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