Pharmacology Drug Class Flashcards: Mechanisms, Uses & Safety Patterns
Study 126 cards on 30 common drug classes: mechanisms, qualified generic-name patterns, common uses, and major safety concepts for nursing and introductory health science.
Om denne bunke
Build a durable pharmacology map with 126 independently authored cards. Six prerequisites define drug classes, mechanisms, agonism, antagonism, inhibition, and how to treat generic-name stems as fallible clues. The remaining 120 cards cover 30 common classes through four separate retrieval directions: class → core mechanism; qualified pattern or representative generics → class; class → common use; and class → major safety concept.
The deck deliberately excludes dosing, prescribing, patient-specific guidance, administration or hold parameters, exhaustive contraindications and interactions, monitoring protocols, brand names, official questions, and clinical cases. Generic-name patterns are clues, never universal rules. Use this deck for study—not clinical decision-making.
Ordering supports learning: prerequisites come first, then five spiral blocks mix six broad topic groups. Same-class variants stay at least three unrelated cards apart, alternating mechanism, recognition, common-use, and safety recall instead of forming predictable runs.
Open Study Contributor independently authored this standalone deck from common pharmacology knowledge checked against WHO, FDA, and NIH/NCBI sources. Organization names identify sources only; no affiliation or endorsement is claimed.
Kort i denne bunke
Kort 1
Spørgsmål
What is a drug class?
Svar
A group of drugs linked by a shared mechanism, target, structure, therapeutic use, or a combination of these features.
Kort 2
Spørgsmål
What does mechanism of action mean?
Svar
How a drug produces its effects at a molecular, cellular, or physiological target.
Kort 3
Spørgsmål
What is a receptor agonist?
Svar
A drug that binds to a receptor and activates it to produce a response.
Kort 4
Spørgsmål
What is a receptor antagonist?
Svar
A drug that binds to a receptor and blocks or reduces activation by an agonist.
Kort 5
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What does it mean when a drug inhibits an enzyme or transporter?
Svar
It reduces that protein's activity, changing the movement or conversion of its usual substrates.
Kort 6
Spørgsmål
How should generic-name stems be used to recognize drug classes?
Svar
As clues, not universal rules. Confirm the actual drug because exceptions and overlapping stems exist.
Kort 7
Spørgsmål
ACE inhibitors: core mechanism?
Svar
They inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme, reducing angiotensin II and aldosterone while increasing bradykinin.
Kort 8
Spørgsmål
SSRIs: core mechanism?
Svar
They inhibit the serotonin transporter, increasing serotonin signaling in the synaptic cleft.
Kort 9
Spørgsmål
Biguanides: core mechanism?
Svar
Metformin mainly reduces hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity without directly stimulating insulin release.
Kort 10
Spørgsmål
Penicillins: core mechanism?
Svar
Their beta-lactam ring binds penicillin-binding proteins and disrupts bacterial cell-wall synthesis.
Kort 11
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by the ending -pril?
Svar
ACE inhibitors. Examples include lisinopril and enalapril, but a name stem is only a clue.
Kort 12
Spørgsmål
Proton-pump inhibitors: core mechanism?
Svar
They inhibit the H+/K+ ATPase proton pump in gastric parietal cells, strongly reducing acid secretion.
Kort 13
Spørgsmål
SSRIs: common uses?
Svar
Depression and several anxiety-related disorders; the approved indications differ by agent.
Kort 14
Spørgsmål
NSAIDs: core mechanism?
Svar
They inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis.
Kort 15
Spørgsmål
Biguanides: major safety concepts?
Svar
Gastrointestinal effects are common; vitamin B12 can fall with long use, and lactic acidosis is rare but serious.
Kort 16
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by the ending -cillin?
Svar
Penicillins, such as amoxicillin and piperacillin. The stem does not describe spectrum or resistance.
Kort 17
Spørgsmål
ACE inhibitors: common uses?
Svar
Hypertension and selected heart-failure, post-myocardial-infarction, and kidney-protection indications.
Kort 18
Spørgsmål
Proton-pump inhibitors: major safety concepts?
Svar
Possible concerns include hypomagnesemia and enteric infection risk. Many other long-term links are observational rather than proven causal effects.
Kort 19
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by -oxetine or -opram?
Svar
SSRIs, but not universally. Sertraline and fluvoxamine are exceptions, and some stems overlap other classes.
Kort 20
Spørgsmål
NSAIDs: common uses?
Svar
Pain, inflammation, and fever; individual agents also have more specific uses.
Kort 21
Spørgsmål
Metformin belongs to which drug class?
