Drug classes by body system
Studying by class is the fastest way to learn pharmacology: drugs in the same class share their action, their main risks and most of their nursing care. 44 classes, each with a quiz.
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular quiz- Beta blockersBeta blockers slow the heart and lower blood pressure. The two nursing checks before every dose are the apical pulse and the blood pressure.-olol, -ilol, -alol
- ACE inhibitorsACE inhibitors (the -pril drugs) lower blood pressure and protect the heart and kidneys. Watch for a dry cough, high potassium and the rare but dangerous angioedema.-pril
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)ARBs (the -sartan drugs) block angiotensin II at its receptor. They work like ACE inhibitors without the cough, but share the risks of hyperkalemia and fetal toxicity.-sartan
- Calcium channel blockersCalcium channel blockers relax blood vessels. Dihydropyridines (the -dipine drugs) mainly lower blood pressure; verapamil and diltiazem also slow the heart rate.-dipine (dihydropyridines)
- DiureticsDiuretics remove sodium and water. Loop and thiazide diuretics waste potassium; potassium-sparing diuretics keep it. Daily weight is the best measure of fluid balance.-semide, -thiazide
- Cardiac glycosides (digoxin)Digoxin strengthens the heartbeat and slows the heart rate. It has a narrow therapeutic range, so the apical pulse, potassium and drug level are checked closely.
- NitratesNitrates relieve and prevent angina by dilating veins and coronary arteries. Headache and hypotension are expected; erectile dysfunction drugs are a dangerous combination.
- AntiarrhythmicsAntiarrhythmics restore or control heart rhythm. Many can also cause dysrhythmias, so ECG monitoring (especially the QT interval) is central to nursing care.
- Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)Statins (the -statin drugs) lower LDL cholesterol and the risk of heart attack and stroke. Muscle pain is the symptom patients must report.-statin
Blood and clotting
Blood and clotting quiz- AnticoagulantsAnticoagulants prevent clots from forming or growing; they do not dissolve existing clots. Know each drug's lab test and reversal agent: heparin, aPTT and protamine; warfarin, INR and vitamin K.-parin, -xaban, -gatran
- Antiplatelet drugsAntiplatelet drugs stop platelets from clumping. They prevent arterial clots in coronary artery disease, stents and stroke, and raise the risk of bleeding.-grel
Endocrine
Endocrine quiz- InsulinsInsulins are grouped by how fast and how long they work: rapid, short, intermediate and long-acting. Hypoglycemia is the main risk, and knowing the peak tells you when it is most likely.
- Oral and non-insulin antidiabetic drugsType 2 diabetes drugs lower glucose in different ways. Metformin is first-line; sulfonylureas cause hypoglycemia; SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists also protect the heart and kidneys in selected patients.-gliptin, -gliflozin, -glutide, -glitazone
- Thyroid and antithyroid drugsLevothyroxine replaces thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism; methimazole and PTU block hormone production in hyperthyroidism. Both are adjusted using TSH and free T4.
- Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids)Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs. Key nursing points: hyperglycemia, infection risk, fluid and potassium changes, and never stopping long-term therapy abruptly.-sone, -olone
Respiratory
Respiratory quiz- BronchodilatorsBronchodilators open the airways. Short-acting beta-2 agonists such as albuterol are rescue drugs; long-acting agents are for maintenance and are never used alone in asthma.-terol, -tropium
- Asthma controller drugsController drugs reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma attacks. They are taken every day, even when symptoms are absent, and are never used to treat an attack.-lukast, -sonide
Mental health
Mental health quiz- AntidepressantsAntidepressants include SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics, MAOIs and atypical agents. Every antidepressant carries a suicide warning for young people, and serotonin syndrome is the key drug-interaction danger.-oxetine, -aline, -triptyline
- Mood stabilizersMood stabilizers treat bipolar disorder. Lithium is the classic drug, with a narrow therapeutic range that depends on hydration and sodium balance.
- AntipsychoticsAntipsychotics treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and agitation. First-generation drugs cause more movement disorders; second-generation drugs cause more metabolic effects. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is the emergency to recognize.-apine, -idone, -azine
- BenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepines calm anxiety, stop seizures and sedate. Respiratory depression (especially with opioids or alcohol), falls and dependence are the main risks; flumazenil is the reversal agent.-azepam, -azolam
Neurology
Neurology quiz- Anticonvulsants (antiepileptic drugs)Anticonvulsants prevent and stop seizures. Several have narrow therapeutic ranges, many interact with other drugs, and none should be stopped suddenly.
