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.
Bu deste hakkında
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.
Bu destedeki kartlar
Kart 1
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What is a drug class?
Cevap
A group of drugs linked by a shared mechanism, target, structure, therapeutic use, or a combination of these features.
Kart 2
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What does mechanism of action mean?
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How a drug produces its effects at a molecular, cellular, or physiological target.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 6
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How should generic-name stems be used to recognize drug classes?
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As clues, not universal rules. Confirm the actual drug because exceptions and overlapping stems exist.
Kart 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.
Kart 8
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SSRIs: core mechanism?
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They inhibit the serotonin transporter, increasing serotonin signaling in the synaptic cleft.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 13
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SSRIs: common uses?
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Depression and several anxiety-related disorders; the approved indications differ by agent.
Kart 14
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NSAIDs: core mechanism?
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They inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 20
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NSAIDs: common uses?
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Pain, inflammation, and fever; individual agents also have more specific uses.
Kart 21
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Metformin belongs to which drug class?
Cevap
Biguanides. Metformin is the main widely used member, so there is no useful class-wide suffix rule.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 26
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Ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketorolac belong to which class?
Cevap
NSAIDs. The class has no single reliable generic-name suffix.
Kart 27
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Biguanides: common use?
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Type 2 diabetes.
Kart 28
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Penicillins: common use?
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Treatment of susceptible bacterial infections; the spectrum differs substantially among individual penicillins.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 33
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SNRIs: core mechanism?
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They inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake transporters, increasing both transmitters in synapses.
Kart 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.
Kart 35
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Glipizide, glyburide, and glimepiride belong to which class?
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Sulfonylureas. Their names offer clues, but the broad ending -ide is not class-specific.
Kart 36
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ARBs: core mechanism?
Cevap
They block angiotensin II at AT1 receptors, reducing vasoconstriction and aldosterone effects.
Kart 37
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H2 blockers: common uses?
Cevap
Acid-related disorders such as heartburn, GERD, and gastric or duodenal ulcers.
Kart 38
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Cephalosporins: core mechanism?
Cevap
Their beta-lactam ring binds penicillin-binding proteins and disrupts bacterial cell-wall synthesis.
Kart 39
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SNRIs: major safety concepts?
Cevap
Serotonin syndrome, blood-pressure increases, discontinuation symptoms, and the antidepressant suicidality warning for younger people.
Kart 40
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Morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl belong to which broad class?
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Opioid analgesics. The class has no single reliable generic-name suffix.
Kart 41
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Sulfonylureas: common use?
Cevap
Type 2 diabetes when increasing pancreatic insulin release is appropriate.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 48
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ARBs: common uses?
Cevap
Hypertension and selected heart-failure and kidney-protection indications.
Kart 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.
Kart 50
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Which class is often suggested by cef- or ceph-?
Cevap
Cephalosporins, such as cefazolin and cephalexin. The name does not reveal the full spectrum.
Kart 51
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SNRIs: common uses?
Cevap
Depression and anxiety disorders; selected agents also treat neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 54
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Cephalosporins: major safety concepts?
Cevap
Hypersensitivity and antibiotic-associated diarrhea are important; penicillin cross-reactivity depends largely on similar side chains.
Kart 55
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Beta2 agonists: core mechanism?
Cevap
They activate beta2 receptors, increasing cAMP and relaxing airway smooth muscle.
Kart 56
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Beta blockers: core mechanism?
Cevap
They antagonize beta-adrenergic receptors; beta1 blockade can reduce heart rate, contractility, and renin release.
Kart 57
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Systemic corticosteroids: core mechanism?
Cevap
They bind intracellular glucocorticoid receptors and alter gene transcription, reducing inflammatory and immune signaling.
Kart 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.
Kart 59
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Which class is often suggested by the ending -terol?
Cevap
Beta2 agonist bronchodilators, such as formoterol and salmeterol. Albuterol is a familiar exception.
Kart 60
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Macrolides: core mechanism?
Cevap
They bind the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibit protein synthesis.
Kart 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.
Kart 62
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GLP-1 receptor agonists: core mechanism?
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They activate GLP-1 receptors, increasing glucose-dependent insulin release, suppressing glucagon, and slowing gastric emptying.
Kart 63
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Systemic corticosteroids: major safety concepts?
Cevap
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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Kart 64
Soru
Which endings often suggest a benzodiazepine?
