DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS

Pharmacy Tech PracticumMr. Cengel

Hormones

Definition Uses/Examples Chemical substance produced

by an endocrine gland Carried by blood to cells or

tissues to change their structure or function

For a cell to respond to a particular hormone it needs to have specific receptors for that hormone, and once the hormone binds to the receptor specific chemical pathways are activated that lead to a response

Replacement

Examples- Estrogen, testosterone, Adrenaline, hydrocortisone

Antibiotics

Definition Uses examples

Used to treat bacterial infections

Either kill bacteria or keep them from reproducing

Bacteria will be cultured first to tell which antibiotic will be most effective

Bacterial infection

Penicillin, amoxicillin, Ampicillin, bactrin

Administered orally, intravenously or topically

Beta Blockers

Definition Uses/Examples

Reduces the workload of the heart by regulating heartbeat

Decreases activity of the heart by preventing stimulation of nerve endings on the heart

used to treat angina, control abnormal heart rhythms and to reduce high blood pressure

Acebutolol (Sectral) Atenolol (Tenormin) Bisoprolol (Zebeta) Metoprolol Hint!-End in the suffix

olol

Adrenergic

Definition Uses/Examples

Increase HR and BP

Relaxes smooth muscle of the respiratory tract

Used for asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases.

Epinephrine, Albuterol, terbutaline

May be taken orally, injected or through MDI

Anticoagulants

Definition Uses/Examples

Decreases blood clotting in arteries and veins

Reduces risk of MI or CVA

Heparin, warfarin

Taken orally or through IV

Analgesics

Definition Uses/Examples

Alleviates pain by depressing the CNS

Used for light to moderate Pain

Acetaminophen

Taken Orally

Benzodiazepines

Definition Uses/Examples

Decrease excitement in the CNS

Used for anxiety, panic and mood disorders, seizures, insomnia among others

Xanax, Valium

Taken orally or through IV

Antidepressants

Definition Uses/Examples

Alleviate the symptoms of depressive disorders

Many subcategories of antidepressents

Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety disorders.

Citalopram (Celexa) Escitalopram (Lexapro) Fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac

Weekly, Sarafem) Fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox

CR) Paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR,

Pexeva) Sertraline (Zoloft)

Antacids

Definition Uses/Examples

Neutralize gastric juices

GERD, Acid Reflux, stomach ache, heartburn.

Aluminum Hydroxide Gel (suspension)

Aluminum-magnesium hydroxide sulfate (Magaldrate)

Amphojel (tablets) Calcium acetate (PhosLo

tablets) Calcium carbonate

Vaccines

Definition Uses/examples

A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease.

Resistance to toxins Uses a dead or

weakened virus to create antibodies

Destroys viruses

To prevent viral infection

Diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), measles, mumps, Yellow fever, small pox and German measles (rubella), Polio.

Antihistamines

Definitions Uses/Examples

block the action of histamine (a compound released in allergic inflammatory reactions)

Allergies to mold, pollen or pets

Examples of prescription antihistamines include:

Astelin, Astepro (azelastine) nasal sprays

Atarax, Vistaril (hydroxyzine) Clarinex (desloratadine)

Examples of OTC antihistamines: Allegra (fexofenadine) Benadryl (diphenhydramine) Dimetane (brompheniramine) Claritin, Alavert (loratadine)

Expectorants

Definition

Promoting or facilitating the secretion or expulsion of phlegm, mucus, or other matter from the respiratory tract

Tussis, Bronchitis.

Quafenisin Potassium iodide

Decongestant

Definition Uses/Examples

An agent used to reduce congestion and swelling

Reduces nasal congestion in upper respiratory tract

Afrin, Dristan, Vicks Sinex (oxymetazoline)

Sudafed PE, Suphedrin PE (phenylephrine)

Silfedrine, Sudafed, Suphedrin (pseudoephedrine)

Antitussives

Definition Uses/Examples

Works on the CNS to reduce coughing (tussis)

Cough

Robitussin

Taken via syr, lozenge.

Antiasthmatics

Definition Uses/Examples

Reduces spasms in bronchial passageway

Used to open airways during an asthmatic attack

Bronchodilators Steroids Hexoprenaline Prednisone

Antiseptics

Definition Uses/examples

Bactericidal or bacteriostatic substances applied to the skin

Reduces the likelihood of bacterial or viral infection on the skin

ETOH Boric Acid Hydrogen peroxide

Insulin

Definition Uses/Examples

Insulin is a naturally-occurring hormone secreted by the pancreas. Insulin is required by the cells of the body in order for them to remove and use glucose from the blood

Made by the pancreas Most insulin is synthetic or

made from cow or pig insulin

Metabolic disorders affecting the pancreas such as Type I and Type II diabetes

Regular, NPH, lente, ultra lente, humalog, novalog.

Histamine Water Blockers

Definition Uses/examples

act by stopping the pathway that leads to the secretion of stomach acid.

GI and Gastric Ulcers, GERD

Ranitidine, Nizatidine, Famotidine

Hint- suffix is -itidine

Steroids

Definition Examples/Uses

drugs that includes the corticosteroids, similar to hormones produced by the adrenal glands, and used to relieve inflammation and itching.

Inflammation

Prednisone, hydrocortisone

Hint!- Suffix is often -isone

Barbiturates

Definition Uses/Examples

Act as CNS depressants

Anxiety, insomnia, general anesthesia

Alphenal, Barbital

Hint!- All end in the suffix

-al

ACE inhibitors

Definition Uses/Examples

Dilates blood vessels

ACE inhibitors inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (a component of the blood pressure-regulating renin-angiotensin system), thereby decreasing the tension of blood vessels and blood volume, thus lowering blood pressure.

Hypertension, CHF

Quinapril, Benazepril,Zofenapril

Hint!- All end in the suffix

-pril

Diuretics

Definition Uses/examples

A diuretic provides a means of forced diuresis which elevates the rate of urination. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics increase the excretion of water from bodies

Many different categories

Cirrhosis, kidney diseases, CHF, Hypertension, Edema

Furosemide, caffeine, ecetazolimide

Hint!- Suffix is -mide

Statin drugs

Definition Examples

Statins are a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in the liver.

High Cholesterol,

Atavorstatin, lovastatin

Hint!- All end in the suffix

-statin