- Antiparkinson drugsParkinson drugs restore dopamine activity or balance it with acetylcholine. Carbidopa-levodopa is the most effective; timing doses on schedule prevents 'off' periods.
- Alzheimer disease drugsCholinesterase inhibitors and memantine can modestly slow symptom decline in Alzheimer disease; they do not cure it. Bradycardia and GI effects are the main concerns.
Pain
Pain quiz- Opioid analgesics and antagonistsOpioids are the strongest analgesics. Respiratory depression is the danger, sedation is its warning sign, constipation is constant, and naloxone is the reversal agent.-codone, -morphone
- NSAIDs and acetaminophenNSAIDs relieve pain, fever and inflammation but can cause GI bleeding, kidney injury and cardiovascular events. Acetaminophen relieves pain and fever without these risks but can injure the liver.-profen, -fenac
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal quiz- Acid reducers (PPIs and H2 blockers)Proton pump inhibitors (-prazole) and H2 blockers (-tidine) lower stomach acid to treat GERD and ulcers. Long-term PPI use raises the risk of C. difficile, fractures and low magnesium.-prazole, -tidine
- AntiemeticsAntiemetics prevent and treat nausea and vomiting. Ondansetron prolongs the QT interval, metoclopramide can cause tardive dyskinesia, and promethazine can destroy tissue if injected wrongly.-setron
- Laxatives and bowel drugsLaxatives treat and prevent constipation; lactulose also lowers ammonia in hepatic encephalopathy. Bulk-forming laxatives need plenty of water.
Anti-infectives
Anti-infectives quiz- PenicillinsPenicillins (the -cillin drugs) are beta-lactam antibiotics. Allergy is the main concern: ask before every first dose and watch for anaphylaxis.-cillin
- CephalosporinsCephalosporins (cef- or ceph-) are beta-lactam antibiotics grouped in generations. Cefazolin is the classic surgical prophylaxis drug; ceftriaxone must not be mixed with calcium.cef-, ceph-
- Vancomycin (glycopeptides)Vancomycin treats MRSA and other serious gram-positive infections. Infuse it slowly, monitor the kidneys and drug levels, and remember that oral vancomycin is only for C. difficile.
- AminoglycosidesAminoglycosides are potent gram-negative antibiotics with two major toxicities: kidney damage and hearing or balance damage. Peak and trough levels guide safe dosing.-micin, -mycin
- FluoroquinolonesFluoroquinolones (the -floxacin drugs) are broad-spectrum antibiotics with boxed warnings for tendon rupture, neuropathy and CNS effects. They bind minerals, so timing with antacids matters.-floxacin
- MacrolidesMacrolides treat respiratory infections, atypical pneumonia and chlamydia. QT prolongation and drug interactions (especially clarithromycin and erythromycin) are the key concerns.-thromycin
- TetracyclinesTetracyclines (the -cycline drugs) treat tick-borne illness, acne and atypical infections. Remember: upright with water, sun protection, and avoid in pregnancy and young children when possible.-cycline
- Nitroimidazoles (metronidazole)Metronidazole and related drugs treat anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. The classic nursing teaching is no alcohol during treatment and for at least 3 days after.-nidazole
- Antitubercular drugsTuberculosis is treated with several drugs for months. Liver injury is the shared risk, rifampin turns body fluids orange, isoniazid needs vitamin B6, and ethambutol affects vision.
- AntifungalsAntifungals treat yeast and mold infections. Azoles have many drug interactions and liver effects; amphotericin B is highly toxic to the kidneys.-azole, -fungin
- AntiviralsAntivirals suppress viral replication but rarely cure the infection. Acyclovir and its relatives treat herpes viruses; IV acyclovir needs hydration to protect the kidneys.-ciclovir, -vir
Fluids and electrolytes
Fluids and electrolytes quizMaternity
Maternity quizBone and joint
Bone and joint quiz- Gout drugsGout is treated in two ways: acute attacks with NSAIDs, colchicine or corticosteroids, and prevention with urate-lowering drugs such as allopurinol. Never start a urate-lowering drug to treat an attack.
- BisphosphonatesBisphosphonates (the -dronate drugs) strengthen bone in osteoporosis. Oral forms must be taken with plain water on an empty stomach, upright for 30 minutes.-dronate