Svar
Biguanides. Metformin is the main widely used member, so there is no useful class-wide suffix rule.
Kort 22
Spørgsmål
Penicillins: major safety concepts?
Svar
Hypersensitivity can range from rash to anaphylaxis; diarrhea and antibiotic-associated colitis are additional concerns.
Kort 23
Spørgsmål
ACE inhibitors: major safety concepts?
Svar
Cough, hyperkalemia, kidney-function changes, angioedema, and fetal harm are major class concerns.
Kort 24
Spørgsmål
Proton-pump inhibitors: common uses?
Svar
Acid-related disorders such as GERD, erosive esophagitis, and peptic-ulcer disease.
Kort 25
Spørgsmål
SSRIs: major safety concepts?
Svar
Serotonin syndrome, bleeding and hyponatremia risks, sexual dysfunction, and the antidepressant suicidality warning for younger people.
Kort 26
Spørgsmål
Ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketorolac belong to which class?
Svar
NSAIDs. The class has no single reliable generic-name suffix.
Kort 27
Spørgsmål
Biguanides: common use?
Svar
Type 2 diabetes.
Kort 28
Spørgsmål
Penicillins: common use?
Svar
Treatment of susceptible bacterial infections; the spectrum differs substantially among individual penicillins.
Kort 29
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by the ending -prazole?
Svar
Proton-pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole and pantoprazole. Confirm the individual drug.
Kort 30
Spørgsmål
NSAIDs: major safety concepts?
Svar
Gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney injury, fluid retention, and cardiovascular events are key risks; FDA also warns about use from about 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Kort 31
Spørgsmål
Sulfonylureas: core mechanism?
Svar
They close ATP-sensitive potassium channels in pancreatic beta cells, triggering insulin release even when glucose is not high.
Kort 32
Spørgsmål
H2 blockers: core mechanism?
Svar
They competitively block histamine H2 receptors on gastric parietal cells, reducing acid secretion.
Kort 33
Spørgsmål
SNRIs: core mechanism?
Svar
They inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake transporters, increasing both transmitters in synapses.
Kort 34
Spørgsmål
Opioid analgesics: core mechanism?
Svar
They activate opioid receptors; many important analgesic effects and toxicities are mediated through mu receptors.
Kort 35
Spørgsmål
Glipizide, glyburide, and glimepiride belong to which class?
Svar
Sulfonylureas. Their names offer clues, but the broad ending -ide is not class-specific.
Kort 36
Spørgsmål
ARBs: core mechanism?
Svar
They block angiotensin II at AT1 receptors, reducing vasoconstriction and aldosterone effects.
Kort 37
Spørgsmål
H2 blockers: common uses?
Svar
Acid-related disorders such as heartburn, GERD, and gastric or duodenal ulcers.
Kort 38
Spørgsmål
Cephalosporins: core mechanism?
Svar
Their beta-lactam ring binds penicillin-binding proteins and disrupts bacterial cell-wall synthesis.
Kort 39
Spørgsmål
SNRIs: major safety concepts?
Svar
Serotonin syndrome, blood-pressure increases, discontinuation symptoms, and the antidepressant suicidality warning for younger people.
Kort 40
Spørgsmål
Morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl belong to which broad class?
Svar
Opioid analgesics. The class has no single reliable generic-name suffix.
Kort 41
Spørgsmål
Sulfonylureas: common use?
Svar
Type 2 diabetes when increasing pancreatic insulin release is appropriate.
Kort 42
Spørgsmål
ARBs: major safety concepts?
Svar
Hyperkalemia, hypotension, kidney-function changes, and fetal harm are major concerns; cough is less common than with ACE inhibitors.
Kort 43
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by the ending -tidine?
Svar
H2 receptor blockers, such as famotidine and cimetidine. Confirm the individual drug.
Kort 44
Spørgsmål
Cephalosporins: common use?
Svar
Treatment of susceptible bacterial infections; antibacterial spectrum varies widely by agent and generation.
Kort 45
Spørgsmål
Which name endings can suggest an SNRI?
Svar
-faxine or sometimes -oxetine, but neither is decisive. The -oxetine ending also appears in some SSRIs.
Kort 46
Spørgsmål
Opioid analgesics: major safety concepts?
Svar
Respiratory depression, sedation, constipation, tolerance, dependence, and overdose; benzodiazepines and other depressants increase danger.
Kort 47
Spørgsmål
Sulfonylureas: major safety concepts?
Svar
Hypoglycemia and weight gain are the main class patterns, with risk differing among agents and clinical contexts.
