#separator:tab #html:false #tags column:4 Analgesic Relieves pain tp-pharmacology-classes Opioid analgesic Strong pain reliever acting on opioid receptors; carries risk of dependence tp-pharmacology-classes NSAID Reduces pain, fever and inflammation tp-pharmacology-classes Antipyretic Lowers fever tp-pharmacology-classes Antibiotic Kills or stops bacteria tp-pharmacology-classes Antiviral Treats viral infections tp-pharmacology-classes Antifungal Treats fungal infections tp-pharmacology-classes Antiparasitic Treats parasite infections tp-pharmacology-classes Penicillins Antibiotic class that blocks bacterial cell walls tp-pharmacology-classes Cephalosporins Antibiotic class related to penicillins tp-pharmacology-classes Macrolides Antibiotics that block bacterial protein making tp-pharmacology-classes Fluoroquinolones Antibiotics that block bacterial DNA copying tp-pharmacology-classes Tetracyclines Broad-spectrum antibiotics tp-pharmacology-classes Antihistamine Blocks histamine to ease allergy symptoms tp-pharmacology-classes Decongestant Reduces swelling in nasal passages tp-pharmacology-classes Expectorant Helps loosen mucus tp-pharmacology-classes Antitussive Suppresses cough tp-pharmacology-classes Bronchodilator Opens airways tp-pharmacology-classes Corticosteroid Reduces inflammation and immune activity tp-pharmacology-classes Antihypertensive Lowers high blood pressure tp-pharmacology-classes ACE inhibitor Relaxes blood vessels by blocking an enzyme; lowers blood pressure tp-pharmacology-classes ARB Angiotensin receptor blocker; relaxes blood vessels tp-pharmacology-classes Beta blocker Slows the heart and lowers blood pressure tp-pharmacology-classes Calcium channel blocker Relaxes blood vessels and the heart tp-pharmacology-classes Diuretic Increases urine output to remove fluid tp-pharmacology-classes Vasodilator Widens blood vessels tp-pharmacology-classes Antiarrhythmic Controls abnormal heart rhythms tp-pharmacology-classes Anticoagulant Slows blood clotting tp-pharmacology-classes Antiplatelet Stops platelets from clumping tp-pharmacology-classes Thrombolytic Dissolves existing clots tp-pharmacology-classes Statin Lowers cholesterol by blocking its production in the liver tp-pharmacology-classes Nitrate Widens vessels to relieve chest pain tp-pharmacology-classes Cardiac glycoside Strengthens the heartbeat tp-pharmacology-classes Antidiabetic Lowers blood sugar tp-pharmacology-classes Insulin Hormone replacement to lower blood glucose tp-pharmacology-classes Thyroid replacement Supplies thyroid hormone when the thyroid is underactive tp-pharmacology-classes Antacid Neutralizes stomach acid tp-pharmacology-classes Proton pump inhibitor Strongly reduces stomach acid production tp-pharmacology-classes H2 blocker Reduces stomach acid by blocking histamine receptors tp-pharmacology-classes Antiemetic Prevents nausea and vomiting tp-pharmacology-classes Laxative Promotes bowel movements tp-pharmacology-classes Antidiarrheal Slows diarrhea tp-pharmacology-classes Anticonvulsant Prevents seizures tp-pharmacology-classes Antidepressant Treats depression tp-pharmacology-classes SSRI Antidepressant that raises serotonin availability tp-pharmacology-classes Anxiolytic Reduces anxiety tp-pharmacology-classes Benzodiazepine Sedating class used for anxiety and seizures; can cause dependence tp-pharmacology-classes Antipsychotic Treats psychosis and certain mood disorders tp-pharmacology-classes Mood stabilizer Evens out highs and lows in mood tp-pharmacology-classes Stimulant Increases alertness and attention tp-pharmacology-classes Sedative-hypnotic Promotes sleep or calm tp-pharmacology-classes Muscle relaxant Eases muscle spasm tp-pharmacology-classes Local anesthetic Numbs a small area tp-pharmacology-classes General anesthetic Produces unconsciousness for surgery tp-pharmacology-classes Antiparkinson agent Replaces or mimics dopamine to ease movement symptoms tp-pharmacology-classes Cholinesterase inhibitor Used to slow memory symptoms in dementia tp-pharmacology-classes Immunosuppressant Reduces immune activity, as after transplant tp-pharmacology-classes Antineoplastic Treats cancer tp-pharmacology-classes Vaccine Trains the immune system to recognize a germ tp-pharmacology-classes Hormonal contraceptive Prevents pregnancy using hormones tp-pharmacology-classes Bisphosphonate Slows bone loss tp-pharmacology-classes Antigout agent Lowers uric acid or relieves gout tp-pharmacology-classes Antimalarial Prevents or treats malaria tp-pharmacology-classes Antitubercular Treats tuberculosis tp-pharmacology-classes Pharmacokinetics What the body does to a drug: absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion tp-pharmacology-classes Pharmacodynamics What a drug does to the body tp-pharmacology-classes Half-life Time for the drug concentration in the body to fall by half tp-pharmacology-classes Bioavailability Fraction of a dose that reaches the bloodstream tp-pharmacology-classes First-pass effect Liver metabolism of an oral drug before it reaches circulation tp-pharmacology-classes Therapeutic index Gap between a helpful dose and a harmful one tp-pharmacology-classes Agonist A drug that activates a receptor tp-pharmacology-classes Antagonist A drug that blocks a receptor tp-pharmacology-classes Side effect An unintended effect of a drug tp-pharmacology-classes Adverse reaction A harmful, unintended response to a drug tp-pharmacology-classes Drug interaction One drug changes the effect of another tp-pharmacology-classes Contraindication A condition making a drug unsafe to use tp-pharmacology-classes Generic name The drug's official non-brand name tp-pharmacology-classes Brand name A manufacturer's trade name tp-pharmacology-classes Prescription drug Needs a licensed prescriber's order tp-pharmacology-classes Over-the-counter drug Sold without a prescription tp-pharmacology-classes Tolerance Needing more drug to get the same effect tp-pharmacology-classes Dependence Body adapts so stopping causes withdrawal tp-pharmacology-classes Route: oral By mouth tp-pharmacology-classes Route: topical Applied to the skin tp-pharmacology-classes Route: intravenous Into a vein tp-pharmacology-classes Route: inhaled Breathed into the lungs tp-pharmacology-classes Route: sublingual Under the tongue tp-pharmacology-classes Route: transdermal Through a skin patch tp-pharmacology-classes Controlled substance schedule Legal classification of drugs by abuse potential tp-pharmacology-classes