Atorvastatin

Generic Names:  Atorvastatin

Brand Names:  Lipitor

Drug Class:  HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, Lipid-Lowering Agents, Statins

How It Works:

  Atorvastatin reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body to decrease the amount of cholesterol that may build up on the walls of the arteries and block blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.

Usage:

  To lower cholesterol and fat levels in blood.

  To lower "bad" cholesterol (LDL or low-density lipoprotein) , To increase "good" cholesterol (HDL or high-density lipoprotein)

  To lower the risk of heart attacks or strokes caused by having too much fat in blood.

  To prevent heart problems in people who have type 2 diabetes risk factors.

Possible Side Effects:

  Headache

  Muscle pain, Muscle breakdown, Chest pain, Joint pain

  Diarrhea, Constipation, Gas, Loss of appetite

  Fatigue, Weakness

  Urine related issues

Lisinopril

Generic Names:  Lisinopril

Brand Names:   Prinivil, Qbrelis Zestril,

Drug Class:  ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) Inhibitors

How It Works:

  Lisinopril blocks angiotensin II hormone in the body that causes the blood vessels to tighten. Lisinopril relaxes the blood vessels and thus lowers blood pressure and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.

Usage:

  To lower and/or treat high blood pressure.

  To prevent heart attacks, strokes.

  To improve survival after a heart attack.

  To prevent kidney failure caused by high blood pressure and diabetes.

Possible Side Effects:

  Headache, Dizziness, Cough, Sneezing

  Muscle pain, Chest pain, Stomach pain

  Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Constipation, Loss of appetite

  Fatigue, Weakness

  Rash

  High potassium levels in the blood

  Sexual dysfunction

Amlodipine

Generic Names:  Amlodipine

Brand Names:   Norvasc

Drug Class:  Calcium Channel Blocking (CCB) Agents

How It Works:

  Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that works by changing the movement of calcium in the heart and blood vessel. It relaxes blood vessels so blood and oxygen can flow more easily.

Usage:

  To treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause strokes, heart attacks, kidney problems.

  To treat and prevent chest pain (angina).

Possible Side Effects:

  Headache, Lightheadness, Dizziness

  Nausea, Vomiting

  Flushing

  Swelling in feets and ankels

Metoprolol

Generic Names:  Metoprolol

Brand Names:   Lopressor

Drug Class:  Cardioselective beta blockers

How It Works:

  Metoprolol is a beta-blocker. It affects the response to nerve impulses in the heart to slower the heart beats and to decreases the blood pressure. Metoprolol injection is used during the early phase of a heart attack to lower the risk of death.

Usage:

  To treat angina (chest pain) and high blood pressure.

  To lower the risk of death during heart attack.

Possible Side Effects:

  Headache, Lightheadedness, Dizziness

  Swelling

  Decreased heartbeats, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Heartburn

  Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Constipation, Gas, Loss of appetite

  Depression, Confusion, Memory problems, Trouble sleeping, Nightmares

  Rash, Itching

  Dry mouth

  Cold hands and feet

Losartan

Generic Names:  Losartan

Brand Names:   Cozaar

Drug Class:  Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

How It Works:

  Losartan blocks the effects of an angiotensin receptor which relaxes the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure so that blood can flow more easily. Losartan increases the supply of the blood and oxygen to the heart.

Usage:

  To treat high blood pressure.

  To lower the risk of strokes and haert attacks.

  To protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes

Possible Side Effects:

  Headache, Dizziness

  Irregular heartbeat

  Stomach pain, Muscle pain, Back pain

  Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea

  Low blood sugar

  High potassium levels in the blood

Metformin

Generic Names:  Metformin

Brand Names:   Riomet

Drug Class:   Non-sulfonylureas

How It Works:

  Metformin reduces insulin resistance so cells are able to absorb and use sugar more effectively.

Usage:

  To control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

  To decrease hepatic (liver) glucose production, To decrease GI glucose absorption.

  To increase target cell insulin sensitivity.

Possible Side Effects:

  Dizziness

  Muscle pain, Stomach pain, Stomach upset

  Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Gas (flatulence)

  Weakness

  Low blood sugar

  Unpleasant metallic taste in mouth

Levothyroxine

Generic Names:  Levothyroxine

Brand Names:   Euthyrox Levo-T, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid,

Drug Class:  Thyroid Products

How It Works:

  Levothyroxine replaces or provides more thyroid hormone which is normally produced by the thyroid gland. Enough thyroid hormone is important for normal mental and physical activity.

