American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [815]
Drug Glossary
Most Frequently Prescribed Classes of Drugs
This glossary provides brief descriptions of the classes, or types, of drugs that are most often prescribed in the United States. The terms in italics indicate other drug categories that are also defined in this section of the glossary; the drugs that are underlined can be found in the Most Frequently Prescribed Drugs part of the glossary, which starts on page 1140. If you want to learn more about a particular drug you are taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
A
abortifacients Cause muscular contractions of the uterus strong enough to expel its contents. Used to induce abortion.
ACE inhibitors See angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
alkylating agents Anticancer drugs. Interfere with cell division, which helps prevent cancer cells from multiplying. Used to treat cancer.
aminoglycosides Antibiotics. Kill bacteria. Used to treat serious bacterial infections.
amphetamines Stimulants. Increase activity in the central nervous system. Used to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy and attention deficit disorders. In the past, often used to treat obesity because they suppress the appetite. Strictly regulated because they are highly addictive.
anabolic steroids Hormone drugs. Imitate the actions of the male sex hormone testosterone. Used to grow tissue, promote muscle growth, and repair and strengthen bone. Derived from male sex hormones (androgens). Abusing anabolic steroids carries significant health risks.
analgesics Relieve pain. Nonnarcotic analgesics treat mild to moderate pain, and most reduce fever; many are also anti-inflammatories. Narcotic analgesics treat severe pain. Can be addictive.
androgens Hormone drugs. Stimulate development of male sexual characteristics. Used to treat hypogonadism. Derived from male sex hormones (androgens).
anesthetics Interfere with sensory nerves and brain function. Used to relieve or prevent pain. Topical (applied directly to the skin) anesthetics relieve minor skin irritations. Injected local anesthetics eliminate pain sensation in a specific area before or during surgery, dental procedures, or labor and delivery. General anesthetics produce loss of consciousness before and during surgery.
angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) Antihypertensives. Relax narrowed blood vessels, reduce expanded blood volume, and decrease elevated blood pressure. Used to treat high blood pressure, to prevent or treat heart failure, and to treat kidney damage in people with diabetes.
angiotensin II receptor antagonists Antihypertensives. Prevent a protein called angiotensin II from narrowing the blood vessels and increasing blood pressure. Used to treat high blood pressure.
antiadrenergics Interfere with the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system by affecting the release or action of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine and the hormone epinephrine (also called adrenaline). Used to treat high blood pressure, angina, arrhythmias, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
antiangina drugs Increase blood flow to the heart and reduce its workload. Used to relieve the chest pain called angina that occurs when part of the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen.
antianxiety drugs Psychotropics; sedatives; tranquilizers. Used to relieve anxiety, induce sleep, or relax a person before surgery. Can be addictive.
antiarrhythmics Alter the electrical impulses that control the heartbeat or the way the heart responds to the impulses. Used to prevent, control, or correct an abnormal heartbeat. Include beta blockers and calcium channel blockers.
antibacterials Antibiotics. Used to treat bacterial infections.
antibiotics Used to prevent or treat bacterial infections. Some are used to treat specific infections; broad-spectrum antibiotics are used to treat a wide variety of infections. Have no effect on viruses. The entire course of antibiotic treatment must be completed to help prevent bacteria from developing resistance to the drug. Include aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, macrolides, penicillins,