Free PTCB Practice Test · Topic Drill
Top 200 Drugs Practice Test
30 PTCE-style questions, one at a time — just like exam day. Score and full explanations at the end. Free, no signup.
Brand-generic pairs are the highest-yield memorization on the PTCE — Medications is the largest domain on the exam, and most of those questions come down to knowing your drugs cold. These 30 questions test the pairs, drug classes, indications, and side effects that show up again and again. The distractors are deliberately drawn from the same class, because that is exactly how the real exam tries to trip you up.
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Question 1 of 30.Which generic drug corresponds to the brand name Lipitor?
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Which generic drug corresponds to the brand name Lipitor?
- Simvastatin
- Rosuvastatin
- Atorvastatin (correct answer)
- Pravastatin
Lipitor is the brand name for atorvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) used to lower cholesterol. Rosuvastatin is tempting because it is another widely dispensed statin, but its brand name is Crestor; simvastatin is Zocor and pravastatin is Pravachol.
Sertraline is the generic name for which brand-name medication?
- Zoloft (correct answer)
- Lexapro
- Prozac
- Paxil
Zoloft is the brand name for sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used for depression and anxiety disorders. The distractors are all SSRIs, which makes them tempting, but Lexapro is escitalopram, Prozac is fluoxetine, and Paxil is paroxetine.
Zestril and Prinivil are brand names for which generic drug?
- Losartan
- Lisinopril (correct answer)
- Amlodipine
- Enalapril
Both Zestril and Prinivil are brand names for lisinopril, which is used for hypertension and heart failure. Enalapril is a tempting distractor because it is prescribed for similar conditions, but its brand name is Vasotec; losartan is sold as Cozaar and amlodipine as Norvasc.
The brand name Neurontin refers to which generic medication?
- Pregabalin
- Topiramate
- Lamotrigine
- Gabapentin (correct answer)
Neurontin is the brand name for gabapentin, which is used for seizures and nerve pain such as postherpetic neuralgia. Pregabalin is a tempting distractor because it is a chemically related drug used for similar conditions, but its brand name is Lyrica.
Which generic drug corresponds to the brand name Glucophage?
- Metformin (correct answer)
- Glipizide
- Glyburide
- Pioglitazone
Glucophage is the brand name for metformin, the first-line oral medication for type 2 diabetes. Glipizide is tempting because it is another common oral diabetes drug, but its brand name is Glucotrol; glyburide and pioglitazone are also antidiabetic agents with different brand names (DiaBeta/Glynase and Actos).
Synthroid is a brand name for which generic drug?
- Liothyronine
- Methimazole
- Levothyroxine (correct answer)
- Propylthiouracil
Synthroid is a brand name for levothyroxine, a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone T4. Liothyronine is tempting because it is also a thyroid hormone, but it is synthetic T3 and is sold as Cytomel; methimazole and propylthiouracil are antithyroid drugs, not thyroid hormone products.
Which generic name matches the brand name Norvasc?
- Nifedipine
- Diltiazem
- Verapamil
- Amlodipine (correct answer)
Norvasc is the brand name for amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used for hypertension and angina. Nifedipine is a tempting distractor because it is in the same dihydropyridine subclass, but its brand names are Procardia and Adalat CC; diltiazem and verapamil are non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers.
Pantoprazole is the generic name for which brand-name medication?
- Prilosec
- Protonix (correct answer)
- Nexium
- Prevacid
Protonix is the brand name for pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor used for GERD and erosive esophagitis. The distractors are tempting because they are all acid-reducer brands stocked in the same category, but Prilosec is omeprazole, Nexium is esomeprazole, and Prevacid is lansoprazole.
Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to which class of diuretics?
- Thiazide diuretic (correct answer)
- Loop diuretic
- Potassium-sparing diuretic
- Osmotic diuretic
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is a thiazide diuretic that acts on the distal convoluted tubule and is a first-line option for hypertension. Loop diuretics such as furosemide act on the loop of Henle and are more potent, while potassium-sparing agents like spironolactone conserve potassium rather than depleting it.
Metoprolol is classified as which type of medication?
- Alpha-1 blocker
- Calcium channel blocker
- Beta-blocker (correct answer)
- ACE inhibitor
Metoprolol is a cardioselective beta-blocker, a class recognizable by the -olol suffix, used for hypertension, angina, and heart failure. It is dispensed as metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) and metoprolol succinate extended-release (Toprol-XL). Alpha-1 blockers such as doxazosin also affect blood pressure but act on different receptors.
Escitalopram (Lexapro) belongs to which class of antidepressants?
- Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) (correct answer)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)
Escitalopram is an SSRI, the same class as sertraline and fluoxetine, and is among the most dispensed antidepressants. It is not an SNRI — that class (duloxetine, venlafaxine) also inhibits norepinephrine reuptake — and TCAs and MAOIs are older classes with more significant side-effect and interaction profiles.
Losartan belongs to which drug class?
