THERAPEUTIC CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS

Abrasives

An agent that wears away an external layer such as dental plaque; Example: Pumice

Absorbent

A drug that takes up other chemicals into its substance, reducing availability of toxic chemicals; Example: Polycarbophil

Acidifier, systemic

A drug that lowers internal body pH; useful for systemic alkalosis; Example: Ammonium chloride

Acidifier, urinary

A drug that lowers urine pH; Example: Sodium dihydrogen phosphate

Adsorbent

A drug that binds chemicals onto its surface; Example: Kaolin

Alkalizer, systemic

A drug that raises internal pH to treat systemic acidosis; Example: Sodium bicarbonate

Appetite suppressant / Satiety drug

Suppresses appetite via central mood stimulation; Examples: Phentermine, Sibutramine

Analgesic

Suppresses pain perception without inducing unconsciousness; Example: Morphine sulfate

Anesthetic, local

Eliminates pain perception in a limited body area; Examples: Procaine, Lidocaine

Anesthetic, topical

Local anesthetic effective on mucous membranes; Example: Tetracaine

Antacid

Neutralizes excess gastric acid; Example: Aluminum hydroxide gel

Anthelmintic

Eradicates intestinal worms; Examples: Piperazine, Mebendazole

Anti-acne agent

Combats acne vulgaris; Example: Tretinoin

Anti-amebic

Kills or inhibits Entamoeba histolytica; Examples: Metronidazole, Diiodohydroxyquin

Antianginal

Coronary vasodilator for angina; Examples: NTG, GTN

Antiarrhythmic

Suppresses cardiac rhythm irregularities; Example: Procainamide

Antibacterial

Kills or inhibits pathogenic bacteria; Examples: Pen G, Nitrofurantoin, Bacitracin

Anticoagulant

Inhibits clotting of circulating blood; Example: Warfarin

Anticonvulsant

Arrests convulsions; Examples: Phenytoin, Thiopental

Antidepressant

Centrally acting drug that elevates mood; Examples: Amitryptilline, Nortryptylline

Antidote, specific

Reduces effects of systemic poison by specific mechanism; Example: Dimercaprol for As, Hg, Au

Antidote, general

Reduces effects of ingested poison by adsorption; Example: Activated charcoal

Antieczematic

Controls chronic skin exudates and lesions; Example: Coal tar

Antiepileptic

Suppresses epileptic seizures without unconsciousness; Examples: Ethosuximide, Carbamazepine

Antiflatulent

Reduces gastrointestinal gas; Example: Simethicone

Antifungal, systemic

Kills or inhibits pathogenic fungi systemically; Example: Amphotericin B

Antifungal, topical

Kills or inhibits fungi externally; Example: Tolnaftate

Antihyperlipidemic

Lowers plasma cholesterol and lipids; Example: Clofibrate

Antihypertensive

Lowers arterial (especially diastolic) blood pressure; Examples: Losartan, Metoprolol

Anti-infective, topical

Kills or inhibits microorganisms externally; Example: Hydrogen peroxide

Anti-inflammatory

Inhibits physiological responses to cell damage; Example: Mefenamic acid

Antimalarial

Kills or inhibits Plasmodium spp.; Example: Quinine sulfate

Antineoplastic

Attacks malignant cells; Example: Chlorambucil

Antiparkinsonian

Suppresses symptoms of parkinsonism; Example: Levodopa

Antiperistaltic / Antidiarrheal

Inhibits intestinal motility; Example: Loperamide

Antipruritic

Reduces itching; Example: Diphenhydramine

Antipsoriatic

Suppresses symptoms of psoriasis; Example: Methotrexate

Antipsychotic

Suppresses symptoms of psychosis; Examples: Haloperidol, Chlorpromazine

Antipyretic

Restores normal body temperature during fever; Example: Paracetamol

Antiseborrheic

Controls seborrheic dermatitis; Example: Selenium sulfide

Antispasmodic

Inhibits visceral smooth muscle motility; Example: Atropine

Antitussive

Suppresses coughing; Example: Codeine

Antiviral, prophylactic

Prevents viral infections; Example: Amantadine

Anxiolytic

Suppresses symptoms of anxiety; Example: Diazepam

Astringent

Topical protein precipitant for toughened/shrunken skin; Example: Aluminum acetate

