Pharmacology: Drug Classes Overview

Drug Class: Analgesics to Antidotes

• Analgesic: Relieves pain without causing loss of consciousness (e.g., Tylenol, Advil, Motrin).
• Anesthetic: Produces a lack of feeling, can be local or general (e.g., lidocaine, Xylocaine, Novocain).
• Antacid: Neutralizes stomach acid (e.g., Amphojel, Gelusil, Mylanta, Milk of Magnesia).
• Antidepressant: Prevents or alleviates symptoms of depression (e.g., Tofranil, Marplan, Nardil).
• Antidiarrheal: Reduces diarrhea by inhibiting peristalsis (e.g., Keopectate, Lomotil, Pepto-Bismol).
• Antidote: Counteracts poisons and their effects (e.g., Narcan).

Drug Class: Anti-emetics to Antifungals

• Anti-emetic: Prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting (e.g., Dramamine, Marinol).
• Antifungal: Destroys or inhibits fungi (e.g., Diflucan, Lamisil, Monistat).
• Antihistamine: Prevents the action of histamine, alleviating allergy symptoms (e.g., Allegra, Benadryl).

Drug Class: Lipid and Blood Pressure Medications

• Antihyperlipidemic: Lowers high levels of lipids in the blood (e.g., Lipitor, Zocor).
• Antihypertensive: Manages or prevents high blood pressure (e.g., Catapres, Aldomet).

Drug Class: Inflammatory and Psychiatric Treatments

• Anti-inflammatory: Prevents inflammation (e.g., Advil, Naprosyn).
• Antimanic: Treats manic episodes in bipolar disorder (e.g., lithium).
• Antineoplastic: Prevents replication of neoplasmic cells, used for tumors (e.g., Myleran, Cytoxan).

Drug Class: Miscellaneous Medications

• Antiparkinsonian: Provides relief of major Parkinson's disease symptoms (e.g., L-Dopa, Requip).
• Antipyretic: Reduces fever (e.g., Tylenol, aspirin).
• Antituberculosis: Treats tuberculosis by inhibiting mycobacterial growth (e.g., INH, Rifadin).

Drug Class: Immune Modulators to Cough Suppressants

• Antitumor necrosis factor: Slows down joint destruction in autoimmune conditions (e.g., Enbrel).
• Antitussive: Prevents or alleviates cough (e.g., codeine, dextromethorphan).
• Antiulcer: Treats active duodenal ulcers and controls stomach acid (e.g., Pepcid, Zantac).

Drug Class: Viral Inhibitors to Respiratory Aids

• Antiviral: Targets specific viral diseases (e.g., Tamiflu, Zovirax).
• Bronchodilator: Expands the bronchi, aiding in respiration (e.g., Proventil, Isuprel).

Drug Class: Cardiovascular and Contraceptive Agents

• Cardiac glycoside: Increases heart contraction strength and regulates heart rate (e.g., Digitalis).
• Contraceptive: Methods or agents preventing conception.

Drug Class: Pain and Inflammation Management

• COX-2 Inhibitor: Targets the COX-2 enzyme to reduce inflammation.
• Decongestant: Reduces nasal congestion via vasoconstriction (e.g., Afrin, Sudafed).

Drug Class: Rheumatologic to Diuretic Treatments

• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): Alters rheumatoid arthritis progression (e.g., Arava, Rheumatrex).
• Diuretic: Enhances urine excretion (e.g., Lasix, Diuril).

Drug Class: Induction and Facilitation Agents

• Emetic: Induces vomiting (e.g., Ipecac syrup).
• Expectorant: Aids in the removal of pulmonary secretions (e.g., Robitussin, Mucinex).

Drug Class: Digestive and Hormonal Modulators

• Gastric acid-pump inhibitor: Suppresses acid secretion, treats GERD (e.g., Prilosec).
• Hemostatic: Controls or stops bleeding (e.g., vitamin K).

Drug Class: Sleep Aids to Blood Sugar Regulators

• Hypnotic: Induces sleep, depresses the CNS (e.g., chloral hydrate).
• Hypoglycemic: Lowers blood glucose levels (e.g., insulin).