Usage:

  To treat hypothyroidism where thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone naturally. Thyroid hormone helps human body to keep brain and heart working effectively.

  To prevent or treat an enlarged thyroid gland named a goiter. A goiter can be caused by surgery, cancer, radiation treatment, or an imbalance of hormones.

Possible Side Effects:

  Fever, Headache

  Irregular heartbeat

  Chest pain, Joint pain, Cramps, Muscle weakness, Tremor

  Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Appetite changes

  Weakness, Tiredness

  Anxiety, Insomnia, Irritability

  Weight gain or loss, Hair loss

  Heat sensitivity, Sweating

  Irregular menstrual periods

Albuterol

Generic Names:  Albuterol

Brand Names:   Proair, Proventil, Ventolin

Drug Class:  Beta2 Agonists

How It Works:

  Albuterol is a bronchodilator and works by relaxing and opening air passages to the lungs to make breathing easier.

Usage:

  To prevent and treat Bronchospasms which happen when the muscles that line your airways in lungs tighten. This results in wheezing, coughing, and other symptoms. It can be caused by asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, other lung diseases.

  To treat asthma symptoms in patients from 4 years of age to older with reversible obstructive airway disease.

  To treat coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest.

Possible Side Effects:

  Fever, Headache, Dizziness

  Higher blood pressure, Fast heartbeat, Breathing difficulty, Wheezing

  Chest pain

  Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Appetite changes

  Dry Skin, Skin Rash, Hives, Skin swelling

  Dry mouth or throat

  Insomnia, Nervousness, Shakiness

  Painful urination, Increased urination

Gabapentin

Generic Names:  Gabapentin

Brand Names:   Neurontin

Drug Class:  Anticonvulsants

How It Works:

  Gabapentin affects nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and calms nerve activity that are involved in the cause of seizures and some types of pain. For seizures, it may alter the effect of calcium (low levels of calcium may cause seizures).

Usage:

  Used with other medications to treat partial seizures in adults and children at least 3 years old who have epilepsy.

  To reduce the pain of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) which refers to a burning or stabbing nerve pain that is a common complication of shingles.

Possible Side Effects:

  Fever, Headache, Dizziness

  Memory problems, Trouble concentrating, Difficulty speaking

  Higher blood pressure, Fast heartbeat, Breathing difficulty, Wheezing

  Chest pain, Back or joint pain, Shaking body parts, Jerky movements, Difficulty walking, Unsteadiness

  Nausea, Vomiting, Constipation, Appetite changes, Weight gain

  Weakness, Tiredness

  Blue-colored skin, lips, fingers and toes, Skin reactions

  Dry mouth

  Anxiety, Confusion, Depression, Hyperactivity, Drowsiness, Extreme sleepiness, Changes in mood or behaviour

  Double or blurred vision, Vision related issues

Amoxicillin

Generic Names:  Amoxicillin

Brand Names:   Moxatag

Drug Class:  Penicillins, Amino

How It Works:

  Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic which kills the bacteria that cause the infection.

Usage:

  To treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu).

  Used with other medications to treat stomach/intestinal ulcers caused by the bacteria H. pylori.

Possible Side Effects:

  Headache

  Stomach pain, Swelling of face or throat

  Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea

  Rash, Skin blistering or peeling

  Elevated liver enzymes

Omeprazole

Generic Names:  Omeprazole

Brand Names:  None

Drug Class:  Proton pump inhibitors

How It Works:

  Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medicine. Proton pumps are enzymes in the lining of stomach that help to make acid to digest food. Omeprazole prevents proton pumps working properly which reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes.

Usage:

  To reduce the stomach acid.

  To treat and reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

  To heal erosive esophagitis (this condition is acid-related damage to the esophagus tube that connects your mouth to your stomach).

  To treat gastric (stomach) ulcers or duodenal ulcers.

  To treat stomach infections caused by Helicobacter pyloribacteria.

Possible Side Effects:

  Headache

  Stomach pain

  Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Constipation, Gas (flatulence)

  Rash

Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen

Generic Names:  Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen

Brand Names:   Lortab Vicodin

Drug Class:  Opioid Analgesics

How It Works:

  This combination medication contains an opioid pain reliever (hydrocodone) and a non-opioid pain reliever (acetaminophen). Hydrocodone works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain. Acetaminophen can also reduce a fever.

Usage:

  To relieve moderate to severe ongoing pain.

Possible Side Effects:

  Dizziness, Lightheadedness

  Nausea, Vomiting, Constipation

  Drowsiness