Kipengele K,

Bpharm

BASIC
PHARMACOLOGY
1
NTA Level 4 Semester 2

2020
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF MEDICINES
SESSION 2

By the end of this session you

should be able to:
 Define pharmacological classes of essential
medicines
 Describe pharmacological classes of essential
medicines
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF
MEDICINES
 There are several pharmacological classes of
medicines which are listed in the National essential
drug lists. The classes include:
1. Anaethetics - are used in surgery and intubation
2. Muscle relaxants - are used in surgery
3. Analgesics - are used in management of pain and
fever
4. Anti allergies - are used in management of allergic
reactions
5. Antidotes - are used in counteracting the effects of a
particular poison
6. Anti epileptic - are used in management of epilepsy
7. Anti infective - are used in management of various
types of infections
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF
MEDICINES……
8. Anti-neoplastic/immunosuppressive drugs - are
used in immunosuppression especially during organ
transplant and management of some cancers
9. Ant parkinsonism - are used in management of
Parkinson’s disease
10. Blood boaster - are used in management of anemia
11. Anti coagulants - are used as blood thinner and
management of thrombosis
12. Cardiovascular medicines - are used in management
of heart and problems associated with blood vessels
13. Dermatological medicines - are used in management
of skin diseases
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF
MEDICINES
14. Gastro intestinal medicines - are used in management
of problems in gastrointestinal tracts
15. Hormone and antidiabetic medicines - are used in
management of diabetes and other hormonal diseases
16. Vaccines - are used in prevention of diseases
17. Ophthalmological preparations - are used in
management of eye diseases
18. Medicine - used in ear and nose which are used in
management of ear and nose problems
19. Oxytocics - are used in management of delayed labour
20. Psychotherapeutics - are used in management of
psychiatric conditions
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF
MEDICINES
21. Medicines - acting on the respiratory tracts which
are used in management of diseases associated with
respiratory system
22. Solution correcting water and electrolyte - are used
in management of fluid and electrolyte imbalances
23. Vitamins and minerals - are used in management of
vitamin and mineral deficiency
DESCRIPTION OF PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES
OF ESSENTIAL MEDICINES

Pharmacological classes of medicines include drugs

which have similar functions.
1. Anaethetics
a) General anaesthetic - are drugs which produce
reversible loss of all sensation and conciousness.
Examples: halothane, ketamine, isoflurane and
thiopental
b) Local anaesthetics - are drugs which produce
reversible loss of sensation in a specific part of the
body.
Examples: lignocaine and bupivacaine
Uses: Used in surgery and intubation
PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF MEDICINES INCLUDE DRUGS WHICH HAVE SIMILAR FUNCTIONS…

2. Muscle relaxants - drugs are used in management of

pain and fever.
Examples:Neostigmine,Pancuronium,Suxamethonium
3. Analgesics - are used in management of pain and
fever
Examples:Aspirin, paracetamol, diclofenac, ibuprofen,
indomethazine, piroxicam, mefenamic acid,
naproxen, tromadol.
4. Anti allergies - are used in management of allergic
reactions
Examples: Chlorpheniramine, loratadine, cetirizine,
adrenaline, dopamine hydrocortisone,
promethazine, dexamethasone.
5. ANTIDOTES - ARE USED IN COUNTERACTING THE
EFFECTS OF A PARTICULAR POISON.
TOXICITY ANTIDOTE
1 Acetaminophen(Paracetamol)  N-Acetyl Cysteine
2 Organophosphates and carbamates Atropine
3 Digoxin Digoxin immune fab
4 Arsenic Dimercaprol
5 Copper, Gold, Lead, Mercury, Zinc Penicillamine
6 Benzodiazepine Flumazenil
7 Methemoglobinemia Methylene blue
8 Opioids Naloxone
9 Anti-cholinesterase Pralidoxime
10 Insulin reaction Glucose(Dextrose 50%)
11 Cyanides Na-Nitrate or Na-Thiosulphate
12 Heparin Protamine sulphate
13 Iron Desferroxamine
14 Theophylline, Caffaine Esmolol
PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF MEDICINES INCLUDE DRUGS WHICH HAVE SIMILAR FUNCTIONS…

6. Anti epileptic - are used in management of epilepsy

Examples: Carbamazepine, Diazepam,
Phenobarbital, Phenytoin and
Magnesium sulphate.
7. Anti-neoplastic/immunosuppressive - are used in
immunosuppression especially during organ transplant and
management of some cancers.
Examples: Cyclophosphamide, Rituximub and
Prednisolone.
8. Antiparkinsonism – are used in management of Parkinson’s
disease
Examples: Benzhexol, Biperidine, Bromocriptine
and carbidopa
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF MEDICINES INCLUDE DRUGS WHICH HAVE SIMILAR FUNCTIONS…

