American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [821]
tricyclic antidepressants Antidepressants. Balance neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain) such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Used to treat moderate to severe depression. Cause more side effects than antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and heterocyclic antidepressants.
V
vasodilators Antihypertensives. Widen the blood vessels to reduce blood pressure. Used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
vitamin supplements Preparations containing the natural food constituents that are needed for normal body function. Doctors recommend a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement for most people. May be used to treat vitamin deficiencies (caused by factors such as poor diet, reduced nutrient absorption by the intestines, and some disorders) or to prevent deficiencies (such as during pregnancy and breastfeeding). Include folic acid.
X
xanthine oxidase inhibitors Reduce the level of uric acid in the blood.
xanthines Bronchodilators; stimulants. Relax the smooth muscles of the airways. Used to help relieve symptoms of asthma. Include caffeine and theophylline .
Most Frequently Prescribed Drugs
Here are brief descriptions of some of the drugs that are prescribed most often in the United States. Most of the entries include the generic name of the drug, its class (in italics), and a brief explanation of the drug’s actions and its main uses. For a definition of the drug class, look in the front part of this glossary on pages 1133 to 1139. If you do not know the generic name of a drug you are taking, or if you need more information about a particular drug, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Drugs that are underlined can be found in this part of the glossary.
A
acetaminophen Nonnarcotic analgesic; antipyretic. Used to relieve mild to moderate pain and to reduce fever. Using acetaminophen regularly with alcohol can cause liver problems.
acetaminophen and codeine Combination drug. Nonnarcotic analgesic and antipyretic (acetaminophen), and narcotic analgesic and antitussive (codeine). Used to relieve mild to moderate pain. Can be addictive.
acetaminophen and oxycodone Combination drug. Nonnarcotic analgesic and antipyretic (acetaminophen), and narcotic analgesic (oxycodone). Used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. Highly addictive.
acyclovir Antiviral. Used to treat herpesvirus and cytomegalovirus infections.
albuterol Bronchodilator; beta2 agonist. Relaxes the muscles in the bronchioles (the airways in the lungs) to ease breathing. Used to treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
alendronate Bone-resorption inhibitor. Builds healthy bone and helps restore lost bone. Used to prevent or treat osteoporosis.
allopurinol Xanthine oxidase inhibitor. Reduces the level of uric acid in the blood. Used to prevent attacks of gout and kidney stones.
alprazolam Antianxiety drug. Used to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and phobias.
amitriptyline Tricyclic antidepressant. Used primarily to treat depression that is accompanied by anxiety or sleep disturbances.
amlodipine Antiangina drug; antihypertensive; calcium channel blocker. Relaxes the blood vessels, decreases blood pressure, increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, and reduces the heart’s workload. Used to treat angina and high blood pressure.
amlodipine and benazepril Combination drug. Antiangina drug, antihypertensive, and calcium channel blocker (amlodipine), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (benazepril). Relaxes the blood vessels, decreases blood pressure, increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, and reduces the heart’s workload. Used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
amoxicillin Penicillinlike antibiotic. Used to treat bacterial infections of the ear, skin, respiratory tract, and urinary tract.
amoxicillin and clavulanate Combination drug. Penicillinlike antibiotic (amoxicillin), and beta-lactamase inhibitor (clavulanate). Clavulanate protects the antibiotic amoxicillin from the enzyme beta