1.8 Types of Medications

There are a variety of drugs and substances that clients may utilize for symptom management or to enhance their wellness. Nurses document clients’ use of prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal substances, and other supplements in the medical record. Some substances have a long half-life and have the potential to interact with new medications, so accuracy is vital. Ensuring an accurate medical record and knowledge of the different types of substances a client is taking is important for an effective nursing plan of care.

Prescription Medications

Drugs are prescribed by a licensed prescriber for a specific person’s use and regulated through the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). More information about FDA approval of medications is described in the “Legal/Ethical” chapter. Prescription medications include brand-name medications and generic medications.^[1]

Common Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots For Classes Of Medication

Table 1.8 provides prefixes, suffixes, and roots associated with common prescription medications. As a nurse, familiarizing yourself with the content in the table can help you to quickly organize medications based on their name and recall their mechanism of action and identify potential interactions or side effects. This knowledge can improve your ability to safely administer medications and provide health teaching. Ultimately, this knowledge can lead to improved client outcomes, increased satisfaction, and a reduced risk of adverse events and medication errors.

Table 1.8 Common Classes of Medications, Examples, Suffixes, and Roots

Generic Medications

Generic medications can be safe and effective alternatives to their brand-name counterparts at a significantly reduced cost. By law, generic medications must have the same chemically active ingredient in the same dose as the brand name (i.e., they must be “bio-equivalent”). However, the excipients (the base substance that holds the active chemical ingredient into a pill form (such as talc) or the flavoring can be different. Some clients do not tolerate these differences in excipients very well. When prescribing a medication, the provider must indicate that a generic substitution is acceptable. Nurses are often pivotal in completing insurance paperwork on the client’s behalf if the brand-name medication is more effective or better tolerated by that particular client.^[2] 

When studying medications in nursing school and preparing for the NCLEX, it is important to know medications by their generic name because the NCLEX does not include brand names in their questions.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications do not require a prescription. They can be bought at a store and may be used by multiple individuals. OTC medications are also regulated through the FDA. Some prescription medications are available for purchase as OTC in smaller doses. For example, diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is commonly prescribed as 50 mg every 6 hours, and the prescription strength is 50 mg. However, it can also be purchased OTC in 25 mg doses (or less for children.)^[3]

Herbals and Supplements

Herbs and supplements may include a wide variety of substances including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and botanicals.  Supplements such as “protein powders” are marketed to build muscle mass and can contain a variety of substances that may not be appropriate for all individuals. Herbals and supplements are often considered complementary and alternative medications (CAM). Complementary and alternative medications (CAM) are types of therapies that are commonly used in conjunction with or as an alternate to traditional medical therapies. These herbal and supplement substances are not regulated by the FDA, and most have not undergone rigorous scientific testing for safety for the public. While clients may be tempted to try these herbals and supplements, there is no guarantee that they contain the ingredients listed on the label. It is also important to remember that there is a potential for adverse effects or even overdose if the herbal or supplement contains some of the same drug that was also prescribed to a client.^[4] By understanding the use of CAM therapies, nurses can help their clients make informed decisions and take a holistic approach to their care. Additionally, being knowledgeable about CAM therapies can help nurses to better educate their clients on the potential benefits and risks associated with these therapies, which can help improve client outcomes and satisfaction.