Classes of Drugs Flashcards
A drug that lessens pain.
analgesic
Potent analgesics derived from opium.
narcotics or opioids
Non-narcotic analgesics which reduce fever, pain, and inflammation by acting on tissues to inhibit prostaglandins. Not steroid hormones.
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Hormone-like substances that sensitize peripheral pain receptors.
prostaglandins
Agent that reduces or eliminates sensation.
anesthetic
Drugs that kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
antimicrobials (antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and antiprotozoans)
Drugs that prevent clotting (coagulation) of the blood.
anticoagulants
A natural anticoagulant purified from pig intestine or bovine lung. It is found in white blood cells.
heparin
A chemically synthesized anticoagulant.
warfarin (Coumadin)
Drug that dissolves clots and is used to open vessels after myocardial infarction.
tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA)
Direct-acting oral anticoagulant drugs that greatly reduce the risk of stroke. Examples are apixaban (Eliquis), dabigatran (Pradaxa), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto).
DOACs
Drugs that reduce the tendency of platelets to stick together.
antiplatelet drugs
Prevents or reduces the frequency of convulsions in various types of seizure disorders or epilepsy.
anticonvulsants
Treat symptoms of depression by elevating mood, increasing physical activity and mental alertness, and improving appetite and sleep patterns. Many are also mild sedatives.
antidepressants
Used to test symptoms of Alzheimer disease by aiding brain neurotransmitters (acetylcholine) or shielding brain cells from glutamate, a neurotransmitter that at high levels contributes to death of brain cells.
anti-Alzheimer drugs
Used to treat diabetes mellitus.
antidiabetics
Antidiabetics that lower the levels of glucose in the blood by stimulating the production of insulin.
sulfonylureas
Antidiabetics that increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin and reduce the production of glucose by the liver.
biguanides
Antidiabetics that temporarily block enzymes that digest sugars.
alpha-glucose inhibitors
Antidiabetics that enhance glucose uptake into tissues.
thiazolidinediones
Antidiabetics that stimulate the beta cells in the pancreas to produce insulin.
meglitinides
Antidiabetics that inhibit an enzyme so that cells make more insulin when glucose levels are high.
DPP4 inhibitors
Antidiabetics that cause the body to excrete glucose in the urine.
SGLT2 inhibitors
Antidiabetics that stimulate cells in the pancreas to make and release insulin. They last longer in the bloodstream and are injected once a week.
non-insulin injectable medications
Device strapped to the patient’s waist that periodically delivers the desired amount of insulin through a subcutaneous needle inserted in the abdomen.
insulin pump
Block the action of histamine, which is normally released in the body in allergic reactions.
antihistamines
Dyspnea, hypotension, and lots of consciousness that can occur in severe allergic reactions.
anaphylactic shock
Prevention of nausea.
antiemetic
Antiosteoporosis drugs that prevent bone loss.
bisphosphonates
Antiosteoporosis drugs that are hormone-like and increase bone formation.
selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)
Helps the heart pump more forcefully in heart failure.
digoxin (Lanoxin)
Dilate blood vessels to lower blood pressure, improve the performance of the heart, and reduce its workload. Prevent the conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II, which is a powerful vasopressor. Reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and death even if a patient is not hypertensive.
angiotensin-convertine enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Lower blood pressure by preventing angiotensin from acting on receptors in the blood vessels. They are used in patients who do not tolerate ACE inhibitors.
angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
Treat abnormal heart rhythms by slowing the response of the heart muscle to nerve stimulation or slow the rate at which impulses are carried throughout the heart.
antiarrhythmics
Slow heart rate, decrease output of the heart, and reduce blood pressure by blocking the action of epinephrine at receptor sites in the heart muscle and in blood vessels.
beta blockers
Dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure and are used to treat arrhythmias. They inhibit the entry of calcium (necessary for blood vessel contraction) into the muscles of the heart and blood vessels.
calcium channel blockers
Made from digitalis (foxglove plant). These drugs increase the force of contraction of the heart and are used to treat heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
cardiac glycosides
Bind to dietary cholesterol and prevent its uptake from the gastrointestinal tract.
cholesterol-binding drugs
statins block the formation of cholesterol in the liver and treat hypercholesterolemia (high levels of cholesterol in the blood), which is a major factor in the development of heart disease.
cholesterol-lowering drugs
Reduce the volume of blood in the body by promoting the kidney to remove water and salt through urine (diuresis). They treat hypertension and congestive heart failure.
diuretics
Normally made by the testes and adrenal glands, are used for male hormone replacement and to treat endometriosis and anemia
androgens
Interfere with the production of androgens or with their binding in tissues. Prescribed for prostate cancer.
antiandrogens
Female hormones normally produced by the ovaries, that are used for symptoms associated with menopause and to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis.
estrogen
Reduce the amount of estrogen (estradiol) in the blood and are effective against breast cancer. They work by decreasing the amount of estrogen in fatty tissue.
aromatase inhibitors
Prescribed for another uterine bleeding caused by hormonal imbalance and, together with estrogen, in hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptives.
progestins
A thyroid hormone used to treat osteoporosis by increasing calcium in the blood and promoting bone deposition.
calcitonin
Prescribed for reduction of inflammation and a wide range of other disorders, including arthritis, severe skin and allergic conditions, respiratory and blood disorders, gastrointestinal ailments, and malignant conditions.
glucocorticoids (adrenal corticosteroids)
Neutralize the hydrochloric acid in the stomach to relieve symptoms of peptic ulcer, esophagitis, and reflux.
antacids
Block secretion of acid by cells in the lining of the stomach and are prescribed for patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers and GERD.
antiulcer drugs
Relieve diarrhea and decrease the rapid movement (peristalsis) in the muscular walls is the colon.
antidiarrheal drugs
Relieve constipation and promote defecation for diagnostic and operative procedures and are used to treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
cathartics
Mild cathartics.
laxatives
Strong cathartics.
purgatives
Relieve nausea and vomiting and overcome vertigo, dizziness, motion sickness, and similar symptoms due to labyrinthitis (inflammation of the inner ear).
antinauseants (antiemetics)
Used to treat autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s. Also used against rheumatoid arthritis.
anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor)
Prescribed for the treatment of asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis).
respiratory drugs
Open bronchial tubes and are administered by injection or aerosol inhalers.
bronchodilators
Medications that depress the central nervous system and promote drowsiness and sleep.
sedative-hypnotics
Influence the part of the brain responsible for emotions. Low doses may act as sedatives.
benzodiazepines
Drugs that act on the brain to speed up vital processes (heart and respiration) in cases of shock and collapse.
stimulants
Useful for controlling anxiety.
tranquilizers
