Prototype drugs

The NCLEX teaches pharmacology by prototype — one representative drug whose action, adverse effects, and nursing care generalize to its whole class. Learn the prototype and you carry the class.

75 prototypes

Prototype Drug class System

acetaminophen

Acetaminophen (Non-Opioid Analgesic)

System Nervous

acyclovir -vir

Antivirals

System Immune / Anti-infective

albuterol -terol

Bronchodilators

System Respiratory

alendronate -dronate

Bisphosphonates

System Musculoskeletal

allopurinol

Antigout Agents

System Musculoskeletal

amiodarone

Antiarrhythmics

System Cardiovascular

amitriptyline

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

System Nervous

amlodipine -dipine

Calcium Channel Blockers

System Cardiovascular

amoxicillin -cillin

Penicillins

System Immune / Anti-infective

atorvastatin -statin

Statins

System Cardiovascular

atropine

Anticholinergics (Atropine)

System Autonomic

azithromycin -thromycin

Macrolides

System Immune / Anti-infective

bethanechol

Cholinergic Agonists

System Autonomic

bupropion

Atypical Antidepressants

System Nervous

cephalexin cef-

Cephalosporins

System Immune / Anti-infective

ciprofloxacin -floxacin

Fluoroquinolones

System Immune / Anti-infective

clindamycin

Clindamycin / Lincosamides

System Immune / Anti-infective

clopidogrel

Antiplatelets

System Cardiovascular

cromolyn

Mast-Cell Stabilizers

System Respiratory

cyanocobalamin

Vitamin B12 & Folate

System Hematologic

cyclobenzaprine

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

System Musculoskeletal

desmopressin

Pituitary / ADH Agents

System Endocrine

diazepam -pam / -lam

Benzodiazepines

System Nervous

dicyclomine

GI Antispasmodics

System Digestive / GI

digoxin High-alert

Cardiac Glycosides (Digoxin)

System Cardiovascular

diphenhydramine (1st-gen)

Antihistamines

System Respiratory

donepezil

Alzheimer / Dementia Agents

System Nervous

doxycycline -cycline

Tetracyclines

System Immune / Anti-infective

epoetin alfa epoetin

Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs)

System Hematologic

ethinyl estradiol / progestin -estradiol / -gestrel

Sex Hormones & Hormonal Contraceptives

System Reproductive & OB

famotidine -tidine

H2 Antagonists

System Digestive / GI

ferrous sulfate

Iron / Anemia Agents

System Hematologic

filgrastim filgrastim

Colony-Stimulating Factors

System Hematologic

fluconazole

Systemic Antifungals

System Immune / Anti-infective

fluticasone

Inhaled Corticosteroids

System Respiratory

furosemide -semide

Loop Diuretics

System Renal

gentamicin -micin

Aminoglycosides

System Immune / Anti-infective

haloperidol

Antipsychotics

System Nervous

heparin High-alert

Anticoagulants

System Cardiovascular

hydrochlorothiazide

Thiazide Diuretics

System Renal

hydrocortisone

Topical Corticosteroids

System Integumentary

ibuprofen

NSAIDs

System Musculoskeletal

isoniazid

Antitubercular Agents

System Immune / Anti-infective

levodopa/carbidopa

Antiparkinson Agents

System Nervous

levothyroxine

Thyroid Agents

System Endocrine

lisinopril -pril

ACE Inhibitors

System Cardiovascular

lithium carbonate High-alert

Mood Stabilizers (Lithium)

System Nervous

loperamide

Antidiarrheals

System Digestive / GI

losartan -sartan

ARBs

System Cardiovascular

meropenem -penem

Carbapenems

System Immune / Anti-infective

mesalamine

5-ASA / IBD Agents

System Digestive / GI

metformin

Oral Antidiabetics

System Endocrine

methotrexate

Immunosuppressants / Biologics / DMARDs

System Immune / Anti-infective

methylphenidate

CNS Stimulants (ADHD)

System Nervous

metoprolol -olol

Beta-Blockers

System Cardiovascular

metronidazole

Metronidazole

System Immune / Anti-infective

montelukast -lukast

Leukotriene Modifiers

System Respiratory

morphine High-alert

Opioid Analgesics

System Nervous

nitroglycerin

Nitrates

System Cardiovascular

norepinephrine High-alert

Vasopressors & Inotropes

System Cardiovascular

omeprazole -prazole

Proton Pump Inhibitors

System Digestive / GI

ondansetron -setron

Antiemetics

System Digestive / GI

oxytocin High-alert

Oxytocin (Uterotonic)

System Reproductive & OB

phenelzine

MAOIs

System Nervous

phenytoin

Anticonvulsants

System Nervous

prednisone -sone / -olone

Corticosteroids

System Endocrine

sertraline

SSRIs

System Nervous

silver sulfadiazine

Wound & Burn Agents

System Integumentary

spironolactone

Potassium-Sparing Diuretics

System Renal

succinylcholine High-alert

Neuromuscular Blockers

System Nervous

sumatriptan -triptan

Triptans

System Nervous

theophylline

Methylxanthines (Theophylline)

System Respiratory

trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)

Sulfonamides

System Immune / Anti-infective

vancomycin

Vancomycin (Glycopeptide)

System Immune / Anti-infective

venlafaxine

SNRIs

System Nervous

A stem (e.g. -olol) is the shared name fragment that flags the class. Open any class for the full drug roster and nursing care.