9. Blood boaster - used in management of anemia

Examples: ferrous sulphate, folic acid and
vitamin B12
10. Anti coagulants - used as blood thinner and management of
thrombosis
Examples: Aspirin, activated prothrombin, vitamin
K,enoxaparin sodium, heparin, protamin sulphate, streptokinase,
alteplase, frozen plasma, factor viii and factor ix.
 11. CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
• Cardiovascular medicine; drugs used in management of heart
disease and problems associated with blood vessels, they
include:
a) Anti anginal drugs - used in management of angina
Examples: glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide
mono/dinitrate, nifedipine, clopidegral and propranolol
b) Anti arrythimic drugs - are used in management of cardiac
arrhythmias.
Examples: Amiodarone, Verapamil, Adenosine and
Lidocaine.
 CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE…………
c) Cardiac Glycosides – are used in management of congestive
heart failure.
Examples: Digoxin, igitoxin
d) Diurects - used in management of hypertension and extracellular
edema.
Examples: Frusemide, bendrofluazide, spironolactone,
mannitol and glycerol syrup
e) Lipid Lowering are used in lowering cholesterol level in blood
Examples: Simvastatin , Atovastatin and Rosuvastatin
f) Anti-hypertensive - are used in management of hypertension
Examples: Methyldopa, Captopril, Nifedipine, Atenolol,
Propranolol, Labetalol, Bumetanide, Peridopril,Carvediol,
Metoprolol, Amlodipine, Hydralazine and Bisoprolol.
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF MEDICINES
INCLUDE DRUGS WHICH HAVE SIMILAR FUNCTIONS…
12. Dematological medicines - are used in management of various
skin conditions, they include:
 Anti-inflamatory (steroidal) and Anti-pruritic Medicines

Examples: Dephenhydramine, betamethazone,

hydrocortisone, dithranol, clobatesol propionate, para amino
benzoic acid and tretinoic acid.
 Fungicides (topical) – Are used in managment of topical fungal
infections.
Examples: Clotrimazole, Nystatin, Miconazole, Tolnaftate,
Terbinafine and Sodium Thiosulphate Solution
 Keratoplastic and Keratolytic Agents

Examples: Silver Nitrate sticks, podophyin solution,

trichloracetic acid and sun screen protection factor
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF MEDICINES INCLUDE
DRUGS WHICH HAVE SIMILAR FUNCTIONS…
 Anti-infective Agent (topical) - used in various bacterial
infections on the skin
Examples: Oxytetracycline, retinoic acid, isotretionin,
chloramphenical, mupirocin, gentamycin and bezoyl peroxide
13. Gastro-intestinal medicines are drugs which are used in
management of various gastrointestinal conditions. They
include:
A. Antacids and Anti-ulcers Agents, Examples:
 H receptors blockers - Cimetidine, Ranitidine, Famotidine
2
 Proton Pump Inhibitors(PPI) - Omeprazole, Lansoprazole,
Esomeprazole, Rabeprazole and Pantoprazole
 Anti acid - Magnesium tricilicate, Magnesium-aluminum

mixtures,
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF MEDICINES
INCLUDE DRUGS WHICH HAVE SIMILAR FUNCTIONS…
B. Drugs affecting intestinal secretion and antispasmodics
Examples: Hyocine butyl bromide, Cholestyramine and
ursodeoxycholic acid.
C. Anti-emetics - used in management of nausea and vomiting

Examples: Promethazine, Metochlopramide and

Prochloroperazine
D. Cathartics and Laxatives - used in management of constipation

Examples: Bisacodyl , Lactulose, Magnesium Hydroxide and

Polyethylene glycol
E. Haemorrhoids – used for haemorrhoid

Example: Anusal
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF MEDICINES
INCLUDE DRUGS WHICH HAVE SIMILAR FUNCTIONS…
F. Anti-Diarrhoea – are used in management of diarrhea.
Examples: ORS, Loperamide and Zinc tablets.
14. Hormones and antidiabetic agents and related medicines are
drugs which are used in management of diabetes mellitus and
other hormonal disorders. They include:
Examples: Adrenal Hormones and Synthetic Substitutes
include dexamethazone hydrocortisone and prednisolone
a) Oestrogens – Ethinyloesradiol

b) Insulin and Anti- diabetic Agents – Used in managment of

diabetic melitus
Examples: Chlorpropamide, glibenclamide, gliclazide,
tolbutamide, metformin,glucagon glipizede and insulin
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF MEDICINES
INCLUDE DRUGS WHICH HAVE SIMILAR FUNCTIONS…
c) Ovulation inducers example clomiphene
d) Oral Contraceptives example ethinyloestradion + norgestrel,
ethinyloestradion+levonorgestrel and
ethinyloestradion+desogestrel.
e) Barrier and Other Contraceptives which are intra uterine device,
male and female condoms
f) Progesterone

