The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is a comprehensive assessment of the knowledge and skills required to be a pharmacy technician, including the PTCB top 200 drugs. The exam consists of 90 multiple choice questions covering 4 major sections, including medications, patient safety and quality assurance, order entry and processing, and federal requirements. Here we …
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is a comprehensive assessment of the knowledge and skills required to be a pharmacy technician, including the PTCB top 200 drugs. The exam consists of 90 multiple choice questions covering 4 major sections, including medications, patient safety and quality assurance, order entry and processing, and federal requirements. Here we will be focusing on an essential subsection of the medications section: generic, brand names, and drug classifications.
This subsection evaluates your ability to identify and differentiate between generic and brand names, as well as classify medications into their respective therapeutic categories. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) recommends you study all top 200 brand and generic drugs, which can be found in the table below.
Medicine | Active Ingredient | Drug Class |
|---|---|---|
Lexapro | Escitalopram | SSRI |
Vicodin | Acetaminophen Hydrocodone | Analgesic/antipyretic Opioid |
Prinivil Qbrelis | Lisinopril | ACE inhibitor |
Zocor | Simvastatin | Statin |
Synthroid | Levothyroxine | Thyroid hormone |
Amoxil Trimox | Amoxicillin | Antibacterial drug |
Zithromax | Azithromycin | Macrolide antibacterial |
Microzide Aquazide | Hydrochlorothiazide | Thiazide diuretic |
Norvasc | Amlodipine | Calcium channel blocker |
Xanax | Alprazolam | Benzodiazepine |
Glucophage | Metformin | Oral antidiabetic drug |
Lipitor | Atorvastatin | Statin |
Prilosec | Omeprazole | Proton-pump inhibitor |
Cipro Proquin | Ciprofloxacin | Fluoroquinolone |
Zofran | Ondansetron | Antiemetic drug |
Clozaril | Clozapine | Antipsychotic drug |
Lasix | Furosemide | Loop diuretic |
Levitra | Vardenafil | PDE5 inhibitor |
Sumycin Ala-Tet Brodspec | Tetracycline | Antibacterial drug |
Heparin Sodium | Heparin | Anticoagulant drug |
Valcyte | Valganciclovir | Antiviral drug |
Lamictal | Lamotrigine | Anticonvulsant drug |
Diflucan | Fluconazole | Antifungal drug |
Tenormin | Atenolol | Beta-blocker |
Singulair | Montelukast | Leukotriene inhibitor |
Flonase Nasal Spray | Fluticasone propionate | Corticosteroid |
Zyloprim | Allopurinol | Anti-gout drug |
Fosamax | Alendronate | Bisphosphonate |
Pepcid | Famotidine | H2 antagonist |
Omnicef | Cefdinir | Cephalosporin |
Yaz | Ethinyl estradiol Drospirenone | Birth control medicine |
Apresoline | Hydralazine | Antihypertensive drug |
Cogentin | Benztropine | Antiparkinsonian drug |
Tussionex PennKinetic | Chlorpheniramine Hydrocodone | Antihistamine Narcotic |
Paxil | Paroxetine | SSRI |
Ativan | Lorazepam | Benzodiazepine |
Pyridium | Phenazopyridine | Analgesic |
Plaquenil | Hydroxychloroquine | Anti-malarial drug |
Lidoderm | Lidocaine | Local anesthetic |
Cataflam | Diclofenac | NSAID |
Rayos Deltasone | Prednisone | Corticosteroid |
Zetia | Ezetimibe | Antihyperlipidemic |
Evista | Raloxifene | Estrogen modulator |
Dilantin | Phenytoin | Anticonvulsant drug |
Lovaza | Omega-3 fatty acids | Anti-triglyceride drug |
Zanaflex | Tizanidine | Muscle relaxant |
Hytrin | Terazosin | Alpha-1 blocker |
Dyrenium | Triamterene | Potassium-sparing diuretic |
Altace | Ramipril | ACE inhibitor |
Pravachol | Pravastatin | Statin |
Risperdal | Risperidone | Antipsychotic drug |
Lunesta | Eszopiclone | Z-drug / hypnotic |
Celebrex | Celecoxib | COX-inhibitor / NSAID |
Premarin | Conjugated estrogens | Estrogen replacement |
Avelox | Moxifloxacin | Fluoroquinolone |
