11/4/2014 Drug Classifications

Drug Classifications
The following is a list of the major drug classifications. "Memory tricks" are included where
applicable.

Antianemics: prevention and treatment of anemias

Antianginals

nitrates: used to treat and prevent attacks of angina; acute treatment

calcium channel blockers and beta blockers are used prophylactically for
longer-term management

Antianxiety agents

benzodiazepines: better for intermittent or short-term use in the

management of anxiety
buspirone, paroxetine, venlafaxine: better for long-term use

Antiarrhythmics: suppression of cardiac arrhythmias

generally classified by their effects on cardiac conduction tissue (Class IA,

IB, IC, II, III & IV)
atropine and digoxin: also used as antiarrhymics

Antiasthmatics: management of acute and chronic episodes of reversible

bronchoconstriction
Anticholinergics

atropine: bradyarrhythmias
ipratropium: bronchospasm
atropine: also used as ophthalmic mydriatic
benztropine: management of Parkinson's disease

Anticoagulants: prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders

Anticonvulsants: decrease the incidence and severity of seizures due to different
etiologies
https://ncsbn.myncsbnlx.com/data/companies/ncsbn/scorm/RN-SubLesson-6A-Pharmacological-and-Parenteral-Therapies_2004%20-%20(with%20skin)%20… 1/6
11/4/2014 Drug Classifications

Antidepressants
Antidiabetics

insulin: type 1 diabetes mellitus

oral agents used primarily in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Antidiarrheals: for control and symptomatic relief of acute and chronic nonspecific
diarrhea
Antiemetics: used to manage nausea and vomiting due to many causes, including
surgery, anesthesia, and antineoplastic and radiation therapies
Antifungals:memory trick - most end with "AZOLE"
Antihistamines

used for relief of symptoms associated with allergies and as adjunctive

therapy in anaphylactic reactions
some are used to treat insomnia and Parkinson-like reactions

Antihypertensives: including, but not limited to, the following

ACE inhibitors: treatment of choice for hypertension;memory trick - most

end with "PRIL"
angiotension receptor blockers:memory trick - most end with "SARTAN",
including losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan)
beta blockers (see below)
calcium channel blockers (see below)

Anti-infectives: treatment and prophylaxis of various bacterial infections

Antineoplastics: used in the treatment of various solid tumors, lymphomas, and
leukemias

Antiplatelet agents: used to treat and prevent thromboembolic events, e.g., stroke,
myocardial infarction
Antipsychotics
Antipyretics: used to lower fever of many causes, including infection, inflammation,
and neoplasms
Antirheumatics: used to manage symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and slow down
joint destruction and preserve joint function
Antituberculars: used in the treatment and prevention of tuberculosis
Antiulcer agents

used in the treatment and prophylaxis of peptic ulcer and gastric

hypersecretory conditions, e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

https://ncsbn.myncsbnlx.com/data/companies/ncsbn/scorm/RN-SubLesson-6A-Pharmacological-and-Parenteral-Therapies_2004%20-%20(with%20skin)%20… 2/6
11/4/2014 Drug Classifications

memory trick - most end with "PRAZOLE", including omeprazole (Prilosec),

pantoprazole (Protonix), esomeprazole (Nexium)

Antivirals:memory trick - many end with "CY[I]CLOVIR", including acyclovir

(Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Beta blockers:

used in the management of hypertension, angina pectoris,

tachyarrhythmias, migraine headache (prophylaxis), MI (prevention),
glaucoma (opthlalmic use), CHF (carvedilol and sustained-release
metoprolol only), hyperthyroidism (management of symptoms only)
memory trick - most end with 'OLOL", "ALOL" or "ILOL"

Bone resorption inhibitors

used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

also used to treat osteoporosis due to corticosteriod therapy, treatment of
Paget's disease of the bone, and management of hypercalcemia

Calcium channel blockers

used in the treatment of hypertension (amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine,

isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, verapamil)
also used in the treatment and prophylaxis of angina pectoris or coronary
artery spasm (amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, nicardipine, verapamil)
memory trick - most end with "DIPINE"

