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