Hormones
Definition Uses/Examples Chemical substance produced
by an endocrine gland Carried by blood to cells or
tissues to change their structure or function
For a cell to respond to a particular hormone it needs to have specific receptors for that hormone, and once the hormone binds to the receptor specific chemical pathways are activated that lead to a response
Replacement
Examples- Estrogen, testosterone, Adrenaline, hydrocortisone
Antibiotics
Definition Uses examples
Used to treat bacterial infections
Either kill bacteria or keep them from reproducing
Bacteria will be cultured first to tell which antibiotic will be most effective
Bacterial infection
Penicillin, amoxicillin, Ampicillin, bactrin
Administered orally, intravenously or topically
Beta Blockers
Definition Uses/Examples
Reduces the workload of the heart by regulating heartbeat
Decreases activity of the heart by preventing stimulation of nerve endings on the heart
used to treat angina, control abnormal heart rhythms and to reduce high blood pressure
Acebutolol (Sectral) Atenolol (Tenormin) Bisoprolol (Zebeta) Metoprolol Hint!-End in the suffix
olol
Adrenergic
Definition Uses/Examples
Increase HR and BP
Relaxes smooth muscle of the respiratory tract
Used for asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases.
Epinephrine, Albuterol, terbutaline
May be taken orally, injected or through MDI
Anticoagulants
Definition Uses/Examples
Decreases blood clotting in arteries and veins
Reduces risk of MI or CVA
Heparin, warfarin
Taken orally or through IV
Analgesics
Definition Uses/Examples
Alleviates pain by depressing the CNS
Used for light to moderate Pain
Acetaminophen
Taken Orally
Benzodiazepines
Definition Uses/Examples
Decrease excitement in the CNS
Used for anxiety, panic and mood disorders, seizures, insomnia among others
Xanax, Valium
Taken orally or through IV
Antidepressants
Definition Uses/Examples
Alleviate the symptoms of depressive disorders
Many subcategories of antidepressents
Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety disorders.
Citalopram (Celexa) Escitalopram (Lexapro) Fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac
Weekly, Sarafem) Fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox
CR) Paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR,
Pexeva) Sertraline (Zoloft)
Antacids
Definition Uses/Examples
Neutralize gastric juices
GERD, Acid Reflux, stomach ache, heartburn.
Aluminum Hydroxide Gel (suspension)
Aluminum-magnesium hydroxide sulfate (Magaldrate)
Amphojel (tablets) Calcium acetate (PhosLo
tablets) Calcium carbonate
Vaccines
Definition Uses/examples
A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease.
Resistance to toxins Uses a dead or
weakened virus to create antibodies
Destroys viruses
To prevent viral infection
Diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), measles, mumps, Yellow fever, small pox and German measles (rubella), Polio.
Antihistamines
Definitions Uses/Examples
block the action of histamine (a compound released in allergic inflammatory reactions)
Allergies to mold, pollen or pets
Examples of prescription antihistamines include:
Astelin, Astepro (azelastine) nasal sprays
Atarax, Vistaril (hydroxyzine) Clarinex (desloratadine)
Examples of OTC antihistamines: Allegra (fexofenadine) Benadryl (diphenhydramine) Dimetane (brompheniramine) Claritin, Alavert (loratadine)
Expectorants
Definition
Promoting or facilitating the secretion or expulsion of phlegm, mucus, or other matter from the respiratory tract
Tussis, Bronchitis.
Quafenisin Potassium iodide
Decongestant
Definition Uses/Examples
An agent used to reduce congestion and swelling
Reduces nasal congestion in upper respiratory tract
Afrin, Dristan, Vicks Sinex (oxymetazoline)
Sudafed PE, Suphedrin PE (phenylephrine)
Silfedrine, Sudafed, Suphedrin (pseudoephedrine)
Antitussives
Definition Uses/Examples
Works on the CNS to reduce coughing (tussis)
Cough
Robitussin
Taken via syr, lozenge.
Antiasthmatics
Definition Uses/Examples
Reduces spasms in bronchial passageway
Used to open airways during an asthmatic attack
Bronchodilators Steroids Hexoprenaline Prednisone
Antiseptics
Definition Uses/examples
Bactericidal or bacteriostatic substances applied to the skin
Reduces the likelihood of bacterial or viral infection on the skin
ETOH Boric Acid Hydrogen peroxide
Insulin
Definition Uses/Examples
Insulin is a naturally-occurring hormone secreted by the pancreas. Insulin is required by the cells of the body in order for them to remove and use glucose from the blood
Made by the pancreas Most insulin is synthetic or
made from cow or pig insulin
Metabolic disorders affecting the pancreas such as Type I and Type II diabetes
Regular, NPH, lente, ultra lente, humalog, novalog.
Histamine Water Blockers
Definition Uses/examples
act by stopping the pathway that leads to the secretion of stomach acid.
GI and Gastric Ulcers, GERD
Ranitidine, Nizatidine, Famotidine
Hint- suffix is -itidine
Steroids
Definition Examples/Uses
drugs that includes the corticosteroids, similar to hormones produced by the adrenal glands, and used to relieve inflammation and itching.
Inflammation
Prednisone, hydrocortisone
Hint!- Suffix is often -isone
Barbiturates
Definition Uses/Examples
Act as CNS depressants
Anxiety, insomnia, general anesthesia
Alphenal, Barbital
Hint!- All end in the suffix
-al
ACE inhibitors
Definition Uses/Examples
Dilates blood vessels
ACE inhibitors inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (a component of the blood pressure-regulating renin-angiotensin system), thereby decreasing the tension of blood vessels and blood volume, thus lowering blood pressure.
Hypertension, CHF
Quinapril, Benazepril,Zofenapril
Hint!- All end in the suffix
-pril
Diuretics
Definition Uses/examples
A diuretic provides a means of forced diuresis which elevates the rate of urination. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics increase the excretion of water from bodies
Many different categories
Cirrhosis, kidney diseases, CHF, Hypertension, Edema
Furosemide, caffeine, ecetazolimide
Hint!- Suffix is -mide
Statin drugs
Definition Examples
Statins are a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in the liver.
High Cholesterol,
Atavorstatin, lovastatin
Hint!- All end in the suffix
-statin