Drug Class
Word List
drug class
a way of organizing medicines into different categories
diuretic drugs
drugs that increase the rate of urination
thiazides
diuretic drugs that block sodium and potassium from being absorbed from kidney tubules back into the
blood
antispasmodic drugs
drugs that inhibit hydrochloric acid secretion, smooth muscle contraction, and peristalsis in the
gastrointestinal tract in order to limit muscle spasms
proton pump inhibitors
drugs that inhibit the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach
acetaminophen
drug that reduces pain through the inhibition of COX enzymes necessary for prostaglandin production
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs
drugs that inhibit prostaglandin production, thereby reducing pain and inflammation
salicylates
drugs that inhibit prostaglandin production to reduce pain and inflammation
bronchodilator drugs
medications that dilate bronchial tubes to widen them
expectorant drugs
drugs that reduce the thickness of mucus so patients can cough it up
beta blockers
hypertension drugs that block beta receptors to prevent epinephrine from binding, decrease heart rate,
and dilate blood vessels
digitalis
drug that makes the heart pump more slowly, but more strongly
statin drugs
hyperlipidemia drugs that reduce cholesterol by blocking the enzyme necessary for cholesterol
production in the liver; HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor drugs
platelet aggregation inhibitors
anticoagulant drugs that reduce blood clotting by preventing platelets from sticking to injury sites or
clumping together
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Word List (continued)
thrombolytic drugs
drugs for dissolving blood clots within blood vessels
estrogen
hormone produced by the ovaries that can be used as a medication to treat hormone imbalances
oxytocin
hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates smooth muscle contraction of the uterus and
can be used as a medication to induce labor or strengthen contractions during labor
spermicidals
contraceptive drugs that kill sperm
corticosteroid drugs
drugs that suppress inflammation by mimicking glucocorticoid hormones
insulin
hormone secreted by the pancreas that can be used as a medication to increase the body’s ability to
remove glucose from the blood stream and transport it into the cell, lowering blood glucose levels
amphetamines
drugs used to decrease hyperactivity in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
anticonvulsant drugs
drugs used to treat epilepsy by mimicking gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitters and
inhibiting nerve impulses
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)
antidepressant drugs that inhibit the reuptake of serotonin to reduce symptoms of depression
oral antihistamines
orally administered drugs that block histamine receptors to decrease inflammation, redness, and itching
retinoid drugs
drugs used to treat acne by causing epidermal cells to divide rapidly, preventing pores from clogging and
decreasing inflammation
miotic drugs
drugs used to treat glaucoma by constricting the pupil to increase the outflow of fluid
mydriatic drugs
drugs used during eye examinations and surgery or to treat inflammation of the iris and surrounding
areas
prostaglandin F agonist
drug used to treat glaucoma by stimulating prostaglandin F receptors to increase the outflow of fluid
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Word List (continued)
epinephrine
hormone released by the adrenal glands that stimulates the "fight-or-flight" response and can be used
as a medication to treat allergic reactions.
topical decongestants
drugs that treat eye allergy symptoms, such as redness, by constricting blood vessels
cephalosporin
antibiotic drug that kills foreign bacteria in the body by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis
fluoroquinolone
antibiotic drug that kills foreign bacteria in the body by inhibiting DNA replication
penicillin
antibiotic drug that kills foreign bacteria in the body by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis
tetracycline
antibiotic drug that kills foreign bacteria in the body by inhibiting protein synthesis
alkylating chemotherapy drugs
cancer drugs that prevent the growth of cancer by interfering with DNA synthesis and, therefore, with
cancer cell division
anti-androgens
hormonal chemotherapy drugs that block testosterone receptors to treat prostate cancer
anti-estrogens
hormonal chemotherapy drugs that block estradiol receptors to treat breast cancer
analgesic drugs
drugs that produce relief from pain while the patient remains conscious
anesthetic drugs
drugs that produce a reversible loss of sensation to prevent pain during surgical procedures
epidural anesthesia
regional anesthesia injected into the space between the spinal cord and the vertebrae
dextrose
Intravenous fluid containing dextrose sugar to provide energy for body cells
vasopressors
drugs that increase blood pressure by decreasing the diameter of blood vessels and increasing the heart
rate
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Word List (continued)
whole blood, citrated
normal blood, with red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma, that is treated with an agent called
citrate that prevents it from clotting and treats blood loss
sodium (saline)
intravenous fluid containing sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) electrolytes necessary for cell function
total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
intravenous fluid containing electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids used to provide
nutrition
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