Clayton & Willihnganz: Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 17th Edition

Drug Classifications Quick Card

ACE inhibitors:Prevent the synthesis of angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor; used to treat hypertension,
heart failure and kidney disease
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors:Promote the accumulation of acetylcholine, resulting in prolonged cholinergic
effects
adrenergic:Produce effects similar to the neurotransmitter norepinephrine; see Chapter 13
adrenergic blocking agents:Inhibit the adrenergic system, preventing stimulation of the adrenergic receptors
aldosterone receptor antagonists:Block stimulation of mineralocorticoid receptors by aldosterone, thus
reducing high blood pressure by preventing sodium reabsorption
aminoglycosides:Gentamicin, tobramycin, and related antibiotics; particularly effective against gram-negative
microorganisms; noted for potentially dangerous nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity
amylinomimetic agent:Used to reduce elevated postprandial hyperglycemia (pramlintide) in patients with type
1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus
analgesics:Narcotic and nonnarcotic; relieve pain without producing loss of consciousness or reflex activity
androgens:These steroid hormones produce masculinizing effects
anesthetics:For example, local anesthesia, general anesthesia; cause a loss of sensation with or without a loss
of consciousness
angiotensin II receptor antagonists:Also known as ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers); act by binding to
angiotensin II receptor sites, preventing angiotensin II (a very potent vasoconstrictor) from binding to receptor
sites in vascular smooth muscle, brain, heart, kidneys, and adrenal gland, thus blocking the blood pressure
elevating and sodium-retaining effects of angiotensin II
antacids:Reduce the acidity of the gastric contents
antianginals:Used to prevent or treat attacks of angina pectoris; most common is nitroglycerin
antianxiety:Used to treat anxiety symptoms or disorders; also known as minor tranquilizers or anxiolytics,
although the term tranquilizer is avoided today to prevent the misperception that the patient is being tranquilized
antibiotics:Used to treat infections caused by pathogenic microbes; the term is often used interchangeably with
antimicrobial agents
anticholinergics:Block the action of acetylcholine in the parasympathetic nervous system; also known as
cholinergic blocking agents, antispasmodics, and parasympatholytic agents
anticoagulants: Prevent the formation, enlargement, or extension of blood clots. Do NOT dissolve existing
bloodclots.
Anticonvulsants:Suppress abnormal neuronal activity in the CNS, preventing seizures
Antidepressants:Relieve depression
Antidiabetics:Include insulin and amylinomimetic agent (pramlintide) used to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus
(type 1 DM). The secretogogues and those following are used to treat type 2 DM. Secretogogues (sulfonylureas,
meglitinides), biguanide (metformin), thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone, rosiglitazone), alpha-glucosidase
inhibitors (acarbose, miglitol), amylinomimetic agent (pramlintide), and incretin-based therapy (exenatide,
liraglutide, sitagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin) used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Antidiarrheals:Relieve or control the symptoms of acute or chronic diarrhea
Antidysrhythmics:Used to correct cardiac dysrhythmias (any heart rate or rhythm other than normal sinus
rhythm)
Antiemetics:Used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting
Antifungals:Used to treat fungal infections
Antiglaucoma:Used to reduce intraocular pressure
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Drug Classifications Quick Card

