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Best Drugs by Disease - Broad Reference Table
This covers first-line and key drugs across major chronic, cardiovascular, respiratory, infectious, neurological, and oncology categories. Drug choices are based on standard clinical guidelines.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
| Disease | Drug Class | Key Drugs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypertension (1st line) | ACE Inhibitor | Lisinopril, Enalapril, Ramipril | Preferred with diabetes, CKD, heart failure |
| ARB | Losartan, Valsartan | Alternative to ACE inhibitor (less cough) | |
| Calcium Channel Blocker | Amlodipine, Nifedipine | Preferred in elderly, Black patients | |
| Thiazide Diuretic | Hydrochlorothiazide, Chlorthalidone | Good for isolated systolic HTN | |
| Beta-Blocker | Metoprolol, Atenolol | Add-on; preferred post-MI or angina | |
| Heart Failure (HFrEF) | ACE Inhibitor / ARB | Enalapril, Sacubitril/Valsartan | ARNI (sacubitril/valsartan) is now preferred over ACE inhibitor |
| Beta-Blocker | Carvedilol, Metoprolol succinate, Bisoprolol | Reduces mortality | |
| Aldosterone Antagonist | Spironolactone, Eplerenone | Reduces mortality in EF <35% | |
| SGLT2 Inhibitor | Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin | Now standard-of-care in HFrEF and HFpEF | |
| Angina / ACS | Antiplatelet | Aspirin + Clopidogrel / Ticagrelor | Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) post-stent |
| Beta-Blocker | Metoprolol | Reduces ischemia and mortality | |
| Statin | Atorvastatin (high-intensity) | Mandatory post-ACS for all patients | |
| Nitrate | Nitroglycerin (sublingual) | Acute angina relief | |
| Atrial Fibrillation | Anticoagulant | Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran | DOACs preferred over warfarin |
| Rate Control | Metoprolol, Digoxin, Diltiazem | For rate control strategy | |
| Rhythm Control | Amiodarone, Flecainide, Sotalol | For rhythm control strategy | |
| Hyperlipidemia | Statin | Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin | Cornerstone of LDL lowering |
| PCSK9 Inhibitor | Evolocumab, Alirocumab | For statin-intolerant or very high risk | |
| Fibrate | Fenofibrate | For high triglycerides |
ENDOCRINE / METABOLIC DISEASES
| Disease | Drug Class | Key Drugs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 Diabetes | Biguanide | Metformin | Universal 1st-line agent |
| SGLT2 Inhibitor | Empagliflozin, Dapagliflozin | Added for CV/renal protection | |
| GLP-1 Agonist | Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), Liraglutide | Weight loss + CV benefit | |
| DPP-4 Inhibitor | Sitagliptin, Saxagliptin | Well-tolerated add-on | |
| Sulfonylurea | Glipizide, Glimepiride | Inexpensive, risk of hypoglycemia | |
| Insulin | Insulin glargine (basal), Aspart (rapid) | Advanced disease or type 1 DM | |
| Type 1 Diabetes | Insulin | Basal-bolus regimen (Glargine + Aspart/Lispro) | Mandatory lifelong therapy |
| Hypothyroidism | Thyroid hormone | Levothyroxine (T4) | Mainstay; titrated to TSH |
| Hyperthyroidism | Thionamide | Methimazole, Propylthiouracil (PTU) | PTU preferred in pregnancy (1st trimester) |
| Beta-Blocker | Propranolol | Symptom control (tachycardia, tremor) | |
| Osteoporosis | Bisphosphonate | Alendronate, Zoledronic acid | 1st-line; oral or IV |
| RANKL Inhibitor | Denosumab | For high-risk patients |
RESPIRATORY DISEASES
| Disease | Drug Class | Key Drugs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asthma (mild-intermittent) | Short-acting Beta-2 agonist (SABA) | Salbutamol (Albuterol) | Rescue inhaler; 1st-line for acute episodes |
| Asthma (persistent) | Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) | Budesonide, Fluticasone | Controller; 1st-line for persistent asthma |
| ICS + LABA combo | Budesonide/Formoterol, Fluticasone/Salmeterol | Step-up treatment | |
| Leukotriene Antagonist | Montelukast | Add-on or mild persistent alternative | |
| Biologic | Omalizumab, Mepolizumab, Dupilumab | For severe allergic or eosinophilic asthma | |
| COPD | Long-acting Anticholinergic (LAMA) | Tiotropium, Umeclidinium | 1st-line maintenance therapy |
| LABA | Salmeterol, Formoterol | Add-on or alternative | |
| LAMA + LABA combo | Umeclidinium/Vilanterol (Anoro) | Preferred for moderate-severe COPD | |
| ICS + LABA + LAMA triple | Fluticasone/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol | For frequent exacerbators | |
| Pneumonia (CAP) | Beta-lactam + Macrolide | Amoxicillin-clavulanate + Azithromycin | Outpatient moderate-severe CAP |
