Pharmacology Drug Classification

Study Notes

Pharmacology: Drug Class

Drug Classification Systems

Chemical Structure: classification based on chemical structure or functional groups
Pharmacological Action: classification based on the drug's mechanism of action
Therapeutic Use: classification based on the drug's therapeutic use or indication
Pharmacokinetics: classification based on the drug's absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME)

Major Drug Classes

Central Nervous System (CNS) Agents
- Anesthetics
- Analgesics
- Anticonvulsants
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Sedatives and hypnotics
Cardiovascular Agents
- Anti-arrhythmics
- Anti-hypertensives
- Cardiac glycosides
- Diuretics
- Vasodilators
Gastrointestinal Agents
- Anti-emetics
- Anti-ulcer agents
- Laxatives
- Prokinetics
Infectious Disease Agents
- Antibacterials
- Antifungals
- Antiparasitics
- Antivirals
Hormones and Hormone Inhibitors
- Androgens
- Estrogens
- Progestins
- Thyroid hormones
- Hormone inhibitors (e.g., aromatase inhibitors)
Respiratory Agents
- Bronchodilators
- Expectorants
- Mucolytics
Other Drug Classes
- Anti-inflammatory agents
- Immunosuppressants
- Ophthalmic agents
- Otological agents

Important Drug Subclasses

Beta blockers: a subclass of anti-hypertensives
Statins: a subclass of lipid-lowering agents
MAOIs: a subclass of antidepressants
NSAIDs: a subclass of anti-inflammatory agents

Drug Classification Systems

Classification of drugs can be based on chemical structure or functional groups
Classification of drugs can be based on the drug's mechanism of action
Classification of drugs can be based on the drug's therapeutic use or indication
Classification of drugs can be based on the drug's absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME)

Major Drug Classes

Central Nervous System (CNS) Agents

Include anesthetics, analgesics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and sedatives and hypnotics
Used to treat various CNS disorders

Cardiovascular Agents

Include anti-arrhythmics, anti-hypertensives, cardiac glycosides, diuretics, and vasodilators
Used to treat various cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension and arrhythmia

Gastrointestinal Agents

Include anti-emetics, anti-ulcer agents, laxatives, and prokinetics
Used to treat various gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea and ulcers

Infectious Disease Agents

Include antibacterials, antifungals, antiparasitics, and antivirals
Used to treat various infectious diseases

Hormones and Hormone Inhibitors

Include androgens, estrogens, progestins, thyroid hormones, and hormone inhibitors
Used to treat various hormone-related disorders

Respiratory Agents

Include bronchodilators, expectorants, and mucolytics
Used to treat various respiratory disorders such as asthma

Other Drug Classes

Include anti-inflammatory agents, immunosuppressants, ophthalmic agents, and otological agents
Used to treat various disorders

Important Drug Subclasses

Beta blockers are a subclass of anti-hypertensives
Statins are a subclass of lipid-lowering agents
MAOIs are a subclass of antidepressants
NSAIDs are a subclass of anti-inflammatory agents

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

The study of the effects of drugs on the body, involving mechanisms of action, receptors, and dose-response relationships
Agonists bind to receptors and activate them, while antagonists bind to receptors but do not activate them
Receptor binding is the specific binding of a drug to its receptor
Dose-response curve is a graph showing the relationship between drug dose and effect
Potency is a measure of the dose required to produce a certain effect
Efficacy is a measure of the maximum effect of a drug

Pharmacokinetics

The study of the movement of drugs through the body, involving absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME)
Absorption is the process by which a drug enters the bloodstream
Distribution is the movement of a drug throughout the body
Metabolism is the process by which a drug is broken down into its metabolites
Excretion is the elimination of a drug from the body
Bioavailability is the proportion of the drug that reaches the systemic circulation
Half-life is the time required for the concentration of a drug to decrease by half

Drug Class

Classification of drugs based on their chemical structure, mechanism of action, or therapeutic use
Examples of drug classes:
- Analgesics relieve pain (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
- Antihistamines treat allergies and allergic reactions (e.g., diphenhydramine)
- Antibiotics treat bacterial infections (e.g., penicillin, amoxicillin)
- Antidepressants treat depression and other mood disorders (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline)
- Beta blockers treat high blood pressure and heart conditions (e.g., propranolol, metoprolol)
- Stimulants increase alertness and energy (e.g., caffeine, amphetamine)

Description

This quiz covers the different systems used to classify drugs, including chemical structure, pharmacological action, therapeutic use, and pharmacokinetics. It also explores the major drug classes, including those affecting the central nervous system.

Pharmacology Drug Classification

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following drug classification systems is based on the drug's mechanism of action?

Which drug class includes anesthetics, analgesics, and antipsychotics?

Which subclass of antidepressants is also known as MAOIs?

Which drug class includes diuretics and vasodilators?

Which of the following drug classification systems is based on the drug's absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion?

Which drug class includes anti-ulcer agents and laxatives?

What is the primary focus of pharmacodynamics?

What is the term for the process by which a drug is broken down into its metabolites?

What is the term for the proportion of a drug that reaches the systemic circulation?

What is the term for a drug that binds to a receptor and activates it?

What is the term for the graph showing the relationship between drug dose and effect?

Which drug class includes acetaminophen and ibuprofen?

What is the term for the time required for the concentration of a drug to decrease by half?

What is the term for the process by which a drug enters the bloodstream?