Pharmacology Class: Drug Classes, Mechanisms, and Brands

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering major drug classifications, their clinical indications, mechanisms of action, and common brand names from the pharmacology lecture notes.

Beta-1 Blockers

A class of drugs that treats cardiovascular conditions such as heart attacks and hypertension by preventing stress hormones from binding to the heart. Popular brands include Metaprolol and Alenolol.

Beta-2 Agonists

A drug class that treats asthma and respiratory issues by relaxing airway muscles to open breathing passages. Popular brands include albuterol (Ventolin), Levosalbutamol, and Terbutaline.

Antihistamines

Medications that treat allergies, hives, and rashes by blocking histamine receptors in the body to reduce allergy symptoms. Popular brands include Reactine, Claritin, Allegra, and benadryl.

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Drugs that treat stomach, intestinal, and esophagus issues related to stomach acid by entering the bloodstream to target parietal cells in the stomach and block proton pump enzymes from releasing acid. Popular brands include Prilosec, prevacid, Zegerid, and Nexium.

Narcotic Analgesics

Medications used to treat acute severe injuries and pain from fractures, burns, and post-surgical pain by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord (CNS) to block pain signals and cause relaxation or euphoria. Popular brands include Oxycodone/+ Acetaminophen, morphine, Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, and Tramadol.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Enzyme inhibitors that relieve general pain, fevers, headaches, toothaches, and muscle aches by blocking cyclooxygenases (COX) to stop injured cells from producing prostaglandins. Popular brands include Advil, Motrin, and Aspirin.

Statins

A drug class that treats high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease risk by reducing the liver's production of cholesterol through the inhibition of the enzyme HMG-CoA Reductase. Popular brands include Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Medications used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD by blocking proteins that reabsorb serotonin into brain cells, leaving more serotonin between cells to send signals. Popular brands include Lexapro, Sarafem, Prozac, and Zoloft.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists

Drugs that treat Type II Diabetes and chronic weight management or obesity by attaching to cellular receptors to lower blood sugar, slow down digestion, and signal fullness to the brain. Popular brands include Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity, and Victoza.

Cyclooxygenases (COX)

Enzymes in the body blocked by NSAIDs to prevent injured cells from synthesizing prostaglandins that cause pain and swelling.

Prostaglandins

Chemicals produced by injured cells that induce pain and swelling, whose formation is prevented by NSAIDs.

HMG-CoA Reductase

The specific liver enzyme blocked by statins to decrease cholesterol production.

Parietal Cells

Stomach cells containing the proton pump enzyme that are targeted and inhibited by Proton Pump Inhibitors to decrease acid secretion.

Lipitor

A statin dosed at $10-80\,\text{mg}$ daily that helps lower bad cholesterol, with potential adverse effects including muscle pain.

Crestor

A statin dosed at $5-40\,\text{mg}$ daily that lowers cholesterol and helps protect the heart, with potential side effects involving muscle or liver problems.

Zocor

A statin dosed at $5-40\,\text{mg}$ daily that lowers cholesterol and can interact with certain other medications.