| Fluoroquinolone | Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin | Monotherapy alternative for CAP |
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
| Disease | Drug Class | Key Drugs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTI (uncomplicated) | Nitrofurantoin | Macrobid | 1st-line for uncomplicated cystitis |
| TMP-SMX | Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole | 2nd-line; check local resistance | |
| Fosfomycin | Fosfomycin trometamol | Single-dose option | |
| MRSA infection | Glycopeptide | Vancomycin (IV) | 1st-line for serious MRSA infections |
| Oxazolidinone | Linezolid | Oral option for MRSA skin/soft tissue | |
| TMP-SMX / Clindamycin | TMP-SMX, Clindamycin | 1st-line for uncomplicated MRSA skin infection | |
| Strep throat / Skin | Penicillin | Amoxicillin, Penicillin VK | 1st-line Group A Strep |
| Cephalosporin | Cephalexin | If penicillin allergy history is mild | |
| Tuberculosis | RIPE regimen | Rifampicin + Isoniazid + Pyrazinamide + Ethambutol | Standard 6-month regimen (2 months RIPE + 4 months RI) |
| HIV | NRTI + INSTI backbone | Tenofovir/Emtricitabine + Dolutegravir (TLD) | WHO-recommended preferred 1st-line regimen |
| NRTI + NNRTI | Tenofovir/Emtricitabine + Efavirenz | Common in resource-limited settings | |
| Malaria (P. falciparum) | Artemisinin combo (ACT) | Artemether-Lumefantrine (Coartem) | WHO 1st-line for uncomplicated falciparum malaria |
| Severe malaria | IV Artesunate | 1st-line for severe malaria (replaces quinine) | |
| Influenza | Neuraminidase inhibitor | Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) | Within 48h of symptom onset |
NEUROLOGICAL / PSYCHIATRIC DISEASES
| Disease | Drug Class | Key Drugs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression | SSRI | Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Escitalopram | 1st-line for MDD; well-tolerated |
| SNRI | Venlafaxine, Duloxetine | If pain or anxiety coexist | |
| Atypical | Bupropion | No sexual side effects; avoid in seizure risk | |
| Anxiety / GAD | SSRI / SNRI | Escitalopram, Sertraline, Venlafaxine | 1st-line long-term treatment |
| Benzodiazepine | Lorazepam, Diazepam | Short-term / acute anxiety only (habit-forming) | |
| Buspirone | Buspirone | Non-addictive option for GAD | |
| Bipolar Disorder | Mood stabilizer | Lithium | Gold standard for bipolar I |
| Anticonvulsant | Valproate, Lamotrigine | Alternatives; Lamotrigine for bipolar II depression | |
| Atypical antipsychotic | Quetiapine, Aripiprazole | For acute mania and maintenance | |
| Schizophrenia | Typical antipsychotic | Haloperidol, Chlorpromazine | Older; high EPS side effects |
| Atypical antipsychotic | Risperidone, Olanzapine, Clozapine | Preferred 1st-line; Clozapine for treatment-resistant | |
| Epilepsy (generalized) | Valproate | Valproic acid / Sodium valproate | 1st-line for generalized seizures |
| Lamotrigine | Lamotrigine | 1st-line (especially in women of childbearing age) | |
| Epilepsy (focal) | Carbamazepine / Levetiracetam | Carbamazepine, Levetiracetam | 1st-line for focal seizures |
| Parkinson's Disease | Dopamine precursor | Levodopa/Carbidopa | Most effective symptomatic treatment |
| Dopamine agonist | Pramipexole, Ropinirole | Used early to delay levodopa | |
| MAO-B inhibitor | Selegiline, Rasagiline | Mild early PD or adjunct | |
| Migraine (acute) | Triptan | Sumatriptan, Rizatriptan | 1st-line for moderate-severe migraine |
| NSAID | Ibuprofen, Naproxen | Mild-moderate migraine | |
| Migraine (prophylaxis) | Beta-blocker | Propranolol, Metoprolol | 1st-line prevention |
| Anticonvulsant | Topiramate, Valproate | Evidence-based prevention | |
| CGRP antagonist | Erenumab (Aimovig) | Newer targeted prevention | |
| Alzheimer's Disease | AChE inhibitor | Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine | Symptomatic; mild-moderate AD |
| NMDA antagonist | Memantine | Moderate-severe AD; often combined with donepezil | |
| Anti-amyloid biologic | Lecanemab (Leqembi) | Disease-modifying; early AD (approved 2023) |
GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES
| Disease | Drug Class | Key Drugs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GERD / Peptic Ulcer | Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) | Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Lansoprazole | 1st-line for GERD and PUD |
| H2 Blocker | Ranitidine (recall), Famotidine | 2nd-line or step-down | |
| H. pylori | Triple therapy | Amoxicillin + Clarithromycin + PPI x 14 days | 1st-line eradication regimen |
