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