Kort 48
Spørgsmål
ARBs: common uses?
Svar
Hypertension and selected heart-failure and kidney-protection indications.
Kort 49
Spørgsmål
H2 blockers: major safety concepts?
Svar
They are usually well tolerated, but confusion or other CNS effects can occur with reduced clearance; cimetidine has many interactions.
Kort 50
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by cef- or ceph-?
Svar
Cephalosporins, such as cefazolin and cephalexin. The name does not reveal the full spectrum.
Kort 51
Spørgsmål
SNRIs: common uses?
Svar
Depression and anxiety disorders; selected agents also treat neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia.
Kort 52
Spørgsmål
Opioid analgesics: common uses?
Svar
Analgesia for selected severe pain and perioperative settings; individual opioids also have other specific uses.
Kort 53
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by the ending -sartan?
Svar
Angiotensin II receptor blockers, or ARBs. Examples include losartan and valsartan.
Kort 54
Spørgsmål
Cephalosporins: major safety concepts?
Svar
Hypersensitivity and antibiotic-associated diarrhea are important; penicillin cross-reactivity depends largely on similar side chains.
Kort 55
Spørgsmål
Beta2 agonists: core mechanism?
Svar
They activate beta2 receptors, increasing cAMP and relaxing airway smooth muscle.
Kort 56
Spørgsmål
Beta blockers: core mechanism?
Svar
They antagonize beta-adrenergic receptors; beta1 blockade can reduce heart rate, contractility, and renin release.
Kort 57
Spørgsmål
Systemic corticosteroids: core mechanism?
Svar
They bind intracellular glucocorticoid receptors and alter gene transcription, reducing inflammatory and immune signaling.
Kort 58
Spørgsmål
Benzodiazepines: core mechanism?
Svar
They positively modulate GABA-A receptors, increasing the frequency of chloride-channel opening when GABA is present.
Kort 59
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by the ending -terol?
Svar
Beta2 agonist bronchodilators, such as formoterol and salmeterol. Albuterol is a familiar exception.
Kort 60
Spørgsmål
Macrolides: core mechanism?
Svar
They bind the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibit protein synthesis.
Kort 61
Spørgsmål
Beta blockers: common uses?
Svar
Selected cardiovascular conditions such as arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and hypertension; some agents have noncardiac uses.
Kort 62
Spørgsmål
GLP-1 receptor agonists: core mechanism?
Svar
They activate GLP-1 receptors, increasing glucose-dependent insulin release, suppressing glucagon, and slowing gastric emptying.
Kort 63
Spørgsmål
Systemic corticosteroids: major safety concepts?
Svar
Infection, hyperglycemia, osteoporosis, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal suppression; risks rise with systemic exposure and duration.
126 kort
Pharmacology Drug Class Flashcards: Mechanisms, Uses & Safety Patterns
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Kort 64
Spørgsmål
Which endings often suggest a benzodiazepine?
Svar
-azepam or -azolam, as in diazepam or midazolam. Not every sedative with a similar ending belongs to this class.
Kort 65
Spørgsmål
Beta2 agonists: common use?
Svar
Bronchodilation in asthma or COPD regimens; short- and long-acting agents play different roles.
Kort 66
Spørgsmål
Macrolides: major safety concepts?
Svar
Gastrointestinal effects, QT prolongation, and clinically important interactions that vary by agent.
Kort 67
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by the ending -olol?
Svar
Beta blockers, such as metoprolol and propranolol. Receptor selectivity still varies by agent.
Kort 68
Spørgsmål
GLP-1 receptor agonists: common uses?
Svar
Type 2 diabetes; selected agents are also approved for chronic weight management and cardiovascular-risk reduction.
Kort 69
Spørgsmål
Which patterns often suggest a systemic corticosteroid?
Svar
-sone or -olone, as in prednisone or prednisolone, but these endings are not unique to the class.
Kort 70
Spørgsmål
Benzodiazepines: major safety concepts?
Svar
Sedation, dependence and withdrawal, plus respiratory depression—especially with opioids, alcohol, or other CNS depressants.
Kort 71
Spørgsmål
Beta2 agonists: major safety concepts?
Svar
Tremor, palpitations or tachycardia, hypokalemia, and rare paradoxical bronchospasm.
Kort 72
Spørgsmål
Macrolides: common use?
Svar
Treatment of selected susceptible bacterial infections, including some respiratory and atypical pathogens.
Kort 73
Spørgsmål
Beta blockers: major safety concepts?
Svar
Bradycardia and hypotension; nonselective agents can cause bronchospasm, and the class can mask adrenergic signs of hypoglycemia.
