Week 2 Assignment
Grand Canyon University-BIO-316V
1. Why are drugs classified in the categories they are?Drugs are most often categorized by
their therapeutic action. They can also be grouped by their mechanism of action, their mode
of action, and by their chemical structure. Many drugs can fit into more than one category
and can also be used for off label purposes. Drug classification is done mainly to ensure the
safe and effective use of the drug.
2. Give a description of the actions of drugs in each category.
Drugs are broken into a category that reflects the part or system of the body they effect.
Central Nervous System
, Anticonvulsants: Drugs that are used to control/prevent seizures in patients who have
epilepsy, seizure disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and other cerebral disorders.
Antidepressants:Used to treat neurotransmitter deficiencies. It can take several weeks for
the drug to reach the appropriate blood level before reaching its desired effect.
Antianxiety/Sedatives: Are used to treat anxiety disorders and sleep disorders.
Barbiturates and benzodiazepines: Used to help alleviate anxietyEnhance the actions of
the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gammaaminobutyruc acid. These are both effective sedative-
hypnotics.
Antipsychotics:Group of drugs used to treat psychotic episodes and serious mental
disorders.
Antiemetics: Are used to treat nausea and vomiting and help control motion sickness.
Cardiovascular Drugs
Antihypertensive: Drugs that include diuretics which reduce blood pressure and edema by
increasing urine production.
Antiadrenergic: Medications that increase blood pressure by stimulating the heart and/or
constricting peripheral blood vessels.
Vasodilators: Drugs that can help lower blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels.
Vasoconstrictors: Drugs that help increase blood pressure by constricting the blood vessels.
Anti-anginals:Medications that consist of nitrates that dilate large myocardial arteries to
increase blood supply to theheart. They also reduce cardiac preload by reducing venous tone
which allows blood pooling in the periphery.
Grand Canyon University-BIO-316V
1. Why are drugs classified in the categories they are?Drugs are most often categorized by
their therapeutic action. They can also be grouped by their mechanism of action, their mode
of action, and by their chemical structure. Many drugs can fit into more than one category
and can also be used for off label purposes. Drug classification is done mainly to ensure the
safe and effective use of the drug.
2. Give a description of the actions of drugs in each category.
Drugs are broken into a category that reflects the part or system of the body they effect.
Central Nervous System
, Anticonvulsants: Drugs that are used to control/prevent seizures in patients who have
epilepsy, seizure disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and other cerebral disorders.
Antidepressants:Used to treat neurotransmitter deficiencies. It can take several weeks for
the drug to reach the appropriate blood level before reaching its desired effect.
Antianxiety/Sedatives: Are used to treat anxiety disorders and sleep disorders.
Barbiturates and benzodiazepines: Used to help alleviate anxietyEnhance the actions of
the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gammaaminobutyruc acid. These are both effective sedative-
hypnotics.
Antipsychotics:Group of drugs used to treat psychotic episodes and serious mental
disorders.
Antiemetics: Are used to treat nausea and vomiting and help control motion sickness.
Cardiovascular Drugs
Antihypertensive: Drugs that include diuretics which reduce blood pressure and edema by
increasing urine production.
Antiadrenergic: Medications that increase blood pressure by stimulating the heart and/or
constricting peripheral blood vessels.
Vasodilators: Drugs that can help lower blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels.
Vasoconstrictors: Drugs that help increase blood pressure by constricting the blood vessels.
Anti-anginals:Medications that consist of nitrates that dilate large myocardial arteries to
increase blood supply to theheart. They also reduce cardiac preload by reducing venous tone
which allows blood pooling in the periphery.
