Top Drugs 2 - Medications you NEED to Know

Learning medications is one of the most intimidating, overwhelming, and difficult aspects of entering a healthcare field.

Where do you start? There are

Top Drugs is designed to break down what you NEED to know into easily understandable / easy to learn chunks.

This course follows which conditions are most prevalent, and which drugs are most popular. This way, the student learns which drugs are actually used in practice. Which drugs are fast movers in every pharmacy. The gold standard drugs for each condition.

This course will provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge to enter a healthcare field, preparing them to excel.

Benefit in having the advantage over other applicants. Imagine already knowing a bulk of basic medications while applying to Pharmacy, Medical, Nursing, PA, or Dental school. How impressive would you be to the administrators?

Avoid the overwhelming feeling of starting your first rotation at a hospital, with only a few weeks of school under your belt. Avoid being completely clueless about what is going on. Go in with a foundation of knowledge, putting yourself above the competition.

I have been through professional school. The first couple of years were rough. Had I known what I know now, I would have prepared. I would have gone in with a foundation of drug knowledge.

That is what this course provides. Whatever healthcare field you are entering, or considering entering - go in with a strong foundation. Blow away your competition, outshine the other applicants. This is possible with some determination, and made simple with these courses.

Entire semesters of schooling can be dedicated to certain conditions. This course provides concise, relevant MUST KNOW education about each condition.

Different career paths require different pieces of medicinal knowledge. This course can be used by students in ALL of the different healthcare career fields.

Medications are sorted into a hierarchy. Each medication will have a popularity designation. I will tell you when medications are hospital only, over the counter, retail pharmacy only, etc. I will tell you when a medication is an absolute MUST KNOW. I will tell you when a drug is not very popular and only certain professionals will need to remember it.

The point of this course is to provide drug information that can be used for any future healthcare professional, at any step of their education journey. You can decide how to utilize the information, you can decide what you need to take note of. I will present every angle of the information.

The Drugs and Conditions NEED to Know Medication courses are broken into conditions. Under each condition, there will be:

Condition Overview: Learn about the condition. What are the signs and symptoms? What causes the condition? What are the treatments? What are the treatment goals? Who needs treatment?
Medication Overview: The bulk of the course will focus on medications. What medications are used to treat this condition? What are the first line medications? When would you use other medications? When and how are these medications used? Medications will be broken into drug classes and popularity. Each medication will have a hierarchy designation. How important is it to know this medication? They will be sorted in importance.
MUST KNOW Medication Conclusion: Going over the important medications at the end of each condition presentation. You have learned about the condition and the medications used for it, now what do you absolutely need to remember?
Condition Outline: A printable, downloadable, one page Word document summarizing every drug discussed in each presentation. Sorted in the usual hierarchy. Brand and generic names will be listed. You can print these documents prior to the presentations, and use to take notes that are relevant to you and your career.

Part 1:

Blood Pressure/Hypertension
Diabetes
Cholesterol/Hyperlipidemia
OTC - Cough, Cold, Allergy

Part 2:

Depression/Anxiety
GERD - Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease
Pain
Thyroid Disorders

Part 3:

Antibiotics
Acute Sickness
ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Immunizations/Vaccines

Part 4:

Asthma/COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Gout
BPH/ED - Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/Erectile Dysfunction
Sleep Disorders
Bone Health

Part 5:

Birth Control
Incontinence / Overactive Bladder
Anticoagulation / Blood Clots
Arrhythmia Disorders
Dementia / Alzheimer's Disease

List of the Top 200 Drugs of 2020 along with which Top Drugs course covers each medication available on the Drugs and Conditions website

I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) and a topic expert in medications. I'm a currently practicing pharmacist, with experience in retail and hospital settings - As well as academia/consultation areas of healthcare. With the purchase of my course you are obtaining advice/Q&A/expertise on medication related healthcare topics, as long as you are enrolled. I will be open and responsive to questions or discussion in the course pages.

