Medication Classifications and their uses - NHA

analgesics

Relieve pain

• acetaminophen, hydrocodone

antacids/anti-ulcer

neutralize stomach acid

• esomeprazole, calcium carbonate

antibiotics

kill bacteria

• amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin

anticholinergics

reduce bronchospams

• ipratropium, dicyclomine

anticoagulants

delay blood clotting

• Warfarin, enoxaparin, heparin

anticonvulsants

prevent/control seizures

• Clonazepam, phenytoin, gabapentin

antidepressants

relieve depression

• doxepin, fluoxetine, duloxetine, selegiline

antidiarrheals

reduce diarreha

• bismuth, subsalicyclate, loperamide

antiemetics

reduce nausea, vomiting

• metoclopramide, ondansetron

antifungals

kill fungi

• fluconazole, nystatin, miconazole

antihistimines

relieve allergies

• diphenhydramine, cetirizine, loratadine

antihypertensives

lower bp

• metoprolol, lisinopril, valsartan, clonidine

anti-inflammatories

reduce inflammation

• ibuprofen, celecoxib, naproxen

antilipemics

lower cholesterol

• atrovastatin, fenofibrate

antimigrane agents

relieve migrane headaches

• topiramate, sumatriptan

anti-osteoporosis agents

improve bone density

• alendronate, ibandronate, calcitonin

antipsychotics

control psychotic symptoms

• quetiapine, haloperidol, risperidone

antipyretics

reduce fever

• acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin

antispasmodics/muscle relaxants

reduce/prevent muscle spasms

• cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol

antitussives/expectorants

control cough, promote elimination of mucus

• Dextromethorphan, codeiene, guaifenesin

antivirals

kill viruses

• acyclovir, interferon, oseltamivir

anxiolytics (anti-anxiety)

reduce anxiety

• clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam

bronchodilators

relax airway muscles

• albuterol, isoproterenol, theophylline

CNS simulants

reduce hyper activity

• methylphenidate, modafinil

contraceptives

prevent pregnancy

• medroxyprogesterone acetate, ethinyl estradiol

decongestants

relieve nasal congestion

• pseudoephedrine, mometasone

diuretics

eliminate excess fluid

• furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide

hormone replacement

stablize hormone deficiencies

• levothyroxine, insulin, desmopressin, estrogen

laxatives, stool softeners

promote bowel movements

• magnesium hydroxide, bisacodyl

oral hypoglycemics

reduce blood glucose

• metformin, acarbose, glyburide

sedative-hypnotics

induce sleep/relaxation

• zolpidem, temazepam, eszopiclone