Drug+Mechanism+Classes


 * HHP621

Drug Mechanism Classes** There are different ways to group or classify drugs. One way is by grouping drugs based on their therapeutic use or class such as antiarrhythmic or diuretic drugs. A second way to group drugs is my their dominant mechanism of action. Because many drugs have multiple mechanisms of action, it is sometimes difficult to agree on how to classify a particular drug. Nevertheless, the following list attempts to classify drugs based on their dominant mechanism of action, or by the mechanism that is the most therapeutically relevant. Clicking on the drug class will open a new window providing detailed information on that class and links to specific drugs.

Adenosine receptor agonists Aldosterone-receptor antagonists Alpha-adrenoceptor agonists (alpha-agonists) Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) Beta-adrenoceptor agonists (beta-agonists) Beta-adrenoceptor blockers (beta-blockers) Calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) Centrally-acting sympatholytics Direct-acting vasodilators Diuretics (loop, thiazide, potassium-sparing) Endothelin receptor antagonists Fibrinolytic Ganglionic blockers Muscarinic receptor antagonists Na+-K+- ATPase pump inhibitors (cardiac glycosides) Natriuretic peptides Nitrodilators Phosphodiesterase inhibitors Potassium-channel blockers Potassium-channel openers Sodium-channel blockers Sympathomimetics Vasopressin analogs
 * Alpha-adrenoceptor blockers (alpha-blockers)**