Commonly Prescribed Medication Classes

Front 1

Prevents the conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II. Prescribed for hypertension and CHF

Back 1

ACE inhibitor

Front 2

Prevents the binding of norepinephrine and epinephrine at the receptor sites. Prescribed for a wide variety of conditions.

Back 2

Adrenergic antagonist

Front 3

Blocks effects of alpha1 receptors in the peripheral blood vessels. Prescribed for hypertension and BPH.

Back 3

Alpha1 antagonist

Front 4

Stimulates the alpha2 receptors in the brain to inhibit presynaptic adrenergic terminals. Prescribed for hypertension.

Back 4

Alpha2 agonist

Front 5

Broad term referring to drugs that relieve pain.

Back 5

Analgesic

Front 6

Blocks the effects of angiotensin II at receptor sites. Prescribed for hypertension

Back 6

Angiotensin II antagonist

Front 7

Used to control appetite and cause weight loss.

Back 7

Anorexiant

Front 8

Creates unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed. Used as a deterrent in chronic alcoholism.

Back 8

Antialcohol

Front 9

Used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Back 9

Anti - ALS

Front 10

Used to fight bacterial infection. Prescribed for a variety of infections

Back 10

Antibiotic

Front 11

Blocks cetylcholine at neuroreceptor site.

Back 11

Anticholinergic

Front 12

Interrupts the clotting cascade. Prescribed to treat deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction (MI).

Back 12

Anticoagulant

Front 13

Broad term referring to drugs used to control seizures

Back 13

Anticonvulsant

Front 14

Broad term referring to drugs used to treat depression

Back 14

Antidepressant

Front 15

Inhibits bowel motility. Prescribed for diarrhea.

Back 15

Anti diarrheal

Front 16

Inhibits diuresis

Back 16

Antidiuretic

Front 17

Broad term referring to drugs that control and regulate the cardiac rhythm

Back 17

Antidysrhythmic

Front 18

Broad term referring to drugs used to control vomiting

Back 18

Antiemetic

Front 19

Blocks the effects of histamine receptor sites. H1 blockers are prescribed for allergies. H2 blockers are prescribed for ulcers, reflux, acid indigestion.

Back 19

Antihistamine

Front 20

Lowers serum cholesterol levels. Prescribed to prevent atherosclerosis.

Back 20

Antihyperlipidemic

Front 21

Broad term referring to drugs that lower the blood pressure

Back 21

Antihypertensive

Front 22

Used to treat migraine headaches

Back 22

Antimigraine

Front 23

Kills cancer cells by a variety of mechanisms. Prescribed to treat a variety of cancers.

Back 23

Antineoplastic

Front 24

Increases stimulation of dopamine receptors in the brain. Prescribed to manage symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Back 24

Antiparkinson

Front 25

Decreases the formation of platelet aggregates. Prescribed to prevent MI and stroke.

Back 25

Antiplatelet

Front 26

Broad term referring to drugs used to treat a variety of psychiatric conditions.

Back 26

Antipsychotic

Front 27

Controls esophageal reflux

Back 27

Antireflux

Front 28

Controls the seizure activity in the brain

Back 28

Antiseizure

Front 29

Kills the tuberculosis bacteria. Prescribed for suspected and confirmed tuberculosis.

Back 29

Antituberculosis

Front 30

Suppresses the cough reflex mechanism

Back 30

Antitussive

Front 31

Reduces the secretion of acids. Prescribed for ulcers

Back 31

Antiulcer

Front 32

Broad term referring to drugs used to control vertigo and motion sickness

Back 32

Antivertigo

Front 33

Treats viruses by a variety of mechanisms. Prescribed for a variety of viral infections, particularly HIV.

Back 33

Antiviral

Front 34

Alleviates anxiety

Back 34

Anxiolytic

Front 35

Cause sedative-hypnotic effect. Prescribed for seizures, anxiety.

Back 35

Barbituate

Front 36

Causes sedative-hypnotic effect. Prescribed for seizures, anxiety, muscle relaxant.

Back 36

Benzodiazepine

Front 37

Blocks the effects of epinephrine at beta receptor sites. Prescribed for angina, hypertension, tachydysrhythmias.