- ACE inhibitor
- Beta-blocker
- Thiazide diuretic
- Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) (correct answer)
Losartan (Cozaar) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker, a class recognizable by the -sartan suffix, used for hypertension. ACE inhibitor is a tempting distractor because both classes act on the renin-angiotensin system, but ARBs block the angiotensin II receptor directly, whereas ACE inhibitors act one step earlier by blocking the enzyme that produces angiotensin II.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) belongs to which class of antidepressants?
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
- Tricyclic antidepressant
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) (correct answer)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
Duloxetine is an SNRI, meaning it increases levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine; it is also used for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. SSRI is a tempting distractor because SSRIs like sertraline are also first-line antidepressants, but SSRIs act on serotonin reuptake only.
Furosemide (Lasix) belongs to which class of diuretics?
- Loop diuretic (correct answer)
- Thiazide diuretic
- Potassium-sparing diuretic
- Osmotic diuretic
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that acts in the loop of Henle to produce potent fluid removal, making it useful in heart failure and edema. Thiazide diuretic is a tempting distractor because hydrochlorothiazide is also a very common diuretic, but thiazides are less potent and act at the distal tubule; both classes can cause potassium loss.
Metformin belongs to which class of antidiabetic medications?
- Sulfonylurea
- Thiazolidinedione
- DPP-4 inhibitor
- Biguanide (correct answer)
Metformin is the only biguanide marketed in the United States, and it works primarily by decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity. Sulfonylurea is a tempting distractor because drugs like glipizide are also common oral agents, but sulfonylureas stimulate insulin release and can cause hypoglycemia, which metformin alone rarely does.
Albuterol is classified as which type of respiratory medication?
- Inhaled corticosteroid
- Short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) (correct answer)
- Long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA)
- Anticholinergic bronchodilator
Albuterol (ProAir, Ventolin) is a short-acting beta-2 agonist used as a rescue inhaler for acute bronchospasm because it works within minutes. Long-acting beta-2 agonist is a tempting distractor because drugs like salmeterol share the same mechanism, but LABAs are for maintenance therapy and should never be used to treat an acute attack.
What is the primary indication for levothyroxine?
- Hypothyroidism (correct answer)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Type 2 diabetes
Levothyroxine replaces the thyroid hormone T4 in patients whose thyroid gland is underactive (hypothyroidism). Hyperthyroidism is a tempting distractor because it is also a thyroid condition, but an overactive thyroid is treated with drugs like methimazole that reduce hormone production, not with hormone replacement.
Montelukast (Singulair) is primarily used for which purpose?
- Treating acute bronchospasm
- Treating bacterial respiratory infections
- Long-term control of asthma and allergic rhinitis (correct answer)
- Suppressing cough
Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist taken once daily for maintenance treatment of asthma and for allergic rhinitis. Treating acute bronchospasm is a tempting distractor because the drug is an asthma medication, but montelukast does not work quickly enough for rescue use; a short-acting beta-2 agonist like albuterol is required for acute attacks. Montelukast also carries a boxed warning for serious neuropsychiatric events such as mood changes.
Tamsulosin (Flomax) is prescribed primarily to treat which condition?
- Hypertension
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (correct answer)
- Urinary tract infection
- Erectile dysfunction
Tamsulosin is an alpha-1 blocker that relaxes smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck, improving urine flow in men with BPH. Hypertension is a tempting distractor because older, less selective alpha-1 blockers such as doxazosin are used for blood pressure, but tamsulosin is selective for receptors in the urinary tract and is not indicated for hypertension.
What is the primary purpose of clopidogrel (Plavix)?
- Lowering LDL cholesterol
- Dissolving existing blood clots
- Reducing blood pressure
- Preventing platelets from forming clots (correct answer)
Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet agent (a P2Y12 inhibitor) that prevents platelets from sticking together, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially after coronary stent placement. Dissolving existing clots is a tempting distractor, but only thrombolytic drugs such as alteplase break down clots that have already formed; clopidogrel only prevents new clot formation.
Ondansetron (Zofran) is used to treat which condition?
- Nausea and vomiting (correct answer)
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Allergic reactions
Ondansetron is a serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonist used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, particularly from chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. Heartburn is a tempting distractor because it is also a gastrointestinal complaint, but heartburn is treated with acid reducers such as PPIs or H2 blockers, not with antiemetics.
Apixaban (Eliquis) is prescribed for which primary purpose?
- Controlling heart rate in tachycardia
- Preventing and treating blood clots (correct answer)
- Lowering LDL cholesterol levels
- Raising low platelet counts
Apixaban is an oral factor Xa inhibitor anticoagulant used to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation and to treat and prevent DVT and PE. Controlling heart rate is a tempting distractor because atrial fibrillation patients often take rate-control drugs too, but that role belongs to medications like metoprolol or diltiazem; apixaban works by preventing clot formation, not by affecting heart rhythm or rate.
Insulin glargine (Lantus) is best described as which type of insulin?
- Rapid-acting mealtime insulin
- Short-acting regular insulin
- Long-acting basal insulin (correct answer)
- Inhaled insulin
Insulin glargine provides a steady, long-acting basal level of insulin for about 24 hours and is typically injected once daily. Rapid-acting mealtime insulin is a tempting distractor because many patients use both types together, but rapid-acting products are insulins like lispro (Humalog) and aspart (Novolog), which are injected at meals to cover food intake.