Click the Expand Arrows under each section of "Course Content" to see exactly what is included in each presentation.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Know top drugs! from basic name and class to simple uses and dangers
Discover effective ways to learn and remember top drugs!
Learn which drugs are actually used in practice, the drugs you need to know!
Get an advantage over classmates and other applicants with a solid foundation of medicinal knowledge!
Understand when they're used, why they're used, and how they're used

Learn medication classes, brand, generic, and conditions they treat
Understand basic conditions, including signs and symptoms, goals, who needs treatment, and when and how to treat
Strengthen foundation of knowledge for exams such as nclex and pharmacy technician boards
Learn some basic pharmacology introduction!

Know top drugs! from basic name and class to simple uses and dangers
Discover effective ways to learn and remember top drugs!
Learn which drugs are actually used in practice, the drugs you need to know!
Get an advantage over classmates and other applicants with a solid foundation of medicinal knowledge!
Understand when they're used, why they're used, and how they're used
Learn medication classes, brand, generic, and conditions they treat
Understand basic conditions, including signs and symptoms, goals, who needs treatment, and when and how to treat
Strengthen foundation of knowledge for exams such as nclex and pharmacy technician boards
Learn some basic pharmacology introduction!

Syllabus

Learn a condition overview of Thyroid Disorders - including causes, symptoms, treatment goals, and long term effects. Then focus on treatment and common medications. What you need to know!

Thyroid Disorder Condition Overview

Signs and symptoms of over and under active thyroid
What is the difference in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism?
What are the treatment goals of hyper and hypo thyroidism?
What happens if it goes untreated?
How does thyroid disorder treatment work?

Thyroid Disorder Medication Overview - Drugs that treat hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism will be discussed. There are not many medications in this presentation. However, one drug we will thoroughly discuss is among the top 3 medications in America.

A list of the Top 200 Drugs of 2020 displaying which Top Drugs course covers each medication. The majority of the Top 200 Drugs are discussed in one of the five Top Drugs courses.

Students can use this list as a reference when they are trying to learn about a specific drug, or see the progress they're making in learning all the Top Drugs.

Also available on www.DrugsandConditions.com/Drugs

Depression Condition Overview

Signs and symptoms of depression
The debated causes of depression
How does depression treatment work?

Depression Medication Overview - The many medications that treat depression. When, why, and how each is used. Including St. John's Wort, Trazodone, MAOI's, SSRI's, SNRI's, Wellbutrin, Remeron, and TCA's. Learn the details of one of the most common drug classes in America, and one that is constantly expanding!

Anxiety Condition Overview

Signs and symptoms of anxiety
The different types of anxiety
How does anxiety treatment work?
What are the differences in depression and anxiety treatment?

Anxiety Medication Overview - The many medications that treat anxiety. When, why, and how each is used. Including SSRI's, SNRI's, Buspar, Vistaril, Amitripyline, and Benzodiazepines. Why is everyone on a benzodiazepine? Aren't they dangerous? Learn about one of the most commonly ignored recommendations in medicine!

MUST KNOW Medication Conclusion- Going over the important medications at the end of each condition presentation. You have learned about the condition and the medications used for it, now what do you absolutely need to remember?

Downloadable "Outline" of medications for the topic/condition. The outline will include brand and generic names of medications, as well as some general condition overview information. Medication hierarchy is the same (without stars). Print out and take notes along with lecture - use notes to gear towards your specific career field (what you NEED to know!)

GERD Condition Overview

Signs and symptoms of GERD
The causes of GERD
How can you prevent GERD?
How does GERD treatment work?
Can GERD be treated chronically or is it just considered an acute condition?

GERD Medication Overview - There are not many drugs that treat GERD, but they are among the most common medications in existence. Antacids, H2RAs, and PPIs will be discussed. Why are the ever powerful PPIs falling out of favor?

Pain Condition Overview

Pain does not need much of an introduction. Everyone knows what pain is! We will discuss different types of pain, which kinds of pain should be treated OTC, and which medications work for each type of pain.

