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