Pharmacology Drug Classification

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

1. Central Nervous System (CNS) Agents
   • Anesthetics
   • Analgesics
   • Anticonvulsants
   • Antidepressants
   • Antipsychotics
   • Sedatives and hypnotics
2. Cardiovascular Agents
   • Anti-arrhythmics
   • Anti-hypertensives
   • Cardiac glycosides
   • Diuretics
   • Vasodilators
3. Gastrointestinal Agents
   • Anti-emetics
   • Anti-ulcer agents
   • Laxatives
   • Prokinetics
4. Infectious Disease Agents
   • Antibacterials
   • Antifungals
   • Antiparasitics
   • Antivirals
5. Hormones and Hormone Inhibitors
   • Androgens
   • Estrogens
   • Progestins
   • Thyroid hormones
   • Hormone inhibitors (e.g., aromatase inhibitors)
6. Respiratory Agents
   • Bronchodilators
   • Expectorants
   • Mucolytics
7. 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)