Drug classes

All drugs are grouped into several classes depending on their pharmacological effects on the body, target organs or systems, etc. For example, there is a wide variety of cardiovascular drugs, gastrointestinal drugs, neuropharmacological drugs, antibiotics, neoplastic drugs, hormones, and others.

Cardiovascular drugsmay be divided into three groups; drugs that affect the heart; drugs that affect blood pressure; and drugs that prevent blood clotting.

There is a wide variety of gastrointestinal drugs. They have different pharmacological activities and are used mainly to relieve uncomfortable and potentially dangerous symptoms, rather that as cures for diseases.

Antibioticsare chemical substances produced by microorganisms. Antibiotics have been synthesized in the laboratory and are used to treat serious bacterial infections.

Neuropharmacologicaldrugs act on the nervous system. There are two major types of neuropharmacological drugs: autonomic and central nervous system drugs.

Antihistaminesare drugs, which block the action of chemicals called histamines, which are found in the body. Histamine is produced by most cells and especially by sensitive cells under the skin and in the respiratory system. Antihistamines can relieve the allergic symptoms, which histamine produces.

Vitaminsare necessary for normal body functioning. They play an important role in the metabolic processes of the body.

The other categories into which most of the commonly prescribed medications are divided are the following:

Analgetics: pain-relieving drugs;

Antacids (Antiacids): drugs used for relief of symptoms of indigestion or disorders caused by excess acid. These medications work to neutralizing stomach acids;

Antiarrhythmics: medications used to control unwanted variations in heart rhythms;

Anticoagulants: drugs prescribed to prevent blood from clotting;

Antidepressants: mood-lifting drugs;

Antidiabetic agents: drugs used in the treatment of diabetes. Antidiabetics drugs are used to restore the body’s ability to use sugar normally;

Antifungals: drugs used to treat infections caused by fungi;

Antihypertensives: medications prescribed to reduce high blood pressure;

Anti-inflammatoryagents: drugs used to reduce inflammation;

Antipyretics: fever-reducing drugs. These drugs directly affect the temperature-regulating centre in the brain and the hypothalamus;

Antivirals: drugs used to treat viral infections;

Bronchodilators: drugs that open (dilate) the main airways (bronchi) in the lungs. They are primarily used to treat asthma;

Corticosteroidsare used principally as anti-inflammatory drugs;

Cough suppressants: they are used to suppress cough;

Diuretics: these drugs increase the volume of urine and salt released by the kidneys;

Hypnotics: sleeping medications;

Laxatives: constipation drugs;

Nitrates: heart drugs. They may increase blood flow through the coronary arteries and often are used in patients with angina;

Vasodilators: heart drugs. These medications stimulate the arteries of the heart to enlarge. They are used to treat angina pectoris or lower blood pressure.

Ex. 24. Give proper terms for the definitions:

1. These drugs, in moderate dose, can suppress the central nervous system and relieve pain but in excessive doses produce unconsciousness, stupor, coma, and possibly death. 2. These drugs relax the muscles of vessel walls, thus increasing the size of blood vessels. They are used in treating blood vessels diseases, heart conditions, and high blood pressure. 3. These drugs neutralise acid in the stomach, they are often used for peptic ulcer symptoms. 4. They treat diarrhea and decrease rapid movement of bowels (spasms). 5. These substances are able to kill microorganisms such as bacteria. 6. A substance secreted by the medulla of the adrenal gland that stimulates the heart, increased muscular strength and endurance, it is extracted from animal adrenals or prepared synthetically for therapeutic use.

vasoconstrictors epinephrine antacids antibiotics narcotics vasodilators antidiarrheals

Ex. 25. Speak on the main classes of drugs and their forms.

Ex. 26. Read the following words and memorize them:

Cap ковпачок, насадка, кришка; eyelid повіки; pouch мішок; blink кліпати; measure міряти; swallow ковтати; remove видаляти; tilt нахил; нахиляти; drop крапля; крапати; contamination забруднення; nostril ніздря; tight щільний; tip верхівка, кінчик.

Ex. 27. Read and translate the following text: