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List Of Generic Medicines for PTCB Exam Preparation
Understanding generic medicines is crucial for pharmacy technicians preparing for the PTCB exam. Generic drugs provide cost-effective alternatives to brand-name medications without compromising efficacy or safety.
Familiarity with these medications not only aids in patient care but also significantly enhances exam performance.
Studying the top 200 generic and brand-name drugs can be challenging. Take advantage of our free flashcards and practice tests to make this process easier. These resources will help you commit the essential drugs to memory and ace your exam.
PTCB Top 200 Names of Generic Drugs
Understanding the top 200 generic and brand-name drugs is essential for PTCB exam preparation.
| Generic Name | Brand Name | Drug Class |
|---|---|---|
| Acetaminophen | Tylenol | Analgesic/antipyretic |
| Amlodipine | Norvasc | Calcium channel blocker |
| Atorvastatin | Lipitor | Statin |
| Amoxicillin | Amoxil | Antibacterial |
| Metformin | Glucophage | Oral antidiabetic |
| Lisinopril | Prinivil, Qbrelis | ACE inhibitor |
| Simvastatin | Zocor | Statin |
| Levothyroxine | Synthroid | Thyroid hormone |
| Azithromycin | Zithromax | Macrolide antibacterial |
| Hydrochlorothiazide | Microzide | Thiazide diuretic |
| Alprazolam | Xanax | Benzodiazepine |
| Omeprazole | Prilosec | Proton-pump inhibitor |
| Ciprofloxacin | Cipro | Fluoroquinolone |
| Ondansetron | Zofran | Antiemetic |
| Clozapine | Clozaril | Antipsychotic |
| Furosemide | Lasix | Loop diuretic |
| Vardenafil | Levitra | PDE5 inhibitor |
| Tetracycline | Sumycin | Antibacterial |
| Heparin | Heparin Sodium | Anticoagulant |
| Valganciclovir | Valcyte | Antiviral |
| Lamotrigine | Lamictal | Anticonvulsant |
| Fluconazole | Diflucan | Antifungal |
| Atenolol | Tenormin | Beta-blocker |
| Montelukast | Singulair | Leukotriene inhibitor |
| Fluticasone | Flonase | Corticosteroid |
| Allopurinol | Zyloprim | Anti-gout |
| Alendronate | Fosamax | Bisphosphonate |
| Famotidine | Pepcid | H2 antagonist |
| Cefdinir | Omnicef | Cephalosporin |
| Ethinyl estradiol, Drospirenone | Yaz | Birth control |
| Hydralazine | Apresoline | Antihypertensive |
| Benztropine | Cogentin | Antiparkinsonian |
| Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone | Tussionex PennKinetic | Antihistamine, Narcotic |
| Paroxetine | Paxil | SSRI |
| Lorazepam | Ativan | Benzodiazepine |
| Phenazopyridine | Pyridium | Analgesic |
| Hydroxychloroquine | Plaquenil | Anti-malarial |
| Lidocaine | Lidoderm | Local anesthetic |
| Diclofenac | Cataflam | NSAID |
| Prednisone | Rayos, Deltasone | Corticosteroid |
| Ezetimibe | Zetia | Antihyperlipidemic |
| Raloxifene | Evista | Estrogen modulator |
| Phenytoin | Dilantin | Anticonvulsant |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | Lovaza | Anti-triglyceride |
| Tizanidine | Zanaflex | Muscle relaxant |
| Terazosin | Hytrin | Alpha-1 blocker |
| Triamterene | Dyrenium | Potassium-sparing diuretic |
| Ramipril | Altace | ACE inhibitor |
| Pravastatin | Pravachol | Statin |
| Risperidone | Risperdal | Antipsychotic |
| Eszopiclone | Lunesta | Z-drug / hypnotic |
| Celecoxib | Celebrex | COX-inhibitor / NSAID |
| Conjugated estrogens | Premarin | Estrogen replacement |
| Moxifloxacin | Avelox | Fluoroquinolone |
| Donepezil | Aricept | Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor |
| Nitrofurantoin | Macrobid, Macrodantin | Antibacterial |
| Fentanyl | Duragesic Skin Patch | Opioid |
| Isosorbide mononitrate | Imdur | Nitrate |
| Fluoxetine | Prozac, Sarafem | SSRI |
| Triamcinolone | Aristocort | Corticosteroid |
| Buprenorphine, Naloxone | Suboxone | Narcotic, Opioid blocker |
| Lisdexamfetamine | Vyvanse | CNS Stimulant |
| Nortriptyline | Pamelor | Tricyclic antidepressant |
| Insulin lispro | HumaLOG | Rapid-acting insulin |
| Valproate sodium | Depacon, Depakote | Anticonvulsant |
| Chlorhexidine | BetaSept, ChloraPrep | Disinfectant/antiseptic |
| Dicyclomine | Bentyl | Anti-spasmodic |
| Sumatriptan | Imitrex | Anti-migraine |
| Pantoprazole | Protonix | Proton-pump inhibitor |
| Metoprolol | Lopressor | Beta-blocker |
| Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin | Robitussen | Antitussive, Expectorant |
| Diazepam | Valium | Benzodiazepine |
| Sildenafil | Viagra | PDE5 inhibitor |
| Mupirocin | Bactroban | Antibacterial |
| Sitagliptin | Januvia | Antidiabetic |
| Metoclopramide | Reglan | Dopamine antagonist |
| Nabumetone | Relafen | NSAID |
| Cefalexin | Keflex | Cephalosporin |
| Venlafaxine | Effexor | SNRI |
| Ibandronate | Boniva | Bisphosphonate |
| Nizatidine | Axid Pulvules | H2 antagonist |
| Senna | Ex-Lax, Senna Lax | Laxative |
| Insulin aspart | NovoLog | Rapid-acting insulin |
| Aspirin | Bayer, Ecotrin, Bufferin | Antipyretic, Analgesic |
| Baclofen | Lioresal | Muscle relaxant |
| Metronidazole | Flagyl | Antibacterial, Antiprotozoal |
| Levetiracetam | Keppra | Anticonvulsant |
| Colchicine | Colcrys, Mitigare | Anti-gout |
| Olanzapine | Zyprexa | Antipsychotic |
| Dutasteride | Avodart | 5-alpha reductase inhibitor |
| Fenofibrate | TriCor, Antara | Fibrate |
| Doxazosin | Cardura | Alpha-1 blocker |
| Naproxen | Aleve | NSAID |
| Spironolactone | Aldactone | Potassium-sparing diuretic |
| Memantine | Namenda | NMDA antagonist |
| Methadone | Methadose | Opioid analgesic |
| Enalapril | Vasotec, Epaned | ACE inhibitor |
| Oseltamivir | Tamiflu | Antiviral |
| Ropinirole | Requip | Antiparkinsonian |
| Penicillin | PC Pen VK, Pen V | Beta-lactam antibacterial |
| Atomoxetine | Strattera | Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor |
| Zolpidem | Ambien | Z-drug / hypnotic |
| Salmeterol, Fluticasone | Advair | Bronchodilators |
| Levofloxacin | Levaquin | Fluoroquinolone |
| Imipramine | Tofranil | Tricyclic antidepressant |
| Zoledronic acid | Reclast, Zometa | Bisphosphonate |
| Glipizide | Glucotrol | Antidiabetic |
| Lactulose | Constulose | Laxative |
| Rabeprazole | AcipHex | Proton-pump inhibitor |
| Methotrexate | Otrexup | DMARD |
| Clindamycin | Cleocin | Antibacterial |
| Ferrous sulfate | Feosol | Iron supplement |
| Eletriptan | Relpax | Anti-migraine |
| Methocarbamol | Robaxin | Muscle relaxant |
| Glyburide | DiaBeta | Antidiabetic |
| Citalopram | Celexa | SSRI |
| Olmesartan, Hydrochlorothiazide | Benicar HCT | Thiazide diuretic, Angiotensin II blocker |
| Carvedilol | Coreg | Beta-blocker |
| Tiotropium | Spiriva | Anticholinergic |
| Omalizumab | Xolair | Monoclonal antibody |
| Nitroglycerin | NitroStat Sublingual | Nitrate |
| Apixaban | Eliquis | Anticoagulant |
| Gabapentin | Neurontin | Anticonvulsant |
| Etanercept | Enbrel | DMARD |
| Trastuzumab | Herceptin | Monoclonal antibody |
| Emtricitabine, Tenofovir, Efavirenz | Atripla | Antiretroviral drugs |
