Disease and Treatment Categories - Ask a Patient

Therapeutic ClassPurpose of Drug:

5-ALPHA REDUCTASE INHIBITORSBlocks production of male hormone that enlarges the prostate; relieves symptoms of BPH
ACE INHIBITORSAngiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors - for high blood pressure
ACNE PRODUCTStreats skin disease that causes pimples
ADRENAL CORTICOSTEROIDSsynthetic steroid hormone for those with low levels of corticosteroids; works to treat other conditions by reducing swelling and redness and by changing the way the immune system works
ALDOSTERONE RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS (Hyperaldosteronism Drug)causes the kidneys to eliminate unneeded water and sodium from the body into the urine, but reduces the loss of potassium from the body for hyperaldosteronism
ALPHA BLOCKERused for high blood pressure or enlarged prostate BPH
ALZHEIMER-TYPE DEMENTIAtreats degenerative disease of brain and dementia
ANALGESICS, GENERAL (Pain Relief)reduces or eliminates pain
ANALGESICS-NARCOTICreduces or eliminates pain
ANALGESICS-NON-NARCOTICreduces or eliminates pain
ANDROGENS ANABOLIC STEROIDSsynthetic version of male sex hormone testosterone/promotes storage of protein and growth of tissue
ANESTHESIA, ADJUNCTS TO ANALEPTICS
ANESTHETICS, GENERALproduces loss of sensation and loss of consciousness
ANESTHETICS, LOCALproduces loss of sensation in a specific region of the body
ANESTHETICS, TOPICALproduces superficial loss of sensation in skin, produced by direct application of solution or ointment
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)block production of angiotensin II which is responsible for raising blood pressure
ANOREXIANTS CNS STIMULANTSsuppresses appetite, changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain (central nervous system)
ANTERIOR PITUITARY HYPOTHALMIC FUNCTIONdecreases the production of testosterone (male hormone) in men and estrogen (female hormone) in women.
ANTHELMINTICSkills parasitic intestinal worms, such as tapeworms
ANTIANGINALStreats constricting pain of angina; usually in chest area
ANTIANXIETYprevents or reduces symptoms of anxiety
ANTIARRHYTHMICStreats abnormal heart rhythm
ANTIARTHRITICSrelieves or treats pain and inflammation in the joints
ANTIASTHMATICS BRONCODILATORSrelieves symptoms of breathing difficulties due to bronchial constriction of airways in the lungs
ANTIBACTERIALS, MISCELLANEOUSkills or prevents growth of bacteria
ANTICOAGULANTS THROMBOLYTICS (Blood thinners)delays or prevents clotting of blood. includes factor Xa inhibitors
ANTICONVULSANTSprevents or relieves seizures or convulsions; often for epilepsy
ANTIDEPRESSANTSused to prevent or relieve mental depression.
ANTIDIARRHEALStreats symptoms of diarrhea
ANTIDIURETICSreduces output of urine by increasing reabsorption of water by kidney
ANTIDOTES, GENERALcounteracts the effect of a toxin or poison
ANTIDOTES, SPECIFICcounteracts the effect of a toxin or poison
ANTIEMETICS (NAUSEA DRUGS)prevents or stops vomiting or nausea
ANTIFUNGALSdestroys or inhibits growth of fungi
ANTIGOUTtreats gout, an inherited disorder of uric-acid metabolism and severe arthritic attacks
ANTIHISTAMINES (ALLERGY DRUGS)counteracts physiological effects of histamine, which body releases as part of allergic reaction.
