This document discusses the classification of drugs according to their mechanism of action, physiologic effect, or chemical structure. It provides examples of common drugs classified as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, antihistamines, antiseptics, and many other groups. The purpose of drug classification is to ensure safe and effective use by identifying interactions and resistance. Over 30 specific types of drugs are defined and examples given.

1. Classification of drugs
Prepared by
Md Rahat Ul Azam
Nursing Instructor
Rangpur Nursing College, Rangpur.

2. Classification of drugs
A drug may be classified by the chemical type
of the active ingredient or by the way it is used
to treat a particular condition.

3. Classification methods
Three dominant methods are used to classify drug:
• Mechanism of action: Specific changes they cause
in the body.
• Physiologic effect: How body responds to them
• Chemical structure: What they’re made of.

4. The Purpose of Drug Classification
To ensure that use a drug safely to achieve the
upmost benefit.
It help to identify drug-drug (the action of one
drug can make another drug less effective)
interactions and the potential for drug resistance
and ensures the appropriate staging of treatment.

5. Classification
Anti-biotic- Antibiotics are medications that
destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria.
 Amoxicillin
 Bacitracin
 Ciprofloxacin

6. Antiviral drug-
any agent that is used in the treatment of an
infectious disease caused by a virus.
 Acyclovir
 Valacyclovir

7. Anti-fungal Drugs
Anti-fungal drugs are used to treat fungal
infections.
Example-
• Clotrimazole
• Econazole
• Fluconazole

8. Antiprotozoal drug
Anti-protozoals are used to treat protozoal infections -
include amebiasis, giardiasis, malaria, trypanosomiasis,
Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and toxoplasmosis, etc.
 Metronidazole
 Ronidazole
 Tinidazole

9. Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug-
These medicines relieve pain, swelling, stiffness,
and inflammation.
 Ibuprofen
 Naproxen
 Diclofenac sodium

10. Anti-Histamines
A drug or other compound that inhibits the
physiological effects of histamine, used
especially in the treatment of allergies.
• Cetirizine
• Desloratadine
• Fexofenadine

11. Antiseptics
medicines that slow or stop the growth of germs
and help prevent infections, Although Antiseptics
do not usually kill bacteria, and they do weaken
them and slow their growth.
 Chlorhexidine
 Povidone-iodine
 Isopropyl alcohol

12. Antiarrhythmic
Antiarrhythmic agents are a diverse group of
medicines that are used in the treatment of
cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rates or
rhythms).
 Bisoprolol
 Metoprolol

13. Vasodilator
Vasodilators are medicines that act directly on muscles
in blood vessel walls to make blood vessels widen
(dilate).
 Nitroglycerin
 Diltiazem

14. Diuretics
Diuretics are medicines that increase the amount
of urine production. Diuretics are used to treat
conditions that have fluid retention (also called
edema) as a symptom, such as heart failure,
kidney failure, and cirrhosis of the liver.
 Furosemide
 Spironolactone

15. Anti-hypertensive drug-
A type of drug used to treat high blood pressure.
 Amlodipine
 Verapamil
 Captopril
 Lisinopril

16. Antidepressants
An antidepressant is the name given to a
medicine that can help relieve the symptoms of
depression, such as low mood, anxiety, etc.
 Amitriptyline
 Citalopram

17. Anesthetic
An anesthetic is a drug used to induce anesthesia
- in other words, to result in a temporary loss of
sensation or awareness.
 Propofol
 ketamine

18. Anthelmintic
Anthelmintics are a group of antiparasitic drugs
that expel parasitic worms (helminths) and
other internal parasites from the body by either
stunning or killing them and without causing
significant damage to the host.
 Mebendazole,
 Pyrantel pamoate

19. Antipyretics
Antipyretics are substances that reduce fever.
 Acetaminophen
 Paracetamol

20. Antidotes-
An antidote is a drug, chelating substance, or a
chemical that counteracts (neutralizes) the
effects of another drug or a poison.
 Naloxone is an antidote to opioids that will
reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

21. Anti-coagulant
Anticoagulants, commonly referred to as blood
thinners, are chemical substances that prevent or
reduce coagulation of blood, prolonging the clotting
time.
 Rivaroxaban
 Warfarin

22. Antacids
An antacid is a substance which neutralizes
stomach acidity and is used to relieve heartburn,
indigestion or an upset stomach.
 Magnesium hydroxide
 Aluminum hydroxide

23. Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants are a diverse group of
pharmacological agents used in the treatment of
epileptic seizures.
 Carbamazepine
 Phenytoin
 Valproic acid

24. Antitussive
Anti-tussives are medicines that suppress
coughing, also known as cough suppressants.
 Dextromethorphan,
 Codeine

25. Anti-asthmatics
Drug which provide symptomatic relief of
asthmatic attack by relaxing the smooth muscle
of the bronchioles.
 Fluticasone
 Beclomethasone

26. Antispasmodic
An antispasmodic is a pharmaceutical drug or
other agent that suppresses muscle spasms.
 Visceralgine
 Dicyclomine

27. Antiemetic
An antiemetic is a drug that is effective against
vomiting and nausea.
 Ondansetron
 Metoclopramide

28. Anti- tubercular-
Specific drug is used in treatment of Tuberculosis
(TB).
 Rifampicin
 Isoniazid
 Pyrazinamide
 Ethambutol

29. Anti-rheumatic-
Drug is used to treat rheumatism.
 Sulfasalazine
 Hydroxychloroquine

30. Bronchodilators
A bronchodilator is a substance that dilates the
bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing resistance
in the respiratory airway and increasing airflow
to the lungs.
 Salbutamol
 Ipratropium bromide

31. Antineoplastic drugs-
Medications that used to treat cancer.
 Blenoxane
 Bleomycin
 Cosmegen

32. Antipsychotic drug-
Also known as neuroleptics, are a class of
psychotropic medication primarily used to
manage psychosis,
 Olanzapine
 Risperidone

33. Laxatives
Are medicines that help to resolve constipation
or empty the bowel of fecal matter before
procedures or surgery involving the lower
bowel.
 Magnesium hydroxide
 Bisacodyl

34. Decongestants
Medicines that relieve congestion by reducing
swelling, inflammation, and mucus formation
within the nasal passages or the eye.
 Pseudoephedrine
 Xylometazoline

35. Thank You