Cevap
-azepam or -azolam, as in diazepam or midazolam. Not every sedative with a similar ending belongs to this class.
Kart 65
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Beta2 agonists: common use?
Cevap
Bronchodilation in asthma or COPD regimens; short- and long-acting agents play different roles.
Kart 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.
Kart 67
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Which class is often suggested by the ending -olol?
Cevap
Beta blockers, such as metoprolol and propranolol. Receptor selectivity still varies by agent.
Kart 68
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GLP-1 receptor agonists: common uses?
Cevap
Type 2 diabetes; selected agents are also approved for chronic weight management and cardiovascular-risk reduction.
Kart 69
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Which patterns often suggest a systemic corticosteroid?
Cevap
-sone or -olone, as in prednisone or prednisolone, but these endings are not unique to the class.
Kart 70
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Benzodiazepines: major safety concepts?
Cevap
Sedation, dependence and withdrawal, plus respiratory depression—especially with opioids, alcohol, or other CNS depressants.
Kart 71
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Beta2 agonists: major safety concepts?
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Tremor, palpitations or tachycardia, hypokalemia, and rare paradoxical bronchospasm.
Kart 72
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Macrolides: common use?
Cevap
Treatment of selected susceptible bacterial infections, including some respiratory and atypical pathogens.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 75
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Systemic corticosteroids: common uses?
Cevap
Inflammatory, allergic, and autoimmune disorders, with the route and agent chosen for the condition.
Kart 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.
Kart 77
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Which class is often suggested by the ending -thromycin?
Cevap
Macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin and clarithromycin. Confirm the individual agent.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 80
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Tetracyclines: core mechanism?
Cevap
They bind the bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit and inhibit protein synthesis.
Kart 81
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Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers: core mechanism?
Cevap
They block L-type calcium channels mainly in vascular smooth muscle, causing arteriolar relaxation.
Kart 82
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Inhaled antimuscarinics: core mechanism?
Cevap
They block airway muscarinic receptors, reducing vagal bronchoconstriction and promoting bronchodilation.
Kart 83
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Which endings often suggest a second-generation antipsychotic?
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-apine or -idone often appear, but many members use other endings and the stems are not class-specific.
Kart 84
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SGLT2 inhibitors: core mechanism?
Cevap
They inhibit renal sodium-glucose cotransporter 2, increasing urinary glucose and sodium excretion.
Kart 85
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Tetracyclines: common uses?
Cevap
Selected susceptible bacterial infections and, for some agents, acne or rosacea.
Kart 86
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Bisphosphonates: core mechanism?
Cevap
They bind bone mineral and inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption.
Kart 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.
Kart 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.
Kart 89
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Second-generation antipsychotics: common uses?
Cevap
Schizophrenia and selected bipolar or other psychiatric indications; approvals differ by agent.
Kart 90
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SGLT2 inhibitors: major safety concepts?
Cevap
Genital infections, volume depletion, ketoacidosis, and rare necrotizing infection of the perineum.
Kart 91
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Which class is often suggested by the ending -cycline?
Cevap
Tetracycline antibiotics, such as doxycycline and minocycline. Confirm the individual drug.
Kart 92
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Bisphosphonates: common uses?
Cevap
Osteoporosis and selected disorders with excessive bone resorption, including Paget disease or malignancy-related bone disease.
Kart 93
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Which class is often suggested by the ending -dipine?
Cevap
Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers, such as amlodipine and nifedipine.
Kart 94
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Inhaled antimuscarinics: major safety concepts?
Cevap
Dry mouth, urinary retention, tachycardia, and eye exposure that may worsen narrow-angle glaucoma.
Kart 95
Soru
Second-generation antipsychotics: major safety concepts?
Cevap
Metabolic effects, movement disorders, QT effects, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome; labels warn about increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Kart 96
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SGLT2 inhibitors: common uses?
Cevap
Type 2 diabetes; selected agents also treat heart failure or chronic kidney disease.
Kart 97
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Tetracyclines: major safety concepts?
Cevap
Gastrointestinal or esophageal irritation, photosensitivity, and effects on developing teeth and bone are key patterns.
Kart 98
Soru
Which class is often suggested by the ending -dronate?
Cevap
Bisphosphonates, such as alendronate and risedronate. Confirm the individual agent and formulation.
Kart 99
Soru
Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers: common uses?