Kort 74
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by -glutide?
Svar
GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide and liraglutide. Exenatide and lixisenatide show the pattern is not universal.
Kort 75
Spørgsmål
Systemic corticosteroids: common uses?
Svar
Inflammatory, allergic, and autoimmune disorders, with the route and agent chosen for the condition.
Kort 76
Spørgsmål
Benzodiazepines: common uses?
Svar
Anxiety, seizures, procedural sedation, or alcohol withdrawal, depending on the agent and setting.
Kort 77
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by the ending -thromycin?
Svar
Macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin and clarithromycin. Confirm the individual agent.
Kort 78
Spørgsmål
GLP-1 receptor agonists: major safety concepts?
Svar
Gastrointestinal effects are common; gallbladder disease and pancreatitis are warnings, and some labels warn about thyroid C-cell tumors.
Kort 79
Spørgsmål
Second-generation antipsychotics: core mechanism?
Svar
Most modulate dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A signaling, but receptor profiles vary substantially by agent.
Kort 80
Spørgsmål
Tetracyclines: core mechanism?
Svar
They bind the bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit and inhibit protein synthesis.
Kort 81
Spørgsmål
Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers: core mechanism?
Svar
They block L-type calcium channels mainly in vascular smooth muscle, causing arteriolar relaxation.
Kort 82
Spørgsmål
Inhaled antimuscarinics: core mechanism?
Svar
They block airway muscarinic receptors, reducing vagal bronchoconstriction and promoting bronchodilation.
Kort 83
Spørgsmål
Which endings often suggest a second-generation antipsychotic?
Svar
-apine or -idone often appear, but many members use other endings and the stems are not class-specific.
Kort 84
Spørgsmål
SGLT2 inhibitors: core mechanism?
Svar
They inhibit renal sodium-glucose cotransporter 2, increasing urinary glucose and sodium excretion.
Kort 85
Spørgsmål
Tetracyclines: common uses?
Svar
Selected susceptible bacterial infections and, for some agents, acne or rosacea.
Kort 86
Spørgsmål
Bisphosphonates: core mechanism?
Svar
They bind bone mineral and inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption.
Kort 87
Spørgsmål
Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers: major safety concepts?
Svar
Peripheral edema, flushing, headache, dizziness, and hypotension are characteristic patterns.
Kort 88
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by the ending -tropium?
Svar
Inhaled antimuscarinic bronchodilators, such as ipratropium and tiotropium. Several class members use other endings.
Kort 89
Spørgsmål
Second-generation antipsychotics: common uses?
Svar
Schizophrenia and selected bipolar or other psychiatric indications; approvals differ by agent.
Kort 90
Spørgsmål
SGLT2 inhibitors: major safety concepts?
Svar
Genital infections, volume depletion, ketoacidosis, and rare necrotizing infection of the perineum.
Kort 91
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by the ending -cycline?
Svar
Tetracycline antibiotics, such as doxycycline and minocycline. Confirm the individual drug.
Kort 92
Spørgsmål
Bisphosphonates: common uses?
Svar
Osteoporosis and selected disorders with excessive bone resorption, including Paget disease or malignancy-related bone disease.
Kort 93
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by the ending -dipine?
Svar
Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers, such as amlodipine and nifedipine.
Kort 94
Spørgsmål
Inhaled antimuscarinics: major safety concepts?
Svar
Dry mouth, urinary retention, tachycardia, and eye exposure that may worsen narrow-angle glaucoma.
Kort 95
Spørgsmål
Second-generation antipsychotics: major safety concepts?
Svar
Metabolic effects, movement disorders, QT effects, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome; labels warn about increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Kort 96
Spørgsmål
SGLT2 inhibitors: common uses?
Svar
Type 2 diabetes; selected agents also treat heart failure or chronic kidney disease.
Kort 97
Spørgsmål
Tetracyclines: major safety concepts?
Svar
Gastrointestinal or esophageal irritation, photosensitivity, and effects on developing teeth and bone are key patterns.
Kort 98
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by the ending -dronate?
Svar
Bisphosphonates, such as alendronate and risedronate. Confirm the individual agent and formulation.
Kort 99
Spørgsmål
Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers: common uses?
Svar
Hypertension and angina, using vascular smooth-muscle relaxation to reduce arterial tone.
Kort 100
Spørgsmål
Inhaled antimuscarinics: common use?
Svar
Maintenance bronchodilation, especially in COPD; selected agents also serve as add-on asthma therapy.
Kort 101
Spørgsmål
Which class is often suggested by the ending -gliflozin?
