Pharmacology: Key Drug Classes and Their Uses+suffixandprefixes

Antidiarrheals

Reduce diarrhea — Examples: bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide, diphenoxylate/atropine

Antiemetics

Reduce nausea and vomiting — Examples: metoclopramide, ondansetron

Antifungals

Treat fungal infections — Examples: fluconazole, nystatin, miconazole

Antihistamines

Relieve allergies — Examples: diphenhydramine, cetirizine, loratadine

Antihypertensives

Lower blood pressure — Examples: metoprolol, lisinopril, valsartan, clonidine

Anti-inflammatories

Reduce inflammation — Examples: ibuprofen, celecoxib, naproxen

Antilipemics

Lower cholesterol — Examples: atorvastatin, fenofibrate, cholestyramine

Antimigraine agents

Relieve migraine headaches — Examples: topiramate, sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan

Anti-osteoporosis agents

Improve bone density — Examples: alendronate, raloxifene, calcitonin

Antipsychotics

Treat psychosis — Examples: quetiapine, haloperidol, risperidone

Antipyretics

Reduce fever — Examples: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin

Skeletal/muscle relaxants

Reduce or prevent muscle spasms — Examples: cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, carisoprodol

Antitussives/Expectorants

Control cough and promote elimination of mucus — Examples: dextromethorphan, codeine, guaifenesin

Antivirals

Treat viral infections — Examples: acyclovir, interferon, oseltamivir

Anxiolytics (anti-anxiety)

Reduce anxiety — Examples: clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam

Bronchodilators

Relax airway muscles — Examples: albuterol, isoproterenol, theophylline

Central nervous system stimulants

Reduce hyperactivity — Examples: methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine

Contraceptives

Prevent pregnancy — Examples: medroxyprogesterone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone

Decongestants

Relieve nasal congestion — Examples: pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline

Diuretics

Eliminate excess fluid — Examples: furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, bumetanide

Hormone replacements

Stabilize hormone deficiencies — Examples: levothyroxine, insulin, desmopressin, estrogen

Laxatives/Stool softeners

Promote bowel movements — Examples: magnesium hydroxide, bisacodyl, docusate sodium

Oral hypoglycemics

Reduce blood glucose — Examples: metformin, glyburide, pioglitazone

Sedative-hypnotics

Induce sleep or relaxation — Examples: zolpidem, temazepam, eszopiclone

PID

Pelvic inflammatory disease

TIA

Transient ischemic attack

PMS

Premenstrual syndrome

Tx

Treatment

PO

By mouth

UA

Urinalysis

PRN

As needed

URI

Upper respiratory infection

PT

Physical therapy/therapist

UTI

Urinary tract infection

pt

Patient

VS

Vital signs

R

Right

WBC

White blood cell

RA

Rheumatoid arthritis

WNL

Within normal limits

RBC

Red blood cell

YO, y/o

Years old

RLE

Right lower extremity

#

Pounds; number

↑

Increase

↓

Decrease

♂

Male

♀

Female

&

And

'

Feet

"

Inches

°

Degrees

Aden

Gland

Pancreat

Pancreas

Thyr

Thyroid gland

Hem, hemat

Blood

Phleb

Vein

Thromb

Clot

Arthr

Joint

Brachi

Arm

Cervic

Neck

Chondr

Cartilage

Cost

Rib

Crani

Skull

Dactyl

Finger or toe

Fibr

Connective tissue

My

Muscle

Oste

Bone

Pod

Foot

Sacr

Sacrum

Spondyl, vertebr

Vertebra

Ten, tendin

Tendon

Abdomin

Abdomen

An

Anus

Appendic

Appendix

Bil, chol

Bile; gallbladder

Col

Colon

Dent

Teeth

Enter

Intestines

Esophag

Esophagus

Gastr

Stomach

Gingiv

Gums

Gloss

Tongue

Hepat

Liver

Icter

Jaundice

Ile

Ileum

Lapar

Abdominal wall

Lingu

Tongue

Pancreat

Pancreas

Pepsia

Digestion

Phag

Eating; swallowing

Proct

Rectum

Splen

Spleen

Stomat

Mouth

Andr

Male

Colp

Vagina

Cyst

Bladder

Gravid

Pregnant

Gynec

Female

Hyster

Uterus