Aricept | Donepezil | Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor |
Macrobid Macrodantin | Nitrofurantoin | Antibacterial drug |
Duragesic Skin Patch | Fentanyl | Opioid narcotic |
Imdur | Isosorbide mononitrate | Nitrate |
Prozac Sarafem | Fluoxetine | SSRI |
Aristocort | Triamcinolone | Corticosteroid |
Suboxone | Buprenorphine Naloxone | Narcotic Opioid blocker |
Vyvanse | Lisdexamfetamine | CNS Stimulant |
Pamelor | Nortriptyline | Tricyclic antidepressant |
HumaLOG | Insulin lispro | Rapid-acting insulin |
Depacon Depakote | Valproate sodium | Anticonvulsant drug |
BetaSept ChloraPrep | Chlorhexidine | Disinfectant/antiseptic |
Bentyl | Dicyclomine | Anti-spasmodic drug |
Imitrex | Sumatriptan | Anti-migraine drug |
Protonix | Pantoprazole | Proton-pump inhibitor |
Lopressor | Metoprolol | Beta-blocker |
Robitussen | Dextromethorphan Guaifenesin | Antitussive Expectorant |
Valium | Diazepam | Benzodiazepine |
Viagra | Sildenafil | PDE5 inhibitor |
Bactroban | Mupirocin | Antibacterial drug |
Januvia | Sitagliptin | Antidiabetic drug |
Reglan | Metoclopramide | Dopamine antagonist |
Relafen | Nabumetone | NSAID |
Keflex | Cephalexin | Cephalosporin |
Effexor | Venlafaxine | SNRI |
Boniva | Ibandronate | Bisphosphonate |
Zantac | Ranitidine | H2 antagonist |
Ex-Lax Senna Lax | Senna | Laxative |
NovoLog | Insulin aspart | Rapid-acting insulin |
Bayer Ecotrin Bufferin | Aspirin | Antipyretic Analgesic |
Lioresal | Baclofen | Muscle relaxant |
Flagyl | Metronidazole | Antibacterial drug Antiprotozoal drug |
Keppra | Levetiracetam | Anticonvulsant drug |
Colcrys Mitigare | Colchicine | Anti-gout drug |
Zyprexa | Olanzapine | Antipsychotic drug |
Avodart | Dutasteride | 5-alpha reductase inhibitor |
TriCor Antara | Fenofibrate | Fibrate |
Cardura | Doxazosin | Alpha-1 blocker |
Aleve | Naproxen | NSAID |
Aldactone | Spironolactone | Potassium-sparing diuretic |
Namenda | Memantine | NMDA antagonist |
Methadose | Methadone | Opioid analgesic |
Vasotec Epaned | Enalapril | ACE inhibitor |
Tamiflu | Oseltamivir | Antiviral drug |
Requip | Ropinirole | Antiparkinsonian drug |
PC Pen VK Pen V | Penicillin | Beta-lactam antibacterial |
Strattera | Atomoxetine | Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor |
Ambien | Zolpidem | Z-drug / hypnotic |
Advair | Salmeterol Fluticasone | Bronchodilators |
Levaquin | Levofloxacin | Fluoroquinolone |
Tofranil | Imipramine | Tricyclic antidepressant |
Reclast Zometa | Zoledronic acid | Bisphosphonate |
Glucotrol | Glipizide | Antidiabetic drug |
Constulose | Lactulose | Laxative |
AcipHex | Rabeprazole | Proton-pump inhibitor |
Otrexup | Methotrexate | DMARD |
Cleocin | Clindamycin | Antibacterial drug |
Tylenol | Acetaminophen | Analgesic / antipyretic |
Feosol | Ferrous sulfate | Iron supplement |
Relpax | Eletriptan | Antimigraine drug |
Carbacot Robaxin | Methocarbamol | Muscle relaxant |
DiaBeta | Glyburide | Antidiabetic drug |
Celexa | Citalopram | SSRI |
Benicar | Hydrochlorothiazide Olmesartan | Thiazide diuretic Angiotensin II blocker |
Coreg | Carvedilol | Beta-blocker |
Spiriva | Tiotropium | Anticholinergic |
Xolair | Omalizumab | Monoclonal antibody |
NitroStat Sublingual | Nitroglycerin | Nitrate |
Eliquis | Apixaban | Anticoagulant |
Neurontin | Gabapentin | Anticonvulsant drug |
Enbrel | Etanercept | DMARD |
Herceptin | Trastuzumab | Monoclonal antibody |
Atripla | Emtricitabine Tenofovir Efavirenz | Antiretroviral drugs |
Xarelto | Rivaroxaban | Anticoagulant drug |
Stalevo 50 | Levodopa Carbidopa Entacapone | Antiparkinsonian medicine |
Fioricet | Acetaminophen Butalbital Caffeine | Analgesic / antipyretic Barbiturate |
Levemir | Insulin detemir | Long-acting insulin |
Lovenox | Enoxaparin | Low-molecule weight heparin (LMWH) |
