When providers and nurses start working in the nursing home setting, they frequently ask what common medications are prescribed to the elderly?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like most health care settings, common medications appear frequently. If you work for a GI practice you will start to see similarities in medication prescribing habits. The same goes for nursing homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There may be some differences based on regions or by the marketing efforts of the pharmaceutical companies. However, they will usually be from the same medication class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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The following list is not a definitive list and is only meant to be used as a guide. There are many drug guides that can better assist you in learning about the medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Covid-19 added a couple of medications to the list. Prescribes will often prescribe steroids such as prednisone and methylprednisolone. Azithromycin has been frequently prescribed when they are having respiratory symptoms requiring an antibiotic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symbicort or other inhaled steroid combo is given with patients having respiratory issues with Covid-19. Nursing homes have moved away from nebulizers such as Albuterol and Duonebs and switched to MDI devices for the delivery of medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a period where Plaquenil\/hydroxychloroquine sulfate was prescribed for the residents. However, this medication isn’t used commonly for the treatment of coronavirus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a nurse looking for a great drug guide, Amazon carries the Nursing 2022 Drug handbook<\/a>. This is your best source for information on specific medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commonly\nseen medications in Nursing home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ace Inhibitors<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lisinopril<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Alpha Agonist: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clonidine<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Antibiotics:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amoxicillin<\/li>
Augmentin<\/li>
Azithromycin<\/li>
Bactrim <\/li>
Ceftriaxone <\/li>
Ciprofloxacin<\/li>
Gentamycin<\/li>
Levaquin<\/li>
Nitrofurantoin<\/li>
Vancomycin<\/li>
Cefpodoxime proxetil (Vantin)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Anticoagulants: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coumadin (warfarin)<\/li>
Enoxaparin (Lovenox)<\/li>
Heparin<\/li>
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Antidepressants:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)<\/li>
Citalopram<\/li>
Mirtazapine (Remeron) <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
SSRI:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fluoxetine (Prozac) <\/li>
Sertraline (Zoloft)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Antifungal:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fluconazole (Diflucan) <\/li>
Nystatin swish and swallow<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Antiparasitic<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Metronidazole (Flagyl)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
Antipsychotics: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Risperidone (Risperdal) <\/li>
Quetiapine (Seroquel)<\/li>
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Anxiolytics (Benzodiazepine): <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alprazolam (Xanax) <\/li>
Clonazepam (Klonopin)<\/li>
Diazepam (Valium)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Antiviral:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acyclovir (Zovirax)<\/li>
Valacyclovir (Valtrex)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cardiac Medications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beta-blockers: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coreg<\/li>
Metoprolol Tartrate and succinate <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Calcium Channel Blockers:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Norvasc<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Antiarrhythmics: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cardizem<\/li>
Digoxin<\/li>
Isosorbide mononitrate (angina)<\/li>
Nitroglycerin<\/li>
Plavix (Acute Coronary syndrome and Thrombotic prevention)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Dementia Medications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Namenda<\/li>
Exelon<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Diabetic Medications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basaglar <\/li>
Humalog <\/li>
Januvia <\/li>
Humalog<\/li>
Lantus <\/li>
Novolog<\/li>
Metformin\/Glucophage (Biguanides)<\/li>
Tresiba<\/li>
Trulicity<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Diuretics:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lasix<\/li>
Spironolactone<\/li>
Zaroxalyn<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
GI medications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lubiprostone (Amitiza)<\/li>
Bisacodyl suppositories <\/li>
Colace<\/li>
Fleets enemas<\/li>
Linzess (Linaclotide)<\/li>
Lactulose <\/li>
Ondansetron (Zofran)<\/li>
Ranitidine (H2 Blocker)<\/li>
Senna<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Gout Medications: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allopurinol<\/li>
Colchicine<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Insomnia medications: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
GABA\/Benzodiazepine: Ambien\n(zolpidem0<\/li>
Benzodiazepine: Restoril <\/li>
Melatonin<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Kidney Medications: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Renagel <\/li>
Phoslo<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Muscle relaxers: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Baclofen<\/li>
Flexeril <\/li>
Tizanidine<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Neurological medications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gabapentin (seizures,\npostherpetic neuralgia, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia)<\/li>
Pregabalin (lyrica)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Celebrex<\/li>
Ibuprofen<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Opioids: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fentanyl<\/li>
Hydrocodone\/tylenol (Norco)<\/li>
Hydromorphone<\/li>
Oxycodone<\/li>
Tramadol (MU opioid receptor)<\/li>
MS Contin<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Parkinson\u2019s meds: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carbidopa levodopa<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Proton Pump Inhibitors:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Omeprazole<\/li>
Pantoprazole<\/li>
Dexilant<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Respiratory Medications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Albuterol nebs\/HFA, <\/li>
Beta-2 Agonist, SABAs, Muscarinic Antagonist: Duoneb<\/li>
Prednisone<\/li>
Tiotropium (Spiriva)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Seizure Medications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vimpat<\/li>
Dilantin<\/li>
Levetiracetam (Keppra)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Skin:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sarna lotion<\/li>
Triamcinolone<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Statins:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Atorvastatin<\/li>
Rosuvastatin<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Thyroid Medications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Levothyroxine<\/li>
Synthroid<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Urology Medications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oxybutynin (antispasmodics)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
OTC Medications: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potassium <\/li>
Ferrous sulfate<\/li>
Natural Tears eyedrops<\/li>
Tylenol<\/li>
Aspirin<\/li>
Mucinex<\/li>
Bengay<\/li>
Claritin<\/li>
Vitamin B12<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Tips for learning medications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, learning the medications used in nursing homes requires memorization and repetition. Memorization and repetition help you learn what the meds are used for and the class they belong to. This will help when you run into other meds in the same class. You will have a general idea of adverse effects and contraindications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try to learn the basics and then look up the meds as you go to fine-tune your learning. Some people like to write the medications on flashcards with the drug name on one side and the basis of the medication on the other. Include the indication for the medication and then the class of medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are only able to learn one, focus on the generic version of the medication. Eventually, the medication will lose its patent and be sold in its generic form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrequently Prescribed Medications: Drugs You Need to Know\u201c is a book that will give you tips and tricks for learning medications that are frequently used. This comprehensive resource provides clear information for the drugs that are commonly utilized in clinical practice. It even includes over-the-counter, and natural products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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