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