The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam is a crucial step for aspiring pharmacy technicians to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field. One of the key areas of focus for the exam is pharmacology, specifically the identification and classification of commonly prescribed medications. In this article, we will cover the 200 most common drugs that you should be familiar with for the PTCB exam prep.
Why is it important to know the top 200 drugs?
Knowing the top 200 drugs is essential for pharmacy technicians, as it enables them to accurately identify and classify medications, understand their uses and potential interactions, and provide better patient care. The PTCB exam tests your knowledge of these medications, so it's crucial to be familiar with them.
Classification of Medications
Before we dive into the list of medications, it's essential to understand how they are classified. Medications can be classified in various ways, including:
- Therapeutic class: This classification groups medications based on their therapeutic use, such as analgesics, antibiotics, or antihypertensives.
- Pharmacological class: This classification groups medications based on their pharmacological mechanism of action, such as beta blockers or ACE inhibitors.
- Chemical class: This classification groups medications based on their chemical structure, such as sulfonamides or penicillins.
Top 200 Medications for PTCB Exam Prep
Here are the top 200 medications that you should be familiar with for the PTCB exam prep, categorized by therapeutic class:
Analgesics (25)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Ibuprofen (Advil)
- Aspirin (Bayer)
- Oxycodone (OxyContin)
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
- Morphine (MS Contin)
- Fentanyl (Duragesic)
- Celecoxib (Celebrex)
- Naproxen (Aleve)
- Ketoprofen (Oruvail)
- Diclofenac (Voltaren)
- Indomethacin (Indocin)
- Piroxicam (Feldene)
- Sulindac (Clinoril)
- Etodolac (Lodine)
Antibiotics (20)
- Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
- Ampicillin (Omnipen)
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
- Cephalexin (Keflex)
- Clindamycin (Cleocin)
- Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
- Erythromycin (Ery-Tab)
- Gentamicin (Garamycin)
- Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
- Metronidazole (Flagyl)
- Minocycline (Minocin)
- Penicillin V (Pen VK)
- Rifampin (Rifadin)
- Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
- Tetracycline (Sumycin)
- Trimethoprim (Proloprim)
- Vancomycin (Vancocin)
- Azithromycin (Zithromax)
- Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
- Cefaclor (Ceclor)
Antihypertensives (20)
- Amlodipine (Norvasc)
- Atenolol (Tenormin)
- Benazepril (Lotensin)
- Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Enalapril (Vasotec)
- Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
- Lisinopril (Zestril)
- Losartan (Cozaar)
- Metoprolol (Lopressor)
- Nifedipine (Procardia)
- Prilosec (Omeprazole)
- Quinapril (Accupril)
- Ramipril (Altace)
- Spironolactone (Aldactone)
- Telmisartan (Micardis)
- Valsartan (Diovan)
- Verapamil (Calan)
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- Simvastatin (Zocor)
Antidiabetics (15)
- Metformin (Glucophage)
- Glyburide (DiaBeta)
- Glipizide (Glucotrol)
- Pioglitazone (Actos)
- Rosiglitazone (Avandia)
- Insulin (Humulin)
- Glimepiride (Amaryl)
- Sitagliptin (Januvia)
- Saxagliptin (Onglyza)
- Linagliptin (Tradjenta)
- Empagliflozin (Jardiance)
- Canagliflozin (Invokana)
- Dapagliflozin (Farxiga)
- Exenatide (Byetta)
- Liraglutide (Victoza)
Gallery of Medications
FAQs
What is the PTCB exam?
+The PTCB exam is a certification exam for pharmacy technicians, administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Why is it important to know the top 200 drugs?
+Knowing the top 200 drugs is essential for pharmacy technicians, as it enables them to accurately identify and classify medications, understand their uses and potential interactions, and provide better patient care.
How can I prepare for the PTCB exam?
+You can prepare for the PTCB exam by studying the top 200 drugs, reviewing pharmacology and medication management concepts, and practicing with sample questions and mock exams.
In conclusion, knowing the top 200 drugs is crucial for pharmacy technicians to provide better patient care and pass the PTCB exam. By familiarizing yourself with these medications, you can improve your knowledge and skills in pharmacology and medication management.