| Rivaroxaban | Xarelto | Anticoagulant |
| Levodopa, Carbidopa, Entacapone | Stalevo 50 | Antiparkinsonian |
| Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine | Fioricet | Analgesic/antipyretic, Barbiturate |
| Insulin detemir | Levemir | Long-acting insulin |
| Enoxaparin | Lovenox | Low-molecule weight heparin |
| Methylphenidate | Ritalin, Concerta | CNS Stimulant |
| Rosuvastatin | Crestor | Statin |
| Denosumab | Xgeva, Prolia | Monoclonal antibody |
| Dabigatran | Pradaxa | Anticoagulant |
| Cinacalcet | Sensipar | Calcimimetic |
| Solifenacin | Vesicare | Antimuscarinic |
| Haloperidol | Haldol | Antipsychotic |
| Hydrocortisone | Ala-Cort | Corticosteroid |
| Insulin isophane | HumuLIN | Intermediate-acting insulin |
| Raltegravir | Isentress | Integrase inhibitor |
| Ustekinumab | Stelara | Monoclonal antibody |
| Meloxicam | Mobic | NSAID |
| Infliximab | Remicade | Monoclonal antibody |
| Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine | Night Time | Analgesic/antipyretic, Antihistamine |
| Sevelamer | Renvela | Phosphate binder |
| Dalteparin | Fragmin | Low-molecular weight heparin |
| Sertraline | Zoloft | SSRI |
| Clonazepam | Klonopin | Benzodiazepine |
| Irbesartan, Hydrochlorothiazide | Avalide | Thiazide diuretic, Angiotensin II blocker |
| Cefuroxime | Ceftin | Cephalosporin |
| Ketoconazole | Nizoral Topical | Antifungal |
| Pregabalin | Lyrica | Anticonvulsant |
| Esomeprazole | Nexium | Proton-pump inhibitor |
| Albuterol, Ipratropium | Combivent Respimat | Beta-2 agonist, Anticholinergic |
| Niacin | Niaspan | Form of vitamin B3 |
| Alfuzosin | Uroxatral | Alpha-1 blocker |
| Clarithromycin | Biaxin | Macrolide antibacterial |
| Zolmitriptan | Zomig | Anti-migraine |
| Canagliflozin | Invokana | SGLT-2 inhibitor |
| Liraglutide | Saxenda, Victoza | GLP-1 agonist |
| Pemetrexed | Alimta | Anticancer |
| Clotrimazole, Betamethasone | Lotrisone | Antifungal, Corticosteroid |
| Bevacizumab | Avastin | Anticancer |
| Sofosbuvir | Sovaldi | Hepatitis C drug |
| Fingolimod | Gilenya | Immunomodulator |
| Epoetin alfa | Epogen | Human erythropoietin |
| Quetiapine | Seroquel | Antipsychotic |
| Glimepiride | Amaryl | Antidiabetic |
| Acetaminophen, Oxycodone | Percocet | Analgesic/antipyretic, Opioid |
| Cyclosporin | SandIMMUNE, Neoral | Immunosuppressant |
| Insulin glargine | Lantus | Long-acting insulin |
| Tadalafil | Cialis | PDE5 inhibitor |
| Amitriptyline | Elavil, Vanatrip | Tricyclic antidepressant |
| Gemfibrozil | Lopid | Fibrate |
| Prednisolone | Flo-Pred | Corticosteroid |
| Ibuprofen | Advil | NSAID |
| Perindopril | Aceon | ACE inhibitor |
| Trazodone | Desyrel | Antidepressant |
| Pioglitazone | Actos | Thiazolidinedione |
| Finasteride | Proscar | 5-alpha reductase inhibitor |
| Levodopa | Inbrija, Dopar, Larodopa | Antiparkinsonian |
| Risedronate | Actonel | Bisphosphonate |
| Albuterol | ProAir, Ventolin, Proventil | Beta-2 agonist |
| Tramadol | Ultram | Opiate narcotic |
| Zaleplon | Sonata | Z-drug / hypnotic |
| Bisoprolol | Zebeta | Beta-blocker |
| Acyclovir | Zovirax | Antiviral |
| Warfarin | Coumadin | Anticoagulant |
| Fluvoxamine | Luvox | SSRI |
| Clopidogrel | Plavix | Antiplatelet |
| Doxycycline | Vibramycin, Adoxa | Tetracycline antibiotic |
| Losartan, Hydrochlorothiazide | Hyzaar | Thiazide diuretic, Angiotensin II blocker |
| Granisetron | Kytril, Sancuso | Antiemetic |
| Temazepam | Restoril | Benzodiazepine |
