Drug Classifications Flashcards
anesthetic
causes a reversible loss of sensation, usually used during surgery, local anesthetics cause a reversible loss of pain sensation in a particular area
ACE inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor)
slow the activity of the enzyme ACE, decreases the production of angiotensin ii, blood vessels enlarge and blood pressure is reduced
alkylating agents
a chemotherapy drug, prevents proper DNA replication
alpha blocker
blocks receptors in arteries and smooth muscles, relaxes the blood vessels, increases blood flow to decrease blood pressure, enhances urinary flow in prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate)
anabolic steroids
aka anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), structurally related to and has similar effects as testosterone, increase protein in cells, can help maintain masculine secondary sexual characteristics
angiotensin ii receptor blockers (ARB)
block the action of angiotensin ii, prevents angiotensin Ii from binding to angiotensin ii receptors, blood vessels enlarge and blood pressure is reduced
antibacterial
destroys bacteria, suppresses growth
antibiotic
inhibits growth or destroys microorganisms, classified by chemical structures, similar chemical structures indicate similar patterns of effectiveness, toxicity, and allergic potential
anticholinergic
blocks the parasympathetic neurotransmitter acetylcholine from binding to its receptor in the nerve cell, nerve fibers are responsible for involuntary movements of smooth muscles, can be antimuscarinic agents, ganglionic blockers, and neuromuscular blockers, can treat gastrointestinal disorders, genitourinary disorders, respiratory disorders, sinus bradycardia due to a hypersensitive vagus nerve, short-term insomnia, and dizziness, decreases saliva production and produces some level of sedation (good for surgery)
anticoagulant
prevents blood coagulation (clotting)
antidiabetic
lowers glucose levels in the blood, oral hypoglycemic agents (except for insulin, exenatide, liraglutide, and pramlintide), different classes based on diabetes type, age, situation, and other factors
antiemetic and antinauseant
effective against vomiting and nausea, used to treat motion sickness, side effects of opioid analgesics, general anaesthetics, and chemotherapy
antifungal
treats and prevents mycoses like athlete’s foot, ring worm, thrush, serious infections, and others, usually by prescription but some are OTC
antihelmintic
antiparasitic, stuns or kills parasites without causing significant damage to the host
antihistamines
reduce swelling and vasodilation that comes from allergic reactions, blocks the binding of histamine to its receptors or reduces histamine receptor activity, itching, sneezing, and inflammatory responses are suppressed, also effective to treat acne due to anti-inflammatory processes and ability to suppress sebum production
antineoplastic
prevents, inhibits, or halts the development of a tumor
antithrombotic
reduces the formation of blood clots, can be used for prevention or treatment
antiviral
treats viral infections, antivirals are used for specific viral infections, while broad-spectrum antivirals are effective against a wide range of viruses, doesn’t destroy the target but inhibits the development
atypical antipsychotic
newer antipsychotic agents, different pharmacological profile, cause less side effects, more effective in treatment-resistant patients, greater efficacy to treat negative symptoms, called second generation antipsychotics, act on dopamine and serotonin, more selective for dopamine receptors
barbiturate
central nervous system depressants, can produce mild sedation to anesthesia, effective as anxiolytics, hypnotics, and anticonvulsants
benzodiazepine
used in the central nervous system, used for sedative-hypnotics for sleep, induce relaxation and amnesia in anesthesia, reduce anxiety, panic disorders, treat or prevent seizures, alcohol withdrawal, and muscle relaxants
beta blockers
manage cardiac arrhythmias, protect the heart from a second heart attack after a first heart attack, treat hypertension (no longer the 1st choice for this)
beta-2 agonist, bronchodilators
dilates the bronchi, decreases resistance in the respiratory airway, increases airflow to the lungs
