Drug Classifications

Question 1

anesthetic

Answer 1

causes a reversible loss of sensation, usually used during surgery, local anesthetics cause a reversible loss of pain sensation in a particular area

Question 2

ACE inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor)

Answer 2

slow the activity of the enzyme ACE, decreases the production of angiotensin ii, blood vessels enlarge and blood pressure is reduced

Question 3

alkylating agents

Answer 3

a chemotherapy drug, prevents proper DNA replication

Question 4

alpha blocker

Answer 4

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)

Question 5

anabolic steroids

Answer 5

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

Question 6

angiotensin ii receptor blockers (ARB)

Answer 6

block the action of angiotensin ii, prevents angiotensin Ii from binding to angiotensin ii receptors, blood vessels enlarge and blood pressure is reduced

Question 7

antibacterial

Answer 7

destroys bacteria, suppresses growth

Question 8

antibiotic

Answer 8

inhibits growth or destroys microorganisms, classified by chemical structures, similar chemical structures indicate similar patterns of effectiveness, toxicity, and allergic potential

Question 9

anticholinergic

Answer 9

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)

Question 10

anticoagulant

Answer 10

prevents blood coagulation (clotting)

Question 11

antidiabetic

Answer 11

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

Question 12

antiemetic and antinauseant

Answer 12

effective against vomiting and nausea, used to treat motion sickness, side effects of opioid analgesics, general anaesthetics, and chemotherapy

Question 13

antifungal

Answer 13

treats and prevents mycoses like athlete’s foot, ring worm, thrush, serious infections, and others, usually by prescription but some are OTC

Question 14

antihelmintic

Answer 14

antiparasitic, stuns or kills parasites without causing significant damage to the host

Question 15

antihistamines

Answer 15

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

Question 16

antineoplastic

Answer 16

prevents, inhibits, or halts the development of a tumor

Question 17

antithrombotic

Answer 17

reduces the formation of blood clots, can be used for prevention or treatment

Question 18

antiviral

Answer 18

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

Question 19

atypical antipsychotic

Answer 19

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

Question 20

barbiturate

Answer 20

central nervous system depressants, can produce mild sedation to anesthesia, effective as anxiolytics, hypnotics, and anticonvulsants

Question 21

benzodiazepine

Answer 21

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

Question 22

beta blockers

Answer 22

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)

Question 23

beta-2 agonist, bronchodilators

Answer 23

dilates the bronchi, decreases resistance in the respiratory airway, increases airflow to the lungs