Drug Definitions and

Classifications
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Management of Alzheimer’s
dementia.
• ANTI-ALZHEIMER’S
AGENTS • Prevention and treatment of
anemias.
• ANTIANEMICS
• Nitrates are used to treat and
• ANTIANGINALS prevent attacks of angina.
• Antianxiety agents are used in the
management of various forms of
• ANTIANXIETY AGENTS anxiety, including generalized
anxiety disorder (GAD).
 Drug Definitions and
Classifications
• Suppression of cardiac
• ANTIARRHYTHMICS arrhythmias.
• ANTIASTHMATICS • Management of acute and
chronic episodes of reversible
bronchoconstriction.
• Used to reduce the amount of
• ANTICHOLINERGICS saliva is produced, and
therefore can decrease
drooling 
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Prevention and treatment of
• ANTICOAGULANTS thromboembolic disorders
including deep vein
thrombosis, pulmonary
embolism, and atrial fibrillation
with embolization.
• ANTICONVULSANTS
• Used to decrease the incidence
and severity of seizures due
various etiologies
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used in the treatment of
• ANTIDEPRESSANTS various forms of endogenous
depression, often in
conjunction with
psychotherapy
• ANTIDIABETICS • Insulin is used in the
management of type 1
• ANTIDIARRHEALS diabetes mellitus.
• For the control and
symptomatic relief of acute
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used to manage nausea and
vomiting of many causes, including
surgery, anesthesia, and
• ANTIEMETICS antineoplastic and radiation
therapy.
• Treatment of fungal infections.
• Relief of symptoms associated with
• ANTIFUNGALS allergies, including rhinitis,
• ANTIHISTAMINES
urticaria, and angioedema, and as
adjunctive therapy in anaphylactic
reactions.
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Treatment of hypertension of
• ANTIHYPERTENSIVES many causes, most commonly
essential hypertension.
• Treatment and prophylaxis of
• ANTI-INFECTIVES various bacterial infections.
• Used in the treatment of
• ANTINEOPLASTICS various solid tumors,
lymphomas, and leukemias.
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used in the treatment of
• ANTIPARKINSON Parkinson’s disease.
AGENTS • Antiplatelet agents are used to
treat and prevent
• ANTIPLATELET AGENTS thromboembolic events such as
stroke and MI.

• ANTIPSYCHOTICS • Treatment of acute and chronic

psychoses, particularly when
accompanied by increased
psychomotor activity.
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used to lower fever of many causes
(infection and inflammation).
• ANTIPYRETICS
• The goal of antiretroviral therapy in the
management of HIV infection is to
• ANTIRETROVIRALS improve CD4 cell counts and decrease
viral
• Antirheumatics are used to manage
symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (pain,
• ANTIRHEUMATICS swelling) and in more severe cases to
slow down joint destruction and preserve
joint function.load.
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used in the treatment and
• ANTITUBERCULARS prevention of tuberculosis.
• Treatment and prophylaxis of
peptic ulcer and gastric
• ANTIULCER AGENTS
hypersecretory conditions such
as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
• Used in the management of
• ANTIVIRALS viral infections
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Management of hypertension,
• BETA BLOCKERS angina pectoris, tachyarrhythmias,
migraine headache (prophylaxis),
MI (prevention), glaucoma
(ophthalmic use), heart failure
(HF) (bisoprolol, carvedilol and
sustained-release metoprolol only)
and hyperthyroidism (management
of symptoms only).
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in
postmenopausal women.
• BONE RESORPTION
• Used in the treatment of reversible airway
INHIBITORS obstruction due to asthma or chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• BRONCHODILATORS• Used in the treatment of hypertension

(amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, isradipine,
nicardipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, verapamil)
or in the treatment and prophylaxis of angina
• CALCIUM CHANNEL pectoris or coronary artery spasm (amlodipine,
BLOCKERS diltiazem, felodipine, nicardipine, verapamil).
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used in the treatment of
• CENTRAL NERVOUS narcolepsy and as adjunctive
SYSTEM STIMULANTS treatment in the management of
attention deficit hyperactivity
• CORTICOSTEROIDS disorder (ADHD).
• Used in replacement doses (20
mg of hydrocortisone or
equivalent)systemically to treat
adrenocortical insufficiency.
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used alone or in combination in the
• DIURETICS treatment of hypertension or edema due
to HF or other causes.
• Used in the treatment of deficiency
• HORMONES states including diabetes mellitus
(insulin), diabetes insipidus
(desmopressin), hypothyroidism (thyroid
hormones), and menopause (estrogens
or estrogens/progestins).
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used with corticosteroids in the
prevention of transplantation rejection
• IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS
reactions.
• Used to treat or prevent constipation or
• LAXATIVES to prepare the bowel for radiologic or
endoscopic procedures.
• Used as a part of a total plan including
• LIPID-LOWERING diet and exercise to decrease blood lipids
AGENTS in an effort to decrease the morbidity and
mortality of atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease and its sequelae.
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Prevention and treatment of
• MINERALS/ deficiencies or excesses of
ELECTROLYTES/pH electrolytes and maintenance of
MODIFIERS optimal acid/base balance for
homeostasis.
• NATURAL/HERBAL • These remedies are used for a
PRODUCTS wide variety of conditions.
Prescriptions are not required
and consumers have the choice
of many products.
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used to control mild to moderate
• NONOPIOID ANALGESICS pain and/or fever.
• NSAIDs are used to control mild
• NONSTEROIDAL ANTI- to moderate pain, fever, and
INFLAMMATORY AGENTS various inflammatory conditions,
such as rheumatoid arthritis and
• OPIOID ANALGESICS osteoarthritis.
• Management of moderate to
severe pain.
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Sedatives are used to provide
• SEDATIVE/HYPNOTICS sedation, usually prior to
procedures. Hypnotics are used to
manage insomnia.
• SKELETAL MUSCLE • Two major uses are spasticity
RELAXANTS associated with spinal cord diseases
or lesions (baclofen and dantrolene)
or adjunctive therapy in the
symptomatic relief of acute painful
musculoskeletal conditions
(cyclobenzaprine, diazepam, and
methocarbamol).
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Acute management of ST-
• THROMBOLYTICS segment-elevation MI.
Alteplase is also used in the
management of acute
pulmonary embolism and acute
• VACCINES/ ischemic stroke.
IMMUNIZING • Immune globulins provide
AGENTS passive immunization to
infectious diseases by
providing antibodies.
Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used for acute treatment of
• VASCULAR HEADACHE vascular headaches (migraine,
SUPPRESSANTS cluster headaches, migraine
variants).
• Used in the prevention and
treatment of vitamin deficiencies
• VITAMINS and as supplements in various
metabolic disorders.
• WEIGHT CONTROL AGENTS• These agents are used in the
management of exogenous obesity
as part of a regimen including a
reduced-calorie diet.
Drug Forms
 Oral
• Tablets
• Capsules
• Solutions Tablets and
• Syrups capsules are
• Elixirs the most
• Suspensions common
• Magmas forms of
• Gels drugs.
• Powders Patients
prefer tablets
or capsules
over other
 Sublingual

• Tablets
• Troches, lozenges
• Drops (solutions)

For sublingual and buccal

administration, the tablet is
not swallowed but kept in the
mouth. The mucosa of the oral
cavity contains a rich blood
supply that provides an
excellent absorptive surface
 NASOGASTRIC AND GASTROSTOMY DRUG
ADMINISTRATION

• A nasogastric (NG) tube is a

soft, flexible tube inserted
by way of the nasopharynx
with the tip lying in the
stomach.
• A gastrostomy (G) tube is
surgically placed directly
into the patient's stomach.
 Epicutaneous, transdermal
• Ointments, gels
• Creams
• Infusion pumps
• Pastes
• Plasters
• Powders
• Aerosols
• Lotions
• Transdermal patches, disks,
• solutions

The use of transdermal patches provides an effective means of

delivering certain medications. Examples include nitroglycerin
for angina pectoris and scopolamine (Transderm-Scop) for
motion sickness.
 Conjunctival
• Contact lens inserts
• Ointments

OPHTHALMIC
ADMINISTRATION The
ophthalmic route is used to
treat local conditions of the
eye and surrounding
structures. Common
indications include excessive
dryness, infections, glaucoma,
 Intraocular

• Solutions
• Suspensions

OPHTHALMIC
ADMINISTRATION The
ophthalmic route is used to
treat local conditions of the
eye and surrounding
structures. Common
indications include excessive
dryness, infections, glaucoma,
and dilation of the pupil
during eye examinations.
 Intraaural

• Solutions
• Suspensions

OTIC ADMINISTRATION The

otic route is used to treat
local conditions of the ear,
induding infections and soft
blockages of the auditory
canal. Otic medications
include eardrops and
irrigations, which are usually
 Intranasal

• Solutions
• Sprays
• Inhalants
• Ointments

The nasal route is used for

both local and systemic drug
administration. The nasal
mucosa provides an
excellent absorptive surface
 Intrarespiratory

• Aerosols
 Rectal

• Solutions
• Ointments
• Suppositories
• Gels

The rectal route may be used for either local

or systemic drug administration. Rectal
drugs are normally in suppository form.
 VAGINAL

• Solutions
• Ointments
• Emulsion foams
• Gels
• Tablets
• Inserts, suppositories, sponge

The vaginal route is used to deliver medications for

treating local infections and to relieve vaginal pain
and itching. Vaginal medications are inserted as
suppositories, creams, jellies, or foams.
 URETHRAL

• Solutions
• Suppositories
 Parenteral

• Solutions
• Suspensions

Parenteral
administration refers to
the dispensing of
medications by routes
other than oral or
topical. The parenteral
route delivers drugs via
a needle into the skin
 Subcutaneous Injections
• administration of
drugs entails
injection through
the skin into the
loose
subcutaneous
tissue
 Intramuscular Injections
• are
performed
deep into the
skeletal
muscles,
generally the
gluteal or
lumbar
muscles.
 Intravenous Injections
• an aqueous solution is
injected directly into the vein
at a rate commensurate with
efficiency, safety, comfort to
the patient, and the desired
duration of drug response.
• administered intravenously as
a single dose
• small-volume injection
• a large volume
• slow intravenous drip infusion
 Intradermal Injections
• are administered into the
corium of the skin,
usually in volumes of
about 0.1 mL. Common
sites for the injection are
the arm and the back.
The injections are
frequently performed as
diagnostic measures, as
in tuberculin and allergy
testing.
Thank you.