Corticosteriods:

used in replacement doses (20 mg of hydrocortisone or equivalent)

systematically to treat adrenocortical insufficiency
larger doses are usually used for their anti-inflammatory,
immunosuppressive, or antineoplastic activity

Diuretics

https://ncsbn.myncsbnlx.com/data/companies/ncsbn/scorm/RN-SubLesson-6A-Pharmacological-and-Parenteral-Therapies_2004%20-%20(with%20skin)%20… 3/6
11/4/2014 Drug Classifications

thiazide diuretics and loop diuretics are used alone or in combination in the
treatment of hypertension or edema due to CHF or other causes
potassium-sparing diuretics have weak diuretic and antihypertensive
properties and are used to conserve potassium in clients receiving thiazide
or loop diuretics
osmotic diuretics are often used in the management of cerebral edema

Hormones

used in the treatment of deficiency states including diabetes (insulin),

diabetes insipidus (desmopressin), hypothyroidism (thyroid hormones),
and menopause (estrogens or estrogens/progestins)
hormones may be used to treat hormonally sensitive tumors (androgens,
estrogens)

Immunosuppressants:

most are used in the prevention of transplantation rejection reactions

others are used in the management of selected autoimmune diseases
(nephrotic syndrome of childhood and severe rheumatoid arthritis)

Laxatives: used to treat or prevent constipation or to prepare the bowel for

radiologic or endoscopic procedures
Lipid-lowering agents:

used as a part of a total plan, including diet and exercise, to reduce blood
lipids in an effort to reduce the morbidity and mortality of atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease and its sequelae
memory trick - many end with "STATIN", e.g., atorvastatin (Lipitor),
simvastatin (Zocor), rosuvastatin (Crestor)

Minerals/electrolytes/pH modifiers

https://ncsbn.myncsbnlx.com/data/companies/ncsbn/scorm/RN-SubLesson-6A-Pharmacological-and-Parenteral-Therapies_2004%20-%20(with%20skin)%20… 4/6
11/4/2014 Drug Classifications

used in the prevention and treatment of deficiencies or excesses of

electrolytes and maintenance of optimal acid/base balance for
homeostasis
acidifiers and alkalinizers are also used to promote urinary excretion of
substances that accumulate in some disease states, e.g., kidney stones

Nonopioid analgesics: used to control mild to moderate pain and/or fever

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents: used to control mild to moderate pain,
fever, and various inflammatory conditions, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis and
osteoarthritis

Opioid analgesics: used in the management of moderate to severe pain

Sedative/hypnotics

used to provide sedation, usually prior to procedures

selected agents are useful as anticonvulsants, skeletal muscle relaxants,
adjuncts in general surgery and adjuncts for the treatment of alcohol
withdrawal syndrome

Skeletal muscle relaxants

used to treat spasticity (associated with spinal cord diseases or lesions)

used as adjunctive therapy in the symptomatic relief of acute painful
musculoskeletal conditions
IV dantrolene is also used to treat and prevent malignant hyperthermia

Thrombolytics: used for the acute management of coronary thrombosis (MI),

massive pulmonary emboli, deep vein thrombosis, and arterial thromboembolism

Vascular headache suppressants

used for the treatment of vascular headaches, e.g., migraine and cluster
https://ncsbn.myncsbnlx.com/data/companies/ncsbn/scorm/RN-SubLesson-6A-Pharmacological-and-Parenteral-Therapies_2004%20-%20(with%20skin)%20… 5/6
11/4/2014 Drug Classifications

headaches;memory trick - many end with "TRIPTAN", including

sumatriptan (Imitrex)
other agents are used for suppression of frequently occurring vascular
headaches, e.g., some beta blockers and calcium channel blockers

https://ncsbn.myncsbnlx.com/data/companies/ncsbn/scorm/RN-SubLesson-6A-Pharmacological-and-Parenteral-Therapies_2004%20-%20(with%20skin)%20… 6/6