Pharmacology Quiz on Drug Classes and Uses

Drug Classification

• Drugs are categorized in various ways
• Classification is based on branding, prescription use, and therapeutic classification
• Patents protect new brand-name drugs, preventing generic versions from being sold until the patent expires

Generic Drugs

• Created to be identical to existing brand-name drugs in dosage, safety, strength, administration, quality, and performance characteristics
• Provide the same clinical benefits as their brand-name counterparts
• Often cheaper than brand-name drugs because clinical trials are not repeated

Brand Name Drugs

• First drugs to be created containing a specific active ingredient and receive approval for use
• Their efficacy, safety, and quality are fully established
• Drug patents usually belong to the founding company

Branded Generics

• Generic drugs that go through the ANDA process
• Assigned a name other than the chemical name
• Can be developed by generic drug companies or the original manufacturer after patent expiration
• Branded generic name belongs to the company

Prescription Drugs

• Drugs not considered safe for general use
• Require supervision from a licensed medical professional
• Examples include drugs for hypertension, anxiety disorders, lipid-lowering agents, diabetes, and antibiotics

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs

• Safe and appropriate for self-medication without prescription
• Benefits outweigh the risks of misuse or abuse
• Adequately labeled for self-diagnosis and use
• Do not require a healthcare professional to use them effectively

Dangerous Drugs

• Designated as prohibited or regulated
• Include opium and its derivatives, coca leaf and derivatives, hallucinogenic drugs,and other similar substances
• Pharmacists must adhere to specific requirements when dispensing, including having a personalized prescription with specific details

Anti-migraines

• Used to treat migraine headaches
• Migraines differ from other headaches as they often include nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light
• Classified in ergots, triptans (Sumatriptan), and NSAIDs

Anesthesia

• Numbs part of the body or induces unconsciousness to eliminate pain during procedures such as surgery
• Common examples include local anesthetics (Cocaine, Lidocaine) and general anesthetics (Halothane, Nitrous Oxide)

Anti-Parkinson's

• Drugs used to treat and alleviate symptoms of Parkinson's disease
• Common symptoms include muscular rigidity, slow movement, resting tremors, and postural instability
• Example drug is Levodopa + Carbidopa (Sinimet)

Anticonvulsants

• Also called anti-epileptic or anti-seizure drugs
• Treat epileptic seizures
• Convulsions are abnormal electrical discharges in the brain
• Examples are Phenytoin (Dilantin) and Phenobarbital

Antipyretics

• Reduce elevated body temperature (fever) to normal levels
• Examples include Ibuprofen, Aspirin, and Paracetamol

Anxiolytics

• Treat anxiety and related psychological and physical symptoms
• Helpful in treating anxiety disorders
• Examples include benzodiazepines

Antidepressants

• Centrally acting drugs that elevate mood, useful for treating mental depression
• Symptoms of depression include low or irritable mood, loss of pleasure, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and difficulty concentrating

Analgesics

• Relieve pain
• Part of the group of drugs used to achieve pain relief
• Generic or common name of a drug used to reduce or eliminate pain

Anti-motion sickness

• Used to suppress motion sickness induced nausea, vomiting, vertigo
• Examples include Meclizine (Bonamine)

Antipsychotics

• Treat symptoms of mental disorders like schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders
• Examples include Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol, and Lithium Carbonate (Quilonium)

Antivertigo

• Used to suppress dizziness
• Examples include Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Imipramine (Tofranil)

Anti-inflammatory drugs

• Used to treat arthritis and rheumatoid disorder
• Chronic progressive inflammatory disorder of joints of unknown origin is treated with these drugs
• Examples include NSAIDs, Methotrexate, and other anti-rheumatic drugs

Anti-gout

• Reduce uric acid tissue deposits
• Treat acute gout
• Examples include Allopurinol, Colchicine, Indomethacin, and corticosteroids

Anti-uterine stimulants

• Cause contractions in the uterus
• Increase the frequency and intensity of contractions
• Examples include Oxytocin and Misoprostol (Cytotec)

Anti-uterine relaxants

• Used to suppress premature labor
• Example drugs are Terbutaline and Isoxuphrine (Duvadilan)

H2 Blockers

• Inhibit histamine-mediated gastric acid secretion
• Treat peptic ulcers and duodenal ulcers
• Example is Cimetidine

Spasmolytics

• Inhibit the motility of visceral smooth muscles
• Prevent or treat spasms of muscles
• Example drug :Scopolamine/Hyoscine (Buscopan)

Laxatives

• Ease defecation by increasing intestinal motility
• Example drug is Hydroxide + Magnesium

Anti-emetics

• Treat nausea and vomiting
• Example drug is Meclizine (Bonamine) , Metoclopramide

Cardiovascular drugs

• Inotropic agents or inotropes alter the heart's contraction force
• Positive inotropes strengthen contractions while negative inotropes weaken them
• Other cardiovascular drugs include anti-anginals, anti-arrhythmic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-hypertensive drugs

Anti-amoebics

• Kill or inhibit Entamoeba histolytica
• Important for treating amoebiasis
• Examples include drugs that destroy these types of parasites

Anti-leprosy

• Used to treat infectious diseases like leprosy
• Causes severe disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage
• Examples include Dapsone, Clofazimine, and Rifampicin

Anti-hyperlipidemic

• Act on diverse groups of pharmaceuticals that lower blood lipid levels
• Examples include statins (Simvastatin)

Antihelmintics

• Used to treat parasitic worm infections
• Address both flatworms (flukes and tapeworms) and roundworms (nematodes)

Anticoagulants

• Prevent harmful blood clots from forming inside the body
• Examples include Warfarin, Heparin, and Hirudin

Anti-fibrinolytics

• Inhibit clot dissolution, promoting homeostasis
• Example is Tranexamic Acid

Anti-fungal

• Kill or inhibit pathogenic fungi that cause skin rashes
• Often cause itchy, scaly, dry, red patch of skin that slowly gets bigger

Antiviral

• Inhibit viral infections
• Examples include Aciclovir (Zovirax) and Amantadine (Symmetrel)

Antimalarials

• Prevent or cure malaria
• Used in preventing or treating infections caused by the Plasmodium parasite
• Examples include Chloroquine and Mefloquine

Anti-asthma

• Treat asthma.
• Can be used as relievers or controllers
• Examples include Salbutamol, Fluticasone

Decongestants

• Relieve upper respiratory tract congestion
• Can be oral or topical
• Examples include Phenylephrine

Respiratory Stimulants

• Used in addition to noninvasive ventilation to help increase the urge to breathe
• Used to stimulate breathing
• Example is Caffeine

Miotics

• Constricts the pupils of the eyes
• Example drug is Pilocarpine

Mydriatics

• Dilate the pupils of the eyes
• Example drug is Atropine.