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*Drug Classification*
Drugs are generally classified according to their actions on the body or according to the
body system they affect.
May have multiple actions & therefore multiple classifications.
**Adrenergic**
**Analgesic**
**Anesthetic**
**Antibiotic**
**Anticholinergic**
**Anti-depressants**
**Antiemetic**
**Antiepileptic**
**Antifungal**
**Antihistamine**
**Antihypertensives**
Action – Blocks nerve impulses that constrict arteries; or slows heart rate decreasing
contractility; or restricts the hormone aldosterone in the blood
**Anti-inflammatory**
**Antineoplastic**
**Antispasmodic**
Primary use – Temporarily suppresses a non productive cough; reduces the thickness of
secretions.
**Bronchodilators**
**Contraceptive**
**Decongestant**
Primary use- Relief of nasal and sinus congestion due to common cold, hay fever, or
upper respiratory tract disorders
**Diuretic**
**Expectorant**
**Hypnotic** (Sedatives)
**Hormone Replacement**
**Miotic**
**Mydriatic**
**Narcotic**
Action- Depress the central nervous system and cause insensibility or stupor
Examples- Natural narcotics: opium group (codeine phosphate, morphine sulfate); synthetic
narcotics; meperidine (Demerol) , methadone (Dolophine) , and propoxyphene HCI (Darvon)