia,
it acts by relaxing the smooth
blood disorders, impotence,
muscle in the arterial wall,
depression.
decreasing total peripheral
Rarely: hepatitis, jaundice
resistance and hence reducing blood Very rarely: hyperglycemia,
pressure.
tremor
Treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Few side effects, most
commonly GI upset. Low risk
Acts by suppressing glucose
of hypoglycaemia.
production by the liver. Helps
reduce LDL cholesterol and
triglyceride levels.
Antibiotic used to treat bacterial
Nausea, vomiting, rashes,
infections including: acute otitis
anti-biotic associated colitis.
media, streptococcal pharyngitis,
pneumonia, urinary tract infections,
skin infections.
NSAID used to reduce inflammation GI complaints most
and as an analgesic (most
commonly.
commonly for arthritis, polymyositis, Rarely liver and cardiac
dental pain, TMJ, spondyloarthritis,
problems.
ankylosing spondylitis)
Generally one of the better
tolerated NSAIDs.
Anti-depressant
Sexual dysfunction
(Selective serotonin re-uptake
inhibitor).
Approved for the treatment of major
depression, OCD, bulimia, panic
disorder.
Anti-depressant (SSRI) used to treat Sexual dysfunction,
major depression, panic disorders
insomnia, drowsiness,
nausea
Glycoside
Lactulose
Co-dydramol
Non digestible sugar used in the
treatment of chronic constipation.
Metabolites of lactulose draw water
into the bowel.
Analgesic for moderate pain.
Combination of dihydocodeine
tartrate and paracetamol.
Ferrous sulfate Iron compound used to treat iron
deficient anaemia
Influenza
Vaccine against influenza virus
Vaccine
Alendronic
Biphosphonate drug used for
acid
osteoporosis.
(Brand name
Fosamax)
Lipitor (Brand
Statin used for lowering cholesterol
Name)
Atorvastatin
At higher dosage common
side effects are abdominal
cramping, borborygmia,
flatulence, abdominal gas.
Possible reactions: GI
problems, allergic reactions,
nervous system problems
Constipation is a frequent
side effect.
Mild soreness, fever, aches,
runny nose.
Rare: Ulceration of
esophagus, skin rash, eye
problems
Commonly headaches.
Less commonly weakness,
insomnia, dizziness, chest
pain, rash, abdominal pain.
Rarely: Myopathy,
rhabdomyolysis
Plavix (Brand
Name)
Clopidogrel
Tramadol
Warfarin
Amytriptyline
Antiplatelet agent used to inhibit
blood clots in coronary artery
disease, peripheral vascular disease
Centrally acting analgesic used to
treat moderate to moderate-severe
pain.
Widespread usage including
arthritis, fibromyalgia and restless
leg agent.
Nausea, vomiting, itching,
sweating and constipation.
More severe: anxiety,
movement disorders
Very weak opoid receptor agonist,
induces serotonin release, inhibits
the reuptake of norepinephrine
Anticoagulant used in the prevention Many commonly medications
of thrombosis and
interact with warfarin.
thromboembolism.
Hemmorrhage.
Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA).
Main side effects: drowsiness
and dry mouth.
Antidepressent (depressive
disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, Common side effects: weight
bi-polar)
Analgesic at low dose (ankylosing
spondylitis, chronic pain, tinnitus,
carpal tunnel, vulvodynia).
Prednisolene
Corticosteroid drug widely used in
inflammatory and auto-immune
conditions e.g asthma, uveitis,
rheumatoid arthritis, UC, Crohn’s,
MS)
gain, changes in appetite,
muscle stiffness, nausea,
constipation.
Rare side effects: seizures,
tinnitus, hypotension, mania,
psychosis.
Fluid retention of the face
(moon face, Cushing’s),
acne, constipation, mood
swings.
Long term use can cause
internal bleeding and
osteoporosis.
Statins
Class of drug used to lower cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase
which plays a central role in production of cholesterol in the liver.
Several statins on the market: simvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin,
pravastatin.
Rare but serious side effects, particularly muscle damage.
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which have analgesic, anti-pyretic and at
higher doses anti-inflammatory effect.
Examples include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, piroxicam. Sulindac.
Generally prescribed for arthritis, headache, inflammatory arthropathies, gout,
dysmenorrhoea etc
Main side effects tend to be GI (gastric bleeding, ulceration, nausea, diarrhea) or
renal (hypertension, salt and fluid retention).
