● Tincture : An alcoholic solution of a drug. Tinctures of potent vegetable drugs are 10 percent in strength; of less potent drugs, 20 percent in strength.
● Elixir : A solution containing water, alcohol, sugar and flavoring substances, in which one or more drugs may be dissolved. ● Spirit : An alcoholic or hydro-alcoholic solution of a volatile drug. applied to living tissue. An example is benzethonium chloride solution 1:1000. 2. Germicides are chemical agents that are capable of destroying organisms (not necessarily spores). They may be applied both to living tissue and to inanimate objects for purposes of disinfection. An example is detergent iodine solution (iodophors). O. Astringents : These are drugs that produce shrinkage of the skin or mucous membrane and cause a decrease in secretions. Astringents help to protect tissue from irritating substances. An example is zinc oxide ointment. P. Cathartics : Cathartics quicken and increase evacuation of the bowels. A laxative is a mild cathartic; a purgative is a stronger or more drastic cathartic. Dosage is frequently the determining factor in whether a cathartic will have a laxative or a purgative action. An example of a laxative is senna pod extract tablets. Q. Counterirritants : These are drugs that cause irritation of the skin, thus increasing circulation and relieving inflammation in the structures beneath the skin. Liniments are counterirritants. An example of a drug with counterirritant action is methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen). R. Diuretics : These drugs are used to increase the production of urine. An example is acetazolamide. S. Emollients and protectives : These are drug preparations used on the skin and mucous membrane for a soothing effect. 1. Emollients are fatty preparations that soften the skin. An example is cold cream. 2. Protectives are preparations that form a film on the skin. An example is compound tincture of benzoin. T. Inhalants : These are drugs that are inhaled and absorbed through the lungs. An example is aromatic spirits of ammonia. U. Sedatives, tranquilizers and hypnotics : 1. Sedatives are drugs that have a calming, quieting effect and, in large doses, induce sleep. An example is phenobarbital. 2. Tranquilizers are drugs that have a sedative effect that is characterized by relief of neuromuscular tension and anxiety without producing sleep. An example is chlorpromazine hydrochloride. 3. Hypnotics are drugs that induce sleep. Many drugs that have a sedative effect in small doses have a hypnotic effect when given in larger doses; for example, phenobarbital. V. Stimulants : Stimulants are drugs that cause an increase in the activity of an organ or a system. Caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant, decreases drowsiness and fatigue. Digitalis, a heart stimulant, strengthens heart muscle contraction. W. Vasoconstrictors : These are drugs that constrict the walls of blood, particularly peripheral vessels. Epinephrine is an example of a powerful systemic vasoconstrictor. antiseptics, local anesthetics, counterirritants, antifungals, antiparasitics and local vasoconstrictors. B. Gastrointestinal tract : Antacids and cathartics are among the drugs used to exert their main action on the digestive system. Some drugs used for specific gastrointestinal disorders act through the autonomic nervous system and have a therapeutic effect by decreasing smooth muscle movement and gastric acid secretion.
Classification by therapeutic action In this major classification, drugs are grouped according to the effect they produce on the body to bring about a desired therapeutic result (as in the case of vasoconstrictors and diuretics), or according to the effect they produce on the pathogenic organism or the signs and symptoms of the disease (as in the case of fungicides, analgesics and antipyretics). A. Analgesics : These drugs are used to relieve pain without loss of consciousness. Aspirin is a mild analgesic. For relief of severe pain, morphine and opium derivative is the most valuable analgesic. B. Anesthetics : These drugs are used to produce either a general or a local loss of sensation. An example of a general anesthetic is ether, which on inhalation produces a loss of consciousness. An example of a local anesthetic is procaine hydrochloride, which, on injection by special technique, produces local analgesia. C. Antacids : Antacids are given to neutralize excess acid in the stomach. An example of an antacid is aluminum hydroxide. D. Anthelmintics : These are drugs used to rid the body of worms (helminths). An example is piperazine citrate syrup. E. Antiemetics : These are drugs used to relieve nausea and vomiting. An example is promazine hydrochloride. F. Antibiotics : Drugs that inhibit the growth of or destroy bacteria and other microorganisms. An example is penicillin. G. Sulfonamides : Drugs that inhibit the growth of or destroy bacteria, particularly the coccus form. One example is sulfisoxazole. H. Antimalarials (plasmodicides) : Drugs that prevent or cure malaria; for example, chloroquine phosphate. I. Anti-inflammatories : These drugs suppress local inflammatory reactions. An example is hydrocortisone ointment, 1 percent, used for some eye inflammatory conditions (ophthalmia). J. Antifungals : These are drugs that check the growth of fungi. An example for external use (local application) is fungicidal foot powder. A recently developed antibiotic drug for oral administration in systemic treatment of fungus diseases of the skin is griseofulvin. K. Antihistamines : These are drugs that counteract the effects of histamine. The release of abnormal amounts of histamine into body tissues is associated with acute allergic and hypersensitivity reactions. An example of an antihistamine is diphenhydramine hydrochloride. L. Antiparasitics : Antiparasitics are used to eliminate skin infestation with mites. Examples for external use are gamma benzene hydrochloride ointment or lotion. M. Antipyretics : These are drugs used to reduce the temperature during a fever. (They do NOT affect normal body temperature.) An example is aspirin. N. Antiseptics and germicides : 1. Antiseptics are chemical agents that inhibit the growth and development of microorganisms. They may be Classification by systemic action This major classification groups drugs according to the body systems that they affect. They may be applied directly to the system (as in the case of antacids that are administered directly into the gastrointestinal tract to relieve a condition in the digestive system), or they may be administered via one system and affect another (as in the case of a heart stimulant that is administered orally). A. Skin and mucous membranes : The drugs, usually applied locally, that affect the skin or mucous membranes are
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