Drug Classes
Therapeutic drug classes organized by mechanism of action and clinical use.
Drug Classes
Therapeutic drug classes organized by mechanism of action and clinical use.
Browse the pages below for detailed information.
ACE Inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are antihypertensive agents that block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, reducing vasoconstriction and blood pressure.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are antimicrobial agents used to treat bacterial infections. They work by killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth through various mechanisms including cell wall synthesis inhibition, p
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are medications that prevent blood clot formation by inhibiting various factors in the coagulation cascade.
Antidepressants (SNRIs)
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are antidepressants that increase both serotonin and norepinephrine levels by blocking their reuptake transporters.
Antidepressants (SSRIs)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are antidepressant medications that increase serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft by blocking serotonin reuptake transporters.
Antiepileptics
Antiepileptic drugs are medications used to prevent and control seizures by modulating neuronal excitability through various mechanisms.
Antihistamines (H1)
H1 antihistamines are medications that block histamine H1 receptors, used to treat allergic reactions and symptoms.
Antivirals
Antiviral drugs are medications used to treat viral infections. They work by inhibiting various stages of the viral life cycle including viral entry, replication, and assembly.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are CNS depressants that enhance GABA-A receptor activity, producing anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant effects.
Beta Blockers
Beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists are a class of medications that block the effects of catecholamines on beta-adrenergic receptors, reducing heart rate and blood pressure.
Beta-Lactam Antibiotics
Beta-lactam antibiotics are a broad class of antibiotics that contain a beta-lactam ring in their molecular structure. They inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding prote
Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers are vasodilatory agents that inhibit calcium influx through voltage-gated calcium channels in cardiac and vascular smooth muscle.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are steroid hormones with potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties used in various inflammatory conditions.
Diuretics
Diuretics are medications that increase urine production and sodium excretion, used to treat hypertension, heart failure, and edema.
Fluoroquinolones
Fluoroquinolones are a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics that inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing DNA replication and transcription.
H2 Receptor Antagonists
Histamine H2 receptor antagonists reduce gastric acid secretion by blocking histamine H2 receptors on gastric parietal cells.
Insulins
Insulin preparations are peptide hormones used to treat diabetes mellitus by regulating glucose metabolism.
Macrolide Antibiotics
Macrolide antibiotics are a class of antibacterial agents that inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit. They are commonly used for respiratory tract infections.
Metformin and Related
Biguanides are oral antidiabetic agents that reduce hepatic glucose production and improve insulin sensitivity.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a class of analgesics that reduce pain, inflammation, and fever by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes. They are widely used for musculoskeletal conditions.
Opioid Analgesics
Opioid analgesics are potent pain-relieving medications that act on opioid receptors in the central nervous system.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors are gastric antisecretory agents that irreversibly inhibit the H+/K+ ATPase pump in gastric parietal cells, reducing acid secretion.
Statins
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are cholesterol-lowering medications that reduce cardiovascular risk by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureas are oral antidiabetic agents that stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells by blocking ATP-sensitive potassium channels.
Tetracyclines
Tetracyclines are a class of antibiotics that inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit. They have broad-spectrum activity against many bacterial species.