Drug Definitions and

Classifications
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Management of Alzheimer’s dementia.
• ANTI-ALZHEIMER’S • Prevention and treatment of anemias.
AGENTS • Nitrates are used to treat and prevent attacks
of angina.
• ANTIANEMICS
• Antianxiety agents are used in the
• ANTIANGINALS management of various forms of anxiety,
including generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD).
• ANTIANXIETY AGENTS
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Suppression of cardiac arrhythmias.
• ANTIARRHYTHMICS • Management of acute and chronic
episodes of reversible
• ANTIASTHMATICS bronchoconstriction.
• Used to reduce the amount of saliva is
produced, and therefore can decrease
drooling 
• ANTICHOLINERGICS
 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 various forms
• ANTIDEPRESSANTS of endogenous depression, often in
conjunction with psychotherapy
• Insulin is used in the management of
type 1 diabetes mellitus.
• ANTIDIABETICS
• For the control and symptomatic relief
of acute and chronic nonspecific
• ANTIDIARRHEALS diarrhea.
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used to manage nausea and vomiting of
many causes, including surgery, anesthesia,
and antineoplastic and radiation therapy.
• ANTIEMETICS
• Treatment of fungal infections.
• Relief of symptoms associated with
allergies, including rhinitis, urticaria, and
angioedema, and as adjunctive therapy in
• ANTIFUNGALS anaphylactic reactions.
• ANTIHISTAMINES
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Treatment of hypertension of many
• ANTIHYPERTENSIVES causes, most commonly essential
hypertension.
• Treatment and prophylaxis of various
• ANTI-INFECTIVES bacterial infections.
• Used in the treatment of various solid
• ANTINEOPLASTICS tumors, lymphomas, and leukemias.
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used in the treatment of Parkinson’s
• ANTIPARKINSON disease.
AGENTS • Antiplatelet agents are used to treat and
prevent thromboembolic events such as
stroke and MI.
• ANTIPLATELET AGENTS
• Treatment of acute and chronic
psychoses, particularly when
• ANTIPSYCHOTICS 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 improve CD4 cell counts and
• ANTIRETROVIRALS decrease viral
• Antirheumatics are used to manage symptoms of
rheumatoid arthritis (pain, swelling) and in more
severe cases to slow down joint destruction and
• ANTIRHEUMATICS preserve joint function.load.
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used in the treatment and prevention of
• ANTITUBERCULARS tuberculosis.
• Treatment and prophylaxis of peptic
ulcer and gastric hypersecretory
• ANTIULCER AGENTS
conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison
syndrome.
• Used in the management of viral
• ANTIVIRALS infections
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Management of hypertension, angina
• BETA BLOCKERS 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 obstruction due to
INHIBITORS asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Used in the treatment of hypertension (amlodipine, diltiazem,
felodipine, isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine,
• BRONCHODILATORS verapamil) or in the treatment and prophylaxis of angina
pectoris or coronary artery spasm (amlodipine, diltiazem,
felodipine, nicardipine, verapamil).
• CALCIUM CHANNEL
BLOCKERS
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used in the treatment of narcolepsy and
• CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM as adjunctive treatment in the
STIMULANTS management of attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• CORTICOSTEROIDS • 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 treatment of
• DIURETICS hypertension or edema due to HF or other causes.
• Used in the treatment of deficiency states including
diabetes mellitus (insulin), diabetes insipidus
• HORMONES (desmopressin), hypothyroidism (thyroid
hormones), and menopause (estrogens or
estrogens/progestins).
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used with corticosteroids in the prevention of
• IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTStransplantation rejection reactions.
• Used to treat or prevent constipation or to prepare the
bowel for radiologic or endoscopic procedures.
• LAXATIVES
• Used as a part of a total plan including diet and
exercise to decrease blood lipids in an effort to
decrease the morbidity and mortality of
atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its
• LIPID-LOWERING AGENTS
sequelae.
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Prevention and treatment of deficiencies
• MINERALS/ELECTROLYTES/ or excesses of electrolytes and
pH MODIFIERS maintenance of optimal acid/base
balance for homeostasis.
• NATURAL/HERBAL • These remedies are used for a wide
PRODUCTS 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 pain
• NONOPIOID ANALGESICS and/or fever.
• NSAIDs are used to control mild to
• NONSTEROIDAL ANTI- moderate pain, fever, and various
INFLAMMATORY AGENTS inflammatory conditions, such as
rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
• OPIOID ANALGESICS • Management of moderate to severe pain.
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Sedatives are used to provide sedation, usually
• SEDATIVE/HYPNOTICS prior to procedures. Hypnotics are used to
manage insomnia.
• Two major uses are spasticity associated with
• SKELETAL MUSCLE spinal cord diseases or lesions (baclofen and
RELAXANTS 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-segment-
• THROMBOLYTICS elevation MI. Alteplase is also used in
the management of acute pulmonary
embolism and acute ischemic stroke.
• Immune globulins provide passive
• VACCINES/IMMUNIZING immunization to infectious diseases by
AGENTS providing antibodies.
 Drug Definitions and Classifications
• Used for acute treatment of vascular
• VASCULAR HEADACHE headaches (migraine, cluster headaches,
SUPPRESSANTS migraine variants).
• Used in the prevention and treatment of
vitamin deficiencies and as supplements in
various metabolic disorders.
• VITAMINS • These agents are used in the management of
exogenous obesity as part of a regimen
• WEIGHT CONTROL AGENTS including a reduced-calorie diet.
Drug Forms
 Oral
• Tablets
• Capsules
• Solutions Tablets and
• Syrups capsules are the
• Elixirs most common
• Suspensions forms of drugs.
• Magmas Patients prefer
• Gels tablets or
• Powders capsules over
other routes and
forms because of
their ease of use.
 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 for certain
drugs.
 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, and dilation of
the pupil during eye examinations.
 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 ordered
for cleaning purposes.
 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 for certain medications.
 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
layers, subcutaneous tissue,
muscle, or veins.
 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.