ACE Inhibitor
inhibits conversion of angiotension I to angiotension II, a potent vasoconstrictor, i.e. relaxation of blood vessels occur.
aminoglycoside
used to treat serious infection by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis by binding to ribosomal subunits. After initial dose, dosage is adjusted according to plasma concentrations of the individual patient
analgesic
used to relieve pain. Suppresses pain without rendering the patient unconscious.
anesthetic
reduces or eliminates pain; general anesthetic renders the patient unconscious; local anesthetic affects pains in a particular locomotion; topical anesthetic is a local anesthetic that affects the mucous membrane
anorexiant
used to decrease appetite.
antacid
neutralizes excess gastric acid.
anthelmintic
eradicates intestinal worms
antiacne
controls acne vulgaris
antianginal
dilates blood vessels; used to treat angina pectoris, pain in the chest
antianxiety
used in the treatment of anxiety disorder, which do not require excessive sedation
antiarrhythmic
drugs used to treat irregular heart rhythms. depresses the action of the heart to combat irregularities in its rhythm.
antiarthritic
reduces inflammation of the joints
antibacterial
destructive to or preventing the growth of bacteria. kills bacteria(topical)
antibiotic
drug used to destroy microorganisms. kills bacteria and prevent infection.
anticholestrol
lowers cholestrol levels
anticholinergic
drugs that are antagonistic to the action of parasympathetic or other cholinergic nerve fibers
anticoagulent
used to prevent blood clot formation. slows clotting of blood; for treatment of thrombosis and embolism or for storage of collected blood
anticonvulsant
prevents or arrest seizures
antidepressant
agent in treating depression. classifed as SSRIs(selective serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors), TCAs(tricyclic antidepressants), or MAOIs(monamine oxidase inhibitors); elevates mood
antidiabetic
used to treat diabetes
antidiarrheal
used to treat diarrhea
antidiuretic
reduces volume of urine production
antidote
neutralizes a poison or counteracts its effects
antiemetic
drugs that treat the urge to vomit
antiepileptic
prevents epileptic seizures
antiflatulent
reduces gastrointestinal gas
antifungal
destroys fungi or inhibits its growth. eradicates or suppresses fungi
antihemophilic
used for the treatment of hemophilia; allows blood to clot
antihistamine
drugs that act to respond to the release of histamine that occurs with an implicated anaphyactic reaction or allergic reaction. for treatment of allergies
antihyperlipidemic
drugs used to lower high levels of cholestrol
antihypertensive
used to reduce a sustained elevation in blood pressure
anti-infective
used to treat disease produced by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and parasites. kills microorganisms and sterilizes wounds.
anti-inflammatory
reduces inflammation
antimigraine
used to treat migraine headaches
antineoplastic
attacks and destroys malignant cells
anti-parkinson's
used to treat Parkinson's disease
antiplatelet
used to prevent clotting
antiprotozoal
destorys protozoa
antipruritic
suppresses itching
antipsychotic
reduces symptoms of hallucinations, delusions, and though disorders. their primary indication is schizophrenia. reduces effects of psychotic disorders.
antipyretic
reduces fever
antiretrovial
attacks any virus of the Retroviridae family
antispasmodic
prevents or alleviates muscle spams(cramps)
antitubercular
used to treat tuberculosis.
antitussive
suppresses coughing
antivertigo
used to treat dizziness (vertigo)
antiviral
interferes with virus replication; weakening or abolishing its action. kills or suppresses viruses, or prevents viral infections.
anxiolytic
reduces anxiety
astringent
causes contraction locally after topical application
barbiturate
type of sedative
benzodiazepine
CNS depressing agents with the potential for abuse and/or dependence
beta blocker
blocks response to beta stimulation, which results in decreases in heart rate, myocardial contractility, blood pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand.
bronchodilator
act to relieve bronchospasm(narrowing the bronchi, accompanied by wheezing & coughing) or "asthma attack." expands the bronchial passages; for treatment of asthma
calcium channel blockers
blocker prevents the movement of calcium ions through blocker slow channels.. they relax coronary artery smooth muscle and are used to control fat ventricular rated in patients with arterial flutter and arterial fibrillation. blocks flow of calcium ions in the heart for treatment of angina pectoris, arrhythmia, and hypertension
cardiac glycoside
used to treat mild to moderate heart failure
cephalosporin
inhibits cell wall formation in bacteria ( cell wall synthesis )
corticosteroid
hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulate the body's ability to handle stress, resist infections, affect glucose, fat, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism and maintain salt and water balance. relieves inflammation and manages autoimmune diseases
decongestant
used to cause mucous membrane vasoconstriction, reduction of nasal passage drainage, and relief of stuffiness
diuretic
decreases blood pressure by decreasing blood volume by increasing the elimination of salts and water through urination. increase production of urine.
emetic
causes vomiting
expectorant
increases the production of respiratory secretions and decrease irritation caused by dryness in the airways. increases secretions of the respiratory tract and lowers their viscosity.
fluoroquinolone
inhibits DNA coiling & replication in bacteria causing DNA breakage & cell death
gastrointestinal (GI) agents
used to treat disorders of the stomach and/or intestines i.e. ulcer, reflux, etc.
GI stimulant
used to increase the speed of gastric emptying & reduce esophageal sphincter pressure
H2 antihistamine
affects the cells of the gastrointestinal tract
histamine
evokes the symptoms more commonly known as the allergic reaction: red watery eyes, sneezing, hives, rash and bronchial constriction. gastric mucosal cells also cause secretions of histamine.
hormone
chemical substance, formed in a tissue or organ and carried in the blood, stimulates or inhibits the growth or function of one or more other tissues or organs
hypnotic
causes sleep
macrolide
bacteriostatic agents used primarily to treat pulmonary infections caused by Legionella and gram-postive organisms.
muscle relaxant
causes skeletal muscle relaxation; used to reduce muscle spasms. inhibits muscle contractions.
narcotic
often addictive; relieves pain and induces sleep; includes opium and its derivatives
narcotic analgesic
used to relieve severe pain; have a high abuse potential
nasal decongestant
constricts vessels in nasal passages
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID)
used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory action and used for mild to moderate pain
opiate
narcotic derived or related to opium
parasiticide
destroys parasites in the skin
pediculicide
kills lice
penicillin
derived from the mold penicillium chrysogenum and kills bacteria by preventing them from forming a rigid wall needed for survival ( cell wall synthesis )
radiopharmaceutical
contains radio active isotope; for diagnosis or for therapy
scabicide
destroys skin mites and their eggs
sedative
depresses the CNS, causing relaxation
tetracycline
broad-spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis in bacteria by binding to ribosome
tranquilizer
reduces anxiety or disturbance
vaccine
introduces an antigen into the body to stimulate the production of antibodies for protection against a disease-causing microorganisms
vasoconstrictor
narrows vessels and increases blood pressure
vasodilator
expands vessels and lowers blood pressure