General Drug Categories

Analgesics

relieve pain; there are two main types: non-narcotic for mild pain, and narcotic for severe pain

Anti-anxiety Drugs

suppress anxiety and relax muscles (sometimes called anxiolytics, sedatives, or minor tranquilizers)

Anti-arrhythmics

used to control irregularities of heartbeat

Anti-bacterials

used to treat infections

Anti-biotics

combat bacterial infection; some are effective only against limited types of bacteria; others, known as broad spectrum, are effective against a wide range of bacteria

Anti-coagulants

prevent blood from clotting

Thrombolytics

help dissolve and disperse blood clots

Anti-convulsants

prevent epileptic seizures

Anti-depressants

there are three main groups: tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Anti-emetics

used to treat nausea and vomiting

Anti-fungals

used to treat fungal infections

Anti-hypertensives

lower blood pressure; the types include diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blocker, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, centrally acting antihypertensives and sympatholytics

Anti-neoplastics

used to treat cancer

Anti-psychotics

used to treat symptoms of severe psychiatric disorders; sometimes called major tranquilizers

Anti-pyretics

reduce fever

Anti-virals

used to treat viral infections or to provide temporary protection against infections

Beta-Blockers (Beta-Adrenergic Blocking agents)

reduce the oxygen needs of the heart by reducing heartbeat rate

Bronchodilators

open up the bronchial tubes within the lungs when the tubes have become narrowed by muscle spasm; ease breathing in diseases

Corticosteroids

used primarily as anti-inflammatories in arthritis or asthma or as immunosuppressives, but they are also useful for treating some malignancies or compensating for a deficiency of natural hormones in disorders

Cytotoxics

kill or damage cells; used as anti-neoplastics and immunosuppressives

Diuretics

increase the quantity of urine produced by the kidneys and passed out of the body, thus ridding the body of excess fluid; reduce water logging of the tissues caused by fluid retention in disorders of the heart, kidneys, and liver; useful in treating mild cases of high blood pressure

Hypoglycemics (Oral)

lower the level of glucose in the blood; are used in diabetes mellitus if it cannot be controlled by diet alone, but does require treatment with injections of insulin

Immunosuppressives

prevent or reduce the body's normal reaction to invasion by disease or by foreign tissues; used to treat autoimmune diseases and to help prevent rejection of organ transplants

Muscle Relaxants

relieve muscle spasms

Sex Hormones (Estrogen & Progesterone)

used to treat menstrual and menopausal disorders and are also used as oral contraceptives; may be used to treat cancer of the breast or prostate, progestins (synthetic progesterone to treat endometriosis)

Sex Hormones (Testosterone)

given to compensate for hormonal deficiency in hypopituitarism or disorders of the testes; may be used to treat breast cancer in women, but either synthetic derivatives called anabolic steroids, which have less marked side-effects, or specific anti-estrogens are often preferred

Benzodiazepines

have a sedative effect in low doses and are effective sleeping medications in higher doses

Alpha Blocker

block receptors in arteries and smooth muscle; this action relaxes the blood vessels and leads to an increase in blood flow and a lower pressure for the control of hypertension; the action in the urinary tract enhances urinary flow in prostatic hypertrophy.

A2RB (Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers)

block angiotensin 2 enzymes from specific receptor sites; helps prohibit vasoconstriction

Anti-diabetics/Sulfonylureas

lower glucose levels in the blood; only used to treat Type II Diabetes

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)

inhibit the body’s cholesterol production

PDE (Phosphodiesterase) Inhibitor

interfere with certain types of chemical reactions in your blood; helps blood vessels relax, reduces inflammation and more; best-known for their use in treating erectile dysfunction, but also have many other uses related to the heart and circulatory system

Bone Resorption Inhibitor (Bisphosphonates)

help treat osteoporosis and other conditions that affect the density and strength of your bones; there are oral and IV doses; common side effects include gastrointestinal issues, like reflux and esophagus inflammation

Monoclonal Antibody (mAbs)

treatments that target specific proteins and help your immune system fight disease. They can also reduce inflammation caused by your immune system. Healthcare providers use monoclonal antibodies to treat autoimmune diseases, cancer, neurological diseases, osteoporosis, infectious diseases and more.