Drug Purpose and Mechanism of Actions

Antihistamines

Treat allergic reactions and symptoms by blocking histamine H1 receptors, preventing histamine-mediated inflammatory responses like itching, swelling, and bronchoconstriction

Corticosteroids

Reduce inflammation and suppress immune responses by binding to glucocorticoid receptors and inhibiting production of inflammatory mediators and cytokines

NSAIDs

Provide anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects by blocking COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis

Salicylates

Provide pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, cardiovascular protection, and decrease platelet aggregation by irreversibly inhibiting particularly COX-1, reducing prostaglandin synthesis

Acetaminophen

Provide pain relief and fever reduction by acting directly on thermoregulatory cells of the hypothalamus; inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes in CNS with minimal peripheral anti-inflammatory effects

Penicillins

Treat bacterial infections (broad spectrum, Gram+) through bactericidal action - inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins

Cephalosporins

Treat bacterial infections (Gram+ and Gram-) through bactericidal and bacteriostatic action - disrupt cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins

Carbapenems

Treat serious bacterial infections against multidrug-resistant organisms through bactericidal action - inhibit cell wall synthesis with resistance to most β-lactamases

Tetracyclines

Treat bacterial infections and parasitic diseases through bacteriostatic action - bind to 30S ribosomal subunit and inhibit bacterial protein synthesis

Aminoglycosides

Treat serious gram-negative bacterial infections through bactericidal action - bind to 30S ribosomal subunit, cause misreading of mRNA leading to defective protein synthesis

Sulfonamides

Treat bacterial infections through bacteriostatic action - inhibit folate synthesis through competitive inhibition of para-aminobenzoic acid

Fluoroquinolones

Provide broad-spectrum treatment of bacterial infections through bactericidal action - inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing DNA replication and transcription

Antifungals

Treat systemic and local fungal infections by inhibiting fungal cytochrome P450 enzyme 14α-demethylase, disrupting ergosterol synthesis and compromising cell membrane integrity

Topical Antifungals

Treat superficial fungal infections of skin and mucous membranes by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis in fungal cell membranes, causing membrane permeability changes and fungal cell death

Epinephrine

Treat anaphylaxis and severe allergic reactions by stimulating sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response), causing bronchodilation and increased heart rate/blood pressure

Colony Stimulating Factors

Reduce infection risk in patients with bone marrow suppression by stimulating bone marrow to produce more white blood cells

Monoclonal Antibodies

Treat cancers, autoimmune diseases, infections, and organ transplant rejection by targeting specific antigens or receptors to modulate immune responses

DMARDs

Reduce or prevent joint damage and preserve joint integrity and function through various mechanisms including antimetabolite, antimalarial, and TNF-blocking actions

Antivirals

Suppress viral replication (do not cure) by interfering with viral replication cycles, preventing viral attachment to cells, or inhibiting viral enzyme function