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