Back 37

Beta blocker

Front 38

Dilates the bronhiole smooth muscles by a variety of mechanisms

Back 38

Broncodilator

Front 39

Inhibits the influx of calcium into the cell. Prescribed for angina hypertension, tachydysrhythias

Back 39

Calcium channel blocker

Front 40

Lowers heart rate while increasing the force of contraction. Prescribed for tachydysrhytmias, CHF.

Back 40

Cardiac glycoside

Front 41

Stimulates binding of acetycholine with muscarinic receptors, particularly in bladder and GI tract. Prescribed to increase urination and peristalsis

Back 41

Cholinergic

Front 42

Prolongs the effets of acetylcholine by inhibiting its breakdown. Prescribed for myasthenia gravis, some types of poisoning, and glaucoma.

Back 42

Cholinesterase inhibitor

Front 43

Increases CNS depolarization, prescribed for fatigue, narcolepsy, obesity, ADD, drowsiness.

Back 43

CNS stimulant

Front 44

Relieves upper respiratory tract congestion

Back 44

Decongestant

Front 45

Mimics the pancreatic enzymes and aids in digestion of food.

Back 45

Digestant

Front 46

Stimulates the kidneys to produce more urine. Prescribed for hypertension and congestive heart failure.

Back 46

Diuretic

Front 47

Replaces estrogen in postmenopausal women

Back 47

Estrogen hormone

Front 48

Reduces the inflammatory process. Prescribed for asthma and other causes of inflammation.

Back 48

Glucocorticoid

Front 49

Stimulates the action of various glands. Prescribed for a variety of conditions that affect the endocrine system

Back 49

Hormone

Front 50

Induces sleep

Back 50

Hypnotic

Front 51

Used with transplant surgery to decrease incidence of rejection. Also to treat some cancers.

Back 51

Immunosuppressant

Front 52

Promotes the maturation of ovarian follicles. Prescribed to treat infertility

Back 52

Infertility agent

Front 53

Facilitates the diffusion of glucose into the cells. Prescribed for insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Back 53

Insulin preparation

Front 54

Alters the consistency of stool. Prescribed for constipation

Back 54

Laxative

Front 55

Blocks the effects of leukotrienes at receptor sites. Prescribed for asthma

Back 55

Leukotriene antagonist

Front 56

Inhibits breakdown of monamine oxidase (MAO). Prescribed for depression

Back 56

MAO inhibitor

Front 57

Prevents mast cells from secreting histamine

Back 57

Mast cell stabilizer

Front 58

Bronchodilates by inhibiting breakdown of beta agonists

Back 58

Methylxanthine

Front 59

Prescribed for bipolr disorder (manic-depressive)

Back 59

Mood stabilizer

Front 60

Decreases the viscosity of respiratory secretions. Prescribed for upper respirator infection, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis

Back 60

Mucolytic

Front 61

Contains opium or its derivative. Prescribed for moderate or severe pain relief.

Back 61

Narcotic analgesic

Front 62

Causes vasodilation. Prescribed for angina, CHF

Back 62

Nitrate

Front 63

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; prescribed for pain, fever, inflammation, arthritis

Back 63

NSAID

Front 64

Some stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin. Others alter the absorption of glucose from the GI tract. Prescribed for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Back 64

Oral hypoglycemic

Front 65

Antipsychotic medictions that block dopamin receptors in the brain; prescribed for schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and nausea.

Back 65

Phenothiazine

Front 66

Replaces progesterone in post menopausal women. Prescribed as oral contraceptive and to treat amenorrhea, endometriosis, and uterine bleeding.

Back 66

Progestin hormone

Front 67

Broad term referring to drugs used to treat a variety of psychiatric conditions

Back 67

Psychotherapeutic

Front 68

Blocks the release of calcium from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Prescribed for muscle spasms

Back 68

Skeletal muscle relaxant

Front 69

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Block reuptake of serotonin. Prescribed for depression and as an antipsychotic.

Back 69

SSRI

Front 70

Alters the consistency of stool. Used as a laxative

Back 70

Stool softener

Front 71

Synthetic replia of the natural thyroid hormone

Back 71

Thyroid hormone

Front 72

Blocks reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. Prescribed for depression

Back 72

Tricyclic antidepressant

Front 73

Used to treat gout.

Back 73

Uricosuric

Front 74

Dilates the blood vessels.

Back 74

Vasodilator