Pain Medication Overview - Non-opioid pain medications will be discussed. Discussed medications will range from OTC pain agents, to RX only, to muscle relaxants, to nerve pain agents. The bulk of this presentation will be discussing the complexities of NSAIDs - one of the most popular drug classes in America. What are the differences in Aspirin, Tylenol, and Ibuprofen?

Opioid Overview

Opioids are a massive topic and a massive problem in healthcare today. The many factors surrounding opioid use will be discussed. From common side effects to dangers, from abuse potential to overdose, from C4 to C2 narcotics.

Pain Medication Overview - All common opioid medications will be discussed. Opioids will be discussed in usual hierarchy of popularity as well as sorted in potency. Learn all the details of the most dangerous drugs in existence.

www.DrugsandConditions.com

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a solid foundation of knowledge for those entering healthcare fields, giving them an advantage over other applicants to professional programs

Covers prevalent conditions and popular drugs, teaching learners which drugs are actually used in practice and are fast movers in every pharmacy

Offers concise, relevant education about conditions, which can be valuable considering entire semesters of schooling can be dedicated to certain conditions

Medications are sorted into a hierarchy with popularity designations, indicating when medications are hospital-only, over-the-counter, or retail pharmacy-only

Includes access to advice, Q&A, and expertise on medication-related healthcare topics from a practicing pharmacist with experience in retail, hospital, and academia

Focuses on the Top 200 Drugs of 2020, but learners should note that newer lists are available and may reflect changes in prescribing patterns

Reviews summary

Practical drug knowledge for healthcare

Learners say this course provides a highly practical and concise foundation for understanding the "must-know" medications essential for healthcare fields. Students found it exceptionally helpful for preparing for exams like the NCLEX or technician boards, and for gaining confidence in real-world clinical settings. The focus on the most common drugs and conditions helps to simplify learning and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Many appreciated the clear explanations and the usefulness of the downloadable outlines. While excellent for building core knowledge, those with extensive prior experience might find it primarily a solid review.

Provides a strong foundation, less advanced detail.

"Great for beginners or as a review for established professionals, but not deep pharmacology."

"It's a good starting point, but I recognize I'll need more advanced resources later."

"Covers the essentials well, but some complex topics could potentially go deeper."

Downloadable outlines aid in studying.

"The printable outlines were incredibly useful for taking notes and reviewing key points."

"I referenced the outlines constantly while watching the lectures and afterwards."

"Having the brand and generic names listed in one place on the outline was a definite plus."

Efficiently covers essential drug information.

"Loved the 'NEED to KNOW' approach; it saved so much time and focus."

"It cut through the overwhelming amount of drug information out there."

"Perfect for getting a solid foundation without getting bogged down in unnecessary details."

Excellent for studying for healthcare exams.

"This course helped me tremendously with my NCLEX preparation."

"Studying for my technician board exam was much easier after completing this."

"Gave me confidence going into my first clinical rotations knowing the top drugs."

Centers on drugs used in real practice.

"The most valuable part was learning about drugs actually used in the hospital setting."

"It wasn't just theoretical, it was about practical patient care scenarios."

"I learned which drugs I would see every day working in a pharmacy or clinic."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Top Drugs 2 - Medications you NEED to Know - Pharmacy with these activities:

Review Basic Physiology

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Reviewing basic physiology concepts will provide a stronger foundation for understanding how drugs interact with the body.

Browse courses on Physiology

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Review notes from previous physiology coursework.
Complete practice questions on key physiological processes.
Focus on topics related to major organ systems.

Read 'Pharmacology for Healthcare Professionals'

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Reading this book will provide a broader understanding of pharmacology principles and drug information.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read assigned chapters before each corresponding course module.
Take notes on key concepts and drug information.
Use the book as a reference when studying specific drugs.

Create a Drug Information Sheet Template

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Creating a template will help you organize and retain key information about each drug covered in the course.

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Identify essential data points for each drug (e.g., brand name, generic name, mechanism of action, indications, contraindications, adverse effects).
Design a template with clear sections for each data point.
Populate the template with information from course materials and external resources.

Four other activities

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Participate in Study Groups

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Participating in study groups will allow you to reinforce your understanding of the material and learn from your peers.

