Common Drugs You Might Encounter During Your Clinical Internship

Friedrich Sertümer invented the first ever modern pharmaceutical medicine in 1804. Since then, there have been hundreds of medicines used in the world, and every day, scientists are trying to come up with new, innovative, cost-efficient medicine for the common people.

As future medical practitioners, especially interns, you must be aware of the common medicines that your supervisor might prescribe their patients. Doing rounds and shadowing your supervisor would be hard if you aren’t aware of a certain drug administered.

Continue reading the following medicines you might encounter during your clinical internship to stay on top of your peers.

Nitrogen Monoxide

Nitrogen monoxide comprises nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O). It has two forms: a drug and a favorite supplement for individuals who work out. You must know the difference so you don’t mistake the two.

Supplement

Nitrogen monoxide is also called nitric oxide, a compound that causes the blood vessels to widen (a vasodilator) and stimulate the release of certain hormones, e.g., human growth hormone and insulin.

In its supplements form, it’s been found to enhance exercise and recovery, enabling enhanced tolerance to exercise among those who take N.O. supplements. It can help elite athletes produce the best possible results since it can reduce soreness after a workout and enhance performance.

Drug

As mentioned, N.O. is a vasodilating agent. It’s often used to treat hypoxic respiratory failure among premature neonates. If you’re in the neonatal department during your medical rotation, you may see N.O. firsthand, especially if you’re part of the surgery department.

N.O. as a drug can be inhaled through the mouth or nose. It’s used to relax the smooth muscles to widen the blood vessels in the lungs. A doctor will supervise the administration of this drug for a patient’s respiratory needs.

Levothyroxine

Patients with hypothyroidism are prescribed levothyroxine or Synthroid. It’s a synthetic form of thyroxine (T4), a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. A diagnosed hypothyroidism patient is low in T4, so doctors prescribe this medication so they can get their T4, which is responsible for a patient’s mood, body temperature and metabolism.

Adderall

Adderall is a short-term solution for ADHD patients. It’s a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamines. It’s been approved by the FDA and used as a band-aid for ADD and narcolepsy.

Adderall is a drug that’s popular with students as it’s often taken to increase focus and productivity. However, prolonged use of this drug can form an addiction so it’s not advised to be taken as a recreational drug. The side effects of this drug are just like other stimulants: anxiety, depression, psychosis, heart attack and loss of appetite. Ensure the patient is aware of the side effects to avoid taking too much and becoming addicted.

Metformin

Metformin or Glucophage is prescribed to diabetes patients. It’s the first-line option by physicians when they newly diagnose a patient with diabetes. Metformin is used to manage diabetes in numerous ways. The drug also helps the liver inhibit hepatic glucose production and reduce glucose absorption.

Metformin also works with the intestines and lowers the amount of sugar a patient’s intestines can absorb. This medication makes insulin much more sensitive to circulating sugar. Due to the condition, the body’s insulin can’t function well, but medication can help improve this function.

Atorvastatin

Atorvastatin is a part of the statin therapies, the first-line treatment option for patients with high cholesterol. The medicine works with the liver and modifies how much cholesterol the body makes in the liver. It blocks enzymes in the liver that are responsible for making cholesterol.

A doctor would prescribe this medication and advise the patient to undergo a nutritious diet for reasons such as:

• Lowering triglycerides for patients with high triglyceride levels
• Lowering the risk of stroke and heart attack for patients with type 2 diabetes
• Lowering cholesterol levels of patients under the age of 10 to 17 years old that got the condition due to hereditary reasons

Omeprazole

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that lowers the acid amount cells produce in the patient’s stomach lining. Omeprazole or Prilosec is available as an over-the-counter or prescription drug – depending on the dosage.

Doctors prescribe this medication for the following reasons:

• heartburn
• peptic ulcer disease
• helicobacter pylori infection

Once prescribed with omeprazole, you’ll usually take it once a day. Since it doesn’t affect the stomach, you can freely take it before or after meals. Make sure to check with your doctor’s prescription for a more accurate way of taking omeprazole.

Final Thoughts

A clinical internship is the favorite moment of every pre-med or medical student worldwide. It’s where you can finally interact with patients and doctors and be in a setting you’ve always dreamed of.

One way of getting to enjoy your internship is by familiarizing yourself with medications and treatments. Although by no means is this a definitive list of medications you’ll encounter, it’s best to know a few to get started.