Antigout:Used to treat active gout attacks or to prevent future attacks

Antihistamines:Used to treat allergy symptoms; may also be used to treat motion sickness, insomnia, and other
nonallergic reactions
Antihypertensives:Used to treat elevated blood pressure (hypertension)
Antilipemics:Used to reduce serum cholesterol and/or triglycerides; most common are statins
Antimicrobials:Chemicals that eliminate living microorganisms pathogenic to the patient; also called
antibiotics or antiinfectives
Antineoplastics:Also called chemotherapy agents; used alone or in combination with other treatment
modalities such as radiation, surgery, or biologic response modifiers to treat cancer
antiparkinsons:Used in the treatment of Parkinsons syndrome and other dyskinesias
antiplatelets:Prevent platelet clumping (aggregation), thereby preventing an essential step in formation of a
blood clot; most common are aspirin, clopidogrel and prasugrel
antipsychotics:Used to treat severe mental illnesses; also known as major tranquilizers or neuroleptics,
although the term tranquilizer is avoided today to prevent the misperception that the patient is being
tranquilized
antipyretics:Used to reduce fevers associated with a variety of conditions; most common are aspirin,
acetaminophen, and ibuprofen
antispasmodics:Actually anticholinergic agents
antithyroid:Used to treat the symptoms of hyperthyroidism; also known as thyroid hormone antagonists;
propylthiouracil, methimazole
antituberculins:Used to prevent or treat an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
antitussive:Used to suppress a cough by acting on the cough center of the brain
antiulcer agents:These drugs, such as histamine (H2) antagonists, decrease the volume and increase the pH of
gastric secretions
antiviralsUsed to treat infections caused by pathogenic viruses
beta blockers:Inhibit the activity of sympathetic transmitters, norepinephrine and epinephrine; used to treat
angina, dysrhythmias, hypertension, and glaucoma
bronchodilators:Stimulate receptors within the tracheobronchial tree to relax and dilate the airway passages,
allowing a greater volume of air to be exchanged and improving oxygenation
calcium channel blockers:Also called calcium ion antagonists, slow channel blockers, or calcium ion influx
inhibitors; inhibit the movement of calcium ions across the cell membrane; used to decrease dysrhythmias, slow
rate of contraction of the heart, and cause vasodilation
carbapenems:Antibiotics (imipenem-cilastatin, ertapenem, meropenem, doripenem) with a broad spectrum of
activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria; they act by inhibiting cell wall synthesis
carbonic anhydrase inhibitors:Interfere with the production of aqueous humor, thereby reducing intraocular
pressure associated with glaucoma
cell-stimulating agents:Improve immune function by stimulating the activity of various immune cells
cholinergic:Also known as parasympathomimetics; produce effects similar to those of acetylcholine
cholinesterase inhibitors:Cholinesterase enzymes destroy acetylcholine, stopping its action. Cholinesterase
inhibitors block destruction of acetylcholine, thus prolonging its action. Examples of cholinesterase inhibitors
are demecarium and echothiophate
coating agent:This drug, sucralfate, forms a complex that adheres to the crater of an ulcer, protecting it from
aggravation from gastric secretions
colony-stimulating factors:Stimulate progenitor cells in bone marrow to increase numbers of leukocytes,
thereby improving immune function
corticosteroids:These hormones are secreted by the adrenal cortex of the adrenal gland
cycloplegics:Anticholinergic agents that paralyze accommodation of the iris of the eye
cytotoxics:Agents that cause direct cell death; often used for cancer chemotherapy
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Drug Classifications Quick Card

decongestants:Reduce swelling in the nasal passages caused by a common cold or allergic rhinitis, usually by
vasoconstriction.
Digestants:Combination products containing digestive enzymes used to treat various digestive disorders and to
supplement deficiencies of natural digestive enzymes
digitalis glycosides:A class of drugs, also known as cardiac glycosides, that increase the force of contraction
and slow the heart rate, thereby improving cardiac output; digoxin is the prototype
diuretics:Act to increase the flow of urine
emetics:Used to induce vomiting
estrogens:Steroids that cause feminizing effects
expectorants:Liquefy mucus by stimulating the natural lubricant fluids from the bronchial glands, allowing the
liquified mucus to be expectorated or coughed up out of the bronchi and trachea
fluoroquinolones:Ciprofloxacin and related agents; widely used broad-spectrum antibiotics
gastric stimulants:Used to increase stomach contractions, relax the pyloric valve, and increase peristalsis in the
gastrointestinal tract; result in a decrease in gastric transit time and more rapid emptying of the intestinal tract;
prototype is metoclopramide
glucocorticoids:Also known as adrenocorticosteroids; are used to regulate carbohydrate, fat, and protein
metabolism
gonadal hormones:Hormones produced by the testes in the male and ovaries in the female
herbals:Plant products usually sold as food supplements; may have pharmacologic effects that are not
evaluated or regulated by the FDA
histamine (H2) antagonists:Decrease the volume and increase the pH of gastric secretions both during the day
and the night
HMG-CoA reductase enzyme inhibitors:Also known as the statins; antilipemic agents that inhibit
hydroxymethyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase enzyme, the enzyme that stimulates the conversion
of HMG-CoA to mevalonic acid, a precursor in the biosynthesis of cholesterol, thus reducing the potential for
atherosclerosis
Hyperuricemics:Used to decrease the production or increase the excretion of uric acid excretion of uric acid,
thus lowering serum uric acid levels to prevent gout. (e.g., allopurinol)
Hypnotics;Used to produce sleep
incretin-mimetics:Used to reduce basal glucose concentrations and elevated postprandial glucose
concentrations; used to treat diabetes mellitus
insulins:Hormone required for glucose transport into the cells for energy
lactation suppressants:Used to prevent physiologic lactation
laxatives:Act by a variety of mechanisms to treat constipation
low molecular weight heparins:Derivatives of heparin; anticoagulants for the prophylactic treatment of venous
thromboembolisms macrolides:Erythromycin, azithromycin, and related antibiotics
MAO inhibitor:Agents (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, selegiline) that block monoamine
oxidase, thereby preventing the degradation and prolonging the action of norepinephrine and serotonin
Mineralocorticoids:Steroids that cause the kidneys to retain sodium and water such as fludrocortisone
Miotics:Cause constriction of the iris
Mucolytics:Reduce the thickness and stickiness of pulmonary secretions by acting directly on the mucous
plugs to dissolve them
muscle relaxants:Relieve muscle spasms
mydriatics:Cause dilation of the iris
neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist:Aprepitant is the first NK1 antagonist available; blocks the effects of
substance P on NK1 receptors. Used to prevent acute and delayed chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting
caused by highly emetogenic antineoplastic agents
neuromuscular blockers:Skeletal muscle relaxants used to produce muscle relaxation during anesthesia; reduce
Copyright 2017 Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Drug Classifications Quick Card

