Drug Classifications by Action Quiz

Study Notes

Drug Classifications by Action

Acidifier, Systemic: Lowers internal body pH (useful in alkalosis, target pH 7.4).
Acidifier, Urinary: Lowers pH of renal filtrate and urine.
Alkalizer, Systemic: Raises internal body pH (useful in acidosis, target pH 7.4), Sodium Bicarbonate is an example.
Adrenergic: Activates organs innervated by the sympathetic branch. Examples include Epinephrine.
Anti-adrenergic: Prevents response to sympathetic nerve impulses and adrenergic drugs. Example Propranolol Hydrochloride.
Cholinergic: Activates organs innervated by parasympathetic branch. Example: parasympathomimetic drug.
Anticholinergic: Prevents response to parasympathetic nerve impulses and cholinergic drugs. Example: Atropine Sulfate.
Adrenocortical Steroid, Salt-regulating: An adrenal cortex hormone or analog that regulates sodium/potassium electrolyte balance in the body. Example- Desoxycorticosterone Acetate.
Mineralocorticoid: A salt-regulating adrenocortical steroid, useful for regulating sodium/potassium electrolyte balance. Examples: Desoxycorticosterone Acetate.
Androgen: Hormone that stimulates and maintains male reproductive function and sex characteristics. Example: Testosterone Propionate.
Estrogen: Hormone that stimulates and maintains female reproductive organs and sex characteristics. Example: Ethinyl Estradiol.
Progestin: Hormone that stimulates the secretory phase of the uterine cycle.
Anti-anemic: Drug that stimulates production of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in normal number, size and hemoglobin content.
Anticoagulant, Systemic: Slows clotting of circulating blood. Example: Warfarin Sodium.
Antihypertensive: Lowers arterial blood pressure, especially high diastolic pressure.
Antineoplastic: Selectively toxic to rapidly multiplying cells of malignant tumors.
Diuretic: Promotes renal excretion of electrolytes and water, treating generalized edema. Example: Furosemide.
Hematinic: Promotes hemoglobin formation by supplying iron. Example: Ferrous Sulfate.
Hemostatic, Systemic: Inhibits systemic dissolution of clots (fibrinolysis).
Antitussive: Suppresses coughing. Example: Codeine Phosphate.
Expectorant: Increases respiratory tract secretion, lowers viscosity, and promotes removal.
Mucolytic: Hydrolyses mucoproteins, reducing viscosity of pulmonary mucous. Example: Acetylcysteine.
Anticonvulsant: Arrests convulsions by inducing general anesthesia or suppresses epileptic seizures without loss of consciousness.
Antidepressant: Central acting drug that selectively elevates mood.
Anti-epileptic: Anticonvulsant that suppresses epileptic seizures.
Antiparkinsonian: Reduces neurologic disturbance and symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Example: Levodopa
Hypnotic: Central nervous system depressant that induces sleep at suitable dosage.
Narcotic: Induces its pharmacological action by reacting with central nervous system receptors that respond to morphine.
Relaxant, Skeletal Muscle: Inhibits contracting of voluntary muscles.
Sedative: Central nervous system depressant that induces mild relaxation and reduces emotional tension.
Antidiabetic: Replaces insulin or stimulates secretion, treating diabetes mellitus. Example Insulin Zinc Suspension