Pharmacology: Classification of Drugs

Classification of Drugs in Pharmacology

Based on Chemical Structure

• Alkaloids: Derived from plants, contain nitrogenous bases (e.g., morphine, codeine, atropine)
• Glycosides: Derived from plants, contain sugar molecules (e.g., digoxin, ouabain)
• Amino Acids: Derived from amino acids, used as neurotransmitters or hormones (e.g., dopamine, thyroxine)
• Hormones: Derived from endocrine glands, regulate various bodily functions (e.g., insulin, thyroxine)

Based on Pharmacological Action

• Antibacterials: Inhibit or kill bacteria (e.g., penicillin, tetracycline)
• Antivirals: Inhibit or kill viruses (e.g., acyclovir, oseltamivir)
• Antifungals: Inhibit or kill fungi (e.g., fluconazole, amphotericin B)
• Anesthetics: Cause numbness or loss of sensation (e.g., lidocaine, propofol)
• Analgesics: Relieve pain (e.g., aspirin, morphine)
• Antihistamines: Counteract histamine effects (e.g., diphenhydramine, loratadine)

Based on Therapeutic Use

• Cardiovascular Drugs: Treat heart and blood vessel disorders (e.g., beta blockers, ACE inhibitors)
• Antineoplastic Drugs: Treat cancer (e.g., chemotherapy, immunotherapy)
• Psychotropic Drugs: Treat mental health disorders (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics)
• Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Reduce inflammation (e.g., NSAIDs, corticosteroids)

Based on Mechanism of Action

• Receptor Agonists: Bind to receptors, mimicking natural ligands (e.g., dopamine agonists, adrenergic agonists)
• Receptor Antagonists: Bind to receptors, blocking natural ligands (e.g., beta blockers, antihistamines)
• Enzyme Inhibitors: Inhibit enzyme activity (e.g., ACE inhibitors, MAOIs)
• Channel Modulators: Affect ion channel function (e.g., calcium channel blockers, potassium channel openers)

Classification of Drugs in Pharmacology

Based on Chemical Structure

• Alkaloids are derived from plants and contain nitrogenous bases, examples include morphine, codeine, and atropine.
• Glycosides are derived from plants and contain sugar molecules, examples include digoxin and ouabain.
• Amino Acids are derived from amino acids and are used as neurotransmitters or hormones, examples include dopamine and thyroxine.
• Hormones are derived from endocrine glands and regulate various bodily functions, examples include insulin and thyroxine.

Based on Pharmacological Action

• Antibacterials inhibit or kill bacteria, examples include penicillin and tetracycline.
• Antivirals inhibit or kill viruses, examples include acyclovir and oseltamivir.
• Antifungals inhibit or kill fungi, examples include fluconazole and amphotericin B.
• Anesthetics cause numbness or loss of sensation, examples include lidocaine and propofol.
• Analgesics relieve pain, examples include aspirin and morphine.
• Antihistamines counteract histamine effects, examples include diphenhydramine and loratadine.

Based on Therapeutic Use

• Cardiovascular Drugs treat heart and blood vessel disorders, examples include beta blockers and ACE inhibitors.
• Antineoplastic Drugs treat cancer, examples include chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
• Psychotropic Drugs treat mental health disorders, examples include antidepressants and antipsychotics.
• Anti-Inflammatory Drugs reduce inflammation, examples include NSAIDs and corticosteroids.

Based on Mechanism of Action

• Receptor Agonists bind to receptors, mimicking natural ligands, examples include dopamine agonists and adrenergic agonists.
• Receptor Antagonists bind to receptors, blocking natural ligands, examples include beta blockers and antihistamines.
• Enzyme Inhibitors inhibit enzyme activity, examples include ACE inhibitors and MAOIs.
• Channel Modulators affect ion channel function, examples include calcium channel blockers and potassium channel openers.