the use and side effects of general anesthetics; used to ease endotracheal intubation and prevent laryngospasm
nitrates:Metabolize to nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator used to treat angina
nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)Prostaglandin inhibitors that are analgesic, antipyretic, and
anti-inflammatory in action
opioids:Centrally-acting analgesic agents related to morphine
oral contraceptives:Used for birth control; administered orally
oral hypoglycemics:Used in type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve glucose metabolism and lower blood glucose
levels
progestins:Steroids regulating endometrial and myometrial function; used alone or in combination with
estrogen for oral contraception
protease inhibitors:Saquinavir, ritonavir, indinavir, and related drugs; block the maturation of human
immunodeficiency virus; used to treat HIV infections
salicylates:Group of related chemicals that are a subclass of NSAIDs effective as analgesics, antipyretics, and
antiinflammatory agents
sedatives:Given to an individual to produce relaxation and rest; do not necessarily produce sleep
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):Antidepressants that act by specifically blocking the reuptake
of serotonin, thus prolonging its action
serotonin antagonists:Used to block serotonin; prevent emesis induced by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and
surgery
statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors):Block the synthesis of cholesterol
stool softeners or fecal softeners:Draw water into the stool, thereby softening it
sympatholytics:Interfere with the storage and release of norepinephrine and epinephrine
sympathomimetics:Mimic the action of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine
thrombolytics:A specific group of drugs (alteplase, anistreplase, streptokinase, urokinase, tenecteplase) given
to dissolve existing blood clots
thyroid hormone antagonists:Used to counteract or block the action of excessive formation of thyroid
hormones (e.g., propylthiouracil, methimazole)
thyroid hormones:Used when thyroid hormones are not being produced or are not produced in sufficient
quantities to meet the bodys physiologic needs
tricyclic antidepressants:Inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin (include doxepin, amitriptyline,
and imipramine)
uricosuric agents:Act on the tubules of the kidneys to enhance the excretion of uric acid
urinary analgesics:Produce a local anesthetic effect on the mucosa of the ureters and bladder to relieve
burning, pain, urgency, and frequency associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs)
urinary antimicrobials:Substances excreted and concentrated in the urine in sufficient amounts to have an
antiseptic effect on the urine and the urinary tract
uterine relaxants:Used primarily to prevent preterm labor and delivery; includes magnesium sulfateuterine
stimulants:Increase the frequency or strength of uterine contractions; includes oxytocin
vaccines:Suspensions of either live, attenuated, or killed bacteria or viruses administered to induce immunity
against infection of specific bacteria or viruses
vasodilators:Relax the arteriolar smooth muscle causing a dilation of the blood vessels (e.g., calcium channel
blockers, alpha-1 adrenergic blockers, and hydralazine)

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