Free Nursing Drug Cards/Chart – Top 150 Medications by Drug Class

Pharmacology is one of the most crucial subjects in nursing school—and one of the hardest to memorize. That’s why many nursing students use nursing drug cards to break down medications by class, learn mechanisms of action, and retain key facts for exams.

To help, we’ve created a Free Nursing Drug Cards PDF featuring the top 150 most common medications, categorized by drug class, generic name, trade name, and dosage.

Why Use Drug Cards in Nursing School?

Whether you’re preparing for pharmacology exams or the NCLEX, medication cards for nursing students are a must-have study tool. They provide a quick reference for essential medications and help you connect drugs to real-world patient care.

Below, we’ll cover some of the most important pharmacology drug cards organized by class.

Analgesics and Anti-Inflammatories

Analgesics can dull the sensation of pain by inhibiting the transmission of pain impulses along primary afferents, and convincing your brain that there’s no need to feel any pain.

Key analgesics:

• Acetaminophen
• Hydrocodone

Anti-inflammatories inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which is required to convert arachidonic acid into thromboxanes, prostaglandins, and prostacyclins. Their therapeutic effects are attributed to their lack of eicosanoids.

Key anti-inflammatories:

• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen

Antihypertensives

Centrally-acting antihypertensives reduce the amount of adrenaline in the brain. Peripherally-acting antihypertensives work by either depleting catecholamines, or by stopping their release into the bloodstream.

Key antihypertensives:

• Amlodipine
• Lisinopril

Anti-Infectives

Anti-infectives inhibit enzymatic processes necessary in the metabolic scheme of pathogenic organisms.

Key anti-infectives:

• Cefazolin
• Neomycin

Antidiabetics and Thyroid Drugs

Antidiabetics reduce the production of glucose in the liver and intestines, and increase the uptake and utilization of glucose in the bloodstream.

Key antidiabetics:

• Glimepiride
• Glipizide

Thyroid drugs inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis by competing for tyrosine residues of thyroglobulin with thyroid peroxidase (TPO), resulting in decreasing numbers of mono- and di-iodotyrosines.

Key thyroid drugs:

• Levothyroxine
• Metformin

Cardiac Drugs and Antilipidemics

Cardiac drugs bind to calcium channel proteins in cell membranes and prevent calcium ions from entering the cell. The result is a smoother contraction rhythm, less work for the heart, and relaxed blood vessels.

Key cardiac drugs:

• Atorvastatin
• Fluvastatin

Antilipidemics activate the hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). These receptors regulate enzymes that synthesize and secrete lipids.

Key antilipidemics:

• Gemfibrozil
• Pravastatin

Coagulation Modifiers

Coagulation Modifiers act in different places along the blood clotting pathway to prevent or promote clotting.

Key coagulation modifiers:

• Heparin
• Warfarin

Central Nervous System Drugs

Central nervous system drugs increase the activity of GABA, a chemical that inhibits brain activity. This action causes drowsiness and a sense of calmness, making the drug effective for anxiety and sleep disorders.

Key central nervous system drugs:

• Baclofen
• Hydroxyzine

Diuretics

Diuretics decrease the reabsorption of sodium at different sites in the nephron – and as a result, increase urinary sodium and water losses.

Key diuretics:

• Furosernide
• Metolazone

Respiratory Drugs

Respiratory drugs improve breathing by relaxing the smooth muscles of bronchial tubes and reducing mucus secretion.

Key respiratory drugs:

• Naloxone
• Albuterol

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients. Without them, the body wouldn’t be able to perform hundreds of biological functions.

Key vitamins and minerals:

• Vitamin D
• Magnesium

Unlock More Pharmacology Resources Here

When studying pharmacology, you need all the study tools you can get your hands on. Drug card templates, classification charts, pharmacology flashcards, SimpleNursing… 🙂

SimpleNursing makes memorization easier with colorful study guides, videos with rationales, question banks, and personalized study plans.

Make memorizing drug cards and passing nursing school a breeze with SimpleNursing.