Examples: levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone and

hydroxyprogesterone
g) Thyroid, Parathyroid hormones and Antagonists for Examples:
carbimazole, iodine solution, levothyroxine and iodized oil
capsule
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF MEDICINES
INCLUDE DRUGS WHICH HAVE SIMILAR FUNCTIONS…
15. Sera and immunoglobulins are drugs used in management of
immunological problems and preventions of some diseases
Examples: Gamma globulin, anti D globulin, ant
lymphocytes, anti-rabies, antithymocytes, activated prothrombin,
factor vii, snake venom polyvalent antiserum and tetanus
immunoglobulin.
16. Vaccines are medicines which are used in prevention of various
diseases.
Example of vaccines include Vaccines for immunization ` like
BCG, DPT, measles, poliomyelitis and tetanus toxoids
 Vaccines for specific group of individuals like hepatitis B,

meningitis, rabies yellow fever and pneumococcal.

 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF MEDICINES
INCLUDE DRUGS WHICH HAVE SIMILAR FUNCTIONS…
17. Ophthamological preparations are drugs which are used in
management of various eye problems. They include:
• Antifective agents like acyclovir, chloramphenical,
gentamycin, povidon iodine, oxytetracycline,
ciprofloxacine, econazole and natamycine
• Steroidal Anti-infalamatory Agents like
dexamethazone,prednisolone and triamcinolone acetate
• Antinfective and Antinflamatory Agents like cyclopentolate,

atropine, timolol, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, alomide,

sodium chromoglycate, pilocarpine hydrochloride, zinc
sulphate, lutanoprost acetazolamide and glycerol syrup
• Drugs for Trachoma and Onchocerciasis like azithromycin

and ivermectine
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF MEDICINES
INCLUDE DRUGS WHICH HAVE SIMILAR FUNCTIONS…
18. Medicines used in ear & nose diseases are drugs which are
used in management of ear and nose diseases. They include:
• Ear drops like chloramphenical, dexamethazone,
ciprofloxacine and alluminium acetate
• Oral antiseptics like chlorhexidine gluconate solution and

potassium permanganate solution

• Nasal preparations like beclomethazine spray and ephedrine

nasal drops
19. Oxytocics, myometrial relaxants (tocolytics) and related
medicines are used in smooth muscle relaxation and enclepsia.
Examples: Salbutamol, ergometrine, oxytocine misoprostol
and magnesium sulphate solutions.
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF MEDICINES
INCLUDE DRUGS WHICH HAVE SIMILAR FUNCTIONS…
20. Psychotherapeutic and related medicines are used in psychosis
and related diseases.
Examples: Carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbitone
amirtyptilline, fluvoxamine, citalopram, chlorpromazine,
fluphenazine decanoate, haloperidol, imipramine, olanzapine,
thioridazine, alprazolam, lorazepam, fluoxetine, respiredone,
benzhexol bromocriptine chlordiazepoxide and sodium
valproate
21. Medicines acting on respiratory tract are used in various
diseases of respiratory tract Examples:
• Anti-asthmatics like aminophylline, beclomethazone,
cromoglycate, salbutamol, ipratropium bromide and adrenalin
• Antitussives like expectorants, linctuces and cough syrups
 PHARMACOLOGICAL CLASSES OF MEDICINES
INCLUDE DRUGS WHICH HAVE SIMILAR FUNCTIONS…
22. Solutions, correcting water electrolyte and acid base
disturbances.
Examples: Dextrose of various concentration, compound
sodium lactate, sodium chloride, sodium chloride and
dextrose, potassium citrate oral solution and water for
injection.
23. Vitamins and minerals - are used during deficiency and as
supplements.
Examples: Vitamin A, vitamin B group, ascorbic acids,
vitamin D, vitamin K, Selenium, calcium gluconate and
potassium chloride
SELF EVALUATION
 What are the anesthetics ?
 What are the antipakinsonism drugs?

 What are vitamins?

 What are the cardiovascular medicines?

 What are the pharmacological classes of medicines

which are listed in the National essential drug lists?
 With examples describe pharmacological classes of
essential medicines and their uses.