| Lansoprazole | Prevacid | Proton-pump inhibitor |
| Amoxicillin, Clavulanic acid | Augmentin | Penicillin antibiotic, Beta-lactamase inhibitor |
| Lovastatin | Mevacor, Altoprev | Statin |
Understanding common pairs of generic and brand-name drugs is crucial for pharmacy technicians. For example:
- Acetaminophen = Tylenol: A widely used pain reliever and fever reducer.
- Ibuprofen = Advil/Motrin: An NSAID used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation.
- Amoxicillin = Amoxil: A penicillin antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.
Knowing both generic and brand names helps pharmacy technicians accurately dispense medications, counsel patients, and ensure proper medication management. This knowledge is essential for clear communication with healthcare providers and patients.
Understanding Generic Medicines
Definition and Importance
Generic medicines are pharmaceutical drugs equivalent to their brand-name counterparts in dosage, strength, route of administration, quality, performance, and intended use. They are crucial because they provide the same therapeutic benefits as brand-name drugs but at a lower cost, making medications more accessible to a broader population.
Regulatory Standards Ensuring Equivalence
Generic drugs must meet rigorous regulatory standards set by health authorities such as the FDA.
These standards ensure that generics have the same quality, strength, purity, and stability as their brand-name equivalents.
The regulatory process includes bioequivalence studies to demonstrate that the generic drug works similarly and provides the same clinical benefits as the brand-name drug.
For more information, refer to the FDA’s page on Generic Drugs.
Benefits of Generic Medicines
Cost Savings
Generic medicines are significantly less expensive than brand-name drugs. This affordability stems from lower research and development costs since generic manufacturers do not bear the initial expense of drug discovery and clinical trials. This cost-saving is passed on to consumers, making medications more accessible.
Equivalent Efficacy and Safety
Generic drugs are required to meet the same standards of quality, efficacy, and safety as their brand-name counterparts. They contain the same active ingredients and work in the same way, ensuring patients receive the same therapeutic benefits.
Increased Access to Medications
The availability of generic medicines increases access to essential medications for a broader population. By offering cost-effective alternatives, generics help ensure that more patients can afford and adhere to their prescribed treatments, leading to better health outcomes.
Study Tips for PTCB Exam
Memorization Strategies
- Chunking: Break down the list of medications into smaller groups based on their drug class or therapeutic use.
- Mnemonics: Create mnemonic devices to remember drug names and their uses.
Use of Flashcards
Flashcards are an effective tool for memorizing drug names, classes, and uses. Regularly review and test yourself to reinforce your memory.
Recognizing Patterns and Links
Identify and recognize patterns or links between drug names and their uses. For instance:
- Many statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) end in “-statin” (e.g., Atorvastatin = Lipitor).
- Many antibiotics have similar prefixes or suffixes (e.g., Amoxicillin, Penicillin).
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