Pain Meds
This NSAID uniquely provides irreversible platelet inhibition for 7 days and can cause tinnitus when taken at toxic levels.
What is aspirin (ASA)?
This antacid can cause constipation, rebound hyperacidity, and kidney stones — and must be given 2–3 hours apart from other medications.
What is calcium carbonate (Tums)?
This insulin type is the ONLY one given IV and is used to treat DKA.
What is regular insulin?
This thyroid hormone replacement increases basal metabolic rate and is the gold‑standard treatment for hypothyroidism.
What is levothyroxine?
This lab value is the “gold standard” for evaluating levothyroxine therapy.
What is TSH?
This analgesic has no anti‑inflammatory properties, carries a risk of hepatotoxicity, and requires careful monitoring of total daily intake from all sources.
What is acetaminophen?
This H2 blocker is the most widely used because of its high potency, longer duration, and fewer interactions.
What is famotidine (Pepcid)?
This oral antidiabetic must be held before IV contrast due to the risk of lactic acidosis.
What is metformin?
Levothyroxine must be taken at this time relative to meals.
What is 30–60 minutes before breakfast on an empty stomach?
Prednisone should be taken at this time of day to mimic natural cortisol secretion.
What is in the morning?
This opioid antagonist rapidly reverses respiratory depression by displacing opioids from mu receptors and can be given intranasally or IV.
What is naloxone (Narcan)?
This PPI irreversibly blocks the final stage of acid production and is associated with long‑term risks such as C. difficile infection and bone fractures.
What is omeprazole (Prilosec)?
This insulin has no peak, last 24 hours, and must never be mixed with other insulins.
What is glargine?
This condition results from too much cortisol and is associated with moon face and truncal obesity.
What is Cushing's disease?
This opioid partial agonist binds tightly to mu receptors, blocking other opioids and reducing respiratory depression risk, making it useful in treating opioid use disorder.
What is buprenorphine?
This corticosteroid reduces inflammation by suppressing immune responses but must be tapered to avoid adrenal insufficiency.
What is prednisone?
This antidiarrheal is a synthetic opioid available OTC and should NOT be used in children under 2 or in infectious diarrhea.
What is loperamide (Imodium)?
This medication class slows gastric emptying, increases satiety, and carries a Black Box Warning for medullary thyroid cancer.
What is GLP-1 receptor agonists?
These two supplement types must be separated from levothyroxine due to absorption interference.
What is calcium and iron supplements?
This antidiarrheal is contraindicated in ulcerative colitis due to the risk of toxic megacolon and one of the ingredients is used to discourage abuse.
What is diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil)?
This xanthine oxidase inhibitor prevents gout attacks and requires immediate discontinuation if a skin rash develops.
What is allopurinol?
This stimulant laxative must be swallowed whole, works within 6–12 hours orally, and can cause dependence if used longer than 7 days.
What is bisacodyl (Dulcolax)?
This medication improves insulin sensitivity but may worsen heart failure due to fluid retention.
What is pioglitazone (Actos)?
This life‑threatening condition can occur if long‑term prednisone is stopped abruptly.
What is adrenal crisis (adrenocortical insufficiency)?
This analgesic has no anti‑inflammatory properties, is hepatotoxic at high doses, and requires careful accounting of all combination products to avoid overdose.
What is acetaminophen?