General Drug Categories (Part 2)

[ An/alges/ic = An- is a prefix term that means "without", alges is the word root that pertains to "sensitivity to pain", -ic is a suffix term that means "pertaining to".] Non-opioid analgesics, also called non-narcotics, are commonly used to treat mild and moderate acute and chronic pain. A few examples are acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.

[ Anti/emet/ic = Anti- is a prefix term that means "against", emet is the word root that pertains to "vomiting", -ic is a suffix term that means "pertaining to".] Antiemetics are drugs used to treat nausea and vomiting. Some examples of antiemetics are dimenhydrinate, ondansetron & promethazine.

[ Expector/ant = Expector is the word root that pertains to "cough up", -ant is a suffix term that forms a word into a noun.] In order to help relieve irritated respiratory tracts, expectorants signal the body to increase the amount of hydration of secretions. This leads to more and yet clearer secretions. An expectorant commonly used is guaifenesin.

[ Hypo/glyc/emic = Hypo- is a prefix term that pertains to "low" or "below", glyc is word root that refers to "sugar", -emic is a suffix term that means "pertaining to blood condition".] The use of oral hypoglycemics is limited to the treatment of type 2 diabetes, a disorder involving resistance to insulin. Type 1 diabetes results from a lack of insulin, and therefore requires insulin. Sulfonylureas, metformin, thiazolidinediones and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are the four classes of hypoglycemic drugs.

[ Anti/parasit/ic = Anti- is a prefix term that pertains to "against", parasit is a word root that refers to "near food" or "parasite", -ic is a suffix term that means "pertaining to".] Antiparasitic drugs are used in the treatment of infections caused by parasites, such as protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites. Mebendazole and praziquantel are two common antiparasitics.

[ Anti/bio/tic = Anti- is a prefix term that pertains to "against", bio is a word root that refers to "life", -tic is a suffix term that means "pertaining to".] An antibiotic is a drug made from naturally occurring or synthetic substances that fights bacterial infection. Some antibiotics are only effective against a specific type of bacteria. Other antibiotics, known as broad-spectrum antibiotics, are effective against a variety of bacteria.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used for antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic purposes. They are effective for treating muscle pain, dysmenorrhea, arthritic conditions, pyrexia, gout, migraines, and are used as opioid-sparing agents in certain acute trauma cases. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and diclofenac are common NSAIDs.

[ Anti/fung/al = Anti- is a prefix term that pertains to "against", fung is a word root that refers to "fungus", -al is a suffix term that means "pertaining to".] Drugs that are antifungal are commonly used to treat fungal infections of the hair, skin, nails, and mucous membranes. Among the most common antifungals are fluconazole and clotrimazole.

[ De/congest/ant= De- is a prefix term that pertains to "away from" or "without", congest means "to obstruct or block", -ant is a suffix term that forms a word into a noun.] A decongestant reduces nasal stuffiness by constricting the blood vessels in the nose, which reduces swelling of the mucous membranes lining the nose. Phenylephrine, oxymetazoline, and pseudoephedrine are examples of drugs.

[ Anti/diabet/ic = Anti- is a prefix term that pertains to "against", diabet is a word root that refers to "diabetes" -ic is a suffix term that means "pertaining to".] The aim of antidiabetic drugs is to stabilize and control blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. Insulin and metformin are common antidiabetic drugs.