Standard drug classifications

  1. central nervous system drugs

  2. cardiovascular drugs

  3. drugs affecting the blood

  4. psychiatric medications

  5. respiratory drugs

  6. endocrine system drugs

  7. herbal preparations

  8. OTC (over-the-counter drugs)ONLINE EMT ACADEMY|

    Central Nervous System Meds

    • Autonomic drugs work on the PNS.

    • Cholinergic (affect the parasympathetic nervous system and have similar effects to acetylcholine)

    • Neostigmine

    • Physostigmine (Antilirium)

    Anticholinergics (block the parasympathetic nervous system by blocking the effects of acetylcholine)

    • Ipratropium bromide

    • tiotropium (Spiriva)

    • atropine sulfate

Analgesics

  • -analgesics (work in various ways on the central and peripheral nervous system, including anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and pain modulation effects

  • -opioids agonists (morphine, fentanyl, methadone)

  • -opioid antagonists (Narcan)

  • -non-steroidal antiinflammatories (toradol)

Sedatives & Anticonvulsants

  • Sedative/hypnotic agents (psychoactive that depress)

  • Benzodiazepines (Diazepam, Midazolam)

  • Barbiturates (Pentobarbital, Phenobarbital)

  • Anticonvulsants

  • Examples are included from other classes such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, bromides, bromates, carboxamides, fatty acids, and others

drugs affecting the blood

  • -this classification mostly has to do with blood clotting, anemia, or other blood issues

  • -blood thinners (aspirin, warfarin, Plavix)

  • -antiemetics (ferrous sulfate, blood products)

psychiatric medications

  • These psychoactive agents work on the CNS through various methods depending on the drug. they may lock onto certain chemical levels, and others may work in ways that are not certain.

  • antipsychotic/neuroleptic drugs (Thorazine, haldol, malaria, Navane, risperidol, Seroquel)

  • SSRI’s (Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac)

  • SNRI’s (Cymbalta, Effexor)

  • MAOI’s (Marplan, Nardil)

  • Mood stabilizers (carbolith, Tegretol, valproate, Depakote)

  • stimulants (Ritalin, dexadrine)

  • anxiolytics/hypnotics (valium, ambien, Librium, restoril, ativan)