Drug Classifications Flashcards
ACE inhibitor
Inhibits conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor, i.e. relaxation of blood vessels occur.
Aminoglycoside
Used to treat serious infections by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis by binding to ribosomal subunits. After initial dose, dosage is adjusted according to plasma concentrations of the individual patient.
Analgesic
Used to relieve to relieve pain. Suppresses pain without rendering the patient unconscious.
Anesthetic
Reduces or eliminates pain; General anesthetic renders the patient unconscious; local anesthetic affects pain in the particular location; topical anesthetic is a local anesthetic that affects a sensation in the area they are applied.
Anorexiant
Used to decrease appetite
Antacid
Neutralizes excess gastric acid
Antihelmintic
Eradicates intestinal worms
Antiacne
Controls acne vulgaris
Antianginal
Dilates blood vessels; used to treat angina pectoris, pain in the chest.
Antianxiety
Used in the treatment of anxiety disorder, which do not require excessive sedation.
Antiarrhythmic
Drugs used to treat irregular heart rhythm. Depresses the action of the heart to combat irregularities in its rhythm.
Antiarthritic
Reduces inflammation of joints.
Antibacterial
Destructive to or preventing the growth of bacteria. Kills bacteria (topical).
Antibiotic
Drugs use destroy microorganisms. Kills bacteria and prevents infection.
Anticholesterol
Lowers cholesterol levels.
Anticholinergic
Drugs that are antagonistic to the action of parasympathetic or other cholinergic nerve fibers.
Anticoagulant
Used to prevent blood clot formation. Slows clotting of blood; for treatment of thrombosis or embolism or for storage of collected blood.
Anticonvulsant
Prevents or arrests seizures.
Antidepressant
Agent in treating depression. Classified as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitors), TCAs (Tricyclic Antidepressants), or MAOIs (Monamine Oxidase Inhibitors); elevates mood.
Antidiabetic
Used to treat diabetes.
Antidiarrheal
Used to treat diarrhea
Antidiuretic
reduces volume of urine production.
Antidote
Neutralizes a poison or counteracts its effects.
Antiemetic
Drugs that treat the urge to vomit.
Antiepileptic
Prevents epileptic seizures.
Antiflatulent
Reduces gastrointestinal gas.
Antifungal
Destroys fungi or inhibit growth. Eradicates or suppresses fungi.
Antigout
Drugs used in the treatment of the inflammatory joint condition, Gout.
Antihemophilic
Use for the treatment of hemophilia; allows blood to clot.
Antihistamine
Drugs that respond to the release of histamine that occurs with an implicated anaphylactic reaction or allergic reaction. For treatment of allergies.
Antihyperlipidemic
Drugs used to lower high levels of cholesterol.
Antihypertensive
Used to reduce sustained elevation of blood pressure.
Anti-infective.
Used to treat disease produced by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and parasites. Kills microorganisms and sterilizes wounds
Anti-inflammatory
Reduces inflammation.
Antimigraine
Used to treat migraine headaches. For treatment of migraine headaches.
Antineoplastic
Attacks and destroys malignant cells
Anti-Parkinson’s
Used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
Antiplatelet
Used to prevent clotting.
Antiprotozoal
Destroys protozoa.
Antipruritic
Suppresses pitching.
Antipsychotic
Reduces symptoms of hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorders. Their primary indication is schizophrenia. Reduces the effects of psychotic disorders.
Antipyretic
Reduces fever.
Antiretroviral
Attacks any virus of the family Retroviridae.
Antispasmodic
Prevents or alleviates muscle spasms (cramps); quiets spasms. Reduces spasms.
Antitubercular
Used to treat tuberculosis. Fights tuberculosis.
Antitussive
Suppresses coughing.
Antivertigo
Used to treat dizziness (Vertigo).
Antiviral
Interferes with the virus replication; weakening or abolishing its action. Kills or suppresses viruses, or prevents viral infections.
Anxiolytic
reduces anxiety
Astringent
causes contraction locally after topical application
Barbiturate
Type of sedative.
Benzodiazepine
CNS depressing agents with the potential for abuse and/or dependence.
Beta blocker
Beta blocker blocks response to beta stimulation, which results in the decrease in heart rate, myocardial contractility, blood pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand.
Bronchodilator
Act to relieve bronchospasm (narrowing the bronchi, accompanied by wheezing and coughing) or “asthma attack”. Expands the bronchial passages; for treatment of asthma.
Calcium channel blockers
Prevents the movement of calcium ions through voltage gated calcium channels. They relax coronary artery smooth muscles and are used to control fast ventricular rate in patients with arterial flutter an arterial fibrillation. Blocks flow of calcium ions to the heart for treatment of angina pectoris, arrhythmia, and hypertension.
Cardiac glycoside
Used to moderate heart failure.
Cephalosporin
Inhibits cell wall formation in bacteria (cell wall synthesis).
Corticosteroid
Hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulates the body’s ability to handle stress, resist infections, affect glucose, that, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism and maintain salt and water balance. Relieves inflammation and manages autoimmune diseases.
Decongestant
Used to cause mucous membrane vasoconstriction, production of nasal passage drainage, and relief of stuffiness
Diuretic
Decreases blood pressure by decreasing blood volume by increasing the elimination of salt and water through urination. Increases production of urine.
Emetic
Causes vomiting.
Expectorant
Increases the production of respiratory secretions and decreases irritation caused by dryness in the airways. Increases secretions of the respiratory tract and lowers their viscosity.
Fluoroquinolone
Inhibits DNA coiling and replication in bacteria causing DNA breakage and cell death.
Gastrointestinal (GI) agents
Used to treat disorders in the stomach and/or intestines i.e. Ulcer, reflux, etc.
G.I. stimulant
Used to increase the speed of gastric emptying and reduce esophageal sphincter pressure.
H2 antihistamine
Affects the cells of the gastrointestinal tract.
Histamine
Evokes the symptoms more commonly known as the allergic reaction: red watery eyes, sneezing, hives, rash and bronchial constriction. Gastric mucosal cells also cause secretion of histamine.
Hormone
Chemical substance, formed in a tissue for organ and carried in the blood, stimulates or inhibits the growth of functions of one or more other tissues or organs.
Hypnotic
Causes sleep.
Macrolide
Bacteriostatic agents used primarily to treat pulmonary infections caused by Legionella and gram–positive organisms.
Muscle relaxant
Causes skeletal muscle relaxation; used to reduce muscle spasms. Inhibits muscle contractions.
Narcotic
Often addictive; relieves pain and induces sleep; Includes opium and its derivatives.
Narcotic analgesic
Used to relieve severe pain; have a high abuse potential.
Nasal decongestant
Constricts vessels in nasal passages.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID)
Used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory action and used for mild to moderate pain.
Opiate
Narcotic derived or related to opium.
Parasiticide
Destroys parasites in the skin.
Pediculicide
Kills lice.
Penicillin
Derived from the mold Penicillium chrysogenum and kills bacteria by preventing them from forming a rigid wall needed for survival (cell wall synthesis).
Radiopharmaceutical
Contains radioactive isotope; for diagnosis or for therapy.
Scabicide
Destroys skin mites and their eggs.
Sedative
Depresses the central nervous system (CNS), causing relaxation.
Tetracycline
Broad – spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotic that inhibits protein synthesis in bacteria by binding to ribosome.
Tranquilizer
Reduces anxiety or disturbance.
Vaccine
Introduces an antigen into the body to stimulate the production of antibodies for protection against disease-causing microorganism.
Vasoconstrictor
Narrows vessels and increases blood pressure.
Vasodilator
Expands vessels and lowers blood pressure.