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