Ritalin Concerta | Methylphenidate | CNS Stimulant |
Crestor | Rosuvastatin | Statin |
Xgeva Prolia | Denosumab | Monoclonal antibody |
Pradaxa | Dabigatran | Anticoagulant drug |
Sensipar | Cinacalcet | Calcimimetic |
Vesicare | Solifenacin | Antimuscarinic drug |
Haldol | Haloperidol | Antipsychotic drug |
Ala-Cort | Hydrocortisone | Corticosteroid |
HumuLIN | Insulin isophane | Intermediate-acting insulin |
Isentress | Raltegravir | Integrase inhibitor |
Stelara | Ustekinumab | Monoclonal antibody |
Mobic | Meloxicam | NSAID |
Remicade | Infliximab | Monoclonal antibody |
Night Time | Acetaminophen Diphenhydramine | Analgesic / antipyretic Antihistamine |
Renvela | Sevelamer | Phosphate binder |
Fragmin | Dalteparin | Low-molecular weight Heparin (LMWH) |
Zoloft | Sertraline | SSRI |
Klonopin | Clonazepam | Benzodiazepine |
Avalide | Hydrochlorothiazide Irbesartan | Thiazide diuretic Angiotensin II blocker |
Ceftin | Cefuroxime | Cephalosporin |
Nizoral Topical | Ketoconazole | Antifungal drug |
Lyrica | Pregabalin | Anticonvulsant drug |
Nexium | Esomeprazole | Proton-pump inhibitor |
Combivent Respimat | Albuterol Ipratropium | Beta-2 agonist Anticholinergic drug |
Niaspan | Niacin | Form of vitamin B3 |
Uroxatral | Alfuzosin | Alpha-1 blocker |
Biaxin | Clarithromycin | Macrolide antibacterial |
Zomig | Zolmitriptan | Anti-migraine drug |
Invokana | Canagliflozin | SGLT-2 inhibitor Antidiabetic drug |
Saxenda Victoza | Liraglutide | GLP-1 agonist Antidiabetic drug |
Alimta | Pemetrexed | Anticancer drug |
Lotrisone | Clotrimazole Betamethasone | Antifungal drug Corticosteroid |
Avastin | Bevacizumab | Anticancer drug |
Sovaldi | Sofosbuvir | Hepatitis C drug |
Gilenya | Fingolimod | Immunomodulator |
Epogen | Epoetin alfa | Human erythropoietin |
Seroquel | Quetiapine | Antipsychotic drug |
Amaryl | Glimepiride | Antidiabetic medicine |
Percocet | Acetaminophen Oxycodone | Analgesic / antipyretic Opioid |
SandIMMUNE Neoral | Cyclosporin | Immunosuppressant |
Lantus | Insulin glargine | Long-acting insulin |
Cialis | Tadalafil | PDE5 inhibitor |
Elavil Vanatrip | Amitriptyline | Tricyclic antidepressant |
Lopid | Gemfibrozil | Fibrate |
Flo-Pred | Prednisolone | Corticosteroid |
Advil | Ibuprofen | NSAID |
Aceon | Perindopril | ACE inhibitor |
Desyrel | Trazodone | Antidepressant |
Actos | Pioglitazone | Thiazolidinedione |
Proscar | Finasteride | 5-alpha reductase inhibitor |
Inbrija Dopar Larodopa | Levodopa | Antiparkinsonian drug |
Actonel | Risedronate | Bisphosphonate |
ProAir Ventolin Proventil | Albuterol | Beta-2 agonist |
Ultram | Tramadol | Opiate narcotic |
Sonata | Zaleplon | Z-drug / hypnotic |
Zebeta | Bisoprolol | Beta-blocker |
Zovirax | Acyclovir | Antiviral drug |
Coumadin | Warfarin | Anticoagulant drug |
Luvox | Fluvoxamine | SSRI |
Plavix | Clopidogrel | Antiplatelet drug |
Vibramycin Adoxa | Doxycycline | Tetracycline antibiotic |
Hyzaar | Hydrochlorothiazide Losartan | Thiazide diuretic Angiotensin II blocker |
Kytril Sancuso | Granisetron | Antiemetic drug |
Restoril | Temazepam | Benzodiazepine |
Prevacid | Lansoprazole | Proton-pump inhibitor |
Augmentin | Amoxicillin Clavulanic acid | Penicillin antibiotic Beta-lactamase inhibitor |
Mevacor Altoprev | Lovastatin | Statin |
At first glance, this may seem like an intimidating task. However, you will notice that a lot of brand names are similar to their generic names or classifications, which makes it easier to link them together. As for the drugs without obvious links, create your own connections. Once you’ve made sense of each medication, commit them to memory in the way that works best for you.
Check out our article on the Complete Guide to the PTCB Exam for more information, containing a detailed outline and studying tips.
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