ACE inhibitors (Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors)
Prescribed primarily for the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure.
They inhibit angiotension converting enzyme which is a component of the reninangiotensin system and act by decreasing the resistance of arteriole vessels and
increasing venous capactiy which thereby decreases blood pressure. They prevent
angiotensin I being converted to angiotensin II.
Commonly prescribed ACE inhibitors include ramipril, lisinopril, perindropril……
Common adverse effects include hypotension, dry cough, dizziness, headache and
fatigue.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPI)
Reduce gastric acid production and are therefore used for dyspepsia, peptic ulcer
disease, gastric oesophageal reflux, Barrett’s oesophagus etc
Act by irreversibly blocking the hydrogen/potassium adenosine triphosphatase
enzyme system (the H+/K+ ATPase, or more commonly gastric proton pump) of the
gastric parietal cells. The proton pump is the terminal stage in gastric acid secretion,
being directly responsible for secreting H+ ions into the gastric lumen, making it an
ideal target for inhibiting acid secretion.
Common adverse effects include headache, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea. Long
term use can lead to Vit B12 deficiency.
Calcium channel blockers
Disrupt the movement of calcium through calcium channels. Calcium channel
blockers work by blocking voltage-gated calcium channels in cardiac muscle and
blood vessels. This decreases intracellular calcium leading to a reduction in muscle
contraction.
The most widespread clinical usage of calcium channel blockers is to decrease blood
pressure in patients with hypertension. Calcium channel blockers are also frequently
used to alter heart rate, to prevent cerebral vasospasm, and to reduce chest pain
caused by angina pectoris.
Amlodopine, Cilnidipine, Nitrendipine are among most commonly prescribed.
Adverse effects include peripheral edema, dizziness, nausea and fatigue.
Selective serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
A class of compounds typically used as antidepressants in the treatment of
depression, anxiety disorders, and some personality disorders.
Commonly prescribed SSRIs include Fluoxetine, Fluovamine (look at brand names).
SSRIs are believed to increase the extracellular level of the neurotransmitter
serotonin by inhibiting its reuptake into the presynaptic cell, increasing the level of
serotonin in the synaptic cleft available to bind to the postsynaptic receptor.
Wide array of adverse effects can include: headache, apathy, nausea, weight
change, sexual dysfunction etc
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
Heterocyclic antidepressants.
Commonly prescribed TCAs include Amitriptiline, Metapramine, Quinupramine.
Adverse effects include dry mouth and nose, urinary retention, blurry vision,
constipation.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids work by: suppressing inflammation by blocking the early
manifestations of inflammation including enhanced vascular permeability,
vasodilation and infiltration by neutrophils as well as later consequences of
inflammation including fibroblast activation, vascular proliferation and deposition of
collagen.
Glucocorticoids such as cortisol control carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism
and are anti-inflammatory by preventing phospholipid release, decreasing eosinophil
action and a number of other mechanisms.
Mineralcorticoids such as aldosterone control electrolyte and water levels, mainly by
promoting sodium retention in the kidney.
Synthetic pharmaceutical drugs with corticosteroid-like effect are used in a variety of
conditions, ranging from brain tumors to skin diseases. Hydrocortisone (cortisol) is
available for replacement therapy, e.g. in adrenal insufficiency and congenital
adrenal hyperplasia.
Synthetic glucocorticoids are used in the treatment of joint pain or inflammation
(arthritis), temporal arteritis, dermatitis, allergic reactions, asthma, hepatitis,
systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and
Crohn's disease), sarcoidosis and for glucocorticoid replacement in Addison's disease
or other forms of adrenal insufficiency. Topical formulations are also available for the
skin, eyes (uveitis), lungs (asthma), nose (rhinitis), and bowels. Corticosteroids are
also used supportively to prevent nausea, often in combination with 5-HT3
antagonists (e.g. ondansetron).
Typical undesired effects of glucocorticoids present quite uniformly as drug-induced
Cushing's syndrome. Typical mineralocorticoid side-effects are hypertension
(abnormally high blood pressure), hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood),
hypernatremia (high sodium levels in the blood) without causing peripheral edema,
metabolic alkalosis and connective tissue weakness. There may also be impaired
wound healing or ulcer formation because of the immunosuppressive effects.