ANTIHYPERTENSIVES (BLOOD PRESSURE DRUGS)reduces high blood pressure
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENTstops body from producing a certain substance that may cause pain or inflammation
ANTIMALARIALS (MALARIA DRUGS)treats or prevents the disease malaria
ANTIMETABOLITEStreats cancer by slowing the growth of cancer cells,treats psoriasis by slowing the growth of skin cells,treats rheumatoid arthritis by decreasing activity of the immune system
ANTIMUSCARINICStreats overactive bladder
ANTIMYCOBACTERIALS (INCL ANTI LEPROSY)inhibits growth of fungi and bacteria and that associated with leprosy
ANTINEOPLASTICS (CANCER TREATMENT DRUGS)prevents development and spread of neoplastic (or abnormal) cell tissues
ANTIPLATELET AGENTSkeep blood clots from forming; slows production of platelets in the body
ANTIPROGESTATIONAL STEROIDStermination of early pregnancy with hormones
ANTIPROTOZOALSdestroys infections of protozoals
ANTIPSYCHOTICS ANTIMANICStreats psychosis, such as schizophrenia, paranoia, or manic depressive psychosis
ANTISEPTICS DISINFECTANTSprevents infection by destroying pathogenic organisms
ANTISEPTICS,URINARY TRACTprevents infection in urinary tract
ANTISPASMODICS ANTICHOLINERGICSprevents or relieves muscle spasms or convulsions
ANTITUSSIVES EXPECTORANTS MUCOLYTICS (COUGH MEDICINES)relieves or suppresses coughing
ANTIVIRALSdestroys or inhibits growth and reproduction of viruses
AROMATASE INHIBITORS (BREAST CANCER DRUGS)decreases the amount of estrogen produced by the body which can slow the growth of some breast tumors
BETA BLOCKERSblocks effects of beta-adrenergic receptors; used in treatment of cardiovascular diseases
BISPHOSPHONATEStreats bone density
BLOOD GLUCOSE REGULATORS (DIABETES DRUGS)controls blood sugar levels with insulin or incretin mimetics
CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERSinhibits movement of calcium ions across cell membrane; used for cardiovascular disorders
CALCIUM METABOLISM (BONE DENSITY DRUGS)helps build bone density
CANNABINOIDSmay be synthetic or derived from cannabis sativa plant
CARDIAC GLYCOSIDESforces contraction of heart muscle and regulates pumping action
CELL STIMULANTS (HAIR GROWTH DRUGS)stimulates hair growth
CENTRAL AGONISTS (High Blood Pressure Drugs)lowers blood presure
CEPHALOSPORINSclass of antibiotics
CHOLINERGIC AGONISTStreats the symptoms of dry mouth in patients with Sjogren's syndrome
CNS, MISCELLANEOUSdrugs for the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
COLD REMEDIEStreats common cold
CONTRACEPTIVESprevents pregnancy
CONTRAST MEDIA RADIOPHARMACEUTICALSsubstance used in radiography to increase contrast of an image
CORONARY VASODILATORSdilates coronary blood vessel
CORTICOSTEROIDS-INHALATION NASALsynthetic equivalent of steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex
COVID 19 VACCINESprotects against Covid-19 illness
CYCLOPLEGICS MYDRIATICSparalyzes ciliary muscle of the eyes/causes dilation of the pupils
DEFICIENCY ANEMIASdeficiency in oxygen-carrying component of the blood
DENTAL PREPARATIONSused for treatment of teeth
DERMATITIS ANTIPURETICStreats inflammation/itching of the skin
DERMATOLOGICStreatment for skin conditions
DIAGNOSTICS - RADIOPHARMACEUTICALSradioactive compound used in diagnosis
DIAGNOSTICS, MISCELLANEOUSused to determine nature or cause of disease or injury
DIAGNOSTICS, RADIOPAQUE & NONRADIOACTIVnon-radioactive compound used in diagnosis
DISORDERS, ACID PEPTICassists in digestion and/or neutralizes acid in digestive juices of stomach
DIURETICSincreases discharge of urine
DNA DAMAGING DRUGSdamages DNA, which carries genetic information
DRUGS USED IN DISORDERS OF GROWTH HORMOtreats growth disorders
ESTROGENS PROGESTINSfemale sex hormones often used as replacement therapy after menopause
EXTRAPYRAMIDAL MOVEMENT DISORDERStreats movement disorders from such diseases as Parkinson's or chorea
FECAL MICROBIOTA PRODUCTPrevention of recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI)
FLUOROQUINOLONESantibacterials that block bacterial DNA synthesis
GASTROINTESTINAL, MISCELLANEOUStreats stomach and intestinal and gallbladder disorders
GLAUCOMAtreats eye disease, damaged optic disk
GLYCOPEPTIDE ANTIBIOTICS (FOR COLITIS)Kills bacteria in the intestines. Treats colitis (inflammation of the intestine caused by certain bacteria) that may occur after antibiotic treatment
GUANYLATE CYCLASE C AGONISTS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS med)works by increasing the movement of food and waste through the stomach and intestines
HEMATOLOGICStreats blood disorders
HEMOSTATICSstops bleeding
HORMONAL BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE MODIFIERS
HYPERLIPIDEMIA (Cholesterol Lowering Drugs)lowers cholesterol; treats an excess of fats of fat or lipids in the blood
HYPOTENSION SHOCKtreats massive loss of blood pressure
IMMUNOMODULATORSblocks certain immune cell activity; reduce inflammation by affecting the immune system
IMMUNOSUPPRESIVE AGENT (TRANSPLANTS)prevents rejection of the transplanted organ by the transplant recipient's immune system in people who have received kidney, liver, or heart transplants
INFERTILITYtreats the inability to achieve conception
INFLUENZA VACCINESProtects against prevalent flu viruses for 2022-2023 flu season; earlier reviews are for last year's season.