Svar
SGLT2 inhibitors, such as empagliflozin and dapagliflozin.
Kort 102
Spørgsmål
Bisphosphonates: major safety concepts?
Svar
Upper-GI irritation with oral agents, hypocalcemia, and rare osteonecrosis of the jaw or atypical femur fracture.
Kort 103
Spørgsmål
TNF inhibitors: core mechanism?
Svar
They neutralize tumor necrosis factor signaling, reducing downstream inflammation.
Kort 104
Spørgsmål
DPP-4 inhibitors: core mechanism?
Svar
They inhibit DPP-4, prolonging endogenous incretin activity and increasing glucose-dependent insulin release.
Kort 105
Spørgsmål
Inhaled corticosteroids: core mechanism?
Svar
They activate glucocorticoid receptors in airway cells, reducing inflammatory gene expression and airway inflammation.
Kort 106
Spørgsmål
Statins: core mechanism?
Svar
They inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, reducing hepatic cholesterol synthesis and increasing hepatic LDL-receptor activity.
Kort 107
Spørgsmål
Adalimumab, infliximab, and etanercept belong to which class?
Svar
TNF inhibitors. The class has no single specific shared suffix: -mab is broad, and etanercept ends in -cept.
Kort 108
Spørgsmål
Triptans: core mechanism?
Svar
They activate serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptors, reducing trigeminal signaling and causing cranial vasoconstriction.
Kort 109
Spørgsmål
DPP-4 inhibitors: common use?
Svar
Type 2 diabetes, using enhanced endogenous incretin signaling to improve glucose-dependent insulin release.
Kort 110
Spørgsmål
Fluoroquinolones: core mechanism?
Svar
They inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, disrupting DNA replication.
Kort 111
Spørgsmål
Inhaled corticosteroids: major safety concepts?
Svar
Oral candidiasis and dysphonia are important local effects; systemic effects become more relevant with higher exposure.
Kort 112
Spørgsmål
Which class is suggested by the ending -statin?
Svar
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins, such as atorvastatin and rosuvastatin.
Kort 113
Spørgsmål
TNF inhibitors: common uses?
Svar
Selected autoimmune inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis-related conditions.
Kort 114
Spørgsmål
Triptans: major safety concepts?
Svar
Vasoconstrictive risk in coronary, cerebrovascular, or peripheral vascular disease, plus tingling, flushing, or chest pressure called triptan sensations.
Kort 115
Spørgsmål
Which class is suggested by the ending -gliptin?
Svar
DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin and linagliptin.
Kort 116
Spørgsmål
Fluoroquinolones: common use?
Svar
Selected serious or resistant bacterial infections when their spectrum and risk profile fit the infection.
Kort 117
Spørgsmål
Which patterns often suggest an inhaled corticosteroid?
Svar
-sonide or -sone often appear, as in budesonide or fluticasone, but these endings are not class-specific.
Kort 118
Spørgsmål
Statins: major safety concepts?
Svar
Muscle symptoms and rare rhabdomyolysis or liver injury; pregnancy is a major risk context, although FDA no longer applies a blanket class contraindication.
Kort 119
Spørgsmål
TNF inhibitors: major safety concepts?
Svar
Serious infections and reactivation of tuberculosis or hepatitis B are central concerns; other warnings vary by agent.
Kort 120
Spørgsmål
Triptans: common use?
Svar
Acute treatment of migraine attacks; they are not general-purpose analgesics or routine migraine preventives.
Kort 121
Spørgsmål
DPP-4 inhibitors: major safety concepts?
Svar
Severe joint pain and pancreatitis are warnings; some agents also carry a heart-failure warning.
Kort 122
Spørgsmål
Which class is suggested by the ending -floxacin?
Svar
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin.
Kort 123
Spørgsmål
Inhaled corticosteroids: common use?
Svar
Controller therapy for asthma and selected COPD regimens; they reduce inflammation rather than acting as standalone rescue bronchodilators.
Kort 124
Spørgsmål
Statins: common uses?
Svar
Lowering LDL cholesterol and reducing atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk.
Kort 125
Spørgsmål
Which class is suggested by the ending -triptan?
Svar
Triptan antimigraine agents, such as sumatriptan and rizatriptan.
Kort 126
Spørgsmål
Fluoroquinolones: major safety concepts?
Svar
Potentially disabling tendon, muscle, joint, nerve, and CNS effects, plus a rare risk of aortic aneurysm or rupture in susceptible people.
126 kort
Pharmacology Drug Class Flashcards: Mechanisms, Uses & Safety Patterns
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