For any technicians who work in retail or community pharmacies, you are well aware there are a handful of medications you fill over and over and over…
In reference to the PTCB exam, there’s a strong chance these medications will come up in some form. Recognizing them will help ensure a passing score for the big day!
This list refers to the highest volume of individuals and prescriptions for each medication. It is not medications with the highest spending/costs; that list is drastically different due to insurance coverage and climbing costs of brand-name meds.
You may notice under the route column there is an abbreviation (ex: by mouth > PO). This will help you get comfortable with some abbreviations you’ll see on a prescription. These will also come up on your exam, so get into the habit of “translating” each abbreviation whenever possible
Medications and Their Use
| Generic Name | Brand Name | Route | Use |
| Atorvastatin | Lipitor | By Mouth (PO) | High Cholesterol |
| Metformin | Gluco-phage* Fortamet | By Mouth (PO) | Type 2 diabetes High blood sugar |
| Levothyroxine | Synthriod | By Mouth (PO) | Hypo-thyroidism Goiters Thyroid cancer |
| Lisinopril | Zesteril* Qbrelis | By Mouth (PO) | High blood pressure Heart failure |
| Amlodipine | Norvasc | By Mouth (PO) | High blood pressure Relaxes blood vessels |
| Metoprolol | Lopressor | By Mouth (PO) | High blood pressure and angina (chest pain) Relaxes blood vessels |
| Albuterol | ProAir | Inhalation (INH) | COPD Asthma |
| Losartan | Cozaar | By Mouth (PO) | High blood pressure Kdney disease |
| Omeprazole | Prilosec | By Mouth (PO) | GERD |
| Gabapentin | Gralise Neurontin* | By Mouth (PO) | Nerve pain Seizures |
| Sertraline | Zoloft | By Mouth (PO) | Mood disorders |
| Hydrochloro-thiazide | Microzide | By Mouth (PO) | High blood pressure Diuretic |
| Rosuvastatin | Crestor | By Mouth (PO) | High cholesterol |
| Montelukast | Singulair | By Mouth (PO) | Asthma Allergy attacks |
| Escitalo-pram | Lexapro | By Mouth (PO) | Depression and GAD |
| Simvastatin | Flolipid Zocor* | By Mouth (PO) | High cholesterol |
| Dextro-amphetamine Amphetamine | Adderall | By Mouth (PO) | ADHD Narcolepsy |
| Buproprion | Wellbutrin | By Mouth (PO) | Depression Smoking cessation |
| Pantoprazole | Protonix | By Mouth (PO) | GERD Heart burn Acid reflux |
| Acetaminophen Hydrocodone | Norco* Vicodin | By Mouth (PO) | Pain Cough |
Any medications with multiple brand names will have an * next to one of the names. I have added the * to represent the brand name I’ve most commonly seen but provided other brand names to give you an idea as to why brand-to-generic names can get tricky.
Medications in red are CII medications and have strict federal and state regulations regarding their use and insurance coverage
Sources
NYRequirements Blog: The 50 Most Commonly Prescribed Drugs in the United States
HealthGrades: The Top 50 Drugs Prescribed in the United States
GoodRX: Top 10 Prescription Medications in the U.S.