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Form a study group with other students in the course.
Schedule regular study sessions to review course material.
Discuss challenging concepts and practice applying your knowledge.

Create Flashcards for Top Drugs

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Creating flashcards will help you memorize key drug information and improve recall.

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Identify the most important drugs covered in the course.
Create flashcards with the drug name on one side and key information (e.g., mechanism of action, indications, adverse effects) on the other.
Review the flashcards regularly to reinforce your knowledge.

Review 'Mosby's Drug Guide for Nursing Students'

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Reviewing this drug guide will provide a quick reference for essential drug information.

View Mosby's Drug Guide for Nursing Students with... on Amazon

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Use the guide to look up drugs encountered in clinical practice.
Focus on the nursing considerations for each drug.
Compare the information in the guide to what you learned in the course.

Answer Questions in Online Forums

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Answering questions will reinforce your understanding of the material and help others learn.

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Regularly check the course discussion forums for questions from other students.
Provide clear and accurate answers to the questions.
Cite your sources when appropriate.

Career center

Learners who complete Top Drugs 2 - Medications you NEED to Know - Pharmacy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Pharmacist

A pharmacist dispenses medications and provides expertise on their use. This course directly supports a career as a pharmacist, as it focuses on the most prevalent conditions, and the most popular medications, which are key to dispensing and understanding drug therapies. The course material is organized by condition, which is how pharmacists often approach drug therapy. The course will help build a strong foundation of drug knowledge, which is highly relevant for students entering a pharmacy program or practice, and will help with everyday use in a pharmacy. The course provides a broad overview of common medications, which is essential for a pharmacist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacist

Clinical Pharmacist

A clinical pharmacist provides pharmaceutical care directly to patients in a hospital setting. This course is exceptionally helpful for a clinical pharmacist because it focuses on the most popular medications used in practice, which are key to understanding drug therapies. The course material is organized by condition, which is how pharmacists often approach drug therapy. This course will help build a strong foundation of drug knowledge, which is highly relevant for students entering a pharmacy program or practice, and will help with everyday use in a hospital. The course provides a broad overview of common medications, which is essential for a clinical pharmacist. This role typically requires a PharmD.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Pharmacist

Pharmacy Technician

A pharmacy technician assists pharmacists in dispensing medications. This course is suitable for a pharmacy technician because it teaches the names, classes, and uses of the most common medications. The course's focus on brand and generic names will help pharmacy technicians accurately fill prescriptions. A practical focus on medication use makes the class highly applicable to the day to day work of a pharmacy technician. The course also covers the different places a medication might be found, something a pharmacy tech will need to know.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacy Technician

Nursing Assistant

A nursing assistant provides basic care to patients under the supervision of a registered nurse. This course is helpful for nursing assistants because it introduces common medications and their uses, which is highly relevant to their work. A focus on popular medications will improve their understanding of medical treatments in a practical way. While the course does not cover how drugs are administered, a general knowledge of medication provided here will be very helpful to a nursing assistant.

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Registered Nurse

A registered nurse administers medications and monitors patient responses. This course is helpful for a registered nurse because it provides a foundation of knowledge about the most popular medications used in healthcare settings. The course emphasizes the practical application of drugs in treating common conditions, which is directly relevant to the daily work of a nurse. The course's focus on the hierarchy of medications and their uses can help nurses prioritize their learning and understanding of drug therapies, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet patients' needs.

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Physician Assistant

A physician assistant diagnoses illnesses and prescribes medications. This course may be useful for a physician assistant as it teaches the most common drugs used in practice, which is valuable when formulating treatment plans. The course emphasizes the clinical relevance of medications by presenting them in the context of common conditions, a perspective that will help a physician assistant make informed choices about drug therapies. This course may help to introduce a student to the practical application of drug therapies, which is an essential skill for PAs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician Assistant

Medical Doctor

A medical doctor diagnoses and treats illnesses using medications and other therapies. This course may be useful to a medical doctor because it teaches the most common drugs used in practice. The course will help doctors solidify their knowledge of the practical side of drug therapies and their application. A focus on the gold standard drug for each condition will help doctors quickly select appropriate medications for patients. This course's emphasis on the clinical aspect of medications may be highly useful for medical students looking to build a foundation in pharmacology.

