Classification of drugs for pharmacology students

1. Dr. Haji Bahadar, PharmD, PhD,
Assistant Professor KMU-IPS
Classification of drugs
Note. Write the suitable examples on your own

2. What is drug classification?
 A drug class is a set of medications that have
either similar chemical structures, the
same mechanism of action or are used to treat
the same disease.
 Drugs have been classified either on the basis;
Chemical composition: β-lactam antibiotic,
Benzodiazepine, Steroids

3. Classification based on mechanism
Mechanism of action
 Angiotensin II receptor antagonist: losartan,
valsartan
 ACE inhibitor: captopril, ramipril, lisinopril
 Alpha-adrenergic agonist: Phenylephrine,
Clonidine
 Beta blockers: Propranolol, Atenolol
 Dopamine agonist:
 Cyclooxygenase inhibitors
 Proton-pump inhibitor: omeprazole,
esomeprazole
 Cholinergic:

4. Classification based on
Therapeutic class
 Analgesics: Drug used to relieve pain.
 Antibiotic:
 Anticoagulant
 Antidepressant
 Anticancer
 Antiepileptic
 Antipsychotic
 Antiviral
 Sedative
 Antidiabetic
 Cardiovascular

5.  An anesthetic or anaesthetic is a drug used to
induce anesthesia - in other words, to result in a
temporary loss of sensation or awareness.
 Analgesics: Drug used to relieve pain
 Anthelmintics: a group of antiparasitic drugs that
expel parasitic worms (helminths) and other
internal parasites from the body
 An antidote is a drug, chelating substance, or a
chemical that counteracts (neutralizes) the effects
of another drug or a poison

6.  Antimicrobial: these drugs act either to inhibit, kill
or retard the growth of micro-organism
 Anti-inflammatory : the substance or treatment
that reduces inflammation or swelling.
 Anticoagulants: these are commonly referred to
as blood thinners, are chemical substances that
prevent or reduce coagulation of blood,
prolonging the clotting time.
 Antihistamine: A drug or other compound that
inhibits the physiological effects of histamine,
used especially in the treatment of allergies.
 Antacids: An antacid is a substance which
neutralizes stomach acidity and is used to relieve
heartburn, indigestion or an upset stomach.

7.  Anticonvulsants : they are a diverse group of
pharmacological agents used in the treatment of
epileptic seizures
 An anti-diarrhoeal: theses drugs are used for
diarrhoea
 Antitussive: Antitussives are medicines that
suppress coughing, also known as cough
suppressants.
 Anti asthmatics: Drug which provide
symptomatic relief of asthmatic attack by relaxing
the smooth muscle of the bronchioles
 Androgens: An androgen is any natural or
synthetic steroid hormone which regulates the
development and maintenance of male
characteristics
 Antiseptic: Antiseptics are antimicrobial

8.  Anti fungal/ antimycotic : It is a pharmaceutical
fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent
growth of fungal infection.
 Antispasmodic: An antispasmodic is a
pharmaceutical drug or other agent that
suppresses muscle spasms
 Antiemetic: An antiemetic is a drug that is
effective against vomiting and nausea.
 Anti tubercular: Specific drug is used in
treatment of Tuberculosis (TB)
 Antirheumatic: Drug is used to teat rheumatism
 Bronchodilators: A bronchodilator is a substance
that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles,
decreasing resistance in the respiratory airway
and increasing airflow to the lungs.

9.  Coagulants: An agent that produces coagulation
(Coagulation is a complex process by which
blood forms clots).
 Carminatives: A carminative is a herb or
preparation intended to either prevent formation
of gas in the gastrointestinal tract or facilitate the
expulsion of said gas, thereby combatting
flatulence.

10. Legal classification
 For the UK legal classification, see Drugs
controlled by the UK Misuse of Drugs Act
 For the US legal classification, see Controlled
Substances Act § Schedules of controlled
substances
 Pregnancy category is defined using a variety of
systems by different jurisdiction