Bronchodilator

Expands bronchiolar airways; Example: Salbutamol

Cardiotonic

Increases myocardial contractile force; Example: Digoxin

Cathartic

Promotes strong defecation; Example: Danthron

Caustic

Destroys tissue on contact; Example: Silver nitrate

Choleretic

Increases bile secretion; Example: Dehydrocholic acid

Contraceptive, oral

Prevents conception orally; Example: Ethinyl estradiol

Contraceptive, topical

Topical spermicidal agent; Example: Nonoxynol-9

Cycloplegic

Induces paralysis of accommodation in the eye; Example: Cyclopentolate

Decongestant, nasal

Induces vasoconstriction of nasal passages; Example: PPA

Dental caries, prophylactic

Reduces incidence of cavities; Example: Stannous fluoride

Dentin desensitizer

Reduces sensitivity of exposed dentin; Example: Zinc chloride

Depigmenting agent

Inhibits melanin formation; Example: Hydroquinone

Diagnostic aid

Determines organ function or disease presence; Example: Betzole

Digestive aid

Promotes digestion by supplying enzymes; Example: Pancreatin

Diuretic

Promotes renal excretion of electrolytes and water; Examples: Furosemide, Chlorthalidone

Emetic

Induces vomiting; Example: Ipecac syrup

Emollient

Softens and makes skin pliable; Example: Cold cream

Expectorant

Increases respiratory secretions and promotes removal; Example: Guiafenesin

Hematopoietic

Stimulates blood cell formation; Example: Cyanocobalamin

Hematinic

Promotes hemoglobin formation by supplying iron; Example: Ferrous sulfate

Hemostatic

Promotes clotting; Example: Phytonadione

Hypnotic

Induces sleep; Example: Midazolam

Immunizing agent

Induces or provides antibodies; Example: Tetanus toxoid

Immunosuppressant

Inhibits immune response; Example: Azathioprine

Irritant, local

Induces mild inflammatory response; Example: Camphor

Keratolytic

Softens keratin layer and promotes desquamation; Example: Salicylic acid

Laxative

Promotes mild defecation; Example: Mineral oil

Mucolytic

Hydrolyzes mucoproteins; reduces mucus viscosity; Example: Acetylcysteine

Muscle relaxant

Inhibits contraction of involuntary muscles; Examples: Tubocurarine, Aminophylline

Narcotic

Acts on opioid receptors of CNS; Example: Morphine

Oxytocic

Stimulates uterine motility; Example: Oxytocin

Pediculocide

Eradicates lice; Example: Lindane

Pigmenting agent

Promotes melanin synthesis; Example: Methoxsalen

Protectant

Forms physical barrier on skin; Example: Zinc gelatin

Psychedelic

Induces vivid sensory phenomena/hallucinations; Example: Mescaline

Rubefacient

Induces erythema for toughening skin; Example: Rubbing alcohol

Scabicide

Eradicates itch mites

Sclerosing agent

Injected to induce fibrosis of varicose veins; Example: Morrhuate sodium

Sedative

Induces mild calmness and relaxation; Example: Phenobarbital

Stimulant, CNS

Increases CNS functional state; Example: Flurothyl

Sun screening agent

Absorbs UV wavelengths that cause sunburn; Example: Titanium dioxide

Uricosuric

Promotes renal excretion of uric acid; Example: Probenecid

Vasodilator

Dilates blood vessels; Example: Amyl nitrate

Vasopressor / Vasoconstrictor

Constricts blood vessels; Example: Adrenaline

Vitamin

Organic chemical essential in small amounts; Example: Vitamin A