INTERSTITIAL CYSTITISpainful bladder syndrome
KERATOLYTICSpromotes shedding of the skin
LAXATIVEStreats constipation or clears the bowels for a colonoscopy
MIGRAINE HEADACHEStreats migraine headaches
MYASTHENIA GRAVIStreats disease characterized by progressive fatigue and generalized weakness of skeletal muscles
NASAL DECONGESTANTSdecongests the nose by shrinking swollen membranes
NEUROTOXINSblocks nerve signals that cause tightening of muscles; used to temporarily smooth wrinkles and frown lines
NOREPINEPHRINE REUPTAKE INHIBITORSincreases levels of norepinephrine, a natural substance in brain needed to control behavior
NSAIDNonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug; used for pain, fever, headaches
NUTRITION, ENTERAL PARENTERALnutrients taken into the body other than through digestive tract; e.g. intravenous injection
OCULAR ANTI-INFECTIVE ANTI-INFLAMMATORYtreats infection of the eye
ONCOLYTICSreduces tumor or tumor cells
OPHTHALMICStreats the eye
OPHTHALMICS, MISCELLANEOUStreats the eye
OPHTHALMICS-DECONGESTANTS-ANTIALLERGY Atreats the eye
OPIATE ANTAGONIST (addiction treatment)decreases the craving for alcohol and blocking the effects of opioid medications, narcotics, and opioid street drugs
OTICS, TOPICALtreatment used in the ear
PCSK9 INHIBITOR(HeFH; an inherited condition in which cholesterol cannot be removed from the body normally
PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS (VAGINAL)
PHARMACEUTICAL AIDS
POTASSIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERSstrengthening the signals sent by the brain through nerves that have been damaged by MS.
RANK ligand inhibitorsdecreases bone breakdown and increasing bone strength and density
RELAXANTS STIMULANTS, URINARY TRACTrelieves urinary tract tension
RELAXANTS STIMULANTS,UTERINEstimulate contractions of the uterus and smooth muscle tissue
REPL REGS OF ELECTROLYTES WATER BALANCEreplenishes or regulates electrolytes found in daily food
RSV VACCINESfor preventing Respiratory Syncytial Virus
SCABICIDES PEDICULICIDESkills mites or lice
SEDATIVES HYPNOTICSrelieves anxiety/tranquilizing effect; or agent that causes sleep
SEROTONIN AGONISTWorks by improving muscle movement and increasing production of fluid in the bowels
SKELETAL MUSCLE HYPERACTIVITYtreats over activity or excess of muscle movement
SMOKING CESSATION AIDS (QUIT SMOKING DRUGS)blocks the pleasant effects of nicotine (from smoking) on the brain
SULFONAMIDES RELATED COMPOUNDSantibacterial that is a sulfur compound
SURGICAL AIDSused in surgery
TETRACYCLINESantibiotic
THERAPEUTICS - RADIOPHARMACEUTICALSradioactive therapy
THYROID ANTITHYROIDmimics action of thyroid gland
TOPICAL ANTI-INFECTIVESinfection preventing solution applied on the skin
TOPICAL STEROIDStreats skin problems
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha INHIBITORSblocking the action of TNF, a substance in the body that causes inflammation
UNCLASSIFIED
VASCULAR DISORDERS, CEREBRAL PERIPHERALtreats blood vessel disorders
VASODILATORSdilates blood vessel; used for erectile dysfunction
VERTIGO MOTION SICKNESS VOMITINGprevents motion sickness
VITAMINS MINERALSsynthetic versions of organic and inorganic substances present in daily diet