CLASSES OF DRUGS

Ivana TkalčićMentor: A. Žmegač Horvat

Analgesics

• Mild (headache, myalgia, toothache)

• Narcotic (opioid)

-induce stupor

-used only to relieve severe pain

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Anesthetics

• Reduce or eliminate sensation

• General or local anesthetics

Antibiotics and antivirals

• Antibiotics - produced by microorganisms

- inhibit or kill bacteria, fungi or parasites

- caution about the use of antibiotics

• Antivirals - used against viruses (EBV, CMV,HIV)

Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs• Prevent blood clotting

• Thrombosis and embolism

• Transfusion

• Heparin

• Antiplatelet drugs reduce tendency of platelets to stick together

Anticonvulsants

• Prevent or reduce the frequency of convulsions in various types of epilepsy

Antidepressants

• Treat symptoms of depression

• Tricyclics (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

• Lithium

Antidiabetics

• Treat diabetes mellitus

• Type 1 – daily injections of insulin

• Type 2 – oral antidiabetic drugs (sulfonylureas, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones and meglitinides)

Antihistamines

• Block the action of histamine

• Cannot cure alergic reactions but relieve symptoms

• Many side effects

Cardiovascular drugs

• Act on the heart or blood vessels

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

• Angiotensin ll receptor antagonists

• Antiarrhythmics

• Beta-blockers

• Calcium antagonists or calcium channel blockers

• Cholesterol-lowering drugs (cholestyramine and statins)

• Diuretics

Endocrine drugs

• Act in the same manner as naturally occuring hormones

• Androgens• Antiandrogens• Estrogens• Antiestrogens• Aromatase inhibitors• Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM)• Progestins

• Thyroid hormone

• Glucocorticoids

Gastrointestinal drugs

• Used to relieve uncomfortable and potentially dangerous symptoms

• Antacids

• Antiulcer drugs

• Antidiarrheal drugs

• Cathartics – laxatives and purgatives

• Antinauseants

Respiratory drugs

• Treat asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and bronchospasm

• Bronchodilators

• Steroid drugs

• Leukotriene modifiers

Sedatives, hypnotics and tranquilizers• Depress central nervous system, promote

drowsiness and sleep

• Insomnia and other sleep disorders

• Tranquilizers – for controlling anxiety

Stimulants

• Act on the brain to speed up vital processes in case of shock and collapse

• Amphetamines

• Caffeine

THANK YOU!