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Drug Pronunciation Guide

An A to Z reference for 200 generic and brand drug names, with phonetic spelling and therapeutic class for each.

A

abacavirZiagen, Epzicom (w/ 3TC), Triumeq/əˈbækəvɪr/Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)
abirateroneZytiga, Yonsa/æbɪˈrætəroʊn/CYP17A1 (androgen synthesis) inhibitor
acarbosePrecose/əˈkɑːrboʊs/Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor
acetaminophenTylenol, Ofirmev, FeverAll/əˌsiːtəˈmɪnəfən/Non-opioid analgesic / antipyretic (para-aminophenol)
acyclovirZovirax, Sitavig (buccal)/eɪˈsaɪkloʊvɪr/Nucleoside analog antiviral (guanosine)
albuterolProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA, Proventil HFA/ælˈbjuːtərɒl/ Mechanism of action Selectively activates β2-adrenergic receptors on bronchial smooth muscle, increasing intracellular cAMP, which relaxes smooth muscle and produces bronchodilation. Onset within 5--15 minutes; duration 4--6 hours. Also inhibits release of mediators from mast cells. At higher systemic doses, β2 selectivity diminishes and β1 effects (tachycardia) emerge \\[1\\]. Standard dosing -/Short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist (SABA)
alendronateFosamax, Binosto/əˈlɛndrəneɪt/Bisphosphonate (nitrogen-containing)
alprazolamXanax, Xanax XR, Niravam/ælˈpræzəlæm/Short-acting benzodiazepine (Schedule IV)
amiodaronePacerone, Cordarone, Nexterone (IV)/əˈmiːoʊdəroʊn/Class III antiarrhythmic (multi-channel blocker)
amlodipineNorvasc, Katerzia (oral suspension)/æmˈloʊdɪpiːn/ Mechanism of action Blocks L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle, causing peripheral arterial vasodilation. Reduces systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure. Has minimal effect on cardiac contractility or AV conduction at therapeutic doses (unlike non-DHPs verapamil/diltiazem). Also dilates coronary arteries (anti-anginal effect) \\[1\\]. Standard dosing -/Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (DHP CCB)
amoxicillinAmoxil, Moxatag/əˌmɒksɪˈsɪlɪn/Aminopenicillin (beta-lactam antibiotic)
anastrozoleArimidex/əˈnæstrəzoʊl/Aromatase inhibitor (nonsteroidal, third-generation)
apixabanEliquis/əˈpɪksəbæn/Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC); factor Xa inhibitor
aripiprazoleAbilify, Abilify Maintena (LAI), Aristada (LAI)/ærɪˈpɪprəzoʊl/Second-generation antipsychotic; dopamine D2 partial agonist
aspirinBayer, Ecotrin, Bufferin/ˈæspərɪn/Antiplatelet / NSAID (salicylate)
atorvastatinLipitor/əˌtɔːrvəˈstætɪn/ Mechanism of action Competitively inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in hepatic cholesterol synthesis. Reduced intracellular cholesterol upregulates hepatic LDL receptors, increasing LDL-C clearance from plasma. Also has pleiotropic effects: plaque stabilization, anti-inflammatory (lowers hs-CRP), improved endothelial function \\[1\\]. Standard dosing -/HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)
azithromycinZithromax, Z-Pak, Zmax/əˌzɪθroʊˈmaɪsɪn/Macrolide antibiotic

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

ketoconazoleNizoral/kiːtoʊˈkɒnəzoʊl/Imidazole antifungal

L

M

N

O

P

Q

quetiapineSeroquel, Seroquel XR/kwɪˈtaɪəpiːn/Second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic

R

S

T

U

V

W

warfarinCoumadin, Jantoven/ˈwɔːrfərɪn/ Mechanism of action Inhibits vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1 (VKORC1), preventing the recycling of reduced vitamin K. This blocks the gamma-carboxylation of vitamin K--dependent clotting factors II, VII, IX, X, and proteins C and S. Anticoagulant effect is delayed; peak effect is typically delayed 72 to 96 hours (3--4 days). Warfarin is a racemic mixture; the S-enantiomer is 3--5× more potent and metabolized primarily by CYP2C9 \\[1\\]. Standard dosing -/Vitamin K epoxide reductase antagonist (oral anticoagulant)

Z

ziprasidoneGeodon/zɪˈpræsɪdoʊn/Atypical (second-generation) antipsychotic

Showing 200 of 200 published drugs.

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Pronunciation and brief educational notes are not a substitute for current prescribing information or clinical guidance.

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