Pharmacology Quiz on Drug Functions

Appendix A: Definitions of Selected Drug Categories

• Agonist: A drug that reacts with and activates physiological receptors, inducing a biological response. Example: morphine (opioid receptor agonist).
• Antagonist: A drug that reacts with physiological receptors, preventing endogenous activation. Example: naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist).
• Enzyme: A molecule that catalyzes chemical reactions.
• Potentiator: An additional drug that enhances the action of a primary drug, resulting in a total response greater than the sum of individual drug effects. Example: hexafluorenium.
• Specific: A drug tailored to a particular use, often due to a functional relationship between the drug's mechanism and the disease's pathophysiology.
• Suppressant: A drug that inhibits disease progression, but does not cure it.
• Systemically Acting Drug: A drug administered to reach systemic circulation, diffusing into all tissues, including the site of therapeutic action.
• Topically Acting Drug: A drug applied to the body's surface for localized therapeutic action.
• Trace Element: A chemical element essential for minute amounts in living organisms.

A. Drugs Acting Through Physical Mechanisms

• Abradant: An agent that removes an external layer, like dental plaque. Example: pumice.
• Absorbent: A drug that takes up other chemicals, reducing free availability. Example: polycarbophil.
• Adsorbent: A drug that binds chemicals to its surface, reducing free availability. Example: kaolin.
• Protectant: A topical drug that acts as a physical barrier. Example: zinc gelatin.

B. Drugs Acting Through Direct Chemical Interaction

• Acidifier, Systemic: A drug that lowers internal body pH. Example: ammonium chloride.
• Acidifier, Urinary: A drug that lowers the pH of renal filtrate and urine. Example: sodium dihydrogen phosphate.
• Alkalinizer, Systemic: A drug that raises internal body pH. Example: sodium bicarbonate.
• Antacid: A drug that neutralizes excess gastric acid. Example: calcium carbonate.
• Chelating Agent: A complexing agent that binds metal ions, useful in treating metal poisoning. Example: edetate calcium disodium.
• Irritant, Local: A drug that weakly, non-specifically interacts with biological tissue, inducing a mild inflammatory response. Example: camphor.

C. Drugs Acting on the Autonomic Nervous System

• Adrenergic: A drug that activates organs innervated by the sympathetic nervous system (sympathomimetic drug) Example: epinephrine.
• Cholinergic: A drug that activates organs innervated by the parasympathetic nervous system (parasympathomimetic drug). Example: neostigmine.
• Parasympathomimetic: A drug that activates organs innervated by the parasympathetic nervous system example: neostigmine.
• Anticholinesterase antidote: A drug that reactivates the cholinesterase enzyme, useful after inactivation by organophosphate poisons Example: pralidoxime.
• Alpha Receptor Agonist: A drug that activates sympathetic nervous system alpha receptors, for example, to induce vasoconstriction. Example: norepinephrine.
• Beta receptor agonist: A drug that activates sympathetic nervous system beta receptors, for example, to induce bronchodilation. Example: isoproterenol.
• Anticholinergic: A drug that inhibits response to parasympathetic nerve impulses and cholinergic drugs; a parasympatholytic drug. Example: ipratropium bromide.
• Antiadrenergic: A drug that inhibits response to sympathetic nerve impulses and adrenergic drugs; a sympatholytic drug. Example: metoprolol.
• Sympatholytic: A drug that inhibits response to sympathetic nerve impulses and to sympathomimetic drugs; an antiadrenergic drug.
• Parasympatholytic: A drug that inhibits response to parasympathetic nerve impulses and to parasympathomimetic drugs; an anticholinergic drug. Example: atropine.
• Antimuscarinic: An anticholinergic drug that inhibits symptoms mediated by acetylcholine receptors of visceral organs. Example: atropine.

Other Drug Categories (from later pages)

• Metal Complexing Agent: A drug that binds metal ions, useful in treating metal poisoning.
• Antipsychotic: A drug that suppresses symptoms of psychoses. Example: haloperidol.
• Anxiolytic: A drug that suppresses anxiety symptoms. Example: diazepam.
• Barbiturate: A sedative-hypnotic drug containing the barbituric acid moiety. Example: phenobarbital.
• Benzodiazepine: A sedative-anxiolytic-muscle relaxant drug containing the benzodiazepine moiety. Example: diazepam.
• Centrally Acting Drug: A drug that produces its therapeutic effect via the central nervous system.
• GABA Agonist: A drug that stimulates or increases GABA receptor action, producing sedative, anxiolytic, & muscle relaxant effects.
• Glutamate Inhibitor: A drug that blocks the action of glutamic acid/glutamate.
• Hydantoin: An antiepileptic drug containing the hydantoin moiety. Example: phenytoin sodium.
• Hypnotic: A CNS depressant used to induce sleep. Example: eszopiclone.
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor: An antidepressant that inhibits the enzyme monoamine oxidase. Example: isocarboxazid.
• Phenothiazine: An antipsychotic or antidepressant drug containing the phenothiazine nucleus. Example: chlorpromazine.
• Psychedelic: A drug that induces vivid sensory phenomena and hallucinations. Example: mescaline.
• Psychotherapeutic: A drug used to treat abnormal mental or emotional processes.
• Reverse COMT Inhibitor: A drug that inhibits the action of catechol-O-methyltransferase.
• Sedative: A CNS depressant that induces mild relaxation. Example: phenobarbital.
• ...(and many more drug types)