| Quadruple therapy | Bismuth + Metronidazole + Tetracycline + PPI | For clarithromycin-resistant strains | |
| IBD (Crohn's / UC) | Aminosalicylate | Mesalazine (5-ASA) | 1st-line for mild-moderate UC |
| Corticosteroid | Prednisolone, Budesonide | Induction of remission | |
| Immunosuppressant | Azathioprine, Mercaptopurine | Maintenance of remission | |
| Biologic (anti-TNF) | Infliximab, Adalimumab | Moderate-severe Crohn's / UC | |
| Constipation | Osmotic laxative | Macrogol (PEG), Lactulose | 1st-line |
| Diarrhea (acute) | ORS | Oral Rehydration Salts | Mainstay |
| Antibiotic | Azithromycin, Ciprofloxacin | Only for bacterial causes |
RENAL DISEASES
| Disease | Drug Class | Key Drugs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CKD with proteinuria | ACE Inhibitor / ARB | Lisinopril, Losartan | Renoprotective; 1st-line |
| SGLT2 Inhibitor | Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin | Now guideline-recommended for CKD | |
| IgA Nephropathy | Endothelin antagonist | Sparsentan, Atrasentan | Newer targeted therapy (FDA approved 2023-2025) |
ONCOLOGY (KEY EXAMPLES)
| Cancer | Drug Class | Key Drugs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast (HER2+) | Anti-HER2 + chemo | Trastuzumab + Pertuzumab + Docetaxel | THP regimen; ADC trastuzumab deruxtecan now 1st-line metastatic |
| Breast (HR+, HER2-) | CDK4/6 inhibitor + AI | Palbociclib/Ribociclib + Letrozole | Standard 1st-line metastatic |
| Lung (NSCLC, EGFR+) | EGFR inhibitor | Osimertinib (Tagrisso) | 1st-line for EGFR-mutant NSCLC |
| Lung (NSCLC, PD-L1 high) | Checkpoint inhibitor | Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) | 1st-line if PD-L1 ≥50% |
| CML | BCR-ABL inhibitor (TKI) | Imatinib, Dasatinib, Nilotinib | Imatinib was revolutionary; 2nd-gen now preferred |
| Colorectal | Chemo + anti-VEGF | FOLFOX + Bevacizumab | 1st-line metastatic CRC |
PAIN & ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
| Condition | Drug Class | Key Drugs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild-moderate pain | NSAID | Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac | 1st-line; avoid in renal disease / ulcers |
| Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) | Paracetamol | Safest analgesic for most patients | |
| Moderate-severe pain | Opioid | Morphine, Oxycodone, Tramadol | Tramadol: mild-moderate; Morphine: WHO Step 3 |
| Gout (acute) | NSAID / Colchicine | Indomethacin, Colchicine | Colchicine preferred if renal concerns |
| Gout (prophylaxis) | Xanthine oxidase inhibitor | Allopurinol, Febuxostat | Lowers urate long-term |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | DMARD | Methotrexate | Cornerstone of RA treatment |
| Biologic anti-TNF | Adalimumab, Etanercept, Infliximab | If MTX fails or severe disease | |
| JAK inhibitor | Tofacitinib, Baricitinib | Oral option if biologics fail/contraindicated |
QUICK REFERENCE CHEAT SHEET
| Condition | #1 Go-To Drug |
|---|---|
| Hypertension | Lisinopril (ACE-I) or Amlodipine |
| Type 2 Diabetes | Metformin |
| Heart Failure (EF low) | Sacubitril/Valsartan + Carvedilol + SGLT2i |
| Asthma (acute) | Salbutamol (Albuterol) inhaler |
| COPD (maintenance) | Tiotropium (LAMA) |
| Depression | Sertraline or Escitalopram (SSRI) |
| Bipolar | Lithium |
| Schizophrenia | Risperidone or Olanzapine |
| Epilepsy (generalized) | Valproate or Lamotrigine |
| Parkinson's | Levodopa/Carbidopa |
| Migraine (acute) | Sumatriptan |
| GERD / Peptic Ulcer | Omeprazole (PPI) |
| H. pylori | Triple therapy (Amox + Clarithro + PPI) |
| TB | RIPE regimen |
| HIV | TLD (TDF/FTC + Dolutegravir) |
| Malaria (P. falciparum) | Artemether-Lumefantrine |
| MRSA (serious) | Vancomycin |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | Methotrexate |
| Gout (acute) | Colchicine or Indomethacin |
| Osteoporosis | Alendronate |
| Hypothyroidism | Levothyroxine |
Notes:
- "First-line" always depends on patient-specific factors: allergies, comorbidities, organ function, age, and local resistance patterns.
- Guidelines vary between WHO, AHA/ACC, ESC, NICE, and national bodies - always verify against current local guidelines.
- Drug dosages are not listed here - always confirm dosing in a formulary before prescribing.
- Sources: Goldman-Cecil Medicine, Washington Manual, Goodman & Gilman's Pharmacology, Lippincott Pharmacology, Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (all in the medical library).
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