1

2
 CLASSES OF DRUGS
1. Analgesics: An analgesic (alges/o = sensitivity to pain) is a drug that lessens pain. Mild
analgesics relieve mild to moderate pain, such as myalgias, headaches, and toothaches. More
potent analgesics are narcotics or opioids, which are derived from opium. These drugs may
induce stupor (a condition of near-unconsciousness and reduced mental and physical activity).
They are used only to relieve severe pain because they may produce dependence.

2. Anesthetics: An anesthetic is an agent that reduces or eliminates sensation. This effect may
occur in all tissues of the body (general anesthetic) and puts a patient asleep, or may be limited to
a particular region (local anesthetic).

3. Antibiotics and antivirals: An antibiotic is a chemical substance produced by a

microorganism (bacterium, yeast, or mold) that inhibits (bacteriostatic) or kills (bactericidal)
bacteria, fungi, or parasites.

Antifungal medications treat fungal infections. These infections commonly occur in the skin
(ringworm), vagina (moniliasis or candidiasis), mouth, bloodstream, and other organs.
Antitubercular drugs treat tuberculosis, a chronic and often drug-resistant infection. Antiviral
drugs are used against infections due to viruses, such as herpesviruses.

4. Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs: Anticoagulants prevent clotting (coagulation)

of blood. They prevent formation of clots or break up clots in blood vessels in conditions such as
thrombosis and embolism. They also are used to prevent coagulation in preserved blood used for
transfusions.

5. Anticonvulsants: An anticonvulsant prevents or reduces the frequency of convulsions in

various types of seizure disorders or epilepsy. Ideally, anticonvulsants depress abnormal
spontaneous activity of the brain arising from areas of scar or tumor, without affecting normal
brain function.

6. Antidepressants and anti-alzheimer drugs: Antidepressants treat symptoms of

depression. They can elevate mood, increase physical activity and mental alertness, and improve
appetite and sleep patterns. Many antidepressants also are mild sedatives and treat mild forms of
depression associated with anxiety. Anti-Alzheimer drugs are used to treat symptoms of
Alzheimer disease.

7. Antidiabetics: Antidiabetics are used to treat diabetes mellitus (condition in which either
the hormone insulin is not produced, or the body’s tissues have developed insensitivity to
insulin).

3
8. Antihistamines: These drugs block the action of histamine, which is normally released in
the body in allergic reactions. Histamine causes allergic symptoms such as hives, bronchial
asthma, hay fever, and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock (dyspnea, hypotension, and loss of
consciousness).

9. Antiosteoporosis drugs: Osteoporosis is a disorder marked by abnormal loss of bone

density. Calcium, vitamin D, and estrogen are prescribed to increase calcium deposition in bone.

10. Cardiovascular drugs: Cardiovascular drugs act on the heart or the blood vessels to
treat hypertension, angina (pain due to decreased oxygen delivery to heart muscle), myocardial
infarction (heart attack), congestive heart failure, and arrhythmias.

11. Endocrine drugs: Endocrine preparations act in much the same manner as the naturally
occurring (endogenous) hormones.

12. Gastrointestinal drugs: Gastrointestinal drugs often are used to relieve uncomfortable
and potentially dangerous symptoms, rather than as cures for specific diseases.

13. Respiratory drugs: Respiratory drugs are prescribed for the treatment of asthma,
emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and bronchospasm.

14. Sedative-hypnotics: Sedative-hypnotics are medications that depress the central nervous
system and promote drowsiness (sedatives) and sleep (hypnotics). They are prescribed for
insomnia and sleep disorders. These products have a very high abuse potential and should be
used only for short periods of time and under close supervision.

15. Stimulants: Stimulants are drugs that act on the brain to speed up vital processes (heart
and respiration) in cases of shock and collapse. They also increase alertness and inhibit
hyperactive behavior in children. High doses can produce restlessness, insomnia, and
hypertension.

16. Tranquilizers: Tranquilizers are useful for controlling anxiety.