Drug Categories

Question 1

Analgesics

Answer 1

Drugs that relieve pain. There are two main types: non-narcotic analgesics for mild pain, and narcotic analgesics for severe pain.

Question 2

Antacids

Answer 2

Drugs that relieve indigestion and heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid.

Question 3

Antianxiety Drugs

Answer 3

Drugs that suppress anxiety and relax muscles (sometimes called anxiolytics, sedatives, or minor tranquilizers)

Question 4

Antiarrhythmics

Answer 4

Drugs used to control irregularities of heartbeat.

Question 5

Antibacterials

Answer 5

Drugs used to treat infections.

Question 6

Antibiotics

Answer 6

Drugs made from naturally occurring and synthetic substances that combat bacterial infection.

Some antibiotics are effective only against limited types of bacteria.

Others, known as broad spectrum antibiotics, are effective against a wide range of bacteria.

Question 7

Anticoagulants

Answer 7

Anticoagulants prevent blood from clotting.

Question 8

Thrombolytics

Answer 8

Thrombolytics help dissolve and disperse blood clots and may be prescribed for patients with recent arterial or venous thrombosis.

Question 9

Anticonvulsants

Answer 9

Drugs that prevent epileptic seizures.

Question 10

Antidepressants

Answer 10

There are three main groups of mood-lifting antidepressants: tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Question 11

Antidiarrheals

Answer 11

Drugs used for the relief of diarrhea. Two main types of antidiarrheal preparations are simple adsorbent substances and drugs that slow down the contractions of the bowel muscles so that the contents are propelled more slowly.

Question 12

Antiemetics

Answer 12

Drugs used to treat nausea and vomiting.

Question 13

Antihistamines

Answer 13

Drugs used primarily to counteract the effects of histamine, one of the chemicals involved in allergic reactions.

Question 14

Antineoplastics

Answer 14

Drugs used to treat cancer.

Question 15

Barbiturates

Answer 15

sleeping drugs.”

Question 16

Beta-Blockers

Answer 16

Beta-adrenergic blocking agents, or beta-blockers for short, reduce the oxygen needs of the heart by reducing heartbeat rate.

Question 17

Bronchodilators

Answer 17

Drugs that open up the bronchial tubes within the lungs when the tubes have become narrowed by muscle spasm. Bronchodilators ease breathing in diseases such as asthma.

Question 18

Corticosteroids

Answer 18

These hormonal preparations are used primarily as anti-inflammatories in arthritis or asthma or as immunosuppressives, but they are also useful for treating some malignancies or compensating for a deficiency of natural hormones in disorders such as Addison’s disease.

Question 19

Cytotoxics

Answer 19

Drugs that kill or damage cells. Cytotoxics are used as antineoplastics (drugs used to treat cancer) and also as immunosuppressives.

Question 20

Cough Suppressants

Answer 20

There are two groups of cough suppressants: those that alter the consistency or production of phlegm such as mucolytics and expectorants; and those that suppress the coughing reflex such as codeine (narcotic cough suppressants), antihistamines, dextromethorphan and isoproterenol (non-narcotic cough suppressants).

Question 21

Decongestants

Answer 21

Drugs that reduce swelling of the mucous membranes that line the nose by constricting blood vessels, thus relieving nasal stuffiness.

Question 22

Diuretics

Answer 22

Drugs that increase the quantity of urine produced by the kidneys and passed out of the body, thus ridding the body of excess fluid. Diuretics reduce water logging of the tissues caused by fluid retention in disorders of the heart, kidneys, and liver. They are useful in treating mild cases of high blood pressure.

Question 23

Expectorant

Answer 23

A drug that stimulates the flow of saliva and promotes coughing to eliminate phlegm from the respiratory tract.

Question 24

Hypoglycemics (Oral)

Answer 24

Drugs that lower the level of glucose in the blood. Oral hypoglycemic drugs are used in diabetes mellitus if it cannot be controlled by diet alone, but does require treatment with injections of insulin.

Question 25

Immunosuppressives

Answer 25

Drugs that prevent or reduce the body’s normal reaction to invasion by disease or by foreign tissues. Immunosuppressives are used to treat autoimmune diseases (in which the body’s defenses work abnormally and attack its own tissues) and to help prevent rejection of organ transplants.

Question 26

Laxatives

Answer 26

Drugs that increase the frequency and ease of bowel movements, either by stimulating the bowel wall (stimulant laxative), by increasing the bulk of bowel contents (bulk laxative), or by lubricating them (stool-softeners, or bowel movement-softeners).

Question 27

Muscle Relaxants

Answer 27

Drugs that relieve muscle spasm in disorders such as backache. Antianxiety drugs (minor tranquilizers) that also have a muscle-relaxant action are used most commonly.

Question 28

Sleeping Drugs:

Answer 28

The two main groups of drugs that are used to induce sleep are benzodiazepines and barbiturates. All such drugs have a sedative effect in low doses and are effective sleeping medications in higher doses. Benzodiazepines drugs are used more widely than barbiturates because they are safer, the side-effects are less marked, and there is less risk of eventual physical dependence.