Top 20 Drugs Every Pharmacy Student Must Know 20
Rapid-Review Guide with High-Yield Counseling Pearls
How to use this guide: Each drug is listed with its brand/generic name, class, main indication, and the single counseling pearl most likely to appear on
exams. Cover the right column and quiz yourself — if you can state the pearl from the drug name alone, you know it cold.
CORE LIST Rows 1-10 of 20
# Brand (Generic) Class Main Indication High-Yield Pearl
1 Lipitor (atorvastatin) Statin Hyperlipidemia Report unexplained muscle pain/tenderness (rhabdomyolysis risk)
2 Glucophage (metformin) Biguanide Type 2 diabetes Take with food to reduce GI upset; hold before iodinated contrast
3 Zestril (lisinopril) ACE inhibitor Hypertension Dry cough and angioedema are class effects; avoid in pregnancy
4 Norvasc (amlodipine) Calcium channel blocker Hypertension Ankle swelling is common and dose-related
5 Toprol XL (metoprolol Beta blocker HTN / Heart failure Never stop abruptly (rebound HTN/tachycardia); masks hypoglycemia
succinate) symptoms
6 Prilosec (omeprazole) Proton pump inhibitor GERD Take 30-60 min before breakfast; long-term use lowers Mg and B12
7 Zoloft (sertraline) SSRI Depression Takes 4-6 weeks for full effect; taper to avoid discontinuation syndrome
8 ProAir (albuterol) Short-acting beta agonist Asthma (rescue) Shake well before use; overuse signals poor control — see prescriber
9 Flovent (fluticasone) Inhaled corticosteroid Asthma (maintenance) Rinse mouth after each use to prevent oral thrush
10 Synthroid (levothyroxine) Thyroid hormone Hypothyroidism Take on an empty stomach, 30-60 min before breakfast, same time
daily
This guide is a study aid and does not replace clinical references or prescriber judgment. 1/2
Rapid-Review Guide with High-Yield Counseling Pearls
How to use this guide: Each drug is listed with its brand/generic name, class, main indication, and the single counseling pearl most likely to appear on
exams. Cover the right column and quiz yourself — if you can state the pearl from the drug name alone, you know it cold.
CORE LIST Rows 1-10 of 20
# Brand (Generic) Class Main Indication High-Yield Pearl
1 Lipitor (atorvastatin) Statin Hyperlipidemia Report unexplained muscle pain/tenderness (rhabdomyolysis risk)
2 Glucophage (metformin) Biguanide Type 2 diabetes Take with food to reduce GI upset; hold before iodinated contrast
3 Zestril (lisinopril) ACE inhibitor Hypertension Dry cough and angioedema are class effects; avoid in pregnancy
4 Norvasc (amlodipine) Calcium channel blocker Hypertension Ankle swelling is common and dose-related
5 Toprol XL (metoprolol Beta blocker HTN / Heart failure Never stop abruptly (rebound HTN/tachycardia); masks hypoglycemia
succinate) symptoms
6 Prilosec (omeprazole) Proton pump inhibitor GERD Take 30-60 min before breakfast; long-term use lowers Mg and B12
7 Zoloft (sertraline) SSRI Depression Takes 4-6 weeks for full effect; taper to avoid discontinuation syndrome
8 ProAir (albuterol) Short-acting beta agonist Asthma (rescue) Shake well before use; overuse signals poor control — see prescriber
9 Flovent (fluticasone) Inhaled corticosteroid Asthma (maintenance) Rinse mouth after each use to prevent oral thrush
10 Synthroid (levothyroxine) Thyroid hormone Hypothyroidism Take on an empty stomach, 30-60 min before breakfast, same time
daily
This guide is a study aid and does not replace clinical references or prescriber judgment. 1/2