Cevap
Hypertension and angina, using vascular smooth-muscle relaxation to reduce arterial tone.
Kart 100
Soru
Inhaled antimuscarinics: common use?
Cevap
Maintenance bronchodilation, especially in COPD; selected agents also serve as add-on asthma therapy.
Kart 101
Soru
Which class is often suggested by the ending -gliflozin?
Cevap
SGLT2 inhibitors, such as empagliflozin and dapagliflozin.
Kart 102
Soru
Bisphosphonates: major safety concepts?
Cevap
Upper-GI irritation with oral agents, hypocalcemia, and rare osteonecrosis of the jaw or atypical femur fracture.
Kart 103
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TNF inhibitors: core mechanism?
Cevap
They neutralize tumor necrosis factor signaling, reducing downstream inflammation.
Kart 104
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DPP-4 inhibitors: core mechanism?
Cevap
They inhibit DPP-4, prolonging endogenous incretin activity and increasing glucose-dependent insulin release.
Kart 105
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Inhaled corticosteroids: core mechanism?
Cevap
They activate glucocorticoid receptors in airway cells, reducing inflammatory gene expression and airway inflammation.
Kart 106
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Statins: core mechanism?
Cevap
They inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, reducing hepatic cholesterol synthesis and increasing hepatic LDL-receptor activity.
Kart 107
Soru
Adalimumab, infliximab, and etanercept belong to which class?
Cevap
TNF inhibitors. The class has no single specific shared suffix: -mab is broad, and etanercept ends in -cept.
Kart 108
Soru
Triptans: core mechanism?
Cevap
They activate serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptors, reducing trigeminal signaling and causing cranial vasoconstriction.
Kart 109
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DPP-4 inhibitors: common use?
Cevap
Type 2 diabetes, using enhanced endogenous incretin signaling to improve glucose-dependent insulin release.
Kart 110
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Fluoroquinolones: core mechanism?
Cevap
They inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, disrupting DNA replication.
Kart 111
Soru
Inhaled corticosteroids: major safety concepts?
Cevap
Oral candidiasis and dysphonia are important local effects; systemic effects become more relevant with higher exposure.
Kart 112
Soru
Which class is suggested by the ending -statin?
Cevap
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins, such as atorvastatin and rosuvastatin.
Kart 113
Soru
TNF inhibitors: common uses?
Cevap
Selected autoimmune inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis-related conditions.
Kart 114
Soru
Triptans: major safety concepts?
Cevap
Vasoconstrictive risk in coronary, cerebrovascular, or peripheral vascular disease, plus tingling, flushing, or chest pressure called triptan sensations.
Kart 115
Soru
Which class is suggested by the ending -gliptin?
Cevap
DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin and linagliptin.
Kart 116
Soru
Fluoroquinolones: common use?
Cevap
Selected serious or resistant bacterial infections when their spectrum and risk profile fit the infection.
Kart 117
Soru
Which patterns often suggest an inhaled corticosteroid?
Cevap
-sonide or -sone often appear, as in budesonide or fluticasone, but these endings are not class-specific.
Kart 118
Soru
Statins: major safety concepts?
Cevap
Muscle symptoms and rare rhabdomyolysis or liver injury; pregnancy is a major risk context, although FDA no longer applies a blanket class contraindication.
Kart 119
Soru
TNF inhibitors: major safety concepts?
Cevap
Serious infections and reactivation of tuberculosis or hepatitis B are central concerns; other warnings vary by agent.
Kart 120
Soru
Triptans: common use?
Cevap
Acute treatment of migraine attacks; they are not general-purpose analgesics or routine migraine preventives.
Kart 121
Soru
DPP-4 inhibitors: major safety concepts?
Cevap
Severe joint pain and pancreatitis are warnings; some agents also carry a heart-failure warning.
Kart 122
Soru
Which class is suggested by the ending -floxacin?
Cevap
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin.
Kart 123
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Inhaled corticosteroids: common use?
Cevap
Controller therapy for asthma and selected COPD regimens; they reduce inflammation rather than acting as standalone rescue bronchodilators.
Kart 124
Soru
Statins: common uses?
Cevap
Lowering LDL cholesterol and reducing atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk.
Kart 125
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Which class is suggested by the ending -triptan?
Cevap
Triptan antimigraine agents, such as sumatriptan and rizatriptan.
Kart 126
Soru
Fluoroquinolones: major safety concepts?
Cevap
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
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