drug classification

reduce pain. Non-narcotic analgesics are used for mild pain. Narcotic analgesics are used to treat moderate to severe pain.

work to manage the dementia that occurs with Alzheimer’s disease. They are not curative

prevent and treat anemias, which are usually caused by low iron levels in the blood.

treat and prevent angina, or chest pain.

used to treat anxiety, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

suppress cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heart beats.

manage both acute and chronic attacks of bronchospasm or asthma.

have many uses, including slowing a fast heart rate and relieving spasms of the respiratory system and nasal discharge. They may also be used to treat nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, and dizziness; some decrease gastric secretions and increase esophageal sphincter muscle tone. Finally, anticholinergics can be used for treating eye and urinary tract disorders as well as neurological disorders

prevent blood from clotting. They can cause a prolonged bleeding time (a laboratory test).

decrease the incidence and severity of seizures. Sometimes they are used for immediate relief of symptoms (usually given intramuscularly for this purpose) and at other times for chronic suppression of seizures (usually given orally for this purpose). Blood levels may be measured to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy

treat depression and elevate mood, usually in conjunction with psychotherapy. They are also used to treat anxiety, bed-wetting, and chronic pain syndromes; for smoking cessation and eating disorders; and for obsessive-compulsive and generalized anxiety disorders.

manage diabetes mellitus. In some cases injecting or inhaling insulin is necessary. In others, tablets can be given to stimulate the body to release its own insulin

control and give symptomatic relief for both acute and chronic diarrhea.

control and give symptomatic relief for both acute and chronic diarrhea.

manage nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness

treat fungal infections. Usually they are rubbed on the skin or mucosa. Severe cases may require systemic treatment with an oral form.

relieve symptoms associated with allergies, including nose inflammation, itching, and vessel swelling. They are used to treat anaphylaxis

decrease blood pressure. They are usually taken orally to reduce chronic hypertension, although some may be given intravenously in an emergency

treat bacterial infections. They may be used for a current infection or to prevent infection (prophylaxis). For example, frequently antiinfectives can be given before surgery to prevent infections that might result from opening the patient’s body during surgery.

decrease inflammation and swelling

fight new growths caused by cancer. They are also used against other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis

treat Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder caused by low levels of dopamine, a chemical substance that transmits nerve impulses in the body.

prevent thromboembolic (clots that move) events, such as a stroke (cerebrovascular accident, or CVA) or heart attack. They are frequently used after cardiac surgery and can be combined with anticoagulants and thrombolytic (clot-busting) drugs.

treat both acute and chronic psychoses, such as schizophrenia. They are also used to suppress tics that originate in the brain, such as with Tourette’s syndrome

lower fevers due to infection, inflammation, or cancer

manage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. They increase the CD4 cell count and decrease the viral load.

manage symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (pain and swelling), slow joint destruction, and preserve joint function

prevent and treat tuberculosis. They are also used to prevent meningitis and influenza.

prevent or treat stomach ulcers. They are also used in the management of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

manage viral inflections, such as herpes, chickenpox, influenza A, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection

help to manage blood pressure, chest pain,fast heart rates, vessel narrowing, migraine headaches, glaucoma (eye), and heart failure. They can also prevent heart attacks and manage symptoms of low thyroid function

primarily used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. They are also used to manage high blood calcium and Paget’s disease of bone.

treat reversible airway obstruction due to asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

treat high blood pressure, chest pain, and coronary artery spasm. They act to control the rhythm of the heart and to prevent neurological damage.

treat narcolepsy, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and attention deficit with hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

correct adrenocortical insufficiency. In large dosages, corticosteroids are used for antiinflammatory, immunosuppressive, and antineoplastic activity. They can be used to reduce blood calcium and to treat autoimmune diseases. Topically, they are used to decrease inflammation and allergic conditions. Inhaled forms are used for asthma and vasoconstriction. They are also used for eye disorders

used alone or in combination to reduce high blood pressure and swelling due to congestive heart failure (CHF) and other disorders. Potassium-sparing diuretics conserve potassium while decreasing fluid

change vascular tension to decrease pain.

treat deficiencies in diabetes mellitus (insulin), diabetes insipidus (desmopressin), thyroid function (thyroid hormones), and menopause (hormone replacement therapy with estrogens and progestins). They can also be used to treat hormone-sensitive tumors and as contraceptives.

prevent transplant rejection. However, they also suppress the body’s own immune system

treat and prevent constipation. They are also used to clean the bowel in preparation for radiologic or endoscopic procedures

part of a total plan to reduce fats in blood, including diet and exercise.

treat deficiencies or excesses of electrolytes to maintain correct acid/base balance

used for a wide variety of disorders. As discussed earlier in the book, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate herbal remedies, so the quality and effectiveness of herbal remedies can vary. Herbs are used
extensively to treat menopausal symptoms, improve mood, reduce nausea, prevent motion sickness, boost the immune system, strengthen muscles, and improve gastric and urinary functioning

control mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Ophthalmic form decrease inflammation after eye surgery.

provide sedation. They are frequently given before procedures or to induce sleep.

reduce spasticity associated with neurological disorders or for symptomatic relief of musculoskeletal conditions

dissolve clots and prevent heart attacks. As their name suggests, they are “clot-busters.”

prevent infectious diseases by promoting the body’s own production of antibodies against diseases

prevent and treat vitamin deficiencies. They are also used as supplements in metabolic disorders

used in the management of obesity. This therapy should be combined with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise