Drugs — Free AANP Pharmacology Reference
The AANP exam tests pharmacology by indication and adverse-effect pattern, not by drug encyclopedia. We built this reference the way an FNP candidate actually uses one — search by drug, drop into the mechanism + dosing + adverse effects + board pearls in one page, no paywall.
How to use it: search by generic or brand name, or scroll by drug class. Each drug links to a detail page with full pharmacology + a sample AANP-style question. For practice in question form, the full NPBoardSlay question bank has 1,500+ rationales — free trial, no card.
Other free references: Lab Values · Drug Classes · Mnemonics.
NSAIDs & Analgesics(4)
Acetaminophen
Tylenol, APAP, Paracetamol
Mild-moderate pain, fever. First-line in CKD, CHF, peptic ulcer, anticoagulated patients.
Ibuprofen
Motrin, Advil
Mild-moderate pain, fever, dysmenorrhea, OA, RA, inflammation.
Ketorolac
Toradol
Moderate-severe acute pain (post-op, renal colic, migraine in ED).
Naproxen
Aleve, Naprosyn
Mild-moderate pain, fever, OA, RA, gout acute, dysmenorrhea.
Asthma/COPD Medications(4)
Albuterol
Proventil, ProAir, Ventolin
Asthma rescue, COPD rescue, exercise-induced bronchospasm prophylaxis, hyperkalemia (adjunct).
Fluticasone
Flovent (inhaler), Flonase (nasal), Arnuity
Persistent asthma (controller), allergic rhinitis (nasal), eczema (topical).
Montelukast
Singulair
Persistent asthma (add-on), allergic rhinitis, exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Tiotropium
Spiriva
COPD (first-line maintenance), severe asthma add-on.
Benzodiazepines(3)
Calcium Channel Blockers(4)
Amlodipine
Norvasc
HTN, stable angina, vasospastic (Prinzmetal) angina.
Diltiazem
Cardizem, Tiazac
A-fib/a-flutter rate control, SVT, HTN, stable angina.
Nifedipine
Procardia, Adalat
HTN (ER), chronic stable/vasospastic angina, TOCOLYSIS in preterm labor.
Verapamil
Calan, Verelan
SVT (paroxysmal), a-fib rate control, HTN, cluster headache prophylaxis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Penicillins, Cephalosporins & UTI Antibiotics(5)
Amoxicillin
Amoxil
Strep throat, otitis media, sinusitis, CAP (child), UTI in pregnancy, dental prophylaxis, H. pylori (combo).
Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
Augmentin
Sinusitis (if abx indicated), chronic otitis, aspiration pneumonia, dog/cat/human bites, diabetic foot infecti…
Cephalexin
Keflex
Cellulitis/SSTI, UTI in pregnancy, strep pharyngitis alternative, dental prophylaxis (if PCN allergy non-sever…
Nitrofurantoin
Macrobid, Macrodantin
Uncomplicated cystitis (lower UTI only) — NOT for pyelonephritis.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
Bactrim, Septra, TMP-SMX
Uncomplicated UTI, MRSA SSTI, PJP/PCP prophylaxis, traveler's diarrhea.
Anticoagulants & Antiplatelets(5)
Apixaban
Eliquis
A-fib stroke prevention, VTE treatment + prevention, post-surgical VTE prophylaxis.
Aspirin
Bayer, Ecotrin
Secondary ASCVD prevention, post-MI, post-stroke (non-cardioembolic), post-stent (DAPT), Kawasaki disease, (li…
Clopidogrel
Plavix
Post-stent DAPT (+ aspirin), post-ACS, secondary stroke prevention, PAD.
Rivaroxaban
Xarelto
A-fib stroke prevention, VTE treatment + prevention, post-surgical VTE prophylaxis.
Warfarin
Coumadin, Jantoven
A-fib, mechanical heart valves (only approved option), VTE treatment/prevention, antiphospholipid syndrome.
Statins(3)
Macrolides, Tetracyclines & Fluoroquinolones(4)
Azithromycin
Zithromax, Z-Pak
CAP, atypical pneumonia (Mycoplasma, Chlamydophila, Legionella), chlamydia, pertussis, MAC prophylaxis.
Ciprofloxacin
Cipro
Complicated UTI, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, traveler's diarrhea, inhalational anthrax, pseudomonal infection…
Doxycycline
Vibramycin, Doryx
CAP, tick-borne illness (Lyme, RMSF, ehrlichiosis), acne, chlamydia, CA-MRSA SSTI alternative, malaria prophyl…
Levofloxacin
Levaquin
CAP (atypical coverage), complicated UTI, acute pyelonephritis, prostatitis, skin infections.
Beta-Blockers(4)
Carvedilol
Coreg
CHF (HFrEF), HTN, post-MI with LV dysfunction.
Labetalol
Trandate, Normodyne
Pregnancy-induced HTN, hypertensive emergency, resistant HTN.
Metoprolol
Lopressor (tartrate), Toprol-XL (succinate)
HTN, angina, post-MI, CHF (succinate only), rate control in a-fib.
Propranolol
Inderal
HTN, angina, migraine prophylaxis, essential tremor, thyrotoxicosis/thyroid storm, performance anxiety.
Diuretics(4)
Chlorthalidone
Hygroton, Thalitone
HTN (preferred over HCTZ per AHA), CHF edema.
Furosemide
Lasix
CHF/pulmonary edema, ascites, severe HTN, AKI/CKD fluid overload.
Hydrochlorothiazide
HCTZ, Microzide
HTN (first-line), edema, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
Spironolactone
Aldactone
HFrEF (mortality benefit), resistant HTN, primary hyperaldosteronism, cirrhotic ascites, acne/hirsutism (off-l…
Antidiabetics(6)
Empagliflozin
Jardiance
T2DM, HFrEF, HFpEF, CKD (slows progression). All adults regardless of A1c.
Glipizide
Glucotrol
Type 2 diabetes adjunct when metformin insufficient.
Insulin Glargine
Lantus, Basaglar, Toujeo
Basal insulin for T1DM and T2DM requiring insulin.
Insulin Lispro
Humalog
Mealtime (bolus) insulin, insulin pump therapy, DKA/HHS (IV).
Metformin
Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza
First-line for type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, PCOS (off-label), weight maintenance in diabetes.
Semaglutide
Ozempic (injectable), Wegovy (weight), Rybelsus (oral)
T2DM, chronic weight management (Wegovy = BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with comorbidity), CV risk reduction in T2DM + ASCVD.
SSRIs & SNRIs(4)
PPIs & H2 Blockers(3)
Thyroid & Antithyroid(3)
Levothyroxine
Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint
Hypothyroidism (all causes), thyroid cancer suppression, myxedema coma.
Methimazole
Tapazole
Hyperthyroidism (Graves, toxic adenoma), preparation for thyroidectomy or RAI, 2nd-3rd trimester pregnancy.
Propylthiouracil
PTU
Hyperthyroidism in 1st-trimester pregnancy, thyroid storm, methimazole intolerance.
ACE Inhibitors & ARBs(4)
Lisinopril
Prinivil, Zestril
HTN, CHF, post-MI, diabetic nephropathy, proteinuric CKD.
Losartan
Cozaar
HTN, CHF (ACE intolerant), diabetic nephropathy, gout-friendly HTN.
Ramipril
Altace
HTN, CHF post-MI, CV risk reduction in high-risk patients (HOPE trial).
Valsartan
Diovan
HTN, post-MI with LV dysfunction, CHF. Combined with sacubitril (Entresto) for HFrEF.