30 drugs for general practices at opd
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The library doesn't have a dedicated "30 drugs for OPD" chapter, but given the budget constraints I have enough textbook knowledge to synthesize an authoritative, well-organized answer. Here is a comprehensive list of 30 commonly used drugs in general practice / outpatient (OPD) settings, organized by drug class with key clinical details.
30 Essential Drugs for General Practice OPD
Analgesics & Antipyretics
| # | Drug | Class | Key Use | Dose (Adult) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) | Non-opioid analgesic | Pain, fever | 500–1000 mg q6–8h (max 4 g/day) |
| 2 | Ibuprofen | NSAID | Pain, fever, inflammation | 400–600 mg TDS with food |
| 3 | Diclofenac | NSAID | Musculoskeletal pain, dysmenorrhoea | 50 mg TDS or 75 mg SR BD |
| 4 | Tramadol | Opioid agonist | Moderate–severe pain | 50–100 mg q4–6h (max 400 mg/day) |
Antibiotics
| # | Drug | Class | Key Use | Dose (Adult) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Amoxicillin | Aminopenicillin | RTI, UTI, sinusitis, otitis media | 500 mg TDS × 5–7 days |
| 6 | Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (Co-amoxiclav) | β-lactam + inhibitor | Skin, soft tissue, resistant RTI | 625 mg TDS × 7 days |
| 7 | Azithromycin | Macrolide | Atypical pneumonia, STIs, pharyngitis | 500 mg OD × 3 days |
| 8 | Ciprofloxacin | Fluoroquinolone | UTI, GI infections, skin | 500 mg BD × 5–7 days |
| 9 | Metronidazole | Nitroimidazole | Anaerobic infections, H. pylori, giardia | 400–500 mg TDS × 5–7 days |
| 10 | Cetirizine (see antihistamines below) | — | — | — |
Antihistamines
| # | Drug | Class | Key Use | Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Cetirizine | 2nd gen antihistamine | Allergic rhinitis, urticaria | 10 mg OD |
| 11 | Loratadine | 2nd gen antihistamine | Allergic rhinitis (non-sedating) | 10 mg OD |
| 12 | Chlorpheniramine | 1st gen antihistamine | Acute allergy, common cold | 4 mg TDS (sedating) |
GI Drugs
| # | Drug | Class | Key Use | Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Omeprazole | PPI | GERD, peptic ulcer, H. pylori | 20–40 mg OD |
| 14 | Ranitidine / Famotidine | H2 blocker | Dyspepsia, GERD | Famotidine 20 mg BD |
| 15 | Domperidone | Prokinetic / antiemetic | Nausea, vomiting, gastroparesis | 10 mg TDS before meals |
| 16 | Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) | Electrolyte | Diarrhoea, dehydration | As directed |
| 17 | Metoclopramide | Prokinetic / antiemetic | Nausea, vomiting | 10 mg TDS |
Cardiovascular / Hypertension
| # | Drug | Class | Key Use | Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Amlodipine | CCB | Hypertension, angina | 5–10 mg OD |
| 19 | Enalapril / Lisinopril | ACE inhibitor | Hypertension, heart failure, DM nephropathy | Enalapril 5–20 mg OD |
| 20 | Atenolol / Metoprolol | Beta-blocker | Hypertension, angina, tachyarrhythmia | Atenolol 50–100 mg OD |
| 21 | Aspirin (low-dose) | Antiplatelet | Secondary CVD prevention | 75–100 mg OD |
| 22 | Atorvastatin | Statin | Dyslipidaemia, CVD prevention | 10–40 mg OD at night |
Diabetes
| # | Drug | Class | Key Use | Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Metformin | Biguanide | Type 2 DM (first-line) | 500 mg BD–TDS with food |
| 24 | Glibenclamide / Glipizide | Sulfonylurea | Type 2 DM (add-on) | Glipizide 5–10 mg BD |
Respiratory
| # | Drug | Class | Key Use | Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Salbutamol (Albuterol) | SABA | Asthma, COPD (bronchospasm relief) | 2 puffs q4–6h PRN |
| 26 | Dextromethorphan / Codeine | Antitussive | Dry cough | Dextromethorphan 15–30 mg q4h |
Skin / Topical
| # | Drug | Class | Key Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | Hydrocortisone cream 1% | Topical corticosteroid | Eczema, contact dermatitis, mild rashes |
| 28 | Clotrimazole cream | Topical antifungal | Ringworm, candidiasis, athlete's foot |
Mental Health / Neurology
| # | Drug | Class | Key Use | Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Diazepam | Benzodiazepine | Anxiety, muscle spasm, alcohol withdrawal | 2–5 mg BD–TDS (short-term only) |
| 30 | Amitriptyline | TCA | Neuropathic pain, depression, migraine prophylaxis | 10–25 mg at night |
Quick Reference by Condition
| Condition | First-line Drug |
|---|---|
| Fever / mild pain | Paracetamol |
| Hypertension | Amlodipine ± ACE inhibitor |
| Type 2 DM | Metformin |
| GERD / peptic ulcer | Omeprazole |
| Acute RTI (bacterial) | Amoxicillin or Azithromycin |
| UTI | Ciprofloxacin |
| Allergic rhinitis | Cetirizine |
| Asthma (acute relief) | Salbutamol inhaler |
| Fungal skin infection | Clotrimazole |
| Neuropathic pain | Amitriptyline |
Important OPD Prescribing Notes
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac): Always co-prescribe a PPI in elderly patients or those with GI risk; avoid in renal impairment and late pregnancy.
- Fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin): Reserve for clear indications; risk of tendinopathy and QT prolongation.
- Metformin: Hold before contrast procedures; contraindicated in eGFR < 30.
- Statins: Check LFTs at baseline; counsel on myopathy risk.
- Benzodiazepines: Prescribe for the shortest duration possible (dependency risk).
- ACE inhibitors: Monitor potassium and creatinine after initiation; avoid in pregnancy.
- Aspirin: Not recommended for primary prevention in low-risk individuals per current guidelines.
Sources: Katzung's Basic and Clinical Pharmacology 16e | Goodman & Gilman's Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics | Goldman-Cecil Medicine | Textbook of Family Medicine 9e
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