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Mental Health Counselor

A mental health counselor provides therapy and support to individuals with mental health conditions. While this role primarily focuses on therapy, a mental health counselor may need to have a general understanding of the medications used to treat mental health conditions. This course may be helpful for a mental health counselor because it covers common medications for depression and anxiety. The course discusses drug classes such as SSRIs and benzodiazepines, which are frequently prescribed in the mental health field. The course's focus on common medications and their uses will help counselors better understand their clients' medical backgrounds.

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Medical Writer

A medical writer creates documents about health and medical research. This course is helpful for a medical writer because the course materials go into detail about drug classes, brand names, generic names, and conditions. A medical writer must be able to communicate complex medical topics in a clear way. This course offers that knowledge in an accessible format. The course also includes downloadable outlines that will be useful for a medical writer researching a drug or medication.

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Health Educator

A health educator teaches individuals and communities about health and wellness. This course may be useful for someone in health education, because it covers common medications and health conditions. Having a solid foundation of basic medications can help an educator communicate more effectively and confidently. This course may help educators explain medications to their audiences who want to know more about condition treatment.

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Clinical Research Associate

A clinical research associate monitors clinical trials and collects data on drug efficacy. This course may be helpful for a clinical research associate because it introduces common medications and how they work, which can provide a framework for understanding drug studies. Understanding which drugs are frequently used in common conditions may also give a better understanding of the market landscape for new drugs. While this course may not cover specific research methodologies, the knowledge of drug classes and their uses may be beneficial for someone in this role.

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Medical Sales Representative

A medical sales representative promotes pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals. This course may be useful for a medical sales representative because of its focus on the practical aspects of medication use, as well as its coverage of the most frequently used medications overall. The course covers the hierarchy of medications, which will help sales reps understand their product's place in the market. The information provided in this course may help build credibility for a sales rep who needs to engage with doctors and other healthcare professionals.

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Healthcare Administrator

A healthcare administrator manages the operations of a healthcare facility. This course may be useful for a healthcare administrator, as a basic knowledge of medications and conditions can be helpful. The administrator will gain a practical understanding of how drugs are used in healthcare. While this course is not directly relevant to the administrative aspects of healthcare, knowing the medical conditions being treated and the drugs used to treat them may improve understanding.

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Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist provides preventative dental care and educates patients on oral health. This role requires an understanding of how certain medications might impact dental health and treatment. This course may be helpful for a dental hygienist because one section covers over the counter medications, which may be relevant for a dental hygienist to know. While this course does not specifically focus on dentistry, it may provide a broader understanding of how medications work, and how they might potentially impact a patient's oral health care.

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Medical Coder

A medical coder assigns codes to medical procedures and diagnoses for billing purposes. This course is not directly related to medical coding, as it does not focus on billing codes, but it may provide a broader context on conditions and medications that may be helpful. The course's focus on the hierarchy of medications and their uses may help provide insights into medical records. While the job of a medical coder may not require an in-depth knowledge of pharmacy, the condition and medication details in this course may be useful.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Top Drugs 2 - Medications you NEED to Know - Pharmacy.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Provides a comprehensive overview of pharmacology principles, drug classifications, and individual drug monographs. It useful reference tool for understanding drug mechanisms, indications, contraindications, and adverse effects. The book is commonly used as a textbook in healthcare professional programs and offers additional depth to the course material.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Putting Knowledge to Work

Kindle Edition

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Mosby's Drug Guide for Nursing Students with 2026...

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This drug guide useful reference tool for nursing students and healthcare professionals. It provides concise information on a wide range of medications, including dosages, routes of administration, and nursing considerations. is helpful in providing background and prerequisite knowledge, and is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

Mosby's Drug Guide for Nursing Students with 2026...

Kindle Edition

Top Drugs 2 - Medications you NEED to Know - Pharmacy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical drug knowledge for healthcare

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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