A patient taking an antihypertensive medication reports a persistent dry cough. This side effect is characteristic of which drug class?
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- ACE inhibitors (correct answer)
A persistent dry cough is a hallmark side effect of ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril, caused by the buildup of bradykinin in the airways. ARB is a tempting distractor because ARBs act on the same renin-angiotensin system, but they do not increase bradykinin, which is why prescribers often switch a coughing patient from an ACE inhibitor to an ARB.
Which side effect is most commonly associated with amlodipine?
- Dry cough
- Peripheral edema (ankle swelling) (correct answer)
- Hyperkalemia
- Bradycardia
Amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, dilates peripheral blood vessels, and this can cause dose-related swelling of the ankles and lower legs. Dry cough is a tempting distractor because it is a well-known blood pressure medication side effect, but cough is linked to ACE inhibitors, not calcium channel blockers.
A patient picking up atorvastatin should be counseled to report which symptom, since it may signal a serious adverse effect?
- Unexplained muscle pain or weakness (correct answer)
- Sudden hearing loss
- Persistent ringing in the ears
- Severe constipation with bloating
Statins such as atorvastatin can rarely cause serious muscle toxicity (myopathy or rhabdomyolysis), so patients should promptly report unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially with fever or dark urine. The other options describe symptoms that would also warrant medical attention, but none of them is characteristic of statin therapy; muscle injury is the classic statin warning sign.
Which side effect occurs most commonly when a patient first starts metformin?
- Severe hypoglycemia
- Weight gain
- Peripheral edema
- Gastrointestinal upset (correct answer)
GI effects, including diarrhea, nausea, and stomach upset, are the most common side effects when starting metformin and can be reduced by taking the drug with food and titrating the dose slowly. Severe hypoglycemia is a tempting distractor because metformin is a diabetes drug, but metformin alone rarely causes low blood sugar; that risk is more typical of sulfonylureas and insulin. Metformin also carries a boxed warning for rare but serious lactic acidosis.
Under federal law, hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco) is classified in which controlled substance schedule?
- Schedule IV
- Schedule III
- Schedule II (correct answer)
- Schedule V
All hydrocodone combination products were moved to Schedule II under federal law in 2014, so prescriptions may not be refilled and must meet C-II requirements. Schedule III is a tempting distractor because these products were formerly C-III and because some other opioid combinations, such as acetaminophen with codeine, remain in Schedule III.
Patients taking warfarin (Coumadin) require routine monitoring of which laboratory value?
- Blood glucose
- INR (international normalized ratio) (correct answer)
- TSH
- Serum potassium
Warfarin has a narrow therapeutic index, so the INR, which is derived from the prothrombin time, is checked regularly to keep the dose in the target range (commonly 2 to 3). Serum potassium is a tempting distractor because it is monitored with other cardiovascular drugs such as diuretics and ACE inhibitors, but it does not measure warfarin's anticoagulant effect; excessive anticoagulation from warfarin is reversed with vitamin K.
Which counseling point is correct for a patient taking levothyroxine?
- Take it with a high-fat breakfast to improve absorption
- Take it at bedtime along with a calcium supplement
- Double the next dose if a dose is missed
- Take it on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast (correct answer)
Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach, so the standard instruction is to take it with water 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast at the same time each day. Taking it with calcium is a tempting distractor because supplements are often taken at the same time of day, but calcium and iron products bind levothyroxine and reduce its absorption, so doses should be separated by about four hours.
FAQ: Top 200 Drugs on the PTCE
Do I have to memorize all 200 drugs to pass the PTCE?
You need to be fast on the most-dispensed brand-generic pairs, because Medications is worth 40% of the scored exam — the largest domain by far. Learn drugs in class groups using name endings: -statin (cholesterol), -pril (ACE inhibitors), -sartan (ARBs), -olol (beta blockers), -prazole (proton pump inhibitors), -azepam and -azolam (benzodiazepines). Once the suffix tells you the class, indications and common side effects come almost free.
Why are the wrong answers in this drill so similar to the right ones?
Deliberately. The real exam’s favorite trap is a distractor from the same drug class — another statin, another ACE inhibitor — so nearly every question here does the same thing. If you can pick atorvastatin out of a lineup of four statins, brand-generic questions on test day will feel routine.
Does the PTCE ask about side effects and interactions too?
Yes. The Medications domain covers therapeutic equivalence, common and severe side effects, interactions, narrow therapeutic index drugs, and storage requirements — not just name matching. This drill mixes those question types so a memorized brand-generic list alone will not carry you.
Are these questions taken from the real PTCE?
No. Real PTCE items are confidential and belong to PTCB — be wary of any site claiming to have them. Our questions are original, written to mirror the style, difficulty, and published content outline of the exam. Scoring well here is strong evidence you are ready, not a preview of the exact questions you will see.
Is this practice test really free?
Yes. Every question, explanation, and score report on PharmacyTechTest is free, with no signup, no credit card, and no trial that expires. Retake any test as many times as you want